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The Singing Stones
Set in the Blue Mountains of Virginia, this is the story of a woman's return to the home she left 12 years before, when her husband left her. Now, her husband's daughter and her own crippled father need her help. The author's other books include "Rainbow in the Mist" and "Silversword".
233 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1990
83 people are currently reading
530 people want to read
About the author
Phyllis A. Whitney
191 books561 followersPhyllis Ayame Whitney (1903 – 2008) was an American mystery writer. Rare for her genre, she wrote mysteries for both the juvenile and the adult markets, many of which feature exotic locations. A review in The New York Times once dubbed her "The Queen of the American Gothics".
She was born in Japan to American parents and spent her early years in Asia. Whitney wrote more than seventy novels. In 1961, her book The Mystery of the Haunted Pool won an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for Best Juvenile novel, and she duplicated the honor in 1964, for The Mystery of the Hidden Hand. In 1988, the MWA gave her a Grand Master Award for lifetime achievement. Whitney died of pneumonia on February 8, 2008, aged 104.
She was born in Japan to American parents and spent her early years in Asia. Whitney wrote more than seventy novels. In 1961, her book The Mystery of the Haunted Pool won an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for Best Juvenile novel, and she duplicated the honor in 1964, for The Mystery of the Hidden Hand. In 1988, the MWA gave her a Grand Master Award for lifetime achievement. Whitney died of pneumonia on February 8, 2008, aged 104.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 95 reviews
May 4, 2024
I really dislike not liking a Phyllis Whitney book but this one was not likable.
There's no good reason Lynn should ever have gone to that house considering her history with the family. Then she meets Julian and he seems to be able to talk her into anything. It seems as if the middle of the book is her running to him after every conversation with anyone and getting his opinion of everything said. I got whiplash from her running in and out of his office.
And the way the adults treat Jilly is neglect. They let a 10-year-old run around virtually unsupervised and when she disappears for hours they all, including her father, say "Oh well, she knows everyone in the area and she'll be home sometime."
This one goes to the library book sale - there should be some good to come from it.
There's no good reason Lynn should ever have gone to that house considering her history with the family. Then she meets Julian and he seems to be able to talk her into anything. It seems as if the middle of the book is her running to him after every conversation with anyone and getting his opinion of everything said. I got whiplash from her running in and out of his office.
And the way the adults treat Jilly is neglect. They let a 10-year-old run around virtually unsupervised and when she disappears for hours they all, including her father, say "Oh well, she knows everyone in the area and she'll be home sometime."
This one goes to the library book sale - there should be some good to come from it.
May 12, 2015
Hated it. All sorts of ridiculous new age gobbledegook - auras, magical stones, living rocks, reincarnation, hypnosis and more. A true testament to the created rather than the Creator.
Just ghastly.
I used to love her books. Haven't read one in years, and won't again. When did she change?
Just ghastly.
I used to love her books. Haven't read one in years, and won't again. When did she change?
September 28, 2010
Thought I'd re-read some old Phyllis Whitney romantic suspense to see how she compared to Mary Stewart. The answer is poorly. While this book has a New Age theme and deals with the possibility of reincarnation and past life regression, it feels more like a parlor game treatment. There's no magic here that Mary Stewart knows how to conjure. I liked the use of the setting outside of Charlottesville in the mountains where the 'singing stones' become like the voice of the Greek chorus. Other than that, I found the plot dull. The characters went about here and there with no particular purpose and seemed to change their minds on a whim. Though I remembered very little of the plot and characters, I thought I remembered who the murderer was, but as I read I thought I must be wrong because there were absolutely no hints or motivation or character weakness that would suggest this. Sure enough, I had remembered correctly and I thought it was a cheap shot - the least likely was made the bad guy. The personality and character of the murderer totally changed at the end as the truth was revealed. The suspense was weak and I felt no strong sympathy with the characters, though I wanted to like the narrator. But she seemed to just be pulled along by the stronger wills of others or to dither about her own intentions. Ms. Whitney may have followed her rules for a romantic suspense story, but fell short of both romance and suspense.
November 14, 2008
My mother gave this to me because it takes place in Charlottesville, Virginia, where I used to live. I imagine she picked it up at a garage sale somewhere in Illinois.
This was a very quick read. The characters are more or less believable, but I was terribly unimpressed with Stephen and therefore Lynn as well. I also thought the ending was kind of forced. I like to be surprised at the identity of the killer in a "wow, I never would have suspected him/her but it all makes sense now" kind of way instead of a "hey look, the author took the least likely person and made them act out of character in order to explain their motive" kind of way. Julian was pretty cool, at any rate.
