The East Wing

by Danielle M. Wong, Amelia Sciandra (Narrator)

Struggling 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, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Thriller, Audiobook, Adult, Gothic, Fiction, Mystery

Audible Audio

Published June 24, 2026

About the author

Danielle 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...

Reviews

[Mikkie H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A big thank you to Storm Publishing, Danielle M. Wong and NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Imagine a past that has haunted your memories for months, and is the cause of your 18-month-long-sleep deprivation. Writer Wren Lee has struggled with sleeping and is stuck in the job she hates. When a lawyer contacts her about an inheritance, of course she doesn't hesitate to claim it. She rushes to Virginia and gets to stay in her grandfather's house. A big house with an eerie feel, a strange staff member and a forbidden wing of the house... is this a recipe for disaster? That is up to you to find out ;)

The first 50% of the book was mostly internal dialogue, about working her barista job, and, trying to get to the root of her insomnia and sleepwalking problem. After, she finally arrived, met a oddly rude staff member Ruth, and we explore the house with Wren. The house didn't feel particularly eerie to me. The storm that followed was annoying, which is the reason why she was stuck in the building. Then she discovered the forbidden east wing... and the mystery begins. Finally, we get to the good part, which felt rushed. I did like the plottwist.

For me, this book had a very slow start, so it was hard to get into. I had hoped we would see more of the house and get clues here and there before getting to the bigbang. Though it had a slow start, I did enjoy the story and how it eventually progressed.

Final verdict: ☆☆☆ 3 stars

[Simone (mysterypageturners) Ketchum · Rating 3 out of 5]

📖 ARC BOOK REVIEW 📖

Thank you to Storm Publishing for providing me this gifted ARC! Thank you to NetGalley and author Danielle Wong!



📚Book: The East Wing
✍🏻Author: Danielle Wong
🌀Genre: Psychological Thriller
📃Pages: 220
Publication Date: June 23, 2026

Struggling 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. 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.


What I Loved:

🧟‍♂️ Eerie
🗝️ Locked-room
🌪️Twists
😰Suspense


💔What Didn’t Work For Me:
🐢Slow start
🔁Repetitive
🤐Too much Internal dialogue

📖 Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5/5)

👩🏼‍⚖️Final Word:

This was a fun, mysterious, and unsettling book. It was a slow start but once I got beyond that, the pace definitely picked up. I found myself not wanting to put the book down. It got weirder and more eerie as the book went on. Despite the repetition of insomnia and lots of internal dialogue, I enjoyed the story. Even though I dislike ambiguous endings, this one actually worked for me. If you enjoy eerie, locked room and unsettling stories, give this one a try!

[Estelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

3.25 (rounded down)

I have mixed feelings with this one. I really did like it, but it wasn't exactly the best thriller I've read. The plotline itself is intriguing and has potential. The book was dark, puzzling, and tense; of which I quite enjoyed. All things I enjoy!

Here we follow a writer, Wren who has trauma-based amnesia only to suddenly inherit a spooky old manor from a relative she wasn't even aware existed. This led to her unfolding the secrets that also lived within the manor.

I wasn't really prepared for this to be such a slow burn as it was. However, I actually managed to fly through the book regardless, so it didn't bother me for once. I think I read it with such ease because it was a little on the simple side but also, I truly was interested in what was happening and wanted to see how everything was going to unfold. And that's where we get to the climax... The climax of the story overall, was fine but I really wanted it to be great. I also think there were some "convenient" parts of this story, especially towards the end.

In general, this was a quick fun moody read that pulled me out of a reading slump, but it never grasped me in the way I want a thriller novel to do so. There was no true shock I felt, and I feel like that should be a core part of a story in this genre. I probably would recommend it to younger audiences that want to start reading thrillers!

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the concept of this book but the story didn’t totally work for me. It centers on Wren, a struggling author who works at a coffee shop to make ends meet when she finds out she was left a mansion from a grandfather she didn’t know about. She has been struggling for the last year and a half since being in a bad car accident that she can’t really remember, so thinks this is a great chance to get away from it all and work on her book and her overall healing. However, once she arrives at the house, there is a housekeeper she didn’t know about and some general creepiness that makes her rethink her decision.

