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List of 15 authors like Phyllis A. Whitney

If you enjoy reading books by Phyllis A. Whitney then you might also like the following authors:

  1. 1
    Mary Stewart

    Mary Stewart wrote novels that blend romance, suspense, and an atmospheric sense of place. One of her most popular books, “Nine Coaches Waiting,” tells the story of a young woman named Linda, who takes a job as a governess in a grand estate in France.

    She grows fond of her young charge but soon suspects that someone is trying to harm him. The tension builds as Linda uncovers the secrets of the household, with her own life at risk. The vivid descriptions and clever twists make it a memorable read.

  2. 2
    Victoria Holt

    Victoria Holt was a popular author known for her gothic romance novels. If you enjoy Phyllis A. Whitney, you might like Holt’s flair for mysterious settings and strong female characters.

    One of her books, “The Mistress of Mellyn,” is set in Cornwall and follows Martha Leigh, a governess hired by a brooding widower. As she begins to unravel the secrets surrounding his late wife, the eerie atmosphere and hidden dangers draw you in.

    The story combines romance and suspense with an old mansion that seems to hold its own dark past.

  3. 3
    Daphne du Maurier

    Daphne du Maurier wrote stories full of suspense and atmosphere, often exploring the darker sides of human nature.

    One of her best-known books, “Rebecca,” is about a young bride who moves to her husband’s grand estate, Manderley, only to feel overshadowed by the memory of his first wife, Rebecca. The housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, is cold and hostile, making the new wife feel unwelcome.

    As secrets unfold, the heroine begins to learn her husband isn’t who she thought he was. The mix of mystery and tension made this book unforgettable.

  4. 4
    Elizabeth Peters

    Elizabeth Peters was the pen name of Barbara Mertz, an author known for her engaging mysteries. One of her most beloved series features Amelia Peabody, a strong-willed Victorian woman with a sharp wit and a passion for archaeology.

    In “Crocodile on the Sandbank,” Amelia heads to Egypt, where she meets the fiery Emerson brothers and stumbles upon an ancient tomb. As the group faces dangers, including a mysterious mummy, secrets begin to surface.

    The mix of history, humor, and adventure makes her stories hard to put down.

  5. 5
    Barbara Michaels

    Barbara Michaels was the pen name of Barbara Mertz, an author known for blending suspense and romance with a touch of the supernatural.

    One of her novels, “Ammie, Come Home,” centers on a young woman named Ruth, who invites her niece to stay with her in their old Georgetown home.

    Strange and chilling events begin to unfold after a séance goes wrong, and the characters are forced to confront the dark history of the house. The mix of eerie atmospheres and secrets makes it a memorable read for fans of Phyllis A. Whitney’s style.

  6. 6
    Susan Howatch

    Susan Howatch is known for weaving family drama with emotional depth. Her book “The Rich Are Different” is a modern take on ancient Roman history, set in the world of 1920s high finance.

    It follows the story of Dinah, a young woman who moves to New York and becomes entangled with a ruthless banker named Paul. Their relationship unfolds as ambition, jealousy, and betrayal begin to surface.

    The book paints vivid characters and takes readers through their personal struggles and secrets, all with a backdrop of wealth and power.

  7. 7
    Anne Rivers Siddons

    Anne Rivers Siddons wrote stories that focus on relationships, personal change, and the emotional pull of the places people call home. Her novel “The House Next Door” blends Southern charm with a growing sense of dread.

    It tells the story of a couple whose comfortable life in an upscale neighborhood is disrupted when a beautiful new house is built nearby. The house seems to bring tragedy to anyone who lives there, and the main characters are drawn into its dark influence.

    Fans of gothic tales with emotional depth may find her work appealing.

  8. 8
    Anya Seton

    Anya Seton was a historical fiction writer known for creating vivid stories grounded in well-researched history. One of her standout novels, “Katherine,” tells the story of Katherine Swynford and her relationship with John of Gaunt in 14th-century England.

    The book follows her journey from a young woman of modest means to a figure who influences the royal court and the country’s future.

