I tried multiple times to read this book and, sadly, couldn't get into it. I had to DNF it. I thought it was a great cover and premise. The writing was intelligent, but I couldn't connect with it. The only reason I gave it as many chances as I did was I had a few friends who liked it and one who kept talking about it all the time. Sadly, it's not the book for me after multiple attempts.

It's been almost a month since I finished this, and I still don't know what I think about it. What I will say is this: this book is creative. It is different and strays away from a traditional narrative in many ways, which I love. I love when authors play around with narrative "rules." I'm honestly not sure if I liked the story, but I can say with certainty that I loved the writing. It's what kept me in it, and the ending was fascinating. With this one, I feel like there's not much I can say about this book without giving away important details. If you enjoy a nontraditional style and mysteries, you might enjoy this!

Told in a truly unique way and often breaking the fourth wall, this murder mystery reminds me of noir detective stories. I loved the multimedia approach with surveys and maps. I felt like I was the detective spying on all of the characters, including feeling pressure to solve the crime before more bad things happened. I suspected so many people and distrusted the narrator along with all of the others! Truly unique and reminded me of an old Hitchcock thriller!

The author’s style didn’t appeal to me. She starts by introducing the characters who are wear heart members and the couple of guests there for the weekend. Then she goes into an explanation of how other mystery authors prepare their readers for the plot to develop. And this back and forth process continues throughout the book. The ‘asides’ were interesting but I kept wanting to just read the story which I enjoyed.

I am giving this one five stars. I didn’t get to it in time to give a full review and I apologize for that

There were aspects of this I really liked, and other parts not as much.

The "know it all" voice throughout the story was interesting. I enjoyed the factual, historical, and anecdotal comments about murder mysteries throughout the book and thought they were well-researched and relevant in their placement.

The start of the book held great promise, as the setting was interesting, the characters shifty enough with various motives and grudges, and the pace was good. I didn't mind the Q & A and play formats, even though it was an unexpected odd choice, it wasn't necessarily a bad one.

However, I'm not fully sure I know who did it. I think I do. Or maybe that is the whole point; each reader will think they know, even if we all think it is different people. Generally, when I invest this much time into a story, I like to be clear of its ending and this did not do that. Overall, it was entertaining, yet mildly frustrating for the above various reasons.

That you to NetGalley and the publishers of the book for providing me with an ARC.

I really enjoyed the meta, self-aware tone this book had. Throughout the novel, there are almost mini "lessons" on whodunnit writing, followed by more of the story. I didn't find these moments distracting, surprisingly! They were fun and I wanted to take notes. My biggest qualm with this book was the ending. I'm not sure I'm quite sold on the reveal, though I respect the bold choice. Overall would recommend this to others.

This was very original and unique. Something was missing for me though. I applaud the other for the idea.

West Heart Kill is a unique, original, and fun ride serving as both a tribute to and marvelous addition to the art of murder and mystery. The main characters here are version of well known people in literature. I believe its good to go into the story knowing as little as possible.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!

I could not get into this book. It started too slowly and I didn’t care about the characters. Also the point of view seemed off.

West Heart Kill just did not do it for me. Private Detective Adam McAnnis is the ersatz narrator, or is he? The books skips across every imaginable POV to college drama class essays to a screenplay that may or not be the mystery we are supposed to be reading. There were parts that made me laugh, parts that made me roll my eyes, but the finale left much to be desired. I nearly DNF’d but wanted to know what happened – too bad that doesn’t happen.

While I appreciated the attempt at genre-bending writing style, it unfortunately resulted in feeling incredibly disconnected from the characters in the story. I didn't care who died, who did it, or the solution to any of the mysteries presented. To be honest, I hated the ending. It was just bizarre, and felt more for shock or to be unique versus making sense to the story. I did enjoy the meta conversations about the mystery genre, but they also contributed to the disjointed narrative, and per some other reviews, it seems that the information presented in these sections may not even be accurate, which is disappointing that no fact checking was done before publishing.

This was a great thriller/mystery. Rooted in the deep south. Absolutely loved the ending! I would like to read more by this author so I hope they continue pushing out novels!

This is a good book to add to my list of mysteries with unusual structure. It is part mystery, part love letter to the genre, part grad school thesis on the history of the detective novel. Recommended for fans of Anthony Horowitz, Stuart Turton, and Knives Out, and Christopher Nolan movies.