I felt like the book lacked a bit in details- while the reader gets a lot of information about Wren’s mental state, I don’t feel like I had a lot of information about her actual character. Likewise, while I learned a little about the creepy house, I felt like I couldn’t picture it as clearly as I wished I had been able to. The story goes off the rails a little bit for me when the action really culminates- it felt like there were a ton of revelations in a really short period of time after relatively slow pacing prior. There was a good twist that surprised me but I felt that the other major twist would never have been guessable. The ending of the book was ok- it deliberately doesn’t tie everything up the way I wanted it to, but it worked for the story.

Overall, I thought this book was just ok, but I’m not sorry I read it. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Daphne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.


This book really didn't work for me. Both the writing style and the plot fell flat for me personally. I felt like the author was very repetitive in her writing, to the point that it actually really stood out to me in a frustrating way. I also felt like the plot was all over the place, turning from something somewhat realistic into something that went completely off the rails.

My biggest gripe is a spoiler. I hate that the big twist was that a character has Dissociative Identity Disorder. It felt like a really outdated trope. "Oh, watch out, this person has a mental disorder and is eeeeevil." The wildest part of it was that the book tries to lampshade it by mentioning how the disorder is often misused in Hollywood, only for the book to do the exact same thing. I was waiting for some twist to make this better but it didn't happen. The book honestly left me feeling frustrated.

I also struggled with the way details were written into the story. The main character would think about something right before it became relevant to the story. There seemed to be very little setup of anything.

[Dana Vit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Dreamscape Select and NetGalley for providing this ALC!

What a trip! This follows Wren, a woman that is definitely suffering from PTSD, but she can’t remember why. She knows she was in an accident, but she can’t remember any detail around it. Then, she inherits her grandfathers house, and while there to finalize things, she again finds herself in a life of death situation. It gets real cray, real fast. At first I thought, is this gonna be paranormal? Then I thought, is this just all in her head?? It was a wild ride! This definitely had some Rebecca feels to it, which I enjoyed.

Interestingly, I didn’t really feel any attachment to Wren, and honestly, she was a little annoying at times. (Maybe that was the narrator? I’m unsure.) But, she did get better towards the end. And once I found out the true story of what happened to her, I felt sad for her.

#TheEastWing #DreamscapeSelect #NetGalley

[Diane Elizabeth Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Chilling Slow Burn Thriller
​In this atmospheric thriller, unpublished author Wren Lee seeks a fresh start in an eerie house inherited from a grandfather she never knew, hoping to escape her insomnia and jagged memories of a past accident. While the story takes its time setting the scene before finally reaching the house, the patience pays off. Once Wren meets the strange housekeeper, Ruth, things take a genuinely dark turn. Wren’s lack of assertiveness can be frustrating, but you can’t help but root for her.
The book excellently crafts a sinister atmosphere, ramping up the tension in a gripping second half that culminates in a haunting, open ending. 3.5 stars.
My thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for an early read. This is my own opinion.

[Cat Treadwell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the sound of this book, being a huge fan of the gothic and the 'if you liked these' comparisons. Unfortunately the reality is just too different for me.

The story is SO slow. Very little happens for a good portion of the book, and the protagonist is frustrating more than intriguing as she wallows in her woes. The language is lovely as it sets up the overall tone, but there just wasn't anything happening for me to latch on to that I eventually gave up.

A frustrating DNF.

I was kindly sent an early copy of this book but the above opinions are entirely my own.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting more from this book, but it never came to be. The storyline wasn't bad, just not great. I feel it could have been more climatic. The narrator has a monotone voice that I suppose matched the main character and her mental state, but it lacked vocal connection.

[Aida ☾ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Being in this girls head is painful. The twist? Dumb. The MC? Dumb.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Robin Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The East Wing is a beautifully unsettling gothic thriller that masterfully combines psychological suspense, mystery, and emotional depth into a story that lingers long after the final page. Danielle M. Wong has created an atmospheric novel that captures the eerie charm of classic gothic fiction while delivering a fresh and compelling narrative filled with tension, secrets, and unforgettable twists.

From the opening chapters, Wren Lee immediately emerges as a deeply relatable and emotionally layered protagonist. Still haunted by the devastating car accident that changed her life and robbed her of crucial memories, Wren's search for healing feels authentic and heartfelt. Her unexpected inheritance and arrival at an isolated mansion in rural Virginia seem like the perfect opportunity for a new beginning, but instead, readers are drawn into an increasingly disturbing mystery that becomes impossible to put down.

