Angela Wexler is one of the most complex characters in The Westing Game. Her character is a paradox in exterior appearance, behavior, and inner motivation. Other people praise Angela for her beauty while her younger sister is considered unattractive. Similarly, Angela seems to be an obedient, weak-willed young woman who never resists her mother’s incessant efforts to run her life; Turtle is the rebellious daughter. In the first few chapters, Angela is primarily involved in preparations for her upcoming wedding to a doctor, Denton Deere, whom her mother considers an appropriate mate. The reader learns that Angela is far from the “perfect” daughter and that her deep resentment makes her capable of planning and committing violent acts.

One of the mysteries that arises is the identity of the person who is planting bombs, including one that goes off at a party Mrs. Wexler throws for the engaged couple. It turns out that Angela harbors grave doubts about her fiancé’s suitability and the prospect of marriage. Her sister first figures out that she planted several bombs. With the last one, Angela may have intended to harm herself as well as to delay the wedding. When she is injured, she expresses concern about facial scarring, but disfiguring her lovely face may have been her intention all along.