by Ellen Raskin
First published 1978
When reclusive tycoon Samuel Westing dies under mysterious circumstances, his bizarre will summons a diverse group of heirs to compete in a high-stakes game. Paired off and armed with cryptic clues, the players must unravel Westing's dark secrets before the prize - a multimillion-dollar fortune - slips through their fingers. As tensions rise and suspicions mount, the heirs find themselves entangled in a web of lies, betrayals, and deadly consequences. In this ingenious puzzle-box of a mystery, one player will emerge victorious, but only by outwitting the others and uncovering the shocking truth at the heart of the Westing game.
Genres: fiction, suspense, mystery, contemporary
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: high-stakes, puzzle-box
Setting: Chicago (Ill.)
217 pages · Paperback · Scholastic, Inc.