One of the novel's greatest strengths is its atmosphere. Danielle M. Wong creates an overwhelming sense of unease that quietly builds with every chapter. The maze like corridors, the haunting lullaby echoing through the halls, the mysterious housekeeper Ruth, and the forbidden east wing all work together to create a setting that feels alive with secrets. The mansion itself becomes a character, filled with history, hidden truths, and an ever-present feeling that something is watching from the shadows.

The pacing is exceptionally well executed. Rather than relying on constant shocks, the story carefully layers suspense, allowing tension to grow naturally as each revelation uncovers another piece of the larger mystery. Every unanswered question encourages readers to keep turning pages, and every new discovery raises the stakes even further. The gradual unveiling of Wren's forgotten past blends seamlessly with the supernatural elements, creating a story that feels both emotionally grounded and chillingly mysterious.

I was especially impressed by the emotional complexity woven throughout the novel. While The East Wing delivers plenty of suspense and gothic intrigue, it also explores themes of grief, trauma, memory, family, healing, and the lasting impact of unresolved pain. These deeper emotional layers elevate the story beyond a traditional thriller, making Wren's personal journey just as compelling as the mystery surrounding the mansion.

Danielle M. Wong's writing is vivid, immersive, and highly cinematic. Every scene is carefully crafted, making it easy to visualize the decaying estate, hear the unsettling lullaby, and feel the growing sense of isolation as the storm traps Wren inside. The balance between psychological tension and gothic horror is handled with remarkable skill, creating an experience that is both suspenseful and emotionally satisfying.

Overall, The East Wing is an outstanding gothic thriller that delivers suspense, memorable characters, rich atmosphere, and a gripping mystery from beginning to end. Danielle M. Wong has written a novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy haunted houses, psychological mysteries, slow burning suspense, and emotionally driven storytelling. It's an impressive achievement and a book I would gladly recommend to anyone looking for a haunting and unforgettable reading experience.

[Pav S. (pav_sanborn_bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was invited to read this book, and since I love discovering new authors, I couldn't resist giving it a try—especially with that intriguing cover! Just imagine inheriting a house that feels alive and seemingly wants you gone. Isn't that a chilling concept? Creepy, indeed!

Struggling writer Wren Lee, plagued by sleeplessness since a life-altering car accident, inherits a mansion in rural Virginia from her estranged grandfather, seeking an escape. However, the grand house feels unsettling, echoing with a mysterious lullaby and inhabited by the watchful housekeeper, Ruth. Determined to uncover its secrets, Wren faces challenges when a storm traps her inside, forcing her to confront both the house's darkness and her traumatic past, where buried truths and ghosts await...

The main character, Wren, is navigating her life while juggling a job and pursuing her writing on the side. She's the type who goes along with everything, but being a doormat can only last so long! Wren also faces sleep issues, including sleepwalking, which adds to her challenges. When she learns that she has inherited a mansion, she hopes that a change of scenery will help her weary self. Little does she know, things are about to become increasingly complicated.

Then there's Ruth, the peculiar old housekeeper who fits the mold of a classic creepy character. But as the story unfolds, we discover that Ruth is even more unsettling than initially thought.

I could truly empathize with Wren's exhaustion and frustration, as I also struggle with sleep at times—it's how I manage to read so much! She explains her attempts with natural remedies, routines, and even heavy sedatives, but nothing seems to work. Just when she's at the end of her rope, she tries a new experimental medication, and the outcome? You'll need to read on to find out!

The author did an excellent job painting the events and atmosphere. I could easily picture myself in that eerie house alongside Wren. Who doesn’t love a snowstorm and a locked-room mystery with no cell phone signal? Although the pacing was a bit slow initially, there was enough going on to keep me fully engaged and curious about the explanations behind Wren's predicaments. This book would be perfect for Halloween week, as the unsettling nature of both the house and its keeper keeps you on edge!

