If you are looking for a review you already know this is a "locked room" story so no need for a synopsis. The unusual thing in this one is the narrator and that you learn many things about mystery stories throughout this one, There is a very nice twist that you will not expect. I recommend making a list of the people involved as there are many of them and you may need to be reminded about some of them. I received an arc from NetGalley and am under no pressure for a positive review.

This book was just ok for me. When the book was actually focusing on the storyline it was intriguing and kept my interest but then it would cut to analysis of the mystery genre and lose momentum. I found that those were the times I would lose interest and stop reading to do something else.

The premise of the story was very promising and I can see why the note at the beginning by the editor would pull the reader in even more with high hopes. Unfortunately this book failed to do that. The narrator and writing was difficult to read and wasn’t executed in a way that a reader could “involve” oneself into the story but also enjoy reading it. The story is written as screen play and then book format, while also having the reader be “apart” of the book with no audience. I personally feel this would have been better as a screen play itself based on the author/writer trying to create an interactive mystery debut.

Detective McAnnis joins his old college friend for a weekend at a remote, exclusive hunting club in upstate NY. Is he there for fun? Is he working a case? It certainly seems like there's work for him to do, when the bodies start appearing...

This book was an interesting break from the typical murder mystery genre, despite its very typical locked-door mystery description. In some ways, it reads similarly to Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, except a bit more cerebral and with an omniscient narrator breaking the fourth wall rather than a first person character narration (though there is a little bit of that, too). There are sections that read like an essay dissecting the history of the murder mystery, sections narrated by Detective McAnnis, and -- strangest of all -- a section written as a play. The description, which read in part, "it’s the daring structure and mischievously subversive narration that set this debut apart. This is no ordinary whodunit. Both an homage to the masters of the genre, and a wholly original spin on the form, it’s a sheer delight from start to finish," reeled me in, and while in theory, this description is accurate... it just didn't work for me in practice. I guess I expected something a little more like Everyone in My Family and a little less academic.

I appreciated the opportunity to read this book, but unfortunately, the story just didn't really work for me.

***DNF***
I saw another reviewer refer to this as a mix between a book and screenplay, and I feel that that is a very good description. While a unique and interesting take, I do blame this narrative style for my not finishing this book. It was incredibly hard to stay motivated in reading this book. That, and in the very beginning a dog is accidentally run over and killed by car. I really don't love when animals are harmed really in any capacity in books. Especially, when it was only to cause strife between two characters and muddy the waters of the mystery itself.

I may pick this up again in the future perhaps as an audiobook if they release one. Maybe that will help keep me engaged in the story.

Thank you to Netgalley and Knopf for the e-arc of this book!

A good premise that falls short- the synopsis was compelling; the actual story not so much. I found it very difficult to finish

The buzz about this book made me want to really, really love it. Alas, this is just not a book for me. I found the unusual convention of how the story is told to be jarring and hard to follow, which I should have expected given my experiences reading other novels told in a similar way. I am sure there will be lots of readers who adore this book.

After reading other reviews, The Emperor’s New Clothes comes to mind….

I really wanted to like this book, but unfortunately it was just emphatically not for me. Readers who love meandering prose and about a thousand deviations from actual plot in favor of meta-analysis of the story's genre and a non-existant fourth wall will eat this up.

This book is sadly not for me. While the title, synopsis and narrative style seemed really interesting and unique eventually the narration just became too weird and cumbersome. Yes it’s unique to have the narrator reading to the reader and have the reader part of the story but it’s hard to get into.

I don't really know what to say about this book. I found the history of the genre, the authors thereof and true crime cases, off-putting and annoying. I did a lot of scanning. In the end, I'm still not sure what happened. Many will enjoy the journey, but i just didn't get it!

This book pretty much drove me nuts! I like a good "old fashioned mystery, from the ages." But the author chose instead to write encyclopedia snipets about the different types of mysteries throughout the ages. The worst part, is that those segues tend to come just as the story gets going.
I have to both laugh and quote the author's own words on page 29, as it was so laughable at the mirror image of his own writing style..."Obviously, the reader's patience is tested, if not soon exhausted, by this sort of play. But for the writer of murder, a principal interest of the Oulipo school lies in how one prominent member (Raymond Queneau) described them: 'Rats who construct the labyrinth from which they plan to escape.'"
This ties up the book very well. I was torn between a 1 or 2 star review, as the story line seemed decent, without the extras, until the end, then it was just plan stupid and a waste of time for anyone reading it.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC, and sorry it was such a disappointment of a review.

