The Making of a Murder Mystery
Name ____________________________________________________________________
The fundamentals of a murder include the following:
Motive: Usually boils down to money, love, or revenge. Consider how the suspect stands to
gain financially, if the suspect was disappointed in love, or if the victim did something to harm
or upset the suspect.
Means: Does the suspect have the equipment, special knowledge, or physical strength to
carry out the crime?
Opportunity: This is associated with the “when and where” the crime was committed. Did the
suspect have appropriate access to the victim?
The author gives clues throughout the novel for each of the characters and their motive, means, and/
or opportunity.
A red herring is not just a fish. In literature, a red herring is something that appears to be a clue but is
not. A red herring gives mystery readers a false path to follow. The red herring can take the form of a
character, who the reader may believe to be the killer, only to discover later that she/he is innocent.
Or it can take the form of an item that readers believe to be the clue to a discovery, but turns out to be
worthless. You may find some red herrings in The Westing Game.
As you read the novel, consider how some of the characters have either the motive, means,
or opportunity (or maybe all of them!) to be the murderer. Make notes below. You will use this
information for another activity. Use the chart to help you keep track of the information.
Character
Turtle Wexler
Motive
Means
Opportunity
Grace Wexler
Angela Wexler
Jake Wexler
The Westing Game
26
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The Making of a Murder Mystery (cont.)
Name ____________________________________________________________________
Character
Denton Deere
Motive
Means
Opportunity
Flora Baumbach
Otis Amber
Doug Hoo
Shin Hoo
Sun Lin Hoo
Judge Ford
Berthe Crow
Sydelle Pulaski
Theo Theodorakis
Mr. Theodorakis
Sandy McSouthers
The Westing Game
27
Copyright Professional Development Institute
Permission to Reproduce for One Teacher’s Use