The audiobook was fantastic! I enjoyed the narrator, whose skill in giving each character a distinct voice was impressive. Her energy was spot-on, keeping me hooked without any pauses. If you love a gothic, atmospheric vibe, this story is definitely for you. It delves into themes of unresolved grief, the journey of moving on with therapy, the bizarre behaviors of the housekeeper, and the process of starting over while rediscovering oneself. This was my first read by this author, and I genuinely enjoyed it. Although it’s not my typical choice, it was a great read to break up my usual selections!

Thank you, Storm Publishing and Dreamscape Select, for the DRC widget. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Raashi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A GOOSEBUMPS reads, I, literally have to put it down at night.
Wren is the name of the protagonist but I'll say that I was WREN. This book felt like breathing the same air as our lead. It all comes down to a sudden INHERITANCE Wren Lee got from his not- so alive grandfather. A family she had but she didn't knew. A call. A lawyer. A Home left in her name at the depth of rural Virginia. But she need an escape. She wasn't able to sleep at night for MONTHS. The accident. The memory gap. Ofcourse, she need an escape. But what will happen when this escape turned her nightmares into her new distorted reality? Is this real? Or some sort of trick her brain playing? Who could she believe? Could she stay? How to leave? Can she LEAVE?

Guys, I'm always a fan of books that explores the wonders of human brain, especially the psychology part. This book DELIVERS. It explains the situation of Wren and others, suffering from PTSD and other sorts of difficulties, so vividly and thoroughly. Believe me when I say, you'll want her to go past her difficulties and get the duck out of that house, as quickly as possible.

Easy 4.5
Why not 5
A teeny tiny gap for me in the whole story was the Climax. It was so quickly delivered that I thought that this was not the end of the plot, something more was going to come but alas! never came. I know it's a whole story itself, but I was expecting more drawn out conclusion, just like the Wren's situation was so thoroughly explored and written.


Tropes to read it for
~Gothic thriller
~Paranoia and Somnambulism
~Psychological writing
~Sudden inheritance
~Unknown family
~Memory loss

I've read many thrillers and I was somehow always able to guess the plot too, here akso. but the writing....THE WRITING makes the whole read quite surreal. Hats off to the author for writing this gem of a piece. So much was packed in so little pages!
The medical terms, her paronia, her feelings, her NEED of some rest and sleep was so palpable, I want to go in and HELP HER. I'm not lying when I said that I didn't read most of it at night (I'm a night owl, I manage). This book creates an aura around you, such that you would want to read in daylight as compared to the eerie quite of 2 am.
And, Ruth...is ruthless. that's it!
Read yourself to find out more about her and our brave, survivor protagonist.

Special mention - the group read wren went to, and the guy who shared his story. I put the book down after that.

Uncomfortable read, you want to stop but you've to go on.

[Amy Appleby · Rating 3 out of 5]

With thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The plot of The East Wing centres around struggling writer, Wren Lee. After a horrific car accident 18 months ago, Wren is suffering from insomnia, somnambulism and writer’s block. As is often the case, Wren doesn’t remember the incident that is causing these issues. Late night walks lead her to meet up with Simon, her ex-boyfriend, who was also in the crash and is unwilling to tell Wren exactly what happened. I was really disappointed to guess straight away what the deal was with Simon.

Following the death of her grandfather, a relative she was unaware existed, she is left his grand house and estate in Virginia.

Wren travels to the house and is greeted by Ruth, a member of the household who worked for her grandfather up until his death. It soon transpires that Ruth is not what she seems to be.

What follows is a standard thriller where Wren is trapped in the house following a severe storm and, provided with a set of house rules, is told to stay away from the east wing. Naturally, curiosity gets the better of Wren and the east wing draws her closer. This is a standard trope which I have read in countless novels but Danielle M. Wong, excels at setting the scene and trying to build a spooky and claustrophobic atmosphere. For me, this wasn’t quite reached as a lot of the incidents were quite predictable.

The pace picks up towards the middle (it isn’t until about 30% in where something actually happens) and I found myself actually starting to enjoy the story but the ending is completely anticlimactic and doesn’t quite match the investment I was starting to have in the book. There are also a few subplots that aren’t resolved and numerous insights into Wren’s character which had me thinking I had missed something – only for these to be described after the fact. This was quite confusing and would have been better if these were explained first.

Overall, The East Wing is a decent enough read that doesn’t take too much time to finish. It doesn’t quite achieve the emotional resonance or tight plotting of a gothic horror, but it is a solid effort that showcases Wong’s talent for atmospheric storytelling. It is definitely worth a read if you love this kind of book, but there are much better titles out there.