    It brings medieval England to life with its descriptions of castles, politics, and the challenges Katherine faces as she fights for love and survival. Fans of intimate and richly detailed historical stories might find Seton’s work appealing.

  9. 9
    Shirley Jackson

    Shirley Jackson is known for her ability to create stories filled with an unsettling tension beneath ordinary life.

    In her novel “We Have Always Lived in the Castle,” the story follows Merricat Blackwood and her sister, Constance, who live in near isolation after a tragedy left their family shattered.

    The quiet life of the sisters begins to shift when a distant cousin arrives at their home, disrupting the fragile balance they’ve managed to hold onto. Jackson’s writing mixes small-town secrets with a strange and haunting sense of mystery.

  10. 10
    Rebecca Rothenberg

    Rebecca Rothenberg wrote mysteries with a strong sense of place and atmosphere. Her book “The Bulrush Murders” follows microbiologist Claire Sharples as she uncovers a murder in the San Joaquin Valley.

    While working on a local marsh restoration project, Claire becomes entangled in the small-town secrets and tension surrounding her. The story combines environmental details with a mystery that twists through both nature and human conflict.

    Rothenberg’s storytelling creates an immersive world where the landscape plays a key role in the plot.

  11. 11
    Ruth Rendell

    Ruth Rendell is known for crafting mystery stories that explore human behavior and deep emotional conflicts. One of her books, “A Judgement in Stone,” tells the tragic story of a housekeeper, Eunice Parchman, who works for a wealthy family.

    As secrets about Eunice’s life come to light, events spiral into shocking violence. The novel focuses on characters’ hidden motives and how seemingly small misunderstandings can lead to devastating consequences.

    Fans of Phyllis A. Whitney’s suspenseful tales might enjoy the way Rendell builds tension and reveals the darker sides of ordinary lives.

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    Madeleine Brent

    Madeleine Brent was the pen name of Peter O’Donnell, an author known for writing historical romantic suspense novels with strong heroines and vivid settings. One of his books, “Moonraker’s Bride,” is about Lucy Waring, a young woman raised in a mission in China.

    Her life takes a sudden turn when she finds an ancient artifact that leads her into danger and adventure. The story mixes intrigue, romance, and a bit of mystery, perfectly blending an exotic backdrop with a gripping plot.

    Fans of Phyllis A. Whitney might enjoy how Brent weaves romance and suspense into his richly imagined worlds.

  13. 13
    Joan Aiken

    Joan Aiken was an imaginative writer known for her blend of mystery, adventure, and gothic elements, which might appeal to fans of Phyllis A. Whitney. One of her standout books, “The Wolves of Willoughby Chase,” is set in an alternate England teetering on the edge of chaos.

    It tells the story of two orphaned cousins, Bonnie and Sylvia, who face danger and deception after a treacherous governess takes control of their home. The snowy landscapes, secret tunnels, and scheming villains create a world you’ll want to escape into.

    Aiken’s knack for creating tense, atmospheric tales makes her worth exploring.

  14. 14
    Marian Zimmer Bradley

    Marion Zimmer Bradley was an author known for weaving elements of myth and history into her stories. One of her most famous works is “The Mists of Avalon,” a retelling of the Arthurian legend from the perspective of the women in the story.

    The book focuses on Morgaine and Viviane, exploring their roles in guiding Arthur and shaping the world around them. It’s a richly told tale with magic, power struggles, and personal sacrifices that transform iconic legends into something more personal.

    Fans of Phyllis A. Whitney might enjoy Bradley’s focus on relationships and the deep ties between characters.

  15. 15
    Victoria Thompson

    Victoria Thompson is known for her historical mysteries that often take readers into the heart of 19th and early 20th century New York. Her “Gaslight Mystery” series starts with “Murder on Astor Place.”

    The story follows Sarah Brandt, a midwife who finds herself drawn into solving the murder of a young girl from a wealthy family. With the help of Detective Frank Malloy, Sarah unveils secrets hidden behind the doors of high society.

    The book mixes intrigue with everyday struggles, giving readers a glimpse into the era’s moral and social challenges.