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The East Wing
Not yet published
Expected 24 Jun 26Struggling writer Wren Lee hasn't slept properly in eighteen months. Not since the car accident that derailed her entire life. The night she still can't fully remember. So when she receives a surprise inheritance from her estranged grandfather, a house in rural Virginia seems like the escape Wren desperately needs.
But the grand mansion she arrives at is nothing like she hoped. From the moment Wren arrives, something feels wrong. A strange lullaby echoes through the maze-like hallways at night and Ruth, the housekeeper who still sets a place at dinner for a dead man, watches Wren with an intensity that goes beyond protective. Unwelcome and unsettled, Wren is determined to uncover the house's secrets, starting with the forbidden east wing...
Then the storm hits, and Wren is trapped with no way out. To survive, she'll have to confront not only the darkness in these walls but the buried truth about the night that broke her. Because in this house, the past doesn't stay buried. And neither do its ghosts.
A completely gripping and twisty gothic thriller that will bewitch fans of Mexican Gothic , The Sanatorium and Sharp Objects .
Readers love Danielle M. Wong’s
“What. A. Wild. Ride. Seriously, you’re going to need a moment (or two) to catch your breath after finishing… The most exhilarating roller coaster in the world would be no match for this book… I was captivated from the start.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Each revelation is better than the next. I just couldn’t help but gasp. And the end, now that is the twist of all twists!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Twists you don't see coming! The biggest twist? Absolutely jaw-dropping and completely unexpected! If that doesn’t make you want to pick this 5 star book up and start reading it, nothing will!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Well this was bloody good!!!! Wow I actually never would have seen this one going where it did. I loved it, wouldn’t change a thing, fantastic!!!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A brilliant and completely crazy thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time! Atmospheric and incredibly creepy. A must-read for anyone who loves twisty, and very twisted, thrillers.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“More twists and turns than I ever imagined… Every time I thought I knew what would happen next, I was proven wrong” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“There was a jaw-dropping twist towards the end of this book that made me gasp. I mean YES!!! I love when an author gives us that surprise… I loved the short chapters and the way this was written.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This book is wildly atmospheric… The last third of the book is insane… the twists are nuts.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Very creepy vibes… I didn’t see the twist coming at all but then… the ending had me reeling!!! I didn’t expect that at all!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Atmospheric, and creepy and I ate that shh up!!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Grabs your attention from the very beginning. Danielle has a remarkable ability to crawl into your mind, crafting a thrilling and dark story that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the end.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Kept me hooked from the very beginning. The characters draw you in and keep you flipping the pages.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
But the grand mansion she arrives at is nothing like she hoped. From the moment Wren arrives, something feels wrong. A strange lullaby echoes through the maze-like hallways at night and Ruth, the housekeeper who still sets a place at dinner for a dead man, watches Wren with an intensity that goes beyond protective. Unwelcome and unsettled, Wren is determined to uncover the house's secrets, starting with the forbidden east wing...
Then the storm hits, and Wren is trapped with no way out. To survive, she'll have to confront not only the darkness in these walls but the buried truth about the night that broke her. Because in this house, the past doesn't stay buried. And neither do its ghosts.
A completely gripping and twisty gothic thriller that will bewitch fans of Mexican Gothic , The Sanatorium and Sharp Objects .
