The Wentworths

Book excerpt: From the bestselling author of Chemical Pink: “While tales of dysfunctional families abound, this one separates itself from the pack” (Elle). Katie Arnoldi’s critically acclaimed debut novel Chemical Pink launched her onto the bestseller lists and so burrowed itself into the public’s consciousness that its title was the answer to a Double Jeopardy question. Now, seven years later, her second novel, The Wentworths, gives her readers a fascinating, erotic, dark, and savagely funny page-turner that will both thrill her fans and appeal to new readers of all stripes. Arnoldi’s searing portrait of a wealthy Westside, Los Angeles family, is a true binge read—boldly dramatizing the dysfunctionality of the modern American family as it examines how people get so screwed up. Comic and horrifying, sadistic and hilarious, tragic and funny all at the same time, The Wentworths is a shocking, yet redemptive tale that will have fans cheering. “Too funny, too true, too sad, and too short.” —David Mamet, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of old Religion “Savagely funny . . . You’ll be hooked.” —Marie Claire “With a wry touch, Arnoldi draws a mocking portrait of a powerful Southern California family that, while not the worst family on record, is remarkably warped by wealth and power . . . A page-turner both for its well-paced intrigue and for its witty, sordid description of just how awful these people can get.” —Publishers Weekly “The #1 beach read of the summer.” —The Malibu Times