When a blurb states that the mystery in the book is ‘a brilliant puzzle the likes of which you will never have read before’ it is hard not to see that statement as a challenge. Therefore: challenge accepted. 😊

Brace yourself for a review filled with vagaries. So much of the plot depends on the things that make this story unique and surprising, and I wouldn’t want to ruin those discoveries for others. I do have a few things I want to say about the fascinating, original, surprising, and thought-provoking reading experience I just had, though.

The book starts with the narrator/author comparing West Heart Kill to all other murder mysteries. In fact, the book starts as if it hasn’t started yet, with the narrator describing what is happening, or going to happen, as if this is not the actual story yet but rather a description of what is to come. I’m going to stop relaying how the story is told soon, but I do want to add that the list of ‘dramatis personae’ has some parts of the description of individual characters blacked out. The text implies that the missing information would either tell the reader a lie or reveal too much.

I have to say a bit more about how this story is narrated after all because the second chapter is told from a first-person perspective, the third section shifts to the “we” of the first-person plural, and the book finishes as a play. Interspersed between the sections of murder mystery are apparently random theoretical facts about and opinions on murder mysteries and their authors. Except that nothing in this story turns out to be random. With one possible exception, although I can’t go into that. Which is probably just as well since I haven’t figured out how I feel about that yet.

If all of the above gives the impression that this book is anything but a mystery, allow me to reassure you. The components you’d expect in any whodunnit are all present here. We’ve got a private detective, deaths that need explaining, a locked room, and a closed circle of suspects, to mention a few familiar tropes.

But those are the bare bones. There is so much more going on. As an avid reader of the genre, I knew that everything on the page had to be in some way relevant to the mystery plot. And while a lot of what I read had me stretching my head in the moment, it all made a wonderful sort of sense when I reached the end of the book. If all you want from your mysteries is the traditional set-up of murder, followed by investigation, and denouement, this book may be too much for you. If, on the other hand, you enjoy discovering something new and being taken by surprise, you are going to love this story.

All too often the claim that the book a reader is about to start is unlike anything they’ve ever read before turns out to be a disappointing overstatement. Not this time. This time I fully agree with the last line of the blurb. West Heart Kill is indeed an

outrageously original and imaginative murder mystery that is both a love letter to the greats of classic crime fiction and a brilliant puzzle the likes of which you will never have read before.

All I know is that if ever a book deserved a re-read, this is it. I’m already anticipating how much fun I will have starting the story again but this time armed with the knowledge I’ll need to figure out exactly how immensely clever this work is. Because I’m sure I haven’t recognised the half of it.

An interesting read with complex characters and an unusual writing style. The plot holds the reader's attention right to the end....I was a little let down by the writing of the very, very end - but by the time I had had plenty of misdirection, confusion abd red herrings, so can't complain. I loved the references to other stories, fables and authors the littered the pages.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reading copy of this book with no obligation to review.

When I read a book I like to flow along with the story and it is impossible to do that with this book. i did not like the meta/breaking the fourth wall format at all as it i found it made it impossible for me to get into the book. It took me ages to finish it.

I got all the characters mixed up with little idea of who was who and who was doing what to whom. Some of the asides and breaks from the story to discuss things like locked room mysteries were quite interesting but too distracting.

I am also baffled by the ending. I think I see the point the author was trying to make but I found it very unsatisfying. Too smarty pants for its own good.

I am sorry to say I did not enjoy this way of telling a story I prefer just a straight forward story. This book starts out like that but then the readers role is changed into sleuth with the Author making comments and then turns into a playscript !!!! I was so confused I completely forgot who all the characters were and I didn't understand the ending or find out whodunnit !! Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC

Although I quite enjoyed the main plot I found all the “asides” distracting. It was an unusual idea to use this kind of format but it didn’t really work for me, although others appear to have enjoyed it.
I would probably read another book by this author were it written in more conventional style.

I tried hard to get in to this book and I really wanted to like it but they style did not gel with me.
I found it hard going even though it was well written. The time period and the characters annoyed me. A good book should make you feel and it did.

I was looking forward to reading this book but unfortunately I did not like the reading in the second person and the author's conversational interludes. Without all the above the story line as a murder mystery was fine with many twists but I found it difficult to enjoy fully.

Dubbed an original and imaginative murder mystery, there’s so much to say but doing so may spoil the enjoyment of interested readers. What we will state is this is a Fourth of July weekend unlike any other. The usual group is gathering at a prestigious country club: the treasurer, his wife, the emotional parent, the prospective member… and a private detective, naturally. But there’s also a body, naturally, and a case to solve. But this is no run of the mill whodunnit – the writing swiftly causes readers to sit up and take notice, and pay attention lest you miss any of the clues or subtle (and snarky) impressions. Both honouring the classic crime genre and turning it on its head, this is a talented unique read that we predict will perform superbly.

It’s the 70’s and the rich and successful gather at “their” country club, a private and selective gathering to celebrate 4th July. Of course there was going to be a murder, else what was the point of this story?

