A fun whodunnit with some unique elements that helped it stand out from others! I'm definitely interesting in reading more from McDorman in the classical mystery genre.

One of my college roommates was a film & tv major, & this reminds me a bit of subject matter for screenwriting class. I used to teach & judge creative writing, & it also feels like an example I could’ve used for that. A P.I. procedural meets a writing/reading procedural. Bonus of genre history amongst the actual mystery. Things broken down. The story becomes more than just the story. The author stops & talks directly to the reader. The reader’s eyes are openly directed where the author wants.
Voice
Setting
Mood
Characters
The characters list even seems to have bits of info missing.
I found it interesting that I didn’t know if the narrator was leading me in the right direction or not. I thought many times about the possibility of being completely misled. The author addresses that very thing. The author’s note of common frustrations readers have regarding POV in mysteries is perfectly timed. It was literally crossing my mind. Calling out exactly what I’m thinking happens later, too. A little unnerving, but also oddly reassuring.
The Word Problems chapter is brilliant as foreshadowing. The unusual questionnaire goes from shallow to ocean depth in no time flat.
I was definitely echoing Emma @ the end of the final scene.

All this being said, I found the mystery, the characters, & the unique writing style compelling enough to wade through the asides.
I’ll finish by saying I’m glad I read it, & turning my brain off to go to sleep after finishing wasn’t easy.
I might have to read parts of it again…

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read & review an advance copy.

This was a quirky, weird mystery book but I liked it. It’s so different as it mixes the traditional mystery novel with a tutorial for readers in solving the mystery to talking directly to us readers and involving us in a screenplay.

I found the writing style of this book off putting. It’s very disjointed, partly narrative and partly play and I just never connected with the story enough to care about what was going on.

A hunt club is meeting in an isolated cabin for a retreat, but as a storm approaches them, they realize there’s no escape… and one of them is a killer.

This is definitely a trapped who-done-it. Where the finger can point at literally anyone. I mean imagine being in a locked, can’t escape, situation. The voices and narration were definitely unique and different. There are times the author speaks at you and I think that threw mw off at times. While definitely interesting it was also weird. So I think of you want a unique way of a story being told than definitely check this out.

I liked it but wasn’t overly thrilled by it. It didn’t lack imagination, I just think it wasn’t for me or my mood wasn’t for it. But I definitely don’t want someone else to not try it because you might enjoy the story. I think those who love who-done-it’s will love this. Think like escape room meets knives out. Where you can’t escape until you solve who’s doing this.

So for all my who-done-it lovers, this book will definitely gravitate towards you!

While I did not finish West Heart Kill by Dann McDorman, I will certainly be recommending it to those who like an interesting take on the mystery genre! The concept was so intriguing... but I had a hard time getting into the story, and found myself confused by all the details/storylines/back story. The way the reader is inserted in the plot was just too much, in my opinion, and all different formats of the story distracted me from the plot. However, a different type of reader will certainly enjoy this book.

I am glad I gave it a try but it is not for me at this time. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

Social clubs are the Petri dish of all things corrupt for rich people. They hang out together to talk behind each others’ back, do illegal stuff, cover for each other, and hide their dirty secrets because they all have one on each other. Especially if they have a “club house”, they are even worse. They think they have a little kingdom and they get to run it every so often. West Heart club was such a club.

Private detective joined West Heart club for their 4th of July activities. Someone hired him to figure out what happened to a female club member some time ago. However, detective got bit more on his plate than the suicide of that female resident. Another suicide hit the community followed with a murder. Now it was up to the detective to figure out if these suicides and/or murders connected. How far he could go without pushing murderer to hiding?

I liked the style of this book. It was directed to the reader. Narrator changed few times. It was more like a how solve a murder guideline. You might be annoyed by the ending, but it also fit perfectly with the style it was written.

This was definitely the most unique mystery novel I’ve ever read - part crime story, part mystery writing how-to, part history lesson on sleuthing.
The writing style took a little while to get used to, and, at first, I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue with it, but ultimately, I got sucked in, and actually started to enjoy the off-kilter feel of the whole thing.
Not sure I’m completely satisfied with the “wrap up”, but it was an ironically fitting end.
Thanks to #netgalley and #knopfpublishing for this #arc of #westheartkill in exchange for an honest review.

Normally when I have a one-star review to share, it feels like a hot take. But when it comes to WEST HEART KILL by Dann McDorman, I believe I am in good company with my displeasure at how this whodunnit mystery turned out. The ending almost had me throwing my Kindle off my high-rise balcony. That's all I have to say about that.

I liked the writing style of the narrator addressing the reader and being on the inside track with the detective but I struggled with keeping the characters straight and really didn't enjoy most of second half.

Thank you to Knopf and Netgalley for this EARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a literary murder mystery set at a remote hunting lodge for the *rich*. We mainly following Private Detective Adam McAnnis as he learns about the families tied to the lodge and the mysteries goings on. An isolated mystery, locked room trope, familial drama, and rich people problems are the main players in this story.