For readers that use the little grey cells, this book is like a love letter to the Agatha Christie obsessions. I was apprehensive to dive into this book at first after hearing very conflicting reviews. I found the book unconventional in the best ways possible. Geeking out about murder mysteries with me? Yes, please! I will recommend this book highly to any of my fellow murder mystery lovers, but it might be too much for those dipping their toe into the world of mystery.

Set in the 1970s, the novel revolves around the members of an exclusive hunting club in upstate New York. Long-standing members gather to discuss and disagree on the club’s finances, the admission of a new member and much more. Joining them for the Bicentennial weekend is a detective who manipulates his old college friend whose family is among the members to invite him along. Unbeknownst to the friend or the others, the detective has been hired to gather information about the club and its members and report back on the goings-on to his client, whose identity is gradually revealed. The weekend festivities take a sinister turn when the club turns into the scene of crime for a series of deaths. With inclement weather cutting them off from outside assistance, it is up to the members to find the killer in their midst. As the narrative progresses, it becomes evident that more than one person has secrets they would kill to protect and nobody is above suspicion.

West Heart Kill by Dann McDorman is an interesting locked-room murder mystery that certainly keeps you guessing till the very end (and beyond). The novel pays homage to Golden Age murder mysteries with a few twists added to the mix, adding a touch of uniqueness. Shared from the perspective of the detective in the first part and an unknown narrator (we assume to be one of the guests) in the other also, the narrative is shared from multiple perspectives switching from the first-person to the third person, also featuring a metafictional element in the form of the author’s commentary, directly addressing the reader, interspersed throughout the narrative. Atmospheric and suspenseful with a healthy dose of wry humor thrown into the mix, the plot development was well executed, but I can’t say the same about the dénouement. While I can appreciate the author’s use of multiple formats to tell the story, the ending leaves much to the reader’s interpretation and imagination. I also had a few issues with the structure of this novel. I enjoyed reading the segments on classic mystery writers, the discussions on the format and tropes used in crafting stories in this genre and the author’s musings on the same. However, these segments interspersed throughout the primary narrative of this novel impacted the flow of the story, often distracting the reader. It is evident the author is a skillful storyteller who knows much about his craft and has not hesitated to demonstrate the same, but that does not necessarily translate into a particularly satisfying reading experience.

In short, while I did have fun following the mystery, I can’t say that I enjoyed this book in its entirety.

Many thanks to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the digital review copy via NetGalley and the gifted hardcover edition. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

“West Heart Kill” by Damn McDorman is a gripping thriller that immerses readers in a world of danger and deception. The novel is filled with suspenseful twists and turns that keep the pages turning, and the author’s descriptive prose vividly brings the setting to life.

The characters are well-developed and engaging, each with their own motivations and secrets that add depth to the story. McDorman’s ability to create complex characters adds an extra layer of intrigue to the narrative, making it easy for readers to become invested in their fates.

However, while “West Heart Kill” is an entertaining read, it does have its flaws. The pacing can be uneven at times, with certain sections dragging on while others rush by too quickly. Additionally, some plot points feel contrived or overly convenient, stretching the reader’s suspension of disbelief.

Overall, “West Heart Kill” is a solid thriller that will appeal to fans of the genre. While it may not be without its flaws, it offers enough suspense and excitement to make it worth the read. If you’re looking for a fast-paced thriller with plenty of twists and turns, “West Heart Kill” won’t disappoint.

I liked how this book was written. The way it was written kept my attention. I can understand how it might be difficult for some to follow along. It was written like a mix of a screenplay and a book. This is definitely unique and I appreciated it! That is what stuck out to me the most.

Unfortunately, it was hard for me to stay focused on the storyline because it was a bit slow. I read this one and listened to the audiobook. I'm uber behind on my NetGalley shelf. 🙈 I preferred the audiobook over the e-book. 🎧

The book was okay but didn’t hold my attention around the question , who’s the murder? The theme of the unhappy ultra rich and decadent characters was banal.

I love a good cozy mystery, but this one wasn't for me. If you're looking for a cerebral mystery (think Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle at the helm), this one is for you! I think if I knew the narrator was a little more polished than your typical cozy MC going into it, I'd like it more and plan to try it again.