All the same, it kept my interest to the very end and brought back pleasant memories of the Charlottesville area. Strangely enough, the book set C'ville in Nelson County. Perhaps in the 14 years since it was written things have changed - today C'ville is in Albemarle County.
This was a very quick read. The characters are more or less believable, but I was terribly unimpressed with Stephen and therefore Lynn as well. I also thought the ending was kind of forced. I like to be surprised at the identity of the killer in a "wow, I never would have suspected him/her but it all makes sense now" kind of way instead of a "hey look, the author took the least likely person and made them act out of character in order to explain their motive" kind of way. Julian was pretty cool, at any rate.
All the same, it kept my interest to the very end and brought back pleasant memories of the Charlottesville area. Strangely enough, the book set C'ville in Nelson County. Perhaps in the 14 years since it was written things have changed - today C'ville is in Albemarle County.
May 31, 2023
The Singing Stones is the second installment in my exploration of Phyllis A. Whitney; I almost said "rediscovery", but I honestly don't think I ever read any of her books back in the day, though I bought them when I found them for my mother. As I said with Rainbow in the Mist, it might not entirely deserve four stars, but the rating stands as a measurement of how much I flat out enjoyed the book. Despite the Issues therein.
Again, Anna Fields does an excellent job in narration. The story is, again, engaging. Lynn is asked to involve herself in a situation which is completely laughable, or would be if it wasn't so painful to even think about - and yet commits herself despite her reason screaming its opposition to it. It doesn't go as deep as it might into what all of this does to Lynn - it's not that kind of book - but for what it is, it's very effective. Phyllis A. Whitney knew how to create innate conflict in a plot.
Again, the main character is sympathetic and likeable, and the rest of the cast of characters is shady to various extents as necessary (though again I never pegged the Bad Guy), and again the setting (geographically near the setting of the last book) is vivid and wonderful. The house the whole thing is set in becomes a character in its own right.
The part where my eyebrows start to rise a little is the next "again" I can add: again, the child in the midst of everything is precocious without being obnoxious. Just like in the last book. And this leads me to the problematic bits... if the plot of Singing Stones was mapped out, it could be laid on top of the mapped-out plot of Rainbow in the Mist, and there are a great many places where the lines would blend together. Young woman is stressed out by her everyday life and flees to incredibly beautiful Virginia. Meets a child there who is in some serious need - a need which the young woman can fill. Young woman has reasons to leave again almost immediately - but doesn't, despite her better judgement. Finds herself drawn to a man - . Bodies are dropping all around, and it's obvious that the young woman is under threat too. The paranormal takes a hand in events, of course, and the, shall we say, obstacle to true love () is wafted away. The books were published about a year apart ... I sincerely hope that this isn't a template all the books follow so strictly. I mean what works works - but doesn't hold up too well in a binge read.
Still, there was some really good stuff in here, and even the woo was once again well handled. I'm overall pretty happy about the fact that PAW's oeuvre is huge, and that I'm just wading into it. There's a lot to look forward to.
Again, Anna Fields does an excellent job in narration. The story is, again, engaging. Lynn is asked to involve herself in a situation which is completely laughable, or would be if it wasn't so painful to even think about - and yet commits herself despite her reason screaming its opposition to it. It doesn't go as deep as it might into what all of this does to Lynn - it's not that kind of book - but for what it is, it's very effective. Phyllis A. Whitney knew how to create innate conflict in a plot.
Again, the main character is sympathetic and likeable, and the rest of the cast of characters is shady to various extents as necessary (though again I never pegged the Bad Guy), and again the setting (geographically near the setting of the last book) is vivid and wonderful. The house the whole thing is set in becomes a character in its own right.
The part where my eyebrows start to rise a little is the next "again" I can add: again, the child in the midst of everything is precocious without being obnoxious. Just like in the last book. And this leads me to the problematic bits... if the plot of Singing Stones was mapped out, it could be laid on top of the mapped-out plot of Rainbow in the Mist, and there are a great many places where the lines would blend together. Young woman is stressed out by her everyday life and flees to incredibly beautiful Virginia. Meets a child there who is in some serious need - a need which the young woman can fill. Young woman has reasons to leave again almost immediately - but doesn't, despite her better judgement. Finds herself drawn to a man - . Bodies are dropping all around, and it's obvious that the young woman is under threat too. The paranormal takes a hand in events, of course, and the, shall we say, obstacle to true love () is wafted away. The books were published about a year apart ... I sincerely hope that this isn't a template all the books follow so strictly. I mean what works works - but doesn't hold up too well in a binge read.
