Highly original and very clever, this is an immersive detective novel where we are part of the plotting and the audience. Sometimes it was almost too clever but overall I enjoyed the twists and red herrings and the stylish nature of the telling.

This is a difficult novel to review - it’s clearly articulate, well researched, cleverly structured, and bends the form of the mystery novel in new and challenging ways..

However - and it’s a huge however - I just couldn’t engage with it at all. I kept ploughing through but found myself initially distracted by the second person narrative, before becoming increasingly infuriated to the point where I just couldn’t read on. I rarely don’t finish a book as I don’t feel I can genuinely offer it justice without seeing the whole picture. On this occasion, whilst I could admire the work that went into it, I couldn’t give it more time.

Not really my cup of tea, too much procedural info and not enough story context, I am normally a fan of this genre too so I don’t say this lightly

This is a very different book to any I have read before. The detailed references to Shakespeare, whose plays I am studying and Agatha Christie, whose books I have been reading for 50 years were refreshing in their depth of insight and complimenting the inner story and commentary on the construction of murder mystery books. Thanks to NetGalley and the our for the chance to ARC this book.

I wanted to like this story but I felt the book was trying to be too clever for its own good. I skipped the bits about other things such as the explanations and definitions and had to struggle to get to the end. I didn't like the ending so wished i hadn't bothered.

I liked the sound of this book, I enjoyed it but didn't love it. I enjoyed the detective scenes and loved how the ending was 'played' out but found the 'informational' bits just too much and distracted from the storyline which I really feel is a shame.

I'm still a little confused about a couple of things as it wasn't clear in the book what had actually happened.

I'm a big fan of classic mystery stories, and clearly Dann McDorman is too. These bits I liked. Something in this book was just a bit missing for me. I appreciated the style and ambition, but it lacked that...oomph? I think that it could have been fantastic.

West Heart Kill is a written in the style of a meta murder mystery with what you might feel is a 'narrative interruption' that comes across as a 'how to write a murder mystery'. It's a 'locked room' mystery, and whilst at the beginning, the sense of being led by the nose into the actual genre is a bit distracting, the quality of the writing is very good. After all, you, the reader, are being (quite literally) told how the novel is following the tropes of the genre. I enjoyed that aspect of it: part 'instruction manual', part novel is certainly a unique idea. I did feel, though, that there was a bit of fading away towards the end, as if the writer was running out of energy. Maybe the deadline was looming, or perhaps it was intentional - I can see how that would work in this metalinguistic framework.

I loved the majority of this novel, including the narrative voice, and the sheer audacity of the idea itself. I'm grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

I have to admit I do not really know how to write a review of this book. Obviously what follows is subjective and other readers may well reach different conclusions.
So, to begin, West Heart Kill is absolutely brilliant - I've never read a 'murder/mystery book quite like it. Yet, at the same time it is extremely verbose and, for me, at times boring! I've thought about how to best describe the book and I can only come up with this. Remember when you had a book to read for GCSE (GCE in my time) English Literature, So to help you understand the book better you buy a Study Guide for the book containing, summaries, explanations and questions. West Heart Book combines the 2 books into one. The 'whodunnit' plot progresses, slowly, and the author interjects with questions, explanations and case studies. I even though I would need to answer several test questions to progress to the final chapters.
You have to read this for yourself when it is published later this month. A book to remember for sometimes the wrong reasons!

here is a weekend gathering at the West Heart Country Club which will soon turn to murder. A private investigator is on the scene, but will he be able to find out the truth in a place where people are naturally suspicious of outsiders? The reader will soon discover that they too are involved, and will play a pivotal role in solving the murder.

I was drawn to this book by the early reviews that I read which billed it as a very different sort of murder-mystery. It is definitely a unique book, not anything like I have read before but I have mixed feelings about it. I loved the premise: a private investigator is invited to a country club by an unknown member, tasked with looking out for anything unusual. Of course, we know that a murder is going to occur and this made it very reminiscent of the golden age of crime detection, albeit one set later in time.

The story itself was a good one and there were numerous twists and turns that kept me on my toes. One event in particular had me gasp in surprise – readers of the book will know which part I mean! I also liked how the reader is addressed throughout the book, really making you feel involved in the plot.

There were other parts, however, that I feel fell short. Factual explanations and information, while initially an interesting addition to the book soon became a distraction from the plot and I found myself skipping past parts to get back to the story. The play scene at the end, while a good plot device, I felt was a bit too lengthy.

