Poinciana
by Phyllis A. Whitney
On This Page
Description
Fiction. Romance. Suspense. Thriller. A millionaire's Florida estate becomes a sinister trap for his bride in this classic gothic romance from "a superb and gifted story teller" (Mary Higgins Clark). On the Florida coastline stands Poinciana, the Logan family's fabulous mansion. Inside its storied walls are the two most prized possessions of patriarch Ross Logan: his invaluable collection of Oriental art and, even more priceless, his new bride, Sharon. When Ross proposed, it seemed Sharon's show more dreams had come true and her tragic past was at last behind her. Now she'd be safe and find happiness, a family, and a home as the wife of one of America's wealthiest and most celebrated oil and banking magnates. But upon her arrival at the sprawling Palm Beach estate, Sharon can't ignore the strange undercurrents of hostility emanating from everyone who resides at Poinciana—from Ross's principal assistant to his reckless and resentful daughter from a previous marriage to his strange and guarded mother, who has isolated herself in a cottage on the grounds. And when Sharon starts asking questions about the Logan family history, even Ross turns from a dynamic and solicitous husband to a dark and silent menace. As secret after secret is revealed, Sharon begins to doubt her sanity—and safety—in this isolated house of strangers. A New York Times–bestselling author and recipient of the Edgar and Agatha Awards, "Phyllis Whitney is, and always will be, the Grand Master of her craft" (Barbara Michaels). This ebook features an illustrated biography of Phyllis A. Whitney including rare images from the author's estate. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
Poinciana may be romantic suspense, but it also offers, through two examples, the folly of young women with mother issues who are so desperate for love and attention that they seek it unwisely. The title is from a fictional mansion designed by the heroine's mother-in-law, Allegra Logan. Sharon Hollis Logan, daughter of famous singer Ysobel Hollis, is her husband's third wife. The mansion is beautiful and filled with wonderful (and valuable) objects, but the most important employees disapprove of Sharon. Her stepdaughter, almost the same age she is, is ready to hate her. Sharon hasn't been in this house of secrets long before she learns something that devastates her. Who is playing nasty tricks on Sharon? Who is stealing some of the art? show more Is there anyone whom Sharon can trust?
The dustjacket for the Large Print edition has what look like violet-brown palm fronds on a cream background. (Yawn) show less
The dustjacket for the Large Print edition has what look like violet-brown palm fronds on a cream background. (Yawn) show less
Yet another wonderous book by Mrs. Whitney, but then again, would I ever expect anything different? Poinciana, was wonderful and kept me turning the pages. I have however come to expect certain things, and I was not disappointed. I was able to pick out who would do what, and the characters did not disappoint me. Description of the house was amazing, character development was superb, the book overall was fantastic. I definitely recommend.
Ratings
Members
- Recently Added By
Author Information
108+ Works 11,671 Members
Mystery author Phyllis A. Whitney was born in Yokohama, Japan to American parents on September 9, 1903. After her father's death in 1918, she and her mother traveled from Japan to San Francisco, California on an ocean liner. In 1924, she graduated from McKinley High School in Chicago and sold short stories to newspapers, church papers, and pulp show more magazines as well as worked in bookstores and libraries. She was a Children's Book Editor of the Chicago Sun's Book Week from 1942 to 1946 and the Philadelphia Inquirer from 1947 to 1948. She also taught juvenile fiction writing courses at Northwestern University in 1945 and at New York University from 1947 to 1958. She writes both juvenile and adult mysteries, many set in an exotic location. Her first juvenile book was published in 1941 and her first adult novel was published in 1943. Since then, she has written over 75 books. She has won numerous awards including the Edgar Allen Poe Award in 1961 and 1964, the Sequoyah Award of Oklahoma, and the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America in 1988. Phyllis A. Whitney passed away on February 8, 2008 at the age of 104. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Some Editions
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Poinciana
- Important places
- Kyoto, Japan; Palm Beach, Florida, USA; Florida, USA; Honshū, Japan; Japan
- First words
- Outside the long windows of the library, a Florida March was mild, almost balmy.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)We can never forget what has happened here, but there are good new memories to be made, and so much lies ahead for all of us.
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 199
- Popularity
- 161,922
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (2.92)
- Languages
- English, Norwegian, Spanish
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 13
- ASINs
- 9