Still, there was some really good stuff in here, and even the woo was once again well handled. I'm overall pretty happy about the fact that PAW's oeuvre is huge, and that I'm just wading into it. There's a lot to look forward to.
June 23, 2009
Ah, Phyllis Whitney. Her novels are one of life's simple pleasures: romantic mystery sans blood, gore, sex, and language. What better for some mind-candy fun? Yes, her novels are somewhat formulaic, but part of the fun is always the setting. Her novels are set in interesting locales that often become a character themselves. I like books with a strong setting; I guess that's how I get to travel, so I've been all over the world with Phyllis. The stones that sing are a an integral part of the story and since my theme is musical instruments, it fit right in for this challenge.
October 11, 2016
The writing is good, but I had too many issues with the characters and how things played out to even go into it. A shame because I liked the suspense of the whodunit part of the story, but the New Age parts got to be a bit too much for me. This is weird because I’m totally on board with the power of crystals and karma, but it relies too much on a belief of past lives and letting things flow for it to really be believable.
August 26, 2012
Not the best of Phyllis Whitney. The characters were flat. I didn't connect with them at all. There was alot of mystery in this novel, but I just really didn't care about it. There was not one character I connected with or cared about. That, for me, is what a book come alive.
September 2, 2008
I forced myself to finish this book. Plot was slow and plodding and characters were uninteresting.
May 5, 2012
I forced myself to finish this book. Plot was slow and plodding and characters were uninteresting.
February 23, 2021
Es muy difícil explicar la cantidad de emociones que me transmitió esta historia, primero por el gran nivel de misterio, por la cantidad de personajes y situaciones tan complejos que presenta y sobre todo por el misticismo que maneja, un poco de realismo mágico y muchos pequeños detalles que hacen que no quieras dejar de leer hasta el final, incluso saber lo que sucedió en aquel primer matrimonio roto, como la edad y las experiencias nos hacen crecer y madurar siendo conscientes de que a veces es necesario dejar el resentimiento, la ira y el dolor de lado para poder ayudar a otra persona.
Sin dudas un libro que me sorprendió completamente y me dio mucho más de lo que esperaba de el.
Reseña completa en https://www.instagram.com/p/CLpHcjbFEfz/
Sin dudas un libro que me sorprendió completamente y me dio mucho más de lo que esperaba de el.
Reseña completa en https://www.instagram.com/p/CLpHcjbFEfz/
May 19, 2023
Two stars is a bit generous for this passel of kooks and weenies.
February 9, 2015
I really "like" the book, not "love" though i enjoyed a lot and it kept me nailed on my seat because the book is really a page turner (believe me). I love the characters especially Lynn (brave, loving and determine), Stephen, Jilly and Mr. Julian as well (mysterious, skeptic and optimistic). The romance between Lynn and Stephen is just plain not boring though, the suspense is not sooo smashing, but the MYSTERY is AMAZING, thought-provoking and very compelling. This is a story of a woman named Lynn (clinical psychologist) who returns back to a place of a heart-wrenching past (Virginia Blue Ridge home of Stephen Asche) to help a troubled girl named Jilly (her ex-husband Stephen's daughter by another woman) from a terrible? ? depression or hidden emotional pains that she've been struggling and fighting after a tragic event that caused his father's miserable life (not be able to walk) and caused a mysterious death to a man named Luther Kersten. As Lynn spent days to help Jilly compassionately recovered from depression, Lynn learned a lot of dark mysteries lurking in the house and disturbing secrets that she tried to uncover, the singing stones she hears, menacing and sometimes bothering her mentally. She ends up being drawn to the haunted lives of Stephen and his daughter Jilly and she needs to help them get out of it. She has to because she loves them both...
P.S.. I was mildly disappointed by the ending...It's abrupt..Satisfying though and mind blowing...I never thought that ______ is the murderer? ? Overall IT WAS QUITE A GOOD READ that's why i rated 4...
P.S.. I was mildly disappointed by the ending...It's abrupt..Satisfying though and mind blowing...I never thought that ______ is the murderer? ? Overall IT WAS QUITE A GOOD READ that's why i rated 4...
August 17, 2009
This was my first Phyllis Whitney book. She had been recommended to me because I love Mary Stewart's novels, and so far I am not disappointed. I really enjoy this type of romantic suspense, where setting is so innately connected with the mystery.
