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.

Thank you to NetGalley, the Publishers, and Dann McDorman for an ARC of West Heart Kills. This was definitely a different style of writing and it is not for everyone. I did try my hardest because I love the “whodunit” aspect, but it was a bit of a struggle to get through. The story was a bit hard to follow along with the switching of talking to the reader and telling the story that it didn’t flow as well as it could’ve been executed. I do greatly appreciate having the chance to try out this new type of mystery!

Based on the publisher's summary of West Heart Kill, I was looking forward to an entertaining locked room mystery. But instead it struck me as an unfortunate example of style over substance.

Set in the 1970s in a remote hunting lodge and men's club where a storm prevents anyone from leaving and suspicious deaths start occurring, it's a promising premise. But too many characters, combined with ever-shifting points of view, made reading it more of a challenge that I wasn't prepared to meet. In one of the POVs, the didactic narrator speaks directly to the reader, seemingly determined to deliver endless opinions and information that soon became tedious to me. I wasn't able to engage with any of the characters, and I found myself skimming instead of reading.

I applaud the author for his ambition, but his style was such that I lost interest quickly and couldn't get any further than halfway through the story.

My thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

As an avid mystery reader, I appreciate what the author was trying to do here--address the reader as a participant in the mystery and make connections with the tropes and historic moments of the mystery genre. However, I think the very end--the final reveal by which every mystery lives or dies--fell a bit flat and failed to live up to the potential promised by the rest of the book. The setup is great, but the execution, for me, left a little bit wanting.

Wow!

Now, you're asking yourself is that a good wow or a bad wow. It got your attention. Mission accomplished.

WEST HEART KILL has a most unusual beginning. Rarely are we privileged to read the author's thought process while writing his book. The expected body of the murder victim, a rash of clues, a red herring or two simply isn't part of the text. We are given tantalizing glimpses of what might come later and are disabused of what we might be thinking. In other words, this unique book is aimed at the murder mystery aficionado who questions every death. If I may borrow the words of Winston Churchill such fans read to solve "a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma."

The esoteric WEST HEART KILL may not be everyone's cuppa, but I found the author's interjections of what I should be feeling, coupled with interesting TED-like talks, a quirky change from the run of the mill whodunit.

West Heart is a private hunting enclave for the rich and powerful or, at least, for those who count themselves among the rich and powerful. A private investigator has been invited to attend an annual gathering of the West Heart families. He notes that there is one road into the compound over a rickety wooden bridge that spans West Heart Kill… kill being an old Dutch word for stream or creek. A murder occurs and a storm takes out the bridge and turns West Heart into an oversized locked room mystery.

Although quite different in its telling, this book compares favorably with the clever execution of THE 7 ½ DEATHS OF EVELYN HARDCASTLE, by Stuart Turton. The commonality with WEST HEART KILL is the need to read through the fascinating chaff to get to heart of the matter.

WEST HEART KILL is a book for anyone who loves a good mystery, or a good family saga, or an interesting take on both. I can't recommend this book enough. Just read it!

#WestHeartKill #NetGalley

Super disappointing, to be honest. The narration is... well, it's insufferable, or at least it was to me. I'm growing so weary of this super-meta "we know all the tropes, look how smart we are for knowing the tropes and pointing them out" trend and this book is perhaps the apotheosis of it, so maybe the waters will start to recede from here. This book gets off on its own cleverness and while that *can* be appealing, here it just comes off as smug -- I prefer more matter, less art.

West Heart Kill contains a historical murder mystery. Conversely, and in alternating chapters, there is the elucidation of the reader of all things pertaining historically to the mystery genre. Both are interesting however to the extent they crossed over one another ended up being too much.
I enjoy the fourth wall being used in a mystery where it feels the author is winking at the reader. As the novelty wore off, the chapters in West Heart Kill devoted to the fourth wall felt more like a class than entertainment. I appreciate the effort but ultimately it was a distraction to the mystery at play.

Thank you to Knopf for access to an early copy via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I cannot accurately rate/review this book. I apparently do not enjoy western type books BUT I tried and this was my first go around. It took me a couple of months to read, but that’s my own fault due to me not personally being interested. It was well written and the mystery was great!

WHK promised intrigue and murder with a twist, and delivered confusion and two murders, two deaths, and unnecessary conflagration. In an effort to pay homage to all the great (and I do mean ALL) mystery writers of the late 19th/early 20th centuries, McDorman loses his own voice and story. Moments that the narrator spoke directly to the reader mocked the arm-chair sleuth for thinking ahead or attempting to solve the puzzle (with phrases amounting to "surely, you think, this is how it would play out"), instead of just letting the plot narrate and instruct. There are interesting sections on the history of the murder mystery as a play or novel, and how various authors tackled scenes, but everything was so overladen with a pretentiousness, and the sections were so randomly interspersed through the novel, that instead of truly adding to the narrative it served more as a distraction.
McDormans journalistic background is felt in those sections and I would rather have read an entire nonfiction book about the history of the mystery novel. If the plot had been more developed and only told as a third-person, I would rather have read that. The denouement was done in an interesting format but resulted in a "whomp-whomp" of "I read the whole thing... for this?"

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for this free ARC.

This style of writing is not for everyone but I absolutely love it! A very unique idea of breaking up the story with little bits of facts on how and why mysteries came to be how they are.

I love me a good mystery novel. West Heart Kill, my friends, is not that.

West Heart Kill is set at a hunting lodge in the 70s. The bodies start piling up, and our ace detective, Adam, just happens to be there for the holiday celebrations.

I knew from the first few pages that I did not like the writing style of this book. I thought it might grow on me, or prove interesting in other ways. Perhaps there would be some decent characters, or an interesting plot twist. Well, turns out the joke's on me, the writing style is the plot twist.

The novel is written, in part, in the second person, 4th wall breaking, POV, that on certain TV shows, I love. For a mystery novel, not so much. This alternates with some bits written in the third person following our detective Adam. And then, interspersed within all this, are some reflections on the history and tropes of mystery novels.

The character list is lengthy, and even with a list of who's who, it's hard to keep them straight. The novel is too set on it's inventive writing style to devote much time to character depth, or arc. The writing style detracts from the overall story. Which may or may not be a good thing, given that the story isn't very interesting, the characters are all pretty ugly and unlikeable, and in the end, it doesn't really matter who killed who, I was just glad it was over.

★

Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for an advance copy in exchange for sharing my opinions. All opinions in this review are my own.