[Suesyn Zellmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Stephanie Burow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of The East Wing in exchange for an honest review.

I found The East Wing to be an interesting and exciting psychological thriller with a nod to some impressive paranormal aspects that kept me coming back for more over and over. While I admit that the first third of the book was rather slow and filled with quite a bit of internal dialogue on the part of our FMC, Wren, I couldn’t help be captivated because Wong only gives us partial glimpses into Wren’s life prior to where we come into her story. Wren has obvious psychological trauma that has manifested in numerous ways including insomnia, sleep walking and visual inaccuracies that make you question the sanity of our narrator time and time again (which I personally really enjoy as it adds another layer to the puzzle).

My only frustration with the book came when Wren finally gets to the house that she inherited from her mysterious dead grandfather in Virginia. Upon her arrival, I expected her to be more curious. To explore more and interact with the staff that she was told were on the premise. The entire house was essentially a cabinet of curiosities and I really enjoyed reading the parts she did decide to explore, but I felt there was room to go so much deeper there as Wren essentially locked herself away in her room for the majority of the time worrying about her phone battery and the impending storm. The mansion really gave off Winchester vibes and as a lover of the Winchester Mansion, I wanted to experience Wren exploring that more for the sake of the readers.

In the end, I really enjoyed the conclusion and the progress Wren was able to make was hugely promising, especially for readers who may be dealing with a similar trauma, that is until the last curveball is thrown in essentially upending all of Wren’s progress. This was a really fun read that I’m glad I had the opportunity to explore and I’m excited to seek out Danielle Wong’s other works to see if they happen to run in the same vein.

[Tzia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wren Lee isn't having the best time. An aspiring writer trapped in a low-wage job and a less than great Boston apartment - the worst thing for Wren is the insomnia. She hasn't had a proper night of rest in 18 months, and during her waking hours she's plagued by both gaps in her memory and flashbacks to the event she can't remember. Out of the blue she discovers that she has inherited a large home in the country from her recently deceased Grandfather. The fact that he wasn't already dead is news to Wren, so in need of a break and some inspiration she travels to her new property...only to find it's hiding some dark secrets.

I enjoyed this as a concept a lot, it isn't new ground in terms of plot lines but it is done well and is very atmospheric. I definitely found I could picture the old house and its surroundings, the winding corridors and collection of curiosities on the wall.

I found that the pacing was all over the place - there was way too much set up and description of Wrens battle with insomnia and its ravaging effect (which I definitely don't want to minimise, insomnia is devastating), so we're 30% of the way through the book before anything actually happens. Then there's a few chapters of tension, followed by lot of internal monologue and turmoil and quite a bit of repetitive explanation.

I did have a good time with this book but I feel like there could have been a lot more character development. Even at the end I don't really feel like I know Wren all that well, and all of the other characters are really just there to move her plot along. It ended on a good cliffhanger, with just enough questions left unanswered and with plenty of opportunities for readers to write their own conclusions.

- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review -

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: The East Wing
Author: Danielle M. Wong
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Genre: Gothic Thriller
Publishing Release Date: June 24, 2026
My Rating: 2.5 rounded up to 3 Stars
Pages 249

Wren Lee lives in Boston and is a struggling writer who hasn't slept properly in eighteen months. She works in a coffee shop and is trying to write a book in her spare time but hasn't got much accomplished due to lack of sleep. A car accident has left her not only sleepless but also with no memory of what happened that night.
When she receives a surprise call from the lawyer of her estranged grandfather that she inherited a house in rural Virginia; it seems perfect timing to leave Boston.
However, the mansion inheritance also came with Ruth, a housekeeper who worked for Wren’s grandfather for many years and also knew her father. There are many rules and regulations, especially in the East Wing.

My first Danielle M. Wong thriller, her bio reads that she 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...

Story was not my usual Psychological thriller but a twisty gothic thriller.

I want to thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this e Galley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 24, 2026.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐ 3.25/5

The East Wing had a lot of elements that I normally enjoy on paper: an isolated mansion, family secrets, ghosts, and a protagonist grappling with trauma and missing memories. While I can appreciate what Danielle M. Wong was trying to do, I ultimately think this particular blend of gothic mystery and haunted house horror just wasn't the right trope for me.

