Lots to like here, and fans of old school mysteries will find so much good stuff here. McDorman is less concerned with getting there than he is with how we get there, and that makes for a fun, meta, old school detective story meets 21st century acknowledgement of the two centuries of mysteries that have come before. Highly recommend.

I received a free ARC of this title from netgalley in exchange for an honest review

This book reminds me of a murder mystery weekend you book for fun. However, in this book it isn't what the characters signed up for. A private detective is the perfect person to solve these murders in an isolated hunt club. He knows if he doesn't, he could be next.

I really adored this book because it was unique. And how many reviewers claim the book they're reviewing is unique, but this one really goes above and beyond. The second-person narrative struck me first, which really worked for this book. I was there, having a cocktail at six o'clock on a hot summer evening. By the end, first and third-person narratives had also been used, as well as script format and a variety of other writing styles. Each chapter was a new piece of evidence to explore and it certainly kept me interested until the very last page.

Get ready to meet a lot of people. The story takes place at a private club during 4th of July weekend of 1976, so the club is crowded with families on summer vacation, all of the club's inner circle, and even a new prospective member checking things out to decide if he wants to join. Adam McAnnis is the private detective who is an outsider and everyone is suspicious of his motives immediately. The author does a great job of taking stock of the characters the reader needs to know, but there are just so many I admit to being a bit confused occasionally, though it was nothing I couldn't figure out based on context.

As the plot rolls on, it becomes clear that a lot of people have secrets. I guess one as it was rather clear, but the other was not what I was expecting. Maybe I'm daft, but I expected a plot twist that never emerged and instead got another. No matter, it was still fascinating.

A word about the ending: you will either love it or despise it. I have already read some complaints about it in other reviews, and while I understand where they're coming from I think the reader needs to dig a little deeper with this book. This story has layers and things should not always be taken at face value. It's the kind of book where you notice something new every time you reread it. In fact, I think I'll do just that. Overall, West Kill Heart is a very smart book.

Four stars! If you love unique stories, I think you'll really enjoy this book. However, if you're just looking for a straightforward mystery with a dumb cast of suspects and a regular detective, this is not for you. You have to be willing to experience new points of view to enjoy this novel, but really I can't recommend it enough. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. As always, opinions are my own.

Many elements of this meta mystery novel are quite clever, and especially interesting to those of us who are devotees of classic mysteries. McDorman works with familiar elements of classic mystery novels in a playful way, and I applaud his efforts toying with the classic mystery genre. The publisher's "LOOKING FOR AN ANYTHING-BUT-ORDINARY WHODUNIT?" description is very appropriate, and in spite of the fact that the interludes that break up the narrative struck me as disjointed, I very much enjoyed many aspects of the book.

Dan McDorman tries to break out from the hum-droll of typical murder mysteries but ends up creating a demeaning, overly busy story.
Private detective Adam McAnnis visits a friend from college for the West Hard Bicentennial weekend. This exclusive club in upstate New York holds many secrets including struggling finances. When one of the members dies, everyone is a suspect. Is this a suicide or murder? With everyone lying, McAnnis has his hands full.
This book is more pretentious than Hercule Poirot at his worst. McDorman drops allusion after literary allusions from the very beginning. He then treats the readers like they are stupid by telling readers what to pay attention to and why. Then McDorman goes into “case studies” about different aspects of a mystery novel. We didn’t read this book to continually be taught about parts of mystery novels or other stories (good chance we’ve read all of them anyway); we read to try and solve the mystery. The author also switches perspectives (first/third person, etc.) confusing the reader. This is supposed to mask Who Dun It but is just jarring. McDorman also banks on using stereotypes as satire but shows no talent for execution.
There are some good aspects to the story. I loved that no one was just stereotypically innocent or happy-go-lucky and then got flipped. Everyone is morally grey or cynical. Even McAnnis is more Sherlock Holmes than Agatha Christie. I liked that there was a small twist at the end. This added to my enjoyment and was the only aspect that made this story unique and outside the box. But then the ending took the wind out of my sails. It was not novel and just frustrating.
West End Kill is an average story wrapped in rigmarole hoping that chaos will help it. Not surprisingly, it fails.

