Well, I have to say, I didn't expect that!
With this particular setting, I felt the author set the story up to be a classic whodunnit. There were all the usual elements but with a very unique format. If you like to read books that are different then this one is for you. I found the extra information distracting (lots of classic mystery facts about well known authors and books) but it was still a bit interesting. I'm not sure I would read more from this author but his next book might interest me at some point.

I really thought I would like this book from the description. However, it just wasn't for me. Maybe the writing style? The characters? I'm not sure, but I did not end up finishing the book. I would try another book by this author in the future to see if it was just this book or the writing of this author.

This is a very unusual book and deserving of attention by mystery aficionados. However, this was not at all to my taste and I did not finish it.

Hated it. For about 10% of the book, I was intrigued, but forced myself to read the other 90% in hopes that it would redeem itself. It didn’t. I wish I had followed my instinct to put it down and never pick it up again, but I was convinced the unusual writing style (narrator speaking directly to the reader mixed with screenplay?) would pay off. It didn’t.

My thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me this arc to review, but I have to agree with the general consensus of reviews. I dnf and really don't know how to describe this book? Odd pov writing style with a tutorial thrown in.

This story was something quite interesting dont even know how to describe it. it's just something alright

I was gifted an e-arc of the book prior to its release date thanks to Netgalley & the publisher.

This book is supposed to be a genre-bending cross between lit-fic and a locked room mystery. There is a club and a storm and three bodies will be discovered in a short amount of time. A detective finds himself in the middle of a cast of characters to investigate these murders.

It was giving the newest season of Only Murders in The Building, which I was all here for, but unfortunately this story just wasn’t it for me. It felt icky at times, I did not enjoy the writing style, and the story honestly just lost my attention. I did not finish it, but I don’t think that it would’ve helped my rating all that much.

Overall, I don’t really recommend this book. Maybe check out other reviews to see if this is something that you might enjoy more than I did.

It was slow to start but I loved how uniquely this was written. Once the action started, I hung onto every word until the very end! I am looking forward to seeing more from this author.

It was a DNF for me at 23%

I actually thought the writing/narrative style was intriguing and unique - especially the breaking of the fourth wall - but I had a tough time keeping everyone straight and figuring out what was actually taking place.

Love a good murder mystery. Especially when is a locked room type. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

West Heart Kill is a difficult book for me to write a review on. Written as a book that pits author against reader in a unique dance to see which is more clever, while acknowledging the symbiotic relationship that the two share, West Heart Kill is less about the whodunit of the messy lives of the idle rich of a New York country club, and more about an intriguingly stylized metafiction that is equal parts whodunit, history lesson, homage to the genre of mystery, and witness to the craft of writing.

To say that I didn’t like the book would be doing the author and his work a disservice. The writing is excellent, and the overall concept is, again, quite clever. It’s more apt to say that what I got from the description wasn’t what I expected from the book. I came for the whodunit, the locked door mystery, the unique mystery where everyone is a suspect. I didn't come for the lesson on how to read, write or dissect works from the genre, nor did I come for the sly nudges from the author/narrator as if to say, "see what I did there?" wink, wink.
The strength of the book lies within the technical devices that the author uses, rather than from the actual story itself. Although there is a large and diverse cast of characters, the lack of character development renders them flat and one dimensional. The characters are generally unlikeable as well, but the author meant them to be that way. As it were, I felt nothing for those who died and even less for those who lived. The mystery itself doesn’t quite evolve and the a-ha moment never comes.
I would recommend this book to those who want to experience something new and different in the style of writing a mystery. I’d recommend it to those who study writing for both pleasure and/or educational purposes. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who just wants to while away an hour or two on a quaint small town mystery that they can solve while waiting for a plane or on a rainy afternoon.

West Heart Kill by Dann McDorman is, on the face of it, a whodunit. A murder mystery styled a la Dame Christie where bored, rich members in an isolated, storm wrecked country club are stranded while dead bodies stack up, and the undercover private detective must figure out who the killer(s) are.

The reality is that this book is much less about the specific mystery and more about the author's attempt to write something new and clever while still paying homage to the genre of mysteries altogether. The deaths at West Heart are rendered almost irrelevant as the narrator joins us to tell us how we should think or feel, as the story focuses on the art, craft, and history of the mystery genre, and as the author plays with various points of view - 1st, 2nd, and 3rd person points of view all show up here, as does a bit of screenplay blocking,

If I'd watched this as a play I probably would have enjoyed it more, as I feel the techniques and style that the author was going for lends itself very well to that medium. However, in a book, the changes were simply distracting, making the book a tedious slog to get through; the ending making the slog not worth the journey.

It would be too simple to say that readers of metafiction would be the most likely to enjoy this book. Or that readers who study the genre of mystery would be the best audience. Or that readers of whodunits and locked rooms would be the most appropriate. There are elements there for each, but for me, none so well done that any of those types of readers might feel satisfied. I feel that this is a case of reader beware for those who came to this book with any one specific element in mind.

I read an article by the author in which he stated something to the effect that because he never thought to get published, he allowed himself to run amok with the material. Run amok he did. On the one hand I really want to applaud the writer for the style and uniqueness of the work; the approach was certainly different and really makes you think about the actual skill of writing. The author is an excellent writer and can't be faulted in that regard. However, the book is simply too clever for its own good. Or maybe it’s just too clever for this reader. This is going to be a book that if I put it away and happen upon it again in a year’s time, I might enjoy it a lot more. Right now, however, this book feels like a upper level university class work that I am meant to dissect rather than a murder mystery that I am meant to enjoy.

