Phyllis Ayame Whitney (September 9, 1903 – February 8, 2008[1]) was an American mystery writer of more than 70 novels.

Born in Yokohama, Japan to American parents in 1903, she spent her early years in Asia.

Later in life, Whitney moved to Staten Island, New York and resided there for 20 years with her daughter and second husband, Lovell Jahnke.

[2] A rarity for her genre, she wrote mysteries for both the juvenile and the adult markets, many of which feature exotic settings.

In 1990, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Romance Writers of America.