Readers love Danielle M. Wong’s
“What. A. Wild. Ride. Seriously, you’re going to need a moment (or two) to catch your breath after finishing… The most exhilarating roller coaster in the world would be no match for this book… I was captivated from the start.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Each revelation is better than the next. I just couldn’t help but gasp. And the end, now that is the twist of all twists!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Twists you don't see coming! The biggest twist? Absolutely jaw-dropping and completely unexpected! If that doesn’t make you want to pick this 5 star book up and start reading it, nothing will!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Well this was bloody good!!!! Wow I actually never would have seen this one going where it did. I loved it, wouldn’t change a thing, fantastic!!!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A brilliant and completely crazy thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time! Atmospheric and incredibly creepy. A must-read for anyone who loves twisty, and very twisted, thrillers.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“More twists and turns than I ever imagined… Every time I thought I knew what would happen next, I was proven wrong” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“There was a jaw-dropping twist towards the end of this book that made me gasp. I mean YES!!! I love when an author gives us that surprise… I loved the short chapters and the way this was written.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This book is wildly atmospheric… The last third of the book is insane… the twists are nuts.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Very creepy vibes… I didn’t see the twist coming at all but then… the ending had me reeling!!! I didn’t expect that at all!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Atmospheric, and creepy and I ate that shh up!!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Grabs your attention from the very beginning. Danielle has a remarkable ability to crawl into your mind, crafting a thrilling and dark story that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the end.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Kept me hooked from the very beginning. The characters draw you in and keep you flipping the pages.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- GenresThriller
249 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 24, 2026
About the author
Danielle M. Wong
6 books190 followersDanielle M. Wong is a travel-obsessed author of psychological thrillers. She pens the type of stories that keep her up at night, featuring gripping scenes, complex characters, and twist-filled plots. She has been published to critical acclaim, earning Independent Press, Reader’s Favorite, and International Book Awards, among others. Danielle’s writing has been featured in Harper’s Bazaar, HuffPost, PopSugar, and Writer’s Digest. She is currently working on her next novel.
Follow her on Bookbub for more updates! https://www.bookbub.com/profile/danie...
Follow her on Bookbub for more updates! https://www.bookbub.com/profile/danie...
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wren is an insomniac living in Boston who suffered a 'tragic incident,' (her description, not mine) that triggered her inability to get any decent sleep. But we don't know what actually happened until halfway through the book, even though you can figure it out easily enough. She works a low-paying job at a coffee shop and is trying to write a book in her spare time, but isn't getting far due to said lack of sleep. She's contacted by the lawyer of a grandfather she never knew she had and informed that he recently died and left her a property in Virginia. Yes, a long-lost relative left her a surprise inheritance - that's what we're dealing with here.
She arrives at the mansion and is immediately trapped on her first night in a snowstorm she didn't know was coming. Her grandfather's creepy housekeeper, Ruth, lives there and orders Wren around from the get-go, even though it's now officially Wren's house. It takes Wren many pages to point out this fact because she has no spine and lets people walk all over her. After confronting Ruth, nothing changes except that Ruth starts getting weirder and weirder. And Wren has strange nightmares because, oh, she's suddenly no longer an insomniac after starting a new medication. Perfect timing. Then there's an odd twist, and the story veers off in a new direction, and at this point, I was just skimming through to reach the end.
The entire book reads like a mediocre exercise in creative writing and could have been condensed into a short story. There's too much filler of internal dialogue and too little action. Literally pages upon pages of Wren lamenting her life and everyone she lost. Even when she's in danger, and it looked like the action might speed up, there would be more pages of reflection where nothing happens. It's just too much. If you're writing a mystery or thriller, stop with the creative writing; it does not work. It never works. I think that's why it frustrated me so much - if the author just stuck to the creepy mansion and weird characters without the loss and grief portion, it would have worked so much better as a mystery.
My thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced reader's copy of this book.
She arrives at the mansion and is immediately trapped on her first night in a snowstorm she didn't know was coming. Her grandfather's creepy housekeeper, Ruth, lives there and orders Wren around from the get-go, even though it's now officially Wren's house. It takes Wren many pages to point out this fact because she has no spine and lets people walk all over her. After confronting Ruth, nothing changes except that Ruth starts getting weirder and weirder. And Wren has strange nightmares because, oh, she's suddenly no longer an insomniac after starting a new medication. Perfect timing. Then there's an odd twist, and the story veers off in a new direction, and at this point, I was just skimming through to reach the end.