The atmosphere is easily the book's strongest feature. The sprawling Virginia mansion feels unsettling from the start, and details like the eerie lullaby drifting through the halls and the housekeeper's strange behavior create a persistent sense of unease. I can absolutely see this being the kind of book that lands much better during spooky season when you're actively craving creepy, stormy-night vibes.

Wren was a sympathetic protagonist, and I was invested in uncovering both the house's secrets and the truth about the accident that changed her life. However, I found myself more interested in the mystery than in the emotional journey, and the pacing occasionally felt slower than I wanted. Some reveals worked for me, while others didn't have quite the impact I was hoping for.

That said, I think readers who love gothic horror, haunted houses, and stories where the past refuses to stay buried will likely connect with this book more than I did. Even though it wasn't entirely my thing, I can appreciate the eerie atmosphere and the way the story blends supernatural elements with personal trauma.

Overall, The East Wing was a solid read with a creepy setting and an intriguing mystery, but it never fully clicked for me. I suspect my rating might have been higher if I'd picked it up in October with a storm raging outside.

[Maureen Hester · Rating 2 out of 5]

The East Wing, written by Danielle M. Wong and narrated by Amelia Sciandra, is an atmospheric psychological thriller that unfortunately only gets 2 stars from me. This one initially caught my eye because of the eerie combo of the title and cover illustration, and the promise of a gothic thriller. IMO, the whole story fell really flat.

I wanted this story to be a lot creepier than it ended up being, and it did not deliver based on the publisher summary. TBH, I felt that the more sinister vibes only came to fruition through a few references to Daphne du Maurier's "Rebecca." Without that comparison, I don't think the setting descriptions would've conjured enough of a creepy atmosphere. There was also an excessive amount of inner monologue from the main character, and despite the amount of space it took in the book, we don't really learn much about Wren. It was more repetitive and annoying than informative. As soon as the male voice was introduced during the storm, I immediately (and correctly) guessed what was happening, which was kind of a bummer. I feel that there could have been a lot more to happen with this, but, again, the focus was more on Wren's thoughts, rather than plot action. The whole book felt really slow, but the ending somehow still felt rushed, and I wish I had liked this better.

I will say, the narration was excellent. I feel like the narrator really portrayed Wren's anxiety well, and that did help lend some tension here.

Overall, I was underwhelmed, and there was not any point at which I was bummed to have to stop listening. I would probably not recommend.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow burn psychological mystery. There is a lot of build up getting to know Wren and her troubles with insomnia, not to mention her memory of the car crash that changed her life. She is trying to write a novel while working her unsatisfying job at a coffee shop. So when a lawyer reaches out to tell her the grandfather she didn't know has died and left her his estate, she jumps at the opportunity to see the manor she has now inherited. This is where the story starts to get interesting, as Wren meets Ruth, the manor's crotchety caretaker. Somehow Ruth manages to make Wren forget herself and she starts abiding by every rule Ruth lays down about the house, which is quite large and has a forbidden east wing. Meanwhile, a snow storm rages outside, trapping her in the house and soon Wren's insomnia gets the better of her and she finds herself roaming the halls and venturing into the east wing. This is where the book gets interesting, with a few twists and events I did not see coming. In the end, what I appreciated most was Wren's growth journey. She battles her many demons and with time comes out the other side stronger for it. I think there are many who will be able to relate to her thoughts and internal struggles. That ending though... chills.

I listened to the audiobook with Amelia Sciandra as the narrator. Amelia is very easy to listen to, and I could easily envision her as Wren. She brought all of the characters to life, making it easy to distinguish each one from the next.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Select, Storm Publishing for the DRC in exchange for my honest review. 3.5 rounded up to 4.

[Meg Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The East Wing had all the ingredients of a gothic psychological thriller I normally love — an isolated mansion, a mysterious inheritance, a creepy housekeeper, and a main character unraveling under the weight of insomnia and trauma. The premise immediately hooked me, and the atmosphere at the beginning felt eerie and unsettling in exactly the right way.

Unfortunately, the story never fully delivered on that tension for me. A lot of the book felt repetitive, with Wren cycling through the same thoughts, sleepless nights, and strange encounters without the plot moving forward much. I kept waiting for the mystery to really deepen or for the suspense to escalate, but most of the major developments were saved for the very end.