Would I recommend this book to others? Yes. but with caveats. I think to style this as an unusual whodunit does the book a disservice. Readers should be aware of what they are getting into before they spend their money and time. Had I known going in that the book was part whodunit, part treatise on the genre of murder mysteries, and part screen play investigation between reader and characters, I probably either wouldn't have chosen it at this time, or would have gone into it with a much different frame of mind.

A murder mystery set in a remote hunting lodge. I appreciate the author trying to break the fourth wall here but it felt overly forced for me. I think it could have been more nuanced. Maybe if the detective broke the fourth wall instead of just the overall narration.

I have absolutely no idea how to write a review for this book. On one hand, it is a murder mystery. On the other, the narrative moves from the people staying at a private hunting club, to the narrator providing a lot of background on famous murder mysteries, and the authors who wrote them. For the most part, both viewpoints intrigued me. Somehow, though, I lost my flipping the pages perspective towards the end at around the 80% mark.
Did I understand whodunnit and why? Nope and after a few days of thinking about it, unfortunately, I’m still not sure. Sigh. Impossibly hard to rate!
It was a strong four stars until that point when I was just left wanting the lightbulb to go off, showing me what I missed. Sadly, that has yet to happen.
I finally decided to go with four stars, since I enjoyed most of the story.

I had a difficult time reading this book. The first 15-20% was very slow and I almost stopped reading. The writer/narrator writes in an interesting style changing prose multiple times from 3rd person so speaking directly to the reader, asking the reader questions, even giving the reader multiple choice questions. The write also wrote what seemed like disposition type questioning from the detective to people in the story. It disrupted the flow of the reading which I didn't like.

I couldn't connect with the main character at all. He seemed to be the typical detective in every way, check off all the boxes. He had no redeeming qualities and he came off as if he wanted everyone to hate him. I wanted to root for him, but had a hard time.

The plot setting I found interesting so it would have been great if the story would have been better. Wish I could have given it a higher rating.


I would like to thank #NetGalley and #Knopf for providing me with with the ebook copy for my honest review

I received a free copy of this book thanks to Netgalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor. All opinions expressed are my own!

This book balances on an edge between being a mystery itself and being a treatise on mysteries, and still manages to inspire the usual sensations of dread, suspense, and confusion even as it critiques itself (and possibly the reader). Definitely a read for fans of the genre, especially fans of classics!

"West Heart Kill" by Dan McDorman is a refreshingly unique murder mystery that takes readers on a thrilling journey through the intricacies of a remote hunting lodge filled with complex characters and dark secrets. With its unconventional approach to the genre and engaging storytelling, this debut novel offers a captivating and intriguing reading experience.

Set in the isolated West Heart country club during a stormy weekend, the story immediately immerses readers in a tense and mysterious atmosphere. Private detective Adam McAnnis, drawn into the events by an old college friend, becomes embroiled in a series of deaths that occur within the club's walls. As the bodies pile up, suspicions and tensions among the club's members rise, creating an air of uncertainty and unease.

One of the standout features of the novel is its cast of characters, each with their own motives and secrets. McDorman masterfully creates a web of relationships and hidden agendas that keep readers guessing about the identity of the killer. The interactions and conflicts among the characters add depth to the story and contribute to the overall sense of intrigue.

The writing style of "West Heart Kill" is engaging and well-crafted, with a blend of suspense and dark humor that keeps the narrative engaging. The author's ability to convey the isolation of the setting and the building tension adds to the overall atmosphere of the story.

The novel's structure is noteworthy as it intersperses the main narrative with chapters that explore the conventions and tropes of the murder mystery genre itself. This self-aware approach adds a layer of meta-commentary to the story and showcases the author's understanding of the genre's history and intricacies.

The pacing is well-managed, with the plot unfolding gradually and allowing for the gradual revelation of clues and twists. The stormy backdrop contributes to the sense of confinement and urgency, propelling the narrative forward.

While "West Heart Kill" follows the basic framework of a murder mystery, it successfully subverts expectations and challenges conventions. It combines classic elements of the genre with fresh perspectives, resulting in a novel that keeps readers engaged and entertained.

In conclusion, "West Heart Kill" is a highly enjoyable and inventive murder mystery that skillfully navigates the complexities of both the genre and its characters. With its atmospheric setting, intriguing plot, and clever narrative approach, Dan McDorman's debut novel is a must-read for fans of mystery and suspense fiction.

I’m not exactly sure what I just read.

I am an avid mystery reader. And I have been on the stage. And I also love a good non fiction study on subjects of interests. This book tried to be all of these. And it didn’t quite jive for me.

First, I found the shift of perspective from narrator speaking through the “fourth wall” to the characters interacting within the book, confusing. Then, add commentary on the genre throughout, and I started scratching my head. But, in the “third act” when the author switches to the style of a play script, I found myself blankly blinking.

It could have been clever. It could have been groundbreaking. But unfortunately it was just a jumble of inconsistency.

This cornucopia of genres was reflective more of indecision and lack of commitment rather than ingenuity. Perhaps I am just naive, but that’s my impression.

Found this book hard to read. The story sounded interesting, but I found the narration annoying and not my style.

I was really intrigued by the early reviews for this book - some seemed to absolutely love the plot devices and writing style, while others had trouble even getting into the flow of the story. I really hoped to be one of the former - I’m always up for trying new literary devices - unfortunately, I fall into the latter category. The switch between first person and speaking directly the reader made it extremely hard for me to get into the story. I think I could have coped better if the narration was consistent. This was a really neat concept, and I certainly think it will find its readers, but it’s just not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alfred A. Knopf for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.