I really liked the story, and it definitely captivated my interest. My only complaint, and really the reason the book got knocked down a star, is that I wish it had more interaction with the hero. I feel like a good part of the book was spent with Lynn dreading having to see Stephen again; he was the specter looming large over her. And I would have liked to have seen more of their new relationship, the adult one they have created. I really liked him as a hero, and I definitely felt his lack of presence.
I will absolutely be trying more Phyllis Whitney books, though.
I really liked the story, and it definitely captivated my interest. My only complaint, and really the reason the book got knocked down a star, is that I wish it had more interaction with the hero. I feel like a good part of the book was spent with Lynn dreading having to see Stephen again; he was the specter looming large over her. And I would have liked to have seen more of their new relationship, the adult one they have created. I really liked him as a hero, and I definitely felt his lack of presence.
I will absolutely be trying more Phyllis Whitney books, though.
March 5, 2011
Lynn married Stephan young and it ended in divorce--when he met a beautiful, famous dancer. Twelve years later, Lynn is asked to come and help his daughter, Jilly, because of her work with terminally ill children. Jilly isn't dying, yet she is. She holds a secret and has to deal with the fact that no one seems to care or can help her.
Lynn was young and seemed to try and please others, more than herself at first. But as the story jumps to the future, she really is a strong woman. She isn't afraid to stand up for herself and really attaches to Jilly, even though she's the daughter of Lynn's ex and the woman who broke them up. As Stephan notes, she really has changed a lot. I love that she bettered herself and has done a lot of good in her life, instead of dwelling on the past.
Lynn was young and seemed to try and please others, more than herself at first. But as the story jumps to the future, she really is a strong woman. She isn't afraid to stand up for herself and really attaches to Jilly, even though she's the daughter of Lynn's ex and the woman who broke them up. As Stephan notes, she really has changed a lot. I love that she bettered herself and has done a lot of good in her life, instead of dwelling on the past.
September 11, 2016
Another hit by the acknowledged master of romantic suspense. I have loved Whitney for over 30 years and would highly recommend everything she has ever written. This book is no exception. Lynn McLeod is a child psychologist who has been asked to treat the daughter of her ex-husband. Jilly was traumatized after witnessing a murder and fall that crippled her father. As usual the killer is never who you think and Whitney's loonies are truly loony. Score another one for Whitney lovers everywhere. Adult themes: murder and insanity.
December 5, 2016
I guess I've read something by Phyllis Whitney before, but don't really remember -- this one, however, is full of stuff I don't like: past life regression, auras, hypnosis, etc. WAY too New Age for me. Good descriptions of the Virginia countryside, but AWFUL people -- Stephen, Oriana, Myrt, Everett -- the list goes on and on. Lynn was much more forgiving than most women would have been, but I guess the author felt that was the best way to clean things up. NO -- there were better ways !!!!
July 11, 2013
I am a fan of Phyllis Whitney, one of my favorites is "The Stone Bull." Once again I was not disappointed by this book. It had very human characters for the most part whom I could easily relate to. There were a couple I thought were not quite as believeable, but overall they came alive in the story for me. The plot of the book was also very suspenseful and I felt had an unexpected twist. A great read.
July 9, 2009
Enjoyable mystery with nice descriptions of the Blue Ridge mountains in fall, descriptions of a hot air balloon ride, and a journey into hypnosis for past recall. All skillfully woven into a mystery plot about a troubled young girl who has nightmares remembering an accident and a possible murder involving her father.
November 11, 2012
Read these in jr high, so they're like my first love. Ms Whitney was a treasure. Her books always took me to the places she wrote about, and for a kid trapped in a tiny backwater town that was a wonderful gift for which I'll always be grateful.
May 31, 2015
Very new agey weird stuff. Reincarnation, lots of talk about karma and fate, and an unconvincing romance renewed with a scumbag cheating man who never shows any remorse. I suppose cheating on your spouse can be excused if the fates decree it.
November 11, 2008
Light read....exciting mystery
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September 25, 2008F Whi
January 30, 2010
Creepy! But good.
December 27, 2010
O.K., TOO New Age, good plot
August 29, 2011
I like a good romance/suspense story.
July 11, 2015
I absolutely love gothic romances with all of the mystery and the strong female characters. Phyllis A. Whitney is an amazing author incorporating an unforgettable story with amazing characters.
March 28, 2013
My very first favorite author - I have all her books -- been reading these for years
April 17, 2013
Phyllis always write well. She writes mainly in the first person and has a knack for holding a reader's interest.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 95 reviews