This was a very unique written mystery novel. There was switches from first, second, and third person. There are also inserts through out the book of the history of the mystery genres and how the novels have changed over the years, that feels more like nonfiction. And then at the end we are taken into a screenplay essentially. There was so many different writing styles within this book, I found it a bit hard to follow.

Even though this writing style was interesting I was gripped from the beginning, I really liked how the narrator felt like a character. It felt like the narrator wants you to solve the mystery but also you don't trust them. It also feels like, we the reader, are the detective, trying to solve everything ourselves, which becomes apparent later on.

After a while, I was getting tired of the inserts about the mystery genre, I really did not care for them, because it felt like it was distracting from the story. I also know that the author probably spoiled a million mystery books through out the book. I did not understand the ending at all… like I could go back and reread it and I still wouldn't understand it, I don't think.

So if you are looking for a unique, open-ended mystery, this one is for you.

Just finished this novel by Dann McDorman.
Imagine if you will “Clue”, but written.
Set in the high hills of New York at a hunting club, “West Heart”.
Several families, of old and well to do, have gathered for a weekend “sixers” social, hunting and bonfire.
You get a quick intro of all the families in addition to the grounds keeper , and new member hopeful, Jonathan Gold.
From there, “the game is a foot” with detective Adam McAnnis.
From there, your plot develops seamlessly, and includes a suicide, adultry, a shooting, and a murder. All the makings of a classic “whodunit”.
However, this read also contains several anecdotal passages/ sections on the origins or how to’s (for lack of a better phrase) on mystery writing. This for me, was distracting and took away from the books flow. It became choppy in some parts because of this.
Also to consider is the way this story is told. From multiple narrative persons: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, and the author at times. Almost as if reading from lines with regard to a stage play in certain instances. This was a little difficult as I had to focus on a paragraph or two off and on throughout the book, to be certain who was telling the story for better understanding at that point in time.
This ended on a cliff hanger which I don’t usually mind, as it may indicate a sequel. But to find a key character murdered, it leaves an opening, like mouth opening “you’ve got to be kidding “. Maybe author McDorman will give us a sequel; I would like to know “whodunit”.
Overall 3 stars from my perspective of West Heart Kill.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House publishing for an advanced reader copy for my honest review.

This is one of those books you’re either going to love or you’re going to hate.

It’s a very different writing style, with the author using second person narration. This put me off a little bit because I don’t like anyone telling me what I, as the reader, should be thinking about the story 😂🫣 But I did get used to it after awhile!

The other thing that is very different about this book versus your typical mystery novel is that the author intersperses some history lessons about mysteries and case studies throughout. I felt this threw me off - as I was getting interested in where the plot is going and trying to figure who did it, only to be taken out of the story into some sort of tangent. Eventually I just started skimming through these types of sections because I just wanted to get back to the story!! 😩🕵️‍♀️

The mystery story itself was good, but the ending left me a little disappointed. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Sadly for me this book was just okay, but I think that’s because I like typical mystery novels. However, I think those who enjoy unique writing and structure or books that are just different will love this!

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for my honest review!

I was not a fan of the meta-instructive format of this novel. The “fourth wall breaking” wasn’t effective in involving the reader or engaging their inner sleuth. Instead, it was distracting and, at times, annoying. The characters felt one-dimensional and could be easily classified using one or two words.

This is a mystery that defies definition. There are murders, suspects, motives, and a detective. But this book is also a play, a history of mysteries, breaking the fourth wall, and playing around with perspectives.

I honestly don’t know what else to say about this book. It is clever, but the ending felt a little full of itself. There are a ton of complex characters, but sometimes I got confused who was who. I liked this book, but didn’t love it like I had hoped to.

A twisted murder mystery with a third person narrator. Readers will be surprised by the turn the plot takes as it reveals who the killer is. The characters are cryptic in their manners and behavior. Set on an isolated beach it is the perfect place for murder and mayhem.

This book was just too much work for me. I was enjoying the writing style but it felt like I needed to keep track of too many details. Because, who can read a who-dun-it and not try to solve it. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it. 3 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC. This review is my own.

Solid four star entertaining “whodunit” but uniquely written more like a screenplay. I really liked the perspective shift towards the end. I did not expect the twist but I started to catch on to who the killer was. I think this author is really good at setting the scene using historical cues. I particularly liked that the reader becomes a character. I do recommend reading this one as continuously as possible. If I didn’t read at least a small portion every day I forgot which character was who.

You’re either going to love this or hate this, and unfortunately I was not a fan. I do think that there will be readers that enjoy this, however.

3.5 stars

Oh big sigh.

I really enjoyed this book (up until the very end that is).

I really liked the unique way the author formulated that murder mystery. This format may not be for everyone, but I found it refreshing the way he constantly broke tradition of a true murder mystery novel:

-talking with the reader
-adding in anecdotes and definitions of different mystery terms
-snatches of other mystery novels (examples of different styles)
-history lessons of other notable works
-changing formats (the last couple of chapters are written as a play)

But as much as I was captivated by the writing and the mystery itself, the ending was truly disappointing for me. So read this book if this style intrigues you, but you don't care about the mystery itself.

Pub date: 10/24

This eARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.