That said, I did enjoy the gothic setting and the overall mood Danielle M. Wong created. The mansion itself had a claustrophobic, unsettling quality, and Ruth was the kind of character who constantly made me suspicious. There were definitely moments that pulled me in and made me want answers.

My biggest issue was that some of the reveals and character motivations felt either underexplained or rushed once everything finally came together. A few plot threads left me more confused than shocked, and I wanted a stronger payoff after such a slow build.

Overall, The East Wing was an atmospheric and readable gothic thriller with a strong premise, but it didn’t completely work for me in execution. If you enjoy slow-burn psychological suspense with creepy mansion vibes and unreliable memories, you may have a better experience with this one than I did.

[Nicole McElwaney · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was hoping for an eerie atmospheric book, and for some readers, this may be that for them. It missed the mark for me. There were several plots at play and the execution of them was very choppy and disjointed.
I almost questioned my own sanity because of the repetitiveness this book has, I feel like I read the same paragraph over and over with slightly different wording, for entire chapters. We follow Wren— we fumble through life with her without getting a clear insight to her troubled past until 75% into the book; for that reason, I had a very hard time connecting with her. She ends up at her grandfather’s estate, she supposedly is inheriting it. Her parents were estranged from the grandfather and she never knew he existed. She meets the housekeeper, Ruth. Ruth is a bit creepy. For the majority of the book, we go through nothing except Wren fighting insomnia, taking sleeping pills and unsettling encounters with Ruth; it’s the same routine and the passage of time is not easily discernible…one second it’s morning, then it’s night time only a few sentences later. Again, nothing happens and answers are not revealed until way late in the book and it’s a very quick wrap-up, like two chapters. The remaining chapters and epilogue is Wren describing her newly blissful life, over and over and over. I will say that the author didn’t leave loose ends, my questions were answered as the book wrapped up.

Thanks to Storm Publishing for the eARC via NetGalley

[Bo.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a traumatic accident and struggling with insomnia, Wren inherits a mansion from a grandfather she never knew existed, only to find herself trapped in an eerie house filled with secrets, strange happenings, and a housekeeper who immediately feels off.

While I enjoyed the gothic feel and unsettling atmosphere, I never fully felt gripped in the way I hoped. I kept waiting for certain reveals to click into place, particularly surrounding Damon, but by the end I was still unclear on his role and what actually happened.

There was enough mystery to keep me reading, especially around Wren’s missing memories and what happened with her fiancé. I liked the idea of slowly piecing everything together, even if the execution didn’t always come together as well as I’d hoped.

At times, the pacing felt uneven, with Wren stuck in a cycle of insomnia, strange encounters, and brief moments where things seemed to move forward before slowing again. Ruth was another character I kept going back and forth on, which added to the uncertainty, but I never felt fully sure where I was meant to land with her.

The ending did answer some questions, but it also left me a bit unsatisfied and slightly confused, as though there were still gaps I couldn’t fully make sense of. Overall, the gothic setting worked, but the story itself didn’t quite come together for me.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The East Wing follows Wren Lee, a writer hollowed out by trauma and sleeplessness, who escapes to a rural Virginia mansion she never expected to inherit. What she finds there is not solace but a house steeped in unease—echoing lullabies in the night, a housekeeper whose devotion borders on unsettling, and an east wing no one will speak about.

Wong builds tension with a deft, confident hand. The mansion is wonderfully gothic: grand yet claustrophobic, full of locked doors, strange rituals, and the sense that someone—or something—is always watching. Wren’s frayed mental state makes her the perfect lens for this story; her grief and confusion blur seamlessly with the house’s secrets, creating a delicious uncertainty about what is real and what is memory clawing its way back.

As a storm traps Wren inside, the novel tightens into a gripping, atmospheric spiral. The revelations about her past are both heartbreaking and chilling, and the way the house mirrors her internal unraveling is incredibly effective. Fans of Mexican Gothic, The Sanatorium, and Sharp Objects will feel right at home in this world of creeping dread and buried truths.

A compelling, twisty, and deeply atmospheric read—perfect for anyone who loves their thrillers with a strong gothic pulse and a heroine fighting her way back to the light.