The author breaking the fourth wall was too much that I couldn’t continue on with the book. I ended up putting it down unfortunately.

A very unique mystery.where the fourth wall with the reader is broken. I can see how there would be many readers who will find the format refreshing but I prefer a more traditional style. Interesting but just not for me!

A short mystery with an unconventional style — I imagine this is going to be a highly polarizing book for mystery lovers!

The author takes a unique approach throughout this investigation of murder(s?) at an elite hunting club, breaking the fourth wall to engage directly with the reader, give hints, and speculate as to who they may suspect and why at any given time. There are frequent asides discussing the history and techniques of whodunits throughout the years, as well as lapses into different types of writing, including interview transcriptions and, at one point, a dramatized play.

For me, it was entertaining — I liked the factoids from the genre, and I didn’t mind the direct addresses to the reader, I found them amusing. But let this serve as your warning that it’s certainly a different structure and style than most, and it won’t be for everybody! That ending in particular — I got a little bit of a kick out of it, but some people are reaaaally gonna hate it 😂

Definitely give it a try if you’re a mystery reader looking for something a little different!

Thanks to @aaknopf, @netgalley, and @shelf.awareness for this copy of "West Heart Kill".

It's a playful and quirky detective story where the reader is directly addressed and pulled into the investigation.

The inventive format is fun to read yet pays homage to the classic detective genre.

An intellectually intriguing concept that turns a typically entertaining genre into an absolute slog.

The interrogation chapters were well done, quickly paced and revealing and filled with covert characterization, but everything else seemed to *want* to annoy the reader. It's like being stuck in a conversation at a party with the most obnoxious, self-aggrandizing person in the room.

Points to West Heart Kill for a unique writing style - unfortunately it really wasn’t for me and I decided to DNF. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the free ebook to review.

Meta on meta and meta and at times almost TOO smart for its own good, but McDorman brings the writing in check with the plot and the sly, twisty sense of humor. Layers on layers here, it's a brilliant book and in all honesty one of the smartest things I've read in a long time!

Equal parts fiction, nonfiction and frustration.

While I really enjoyed the mix of fiction and nonfiction in this book, I was underwhelmed by the ending. I guess I was hoping for more of a traditional mystery ending? With Poirot using his brilliant little grey cells to explain to my less than brilliant little grey cells what the heck had happened 😆

Regardless, this book was a very fun way to learn some mystery history ❤️

Synopsis:
An isolated hunt club. A raging storm. Three corpses, discovered within four days. A cast of monied, scheming, unfaithful characters.

When private detective Adam McAnnis joins an old college friend for the Bicentennial weekend at the exclusive West Heart club in upstate New York, he finds himself among a set of not-entirely-friendly strangers. Then the body of one of the members is found at the lake’s edge; hours later, a major storm hits. By the time power is restored on Sunday, two more people will be dead…

"West Heart Kill" by Dann McDorman takes readers on a chilling ride through the exclusive and enigmatic world of the West Heart club in upstate New York. McDorman skillfully crafts a mystery that unfolds against the backdrop of an isolated hunt club, a raging storm, and a cast of characters dripping with wealth, deception, and hidden motives.

The protagonist, private detective Adam McAnnis, adds a layer of relatability to the narrative. As he navigates the murky waters of old friendships and new acquaintances, the reader is drawn into a web of intrigue and suspicion. McDorman's character development is commendable, with each member of the ensemble cast harboring secrets that keep you guessing until the final pages.

The setting plays a crucial role in creating the atmospheric tension that permeates the novel. The isolation of the hunt club and the relentless storm contribute to a sense of foreboding, amplifying the suspense as the body count rises. The author's ability to evoke a palpable sense of unease enhances the overall reading experience.

The pacing is well-executed, with the discovery of each corpse propelling the story forward. McDorman skillfully plants seeds of doubt and intrigue, leading readers down unexpected paths. The resolution of the mystery is satisfying, with twists that add depth to the narrative.

The dialogue and interactions between characters are sharp and engaging, providing insight into the complex dynamics at play within the tight-knit world of the West Heart club. The author excels at creating an atmosphere where trust is a scarce commodity, and alliances shift with the wind.