A delightful romp with breaking of the fourth wall and switching POV. I've never read a book like it. Not sure that the ending was my favorite, though it kept me guessing until the final pages.

Thank you NetGalley for this book!

So in the end I did enjoy the rollercoaster that this book was. It was definitely a unique writing style. I enjoyed how it often broke the fourth wall and acknowledged what you might be thinking as you're reading, or give you a little extra insight into what was going on. There were fun tid bits throughout the book which taught me a little history about mystery books. However... the POV changes that randomly happened throughout the book when the story was being told got confusing to me at times.

Honestly, I may have given this a 4 star rating if it weren't for the ending which I found to be.... failry unsatisfying. I'll settle with a 3.5 star, which is what I have given it over on Storygraph.

Thank you to Netgalley, publisher, and author for the ARC of this book. Unfortunately, this was a DNF at about 30% for me. I didn't like the POV and being told what I'm feeling and doing. It was also just hard to follow along and pay attention to. Might be for others but not for me. I did like the cover, and the premise sounded good. Again, may be for others but not for me!

Take a bit of Roger Ackroyd courtesy of Agatha Christie, throw in a bit of Anthony Horowitz and you still might not be able to describe the set up for this interesting book. In fact, I would venture to guess that Agatha Christie would have been quite envious of the first 3/4 of it. Do we have an unreliable narrator? Are we voyeurs of a murder mystery social evening? Nothing is what it seems here. It is a bit confusing I will admit that. I would definitely suggest reading this rather than listening to an audio version or you will be complete list.

It is obvious from the start that the author has more than a passing interest in the murder mystery genre and in fact appears to be quite the devotee. I’m not usually a fan of the third party narrative ( there are exceptions……take the Book Thief for example) but some how this works or it worked up until the reader took control.

The dialogue is clever. The bits and pieces about the genre thrown in, bery interesting. It’s compelling and oddly noir-ish. Is that a word? My son once described a book he was reading as being similar to those old movies my husband liked to watch. It’s a bit like that.

When the dialogue switched to a play, I was baffled but read on. It was only when I reached the end that I went “what?” I honestly don’t know what happened. I was willing to forgive the format up to that point but ended up with significant disappointment.
The positives here then rely only on the following: the author writes really well, has a knack for dialogue, and is very well read. That leaves me with a dilemma. I seriously need someone to explain the ending. I would give this author a second chance but was left unsatisfied with this effort.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a pre-publication copy of the book.

I am soooo sorry but I had to DNF this book. I tried, I really really tried to read this book but I just couldn't get into it. Maybe if I had listened to an audio version I could have gotten through it.

But for me I felt like I was in school and I was being lectured to. I never really got to a murder but like I said I didn't finish it so maybe there is a murder and I just didn't get to it.

The book is very well written and I know there is an audience out there for this type of book. I'm sorry it just wasn't for me, but thank you for allowing me to have the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

Unfortunately, this was really not for me. I think it was both unique and creative, but the writing style was very off-putting and I found myself unable to really get into it (despite the book's best efforts to literally include the reader in the story). Ultimately I was somewhere between rolling my eyes and nodding off the whole time.

You might enjoy this if you are particularly interested in the mechanics of writing a murder mystery and if you enjoy experimental writing styles. However, I think if you're looking for a quirky murder mystery that similarly breaks the fourth wall while still being engaging, I'd recommend EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY HAS KILLED SOMEONE by Benjamin Stevenson, which was much more successful for me.

A highly memorable locked room mystery! It gives major Agatha Christie vibes! I will be adding this to my mystery book club list and will be recommending it to those who are looking for a new twist on a traditional mystery.

📚 Book Review: "West Heart Kill" by Dann McDorman

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

"West Heart Kill" offers a thought-provoking exploration of the mystery genre, deconstructing its tropes and delving into the psychology of why readers find comfort in stories about murder. Drawing on academic analysis and historical facts, this novel breaks the fourth wall, providing an abundance of information and genre-awareness. While the concept is intriguing, the execution can be overwhelming, especially towards the ending, which takes on an academic essay-like quality. The unconventional conclusion subverts expectations but may not satisfy traditional mystery enthusiasts. Overall, this book will appeal to a niche audience familiar with the genre and seeking a unique and intellectual reading experience.

A special thank you to NetGalley and the publisher West Heart Kill for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The way that book is written is so interesting! I love locked room mysteries and it definitely delivers on that- but it gives so much more! There’s a narrator you follow along with, but the narrator feels…sinister in a way and then there’s the “how to write a mystery” aspect. It’s brilliantly written and I’m excited to see what this author does next!