Phyllis Ayame Whitney (born September 9, 1903) is an American mystery writer. She was born in Japan to American parents and spent her early years in Asia. Rare for her genre, she writes mysteries for both the juvenile and the adult markets. A review in the New York Times has dubbed her "The Queen of the American Gothics".

Whitney has written more than seventy novels. The Mystery Writers of America gave her a Grand Master award for lifetime achievement. Some of her novels include:

  • The Trembling Hills
  • The Mystery of the Gulls
  • Red is for Murder