The entire book reads like a mediocre exercise in creative writing and could have been condensed into a short story. There's too much filler of internal dialogue and too little action. Literally pages upon pages of Wren lamenting her life and everyone she lost. Even when she's in danger, and it looked like the action might speed up, there would be more pages of reflection where nothing happens. It's just too much. If you're writing a mystery or thriller, stop with the creative writing; it does not work. It never works. I think that's why it frustrated me so much - if the author just stuck to the creepy mansion and weird characters without the loss and grief portion, it would have worked so much better as a mystery.
My thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced reader's copy of this book.
May 18, 2026
The East Wing is a modern gothic style novel by Danielle M Wong, and I was looking forward to this one when I read the description. Unfortunately it fell short of the mark for me.
Wren Lee is a young woman living in Boston and dealing with a traumatic experience that she is not able to recall, which has resulted in her having insomnia and bouts of sleep walking. She heads to Virginia after she receives an unexpected call revealing she has inherited a house there after the death of her grandfather, a man she never knew. When she arrives, rather than the relaxing break she was hoping for, she finds a creepy mansion, with an even creepier housekeeper.
I enjoyed the start of the book, although at times I felt like she was a bit whiny and uncooperative, especially when it came to treating her insomnia. She stated that she was desperate for rest, yet she resisted following her doctor’s advice or take the medication he prescribed, even after months of dealing with symptoms.
I found the setting to be perfect for a gothic thriller, unfortunately it felt like the author didn’t take full advantage of it. Instead the story relied heavily on Wren’s flashbacks and dreams, and for some reason they always seemed to happen just when the suspense was starting to build, causing it to fizzle out.
I also found one of the plot lines to be quite predictable. I guessed the twist from the very beginning, and unfortunately the story didn’t get much better for me from there.
The East Wing had so much potential, but it turned out to be just an average read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Wren Lee is a young woman living in Boston and dealing with a traumatic experience that she is not able to recall, which has resulted in her having insomnia and bouts of sleep walking. She heads to Virginia after she receives an unexpected call revealing she has inherited a house there after the death of her grandfather, a man she never knew. When she arrives, rather than the relaxing break she was hoping for, she finds a creepy mansion, with an even creepier housekeeper.
I enjoyed the start of the book, although at times I felt like she was a bit whiny and uncooperative, especially when it came to treating her insomnia. She stated that she was desperate for rest, yet she resisted following her doctor’s advice or take the medication he prescribed, even after months of dealing with symptoms.
I found the setting to be perfect for a gothic thriller, unfortunately it felt like the author didn’t take full advantage of it. Instead the story relied heavily on Wren’s flashbacks and dreams, and for some reason they always seemed to happen just when the suspense was starting to build, causing it to fizzle out.
I also found one of the plot lines to be quite predictable. I guessed the twist from the very beginning, and unfortunately the story didn’t get much better for me from there.
The East Wing had so much potential, but it turned out to be just an average read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing.
Following an accident that left her sleepless and with no memory of what happened that night, Wren takes refuge in the house she inherits from a grandfather she never knew existed; yet the mansion and its housekeeper seem to be hiding something.
A novel with a measured pace, perfectly calibrated to create an atmosphere of unease from the moment it introduces us to Wren’s life, which has been completely derailed by the accident.
Upon her arrival at the mansion, it becomes a read that keeps you on the edge of your seat, with the ominous feeling that nothing good is going to happen in that completely isolated setting.
Lovers of a good psychological thriller with gothic touches will enjoy this fast-paced, thoroughly atmospheric and spine-chilling read.
Following an accident that left her sleepless and with no memory of what happened that night, Wren takes refuge in the house she inherits from a grandfather she never knew existed; yet the mansion and its housekeeper seem to be hiding something.
A novel with a measured pace, perfectly calibrated to create an atmosphere of unease from the moment it introduces us to Wren’s life, which has been completely derailed by the accident.
Upon her arrival at the mansion, it becomes a read that keeps you on the edge of your seat, with the ominous feeling that nothing good is going to happen in that completely isolated setting.