While the novel delivers on its promise of a gripping whodunit, there are moments when the intricacies of the plot might challenge some readers. However, for those who enjoy unraveling a mystery with a diverse cast of characters and a unique setting, "West Heart Kill" is a compelling read.

In conclusion, Dann McDorman's "West Heart Kill" is a solid addition to the mystery genre. With its atmospheric setting, well-drawn characters, and a plot that keeps you guessing, the novel earns a respectable 4 stars. McDorman's ability to blend suspense, deception, and the complexities of human relationships makes "West Heart Kill" a compelling read for mystery enthusiasts. Recommended for those who relish a dark and atmospheric whodunit with a clever twist.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

“West Heart Kill”, by Dann McDorman had the potential to be a good murder mystery book. Unfortunately the authors choice to write the book in such a way that the reader was given a lesson in mystery writing while reading the book was not appealing to this reader.

Dann McDorman has written a mystery with all of the elements that you would expect. There is a private detective, a remote location, an incoming storm and a cast of characters, most of whom are hiding something. What makes this so different are the observations and explanations concerning the structure of a mystery and methods introduced by well known mystery writers that he inserts throughout the book. While this is interesting and informative, it does distract from the story. McDorman also points out that not all mysteries are resolved and this story is one of them. Anyone looking for all of the Ts to be crossed and the Is dotted may be disappointed. While I enjoyed McDorman’s writing, this is not for everyone. I would like to thank NetGalley and Knopf Publishing for providing this book for my review.

WEST HEART KILL by Dann McDorman is a truly unusual mystery offering and an impressive debut. McDorman, an Emmy-nominated TV news producer, is clearly a talented and thoughtful writer. He speaks directly to the reader throughout the text and ultimately brings the reader into the story in order to investigate multiple murders. The setting is a remote hunting lodge which is under financial pressure. At the request of a member, a private investigator arrives, unearths some possible motives, and soon has a murder to solve. WEST HEART KILL is a LibraryReads selection for October and will appeal especially to fans of Horowitz's The Word is Murder series. This is a novel that will have readers forming strong opinions – many, like me, will appreciate its inventiveness. Others, however, will find that it differs too much from the mystery "formula" and prefer a more conventional tale. Give it a try and see what you think.

This was a fun murder mystery that felt like reading a book and a script in one. The main character and sometimes narrator brings the scene to life, and combined with the remainder of the story telling makes you feel like you’re having a conversation with the novel like you might with a friend. 4/5

OKAY WOW???? Y’all. I have read a lot of murder mysteries in my day (mostly Agatha, haha) but I’ve NEVER read one like this!

This is, hands down, one of my favorite books of the year. It is so engaging and unique and I know it will never truly leave me.

I love meta stories like this. Ones that are self aware and break the forth wall and aren’t afraid to test new formats and break the ~laws of writing. This book had all that and more. It sucked me in from page one and didn’t let me go, even after I’d read the last page.

And the mystery? *chef’s kiss* This book could’ve been all talk and no action but it was not. The mystery was expertly plotted and the reveal was so fascinating.

This is a smart book, for smart readers and it’s been a long time coming. I don’t think I’ll ever read murder mysteries quite the same after this, though I will continue to read many more. I love that this referenced so many and gave me many new recommendations to read.

Y’all I’m just obsessed with this! If you also love a good murder mystery, please pick this up!!

And thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for allowing me to read this gem in exchange for an honest review!

4.5/5!

I don’t think I’ve ever read a meta-crime fiction book before, but I ended up absolutely falling in love with West Heart Kill!

McDorman has taken everything you love about classic crime fiction and locked room mysteries with a conversation about it amidst the story. Does that make sense? It took me a bit to get into, so just roll with it! McDorman’s takes and research into the genre were very interesting and while a few felt a bit rambley, I genuinely enjoyed taking a break from the actual story to read them.

West Heart Kill is a very niche and unique read that I think won’t work for everyone, but it’s extremely important to know the premise and style before walking in. For me it was just an all around fantastic experience that kept me coming back for more.

The actual case being investigated within the pages of West Heart Kill was classic locked room vibes. I loved the isolated setting, the rich people problems, and the drama!