In the book The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin, Sam Westing’s death is initially presented as a murder. However, as the story unfolds, it is revealed that Sam Westing was not actually killed. Instead, he faked his own death as part of an elaborate game to bring together his potential heirs and test their abilities.
Sam Westing, under the alias of Barney Northrup, orchestrates the entire game. He disguises himself and observes the participants as they try to solve the mystery he has set up. The game is designed to identify the most worthy heir to his fortune. In the end, it is revealed that Sam Westing is alive and well, and the ‘murder’ was just a ruse to set the game in motion.
This twist is a key element of the story, highlighting themes of deception, strategy, and the complexity of human relationships.