With thanks to Danielle Wong, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 STARS

this was a very unsettling and ominous, slow burn-type read. its singular focus is on Wren Lee, a young woman navigating her crippling and unravelling mental health. in the midst of sleepless nights and her failing writing aspirations, she finds out she's inherited an estate from a grandfather she never knew existed. once she steps foot near her inheritance, things take a turn. is it just her paranoia or are there forces beyond her understanding?

if there's one word i can take from the author to describe this book, it's: palpable. every step of the way, the way the author writes Wren's mental state and thought process is extremely palpable... moreso, relatable. anyone who experiences anxiety in any capacity will understand Wren, especially with how suffocating it can be to be in a constant state of fight or flight; not knowing what's simply in our head or real.

do i recommend? absolutely! it's an eerie, atmospheric psychological thriller with a touch of horror. heavy on the psychological! when Wren's past comes to the surface, it also has such an emotional impact. if any of you have experienced traumatic loss and near-death experiences, this will either resonate heavily on you or trigger you. so please keep that in mind! overall, i liked this.

disclaimer: this book was read as an ARC via NetGalley, thanks to the author and publisher. i leave this review of my own volition. all thoughts and opinions are mine.

[Varsha(my plants and my books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The East Wing

My Overall rating- 3
Setting-4
Story-3
Prose-5
Characters-3

I was really captured by the preview for this book but this really left me with wanting more.

Wren Lee is a struggling writer with no credentials whatsoever and we come to know that she had been through a huge trauma recently. Because of this, she has insomnia or sometimes she wakes up at random places with no memory of how she got there. Throw in some unexpected inheritance from her grandfather, with a rule that says that the East Wing is prohibited to enter. Who wouldn't love such a premise?

Starting with the positives, the mysterious setting with a gothic backdrop has a certain appeal. I honestly thought this was going to be horror, but I don't mind that there is no supernatural edge.
The way the feelings and inner thoughts are articulated is very captivating and is certainly a breath of fresh air.

Coming to the cons... even with such a strong plotline, the changing scenes are too fast for my liking. Contradictorily, the inner musings of Wren is a little overdone. I wanted more from the plot instead. The ending is certainly a cliffhanger, but it fell bland.

It is a forgettable yet intriguing story with a great deal of potential, but it needed sharper edges rather than blunt ones.

Many thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for honest feedback

[Katie (While I Read) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm for the ARC of this book. I loved the premise -- a struggling writer, Wren, whose life is falling apart unexpectedly inherits an estate from a grandfather she never knew. When she arrives at the secluded mansion, she finds a housekeeper, Ruth, who seems strangely devoted to her grandfather and resentful of Wren. Wren has recently experienced a traumatic event, which we discover more about as the story unfolds. Though I loved the main character and the gothic atmosphere of the story, I found myself waiting for something to happen - we spend a lot of time in Wren's head, and I wanted a little more excitement. Only one of the "twists" actually shocked me, though I must admit that one was very shocking. At the end, I kept waiting for more details to wrap up. It's fine for an ending to be ambiguous, but I feel that some plot lines were just left hanging, as if certain scenes or events had no real point in the book. But it kept me entertained enough to read in just a couple of days. Overall, this book was an enjoyable ride that didn't quite live up to my expectations.
Follow me on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@whileireadwithka... for book reviews and recommendations.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this one because the premise sounded exactly like the kind of gothic psychological thriller I usually fly through — creepy mansion, insomnia, missing memories, family secrets… it had all the ingredients.

The atmosphere was honestly my favorite part. The mansion felt eerie and claustrophobic, Ruth constantly made me uncomfortable, and there were definitely moments that gave me that unsettling feeling I wanted from the story.

For me though, the pacing was a little too repetitive. Wren spent a lot of time cycling through insomnia, confusion, strange encounters, and fragmented memories, and I kept waiting for the suspense to fully kick in. The story picked up more toward the end, but by then I wanted a stronger payoff.

I also felt like some of the reveals — especially involving Damon — weren’t explained clearly enough for me. I finished the book still feeling slightly confused about a few things instead of shocked.

Overall, this wasn’t a bad read for me at all, and I do think readers who love slower gothic suspense may really enjoy it. I just wanted a little more tension, clearer reveals, and a bigger emotional payoff from the ending.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.