Newbery Medal Winner

The Westing Game

by Ellen Raskin

Summary

When wealthy businessman Samuel Westing dies, sixteen heirs are summoned to his mansion and paired off to solve the mystery of who murdered him, with his vast fortune as the prize. The tenants of Sunset Towers trade clues, secrets, and false leads in a puzzle filled competition full of wordplay and misdirection. Raskin crafts an ingenious mystery that rewards close reading and remains a beloved staple of the genre for young readers.

Historical Context & Significance

The intricately plotted puzzle mystery has stayed continuously in print since publication and is widely studied in classrooms for its clever construction.