Book Review: The Westing Game

The Westing Game

originally written in 1978
by Ellen Raskin

216 pages

First off: The book is superb!

Secondly: The author [Ellen Raskin] is an excellent writer!

Thirdly: Nobody would have seen the ending coming, if it slapped you in the face!


Let me tell you a bit about the storyline: Samuel Westing (AKA "Uncle Sam"--because he was a very patriotic man) has been located in his mansion.... DEAD. Everyone who was in his will were all (coincidentally, of course) invited to check out the apartments in Sunset Towers. Also, (again coincidentally) all members-of-the-will accepted the apartments. Of course the surprise of finding out that they are in this man's will, would come after they move in.

Anyways, when they finally come together to read Samuel Westing's will... all 16 heirs are in for a real shocker! The will turns out to be this clever puzzle they have to solve. There's 8 teams and each team only gets 2 clues, so they'll do anything to peek over someone's shoulder to find new clues staring them in the face.

Oh! And did I mention that whoever figures out the answer to the puzzle first, will win $200 million?

The author is just amazing in how she organized the book and made all the characters so different from each other, yet they all can be classified as "normal enough" (for the most part anyways). Yet in their own way, all the people were a bit puzzling. Ellen definitely has her own unique writing style and it is clear to see that she took her time to ponder on this storyline (and it's for the better that she did).

For me, "The Westing Game" was one of those stories that once you start it, there's no way you can think of anything else, until you finish the book (and yes, I'm talking about the VERY last page!) Recommended reading level is for ages 10-14.....but anyone older who loves a good mystery would enjoy it too.

I'm participating in the Monthly Book Reviews Challenge. Please stop by Hannah's Hangout for more info, and to see all the other great book reviews for this month!