I find it hard to decide whether I like or loathe this book. It constantly breaks off to give 'lessons' on murder procedurals. Some of these are interesting and some are less so. It is also written in different formats: first person, third person, as a play script, and constantly addresses the reader, questioning their knowledge. It invites the reader to solve the whodunnit but therein lies the main problem: the central plot is just not interesting enough. The characters are flat and i didn't care who got murdered or by whom.
A lot of rich people are in their second homes, or perhaps third or fourth, on an estate called West Heart. There they hunt, swim, drink, have sex with each other and bicker. A detective is there too. We know he is on a job but not why or for whom he is working. This is the best character.
Nothing much happens apart from murder. The book is knowingly 'clever' and this is also off-putting.
I read a copy provided by NetGalley and the publisher. My views are my own.

This book was like nothing i’ve ever read before and i’m sure it will be very divisive and love/hate but I loved it.

West Heart Kill is a murder mystery set around the late 70s (it’s never confirmed) in a small club where a detective is invited to join - of course people end up dead and the detective makes it his mission to solve the crimes.

This may sound like a cliched plot but that’s the point. this book is very meta and both a love letter to and satire of the cosy crime detective novel. It’s told from may different POVS including the author breaking the forth wall and speaking directly to the reader. It’s such an interesting concept and I loved the story and the ending! My only negative is that I did end up skimming some of the non-fiction factual parts that are littered through the book, but all in all a great and very different read!

In Upstate New York, ‘Kill’ can mean ‘creek’, as well as ‘make dead’. In West Heart Hunting Lodge it means both, but who will kill whom, and when and why? The Lodge is a communal building in a heavily wooded area which is owned by the descendants of the first families and kept stocked with animals they can shoot. Sequestered within the woods are houses (described, tongue in cheek, as ‘cabins’) which are holiday homes for those families. On the Bicentennial weekend (i.e. July 1977) the families are all there, together with some guests. One of these is Adam McAnnis, a private detective but there as a friend of one of the regulars not, repeat not, definitely not, as a detective on a case. So obviously your first mystery to solve is, who hired him and what is he investigating. There is no suggestion that murder is going to feature, so clearly there is going to be a murder. Your second task is to guess who, and after the event why. The third question would be: is the murder connected to the detective’s mission or separate from it?
That, in a nutshell, is the mystery story, not too complex and probably 3 stars. If you are an experienced reader of the genre you will not be surprised if the author throws in a few standard tropes: isolated group of suspects, range of possible motives, locked room, or similar elements. However, you are likely to be surprised by the author telling you what you will be thinking, what you will be anticipating, what the story might be about to tell you. In other words, the author becomes didactic, jumps through the fourth wall and becomes more than just the omniscient observer; until the viewpoint suddenly switches to first person and we are in Adam’s mind; until it switches back to didactic author; until we switch to omniscient observer. And back and forth it goes, with the author frequently becoming a pedagogue, helpfully providing chapter and verse on the history and development of the mystery story, and the roles played by writers down the years, stating with Socrates and leaning heavily on the Golden Age (not to mention Agatha Christie). This approach has led to it being described as a meta mystery story, but I’d question that definition. It is certainly self-referential and experimental but it lacks any metaphysical features. I’m sure it will radically divide readers into those who admire and enjoy it as a book, and those who can’t or won’t engage with the novelty.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

Unusually, this locked room, murder mystery begins with a third person narrator addressing the reader directly. The characters are introduced, including the protagonist, private detective Adam McAnnis and his old friend, James Blake, a friend who is a member of West Heart Club and elitist club for the wealthy residents of a house or 'cabin' as they're referred to, in the town. They're staying for the weekend and McAnnis, unbeknownst to the other guests (although they clearly guess) is working an unknown case, investigating someone. As the reader and McAnnis get to know the characters, all lounging around the club house, an impending storm, weak bridge and the risk of being trapped at the club is joked about, creating a leisurely yet tense atmosphere. Of course a body is soon found.

McDorman intersperses the plot with third party narration of events, observations about the characters, including the protagonist and analysis of the art of mystery fiction and the rules of detective stories. Clearly knowledgeable about the art of detective fiction, fascinating though it is, it sometimes feels a little overdone.

I found the privileged characters unlikeable, as I'm sure was the author's intention, which made them difficult to invest in. The character I engaged with the most, Emma, would have benefited from more character development, I wanted more of her and from her. I also wanted more storytelling and less analysis, clever that it is, which susprised me, being a huge fan of the genre and understanding how it works and the twist in the plot didn't work, for me. A new and creative approach, fans of detective stories will find this locked room, whodunit analysis fascinating, but may miss the narratives the genre is known for.

I loved this book.

Step into the gripping world of the West Heart Country Club, a masterfully crafted murder mystery novel that combines a thrilling investigation with enlightening chapters on the history of the crime novel and the art of plot construction. West Heart Kill is a compelling blend of classic detective fiction and modern storytelling. With its well-crafted characters, intricate plot, and enlightening insights into the crime novel genre, it's a must-read for fans of mysteries and detective fiction.

What sets West Heart Kill apart from your typical murder mystery is the inclusion of chapters that delve into the history of the crime novel. These interludes offer readers a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of the genre, showcasing how famous crime writers have devised their intricate plots over the years. Dann McDorman skilfully weaves these insights into the narrative, providing both entertainment and education for fans of the genre.

As detective Adam McAnnis delves deeper into the web of secrets and lies surrounding the murder, readers are treated to a rich tapestry of suspects, each with their own motives and alibis. The author expertly drops breadcrumbs throughout the story, challenging armchair detectives to piece together the puzzle alongside McAnnis..

In this intriguing novel, the author defies the conventions of the typical murder mystery, and in doing so, creates a narrative that is refreshingly unique and utterly captivating. It isn't like your usual murder mystery. It doesn't follow the typical flow, but that's what makes it so interesting. It keeps you hooked until the very end by playing with your expectations and changing the story in surprising ways. It's a different kind of murder mystery, but it's a real page-turner.

Enjoyed the read but certainly nothing like other murder mysteries I have read. Often in the third person and scattered with quotes from other famous crime writers, it tends to be confusing and misses out on the flow and rhythm of the plot. Perhaps that is intended . The book is well crafted and well written. The dialogue is sometimes not easy to follow, but the pace moves steadily onwards .

The scene is set at a hunting club estate over an extended 4th July weekend . Adam McAnnis a private investigator has taken a commission to observe over the weekend while arranging an invite to stay there by an old college friend . While the weekend progresses a murder happens during a storm which isolates the estate.
Sounds familiar? A bit Agatha Christie. Puzzles and clues abound and the "game is afoot".

Great for the armchair sleuth to work out whodunit and why .

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the narrative style which made it feel like the reader was involved in solving the mystery. It wasn't what I expected but it worked well and I would definitely recommend the book to anyone looking for a good mystery with a different approach.

An unusual and unique storytelling approach, where the "reader" ultimately becomes part of the story. I enjoyed it, even if it went down rabbit holes and off topic regularly it was clever and engaging. It is definitely a marmite book and not for everyone, but I expect it will have a distinct charm to a specific audience..

I enjoyed West Heart Kill. It is not only a traditional murder mystery but also meta-fiction, blending multiple different styles and also much use of breaking the fourth wall. It combines narrative of the plot with a discourse on history/style of the genre’s writing.

The story begins with the arrival of Adam McAnnis, a detective at West Heart, a hunting hideaway of a handful of well-off families with generations of shared histories and secrets. Adam joins the son of one of the families, as an old friend, ostensibly reconnecting after a prolonged gap. When two members of the community die, Adam is roped in to investigate when West Heart is cut off from the outside world by a freak storm.

I liked that the book explores different styles, it confronts and subverts the age-old mystery rules, and that it has an ending different from many mysteries.

I loved the premise of this, a murder in an isolated location, lots of secrets and skeletons in closets, but with a different style of storytelling.

The saying of "Golf is a good walk ruined" works here, this is a good book ruined. There's so much extra stuff that doesn't need to be in the book, that gets in the way and really takes you of of the story.

At first I liked it, it felt very much like the Narrator from The Rocky Horror Picture Show or Alfred Hitchcock in Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Almost like asides to a camera, but then it got too much. Whole sections devoted to the disappearance of Agatha Christie, or the meaning of the word murder. The Q&A interview styles were ok, but felt out of place. And the random script with questions from us, the reader, was difficult to get through. The confession felt a bit 'T'was I..." and flamboyant.

I think on screen this would've worked really well

It would've been a great short story if you took all the other bits out. I don't know if it would work better in a physical book, or if the interruptions would've been shorter. I loved the overall story, the storm, access roads closed, the murders, so it was really frustrating and it took me a while to get in to the flow again after being taken out. This would not put me off reading another book by Dann McDorman and I might pick this up from the library to both be able to read the story and the asides separately.