The Westing Game

By: Ellen Raskin

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Length: 6 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

A Newbery Medal winner

Winner of the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award

An ALA Notable Book

"A supersharp mystery...confoundingly clever, and very funny." (Booklist, starred review)

A bizarre chain of events begins when 16 unlikely people gather for the reading of Samuel W. Westing's will. And though no one knows why the eccentric, game-loving millionaire has chosen a virtual stranger - and a possible murderer - to inherit his vast fortune, one thing's for sure: Sam Westing may be dead...but that won't stop him from playing one last game!

©2004 Ellen Raskin (P)2017 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"Great fun for those who enjoy illusion, word play, or sleight of hand." (The New York Times Book Review)

"A fascinating medley of word games, disguises, multiple aliases, and subterfuges - a demanding but rewarding book." (The Horn Book)

Excellent, Engaging, Smart Whodunit

If you could sum up The Westing Game in three words, what would they be?

This flew. The story was well crafted and kept my attention. The details are everything, and the book truly deserves multiple listens. Who killed Sam Westing? Which one of his many heirs will solve the crime? And why did the eccentric millionaire turn his own death into a game? I am a fan of mystery novels, and this certainly fits the bill.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Westing Game?

The scene where the will is read starts things off nicely.

What about Cassandra Campbell’s performance did you like?

The narration had feeling.

Awesome book!

this is a wonderful "play on words" kind of book. I think that it just might be my favorite book. totally recommended.

Still a page turner!!

I loved this book as a kid and I've never out grown it. I usually let enough time go by that I forget something and that's when I pick it up again and listen for the wind fall.

ok

It was okay

I wish some one killed him and that it hade them in the house. I wish it was more like clue when there finding the muder in the house.

A Fun Read at Any Age

A phenomenal little read that you can crank out in a day. Even in its brevity, it still manages to sweep you up into that little world of the Sunset Towers and stay engaging and fun. Definitely a book for a younger crowd, but written well enough to keep adults more than entertained for a quick read!

Just as Fun as I Remember It

My eight-year-old son was hooked on this book at school -- he's reading it with his reading group -- and he asked if he could listen to it with me. For several nights we stayed up well-beyond bed time just to see what was going to happen next.

I remember it vividly from when I read it in elementary school. The characters are deep and well-drawn ; they have actual inner conflicts that they have to overcome, pasts that have to be reckoned with, and sins that need to be forgiven -- all of which are rare phenomena in children's literature these days (think Harry Potter's very flatly drawn good guys and bad guys). I think that I remember this book so well from having read it 40 years ago because of these characters. It was clear to me as I listened to the book this time around that the author, Ellen Raskin, knows that children can understand and forgive unreliable narrators and flawed human beings. She also knows that they don't have to be as sheltered from real life as many grown ups insist on doing.

Even beyond the character development, this book is a great introduction to the genre of murder mystery. When we finished listening, my son suggested giving the hard copy to my mother as a birthday gift as she loves Agatha Christie and her literary descendants.

The performance was good with one major flaw. Why give the character of J.J. Ford a southern accent? We know from the description of her background that she grew up in Wisconsin. No drawl there.

Antiquated stereotypes, outdated book

My son had to read this for school so I decided to listen to alongside. I had to remind myself that in the 1970’s people were less mindful of their biases because Raskin, more than once, described some of her characters in a way that is offensive. This is my biggest gripe with the book.

This story itself began slow and got better as it neared the end when it focused purely on solving the puzzle. I wouldn’t recommend this book, but it was an easy listen.

The plot Is Amazing

The plot is so complex yet understandable. You get to really know each character and understand them.

Amazing!

This is a beautifully written and read book. It is a thriller type murder mystery book but is still appropriate for 3rd or 4th grade and up! If you are younger or scare really easily, I wouldn’t suggest reading this at night or before bed. It is a book that you have to experience. There are so many plot twists and clues that you can keep up with. You can even play along as you read!! 😍 This is a definite 10/10!!!!

One of my favorite books

I have LOVED this book since I first read it as a child in elementary school. I’ve read it several times over the years. I needed a quick, but fun, listen while getting some housework done and this audiobook did not disappoint. It was so fun listening as an adult who didn’t fully remember all the twists. Oh, the nostalgia! You won’t be disappointed with this narrator or this story.