After the blurb this was a definite for me, and my wish to read on NetGalley was granted. Well, the old adage of be careful what you wish for certainly held in this case. Written very similar to the screenplays of the black and white films of the thirties and forties, it held much promise. Sadly it was a case of style over substance. Too much of the author telling the reader what they are thinking, heaven forbid a reader should be able to form an opinion!

This will definitely be an offering that splits the crime book audience, a marmite of a book. Exhausting rather than intriguing, the style of writing was a struggle, hopping about from one perspective to another.

I’m sure this book will find its groove and be well loved by its fans.

With apologies to the author.

Thank you NetGalley.

Reading as a second person, this book has a very unique perspective that, to me, was very confusing at times. However, this unique take on the classic genre has the potential to be adored by a wider audience.

This is a murder mystery set in the 1970s in an exclusive retreat in New York State it’s a very well written piece that has a few twists and turns along the way. It includes almost non fiction chapters that explain what has happened in the previous chapter, Its a really good gimmick as it introduces a reason for the incidents in the text.

The book was a very enjoyable easy to read mystery. It’s a solid 4 1/2 stars.

4 stars

As someone that enjoys the genre I really enjoyed this book. A classic murder mystery presented in a unique conversational way between author and reader, breaking the fourth wall to provide educational commentary on how the author's story relates to the genre as a whole.

Putting the unique structure and commentary aside I enjoyed the plot of the mystery itself with many misdirections and a cast of untrustworthy and unlikeable characters with many secrets.

The book's structure continuously jumps from first person, third person, interview style, ending in a screenplay. Although I enjoyed this unique structure I cant help but feel it became unessacarily confusing at times. I also was not completely happy with the ending of this book, however I feel that that is part of why it ended in that way. Though I personally feel that it fell flat after such a strong story up to that point.

I think this will be a great read for those who love the genre and want something that acts as entertainment and commentary at the same time. If not I think others might find the commentary a bit much at times which in my opinion sometimes slows the pacing down of the mystery itself.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really want to say I loved this but unfortunately for me I found it slightly confusing at times which I think was due to you reading this as a second person.

I loved that the setting was about a posh country club with a group of posh people however I found that there wasn’t much time given to the murder plot.

What I did enjoy about the book was you couldn’t work out who did it until the end which I always love more.

It's the Fourth of July weekend at the West Heart country club. Gathered for cocktails on the first evening some of the guests...but there will also be a body and mystery to solve.
You,the reader, are about to find out that you have a role to play in this mystery too.

This book was a strange one. I wasn’t sure if I was reading a screenplay to start with. It then turned around and started to read like a novel but throughout there were narratives describing the characters and story again like a screenplay. I was left with a frown line where I was trying to work out if I was enjoying it or not.

I did get used to the writing style but still struggled slightly with the book. That saying the book itself isn’t bad it just took me a while to get my head around the writing style. I actually still have no idea who the murderer is and I’m utterly confused. This book is marmite. You will either love it or hate it. Me I’m undecided

This author is a rule breaker extraordinaire!”
Innovative plotting whilst nodding subtly to the late great crime writers. An isolated setting, a cast of unlikeable suspects an unreliable narrator and more twists than a corkscrew! Intelligent book which cleverly... More

Hardback edition

LINDA@{LIVINGSTON]

I feel terrible leaving a poor review because I appreciate the time and effort that went into this book…but I just couldn’t get into it. Maybe it’s just not my thing, I couldn’t connect with the characters and therefore the story didn’t drag me in.

"West Heart Kill" by Dann McDormann proved to be a challenging read, to say the least. The narrative felt like a grind, with excessive misdirection that left me constantly searching for a coherent thread to follow. While I appreciate the author's attempt at complexity, it often led to confusion rather than intrigue.

After investing time in navigating the convoluted plot, I expected a more rewarding resolution. Instead, the conclusion left me with more questions than answers and a sense of frustration.

In summary, "West Heart Kill" may have potential for those who enjoy intricate storytelling, but for me, it was a challenging and ultimately unsatisfying reading experience due to its meandering narrative and underwhelming ending.

In #WestHeartKill, the author invites the reader to consider the crime writers’ craft as the plot unravels. The story is interspersed with explanations of plot devices and other books these might be found in as well as how a review such as ‘a plot that leaves you guessing until the very end, a satisfying twist that you’ll never see coming’ is likely to draw you in. Well that’s exactly what this book does! A clever structure, an interesting plot-line with that unexpected twist at the end. I was prepared not to like this book after reading some of the reviews but I ended up reading it in two sittings!

Ah I wanted to like this but I found it very hard to read. Reading in second person is annoying I've discovered. I also didn't get the style. It made me think of a work of art that is said to be unique and clever but all you see is a blue square. That felt like that for me. If anyone understands this, I would love to know what it's about!

Quite Delicious..
The Fourth of July celebration weekend, the lavish West Heart Country Club, a smattering of elite guests and others not quite so elite, a private detective, a body and a mystery like no other. Using elements of the mystery in traditional vein, references to the greats of classic mystery writing and some fiendishly genre crossing techniques, the author creates a mystery and a true puzzle where the reader is indeed very much a part of the proceedings. Wholly unique, completely unexpected and quite, quite delicious. One to savour in its entirety.