Lovers of a good psychological thriller with gothic touches will enjoy this fast-paced, thoroughly atmospheric and spine-chilling read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Danielle M. Wong’s “The East Wing” is an atmospheric psychological thriller with almost a touch of horror. I don’t mean horror in the gore side but think the eerie kind from the original “Halloween” movie.
There were times when the writing had me feeling claustrophobic. Which is a tip of the cap to the author for pacing and wording to make me feel that way.
Just like when you move into a new house, there is a lot to unpack, and it takes some time. “The East Wing” is much like that. There are some unexpected moments to this book that add to the anxiety levels as you read.
Great job, Ms. Wong.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
There were times when the writing had me feeling claustrophobic. Which is a tip of the cap to the author for pacing and wording to make me feel that way.
Just like when you move into a new house, there is a lot to unpack, and it takes some time. “The East Wing” is much like that. There are some unexpected moments to this book that add to the anxiety levels as you read.
Great job, Ms. Wong.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
May 18, 2026
Thank you to net galley, and storm publishing for this advanced reader copy of this book for my personal unbiased opinion.
The East Wing tells of a young writer wanna be struggling with insomnia from forgotten past trauma and now a new inheritance which involves some shady characters.
From the get go i was able to feel for the mfc Wren and her ongoing insomnia. Man oh man the struggle she has was so easy to identify with. Albeit I did find this novel a bit slow to get going it totally wrapped me in once there. I felt like some horror was happening then as the twists evolved I saw why I felt that way and why it was not. A great twisty novel that i think everyone will be able to identify with.
The East Wing tells of a young writer wanna be struggling with insomnia from forgotten past trauma and now a new inheritance which involves some shady characters.
From the get go i was able to feel for the mfc Wren and her ongoing insomnia. Man oh man the struggle she has was so easy to identify with. Albeit I did find this novel a bit slow to get going it totally wrapped me in once there. I felt like some horror was happening then as the twists evolved I saw why I felt that way and why it was not. A great twisty novel that i think everyone will be able to identify with.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a marvelously creepy book! Wren has insomnia after horrific events in her life and is trying a new drug that her doctor has prescribed. She suddenly discovers her grandfather has died and left her property in Virginia so she goes to investigate. But the housekeeper, Ruth is an odd woman and Wren keeps hearing Simon--an old boyfriend who'd proposed to her. Is he real or a figment of her imagination? It's a creepy, gothic novel that keeps you in suspense until the bitter end!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rounding up to 3 ⭐
Started off quite well. A character with current long term insomnia, past trauma, and a new inheritance from mystery family.
I was hoping it was going to be creepy and full of surprises.
Didn't quite live up to that. In fact at times it felt a bit rushed, and predictable.
It was an ok read for me, but not one I'm going to be shouting to everyone about.
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy
Started off quite well. A character with current long term insomnia, past trauma, and a new inheritance from mystery family.
I was hoping it was going to be creepy and full of surprises.
Didn't quite live up to that. In fact at times it felt a bit rushed, and predictable.
It was an ok read for me, but not one I'm going to be shouting to everyone about.
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy
May 15, 2026
Creepy mansion? Weird housekeeper? A crazy storm? SIGN ME UP. I was totally here for all of it. As soon as Wren arrived at the Virginia property she inherited from her late grandfather, I could nottt put this book down. It was UNSETTLING. I could feel the dread in my stomach and was literally holding my breath at one point. I felt like I was right there with her. And the ENDING? So chilling!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
THE EAST WING BY DANIELLE M. WONG.
Release date set for the 24th of June 2026.
4 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
I was invited to read this book by the publishers and I enjoyed it immensely.
I found it eerie at times and tense at tines aswel
☺
Release date set for the 24th of June 2026.
4 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
I was invited to read this book by the publishers and I enjoyed it immensely.
I found it eerie at times and tense at tines aswel
☺
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews