“Kick Ball Slay: An Introduction to West Coast Swing… AND a Murder Mystery” by Doug Dorsey

Kick Ball Slay: An Introduction to West Coast Swing… AND a Murder Mystery

Doug Dorsey
Studio 15 Publishing, Inc. (2022)
ISBN: 979-8985695335
Reviewed by Kathy Stickles for Reader Views (11/2022)

As everyone knows by now, a good murder mystery is my absolute favorite thing to read. In his new book, “Kick Ball Slay,” Doug Dorsey delivers an incredible murder mystery wrapped up in the world of swing dancing. Believe me readers when I say this book will not disappoint in any way.

The main character of the story, Detective Evann Myrick, is plunged into a new world as he tries to solve a string of murders that are quickly taking their toll on the competition circuit of those who dance West Coast Swing. As Myrick tries to deal with the confusion of the dance life and competitions, his feelings over the loss of his wife still arise all the time, and a killer always seems to be one stop ahead of him. The reader is in for a lot of excitement as they try to keep up and figure out who did it. This book is full of suspense, deception, conflict, and a good deal of fun and dancing. Unfortunately for Myrick, the killer is very smart and always seems to know what Evann will do before even he knows. This leads the killer to set their sights on more dancers and, eventually, a top-rated detective.

Mr. Dorsey is a wonderful writer who has a gift of making the reader become attached to each character and is able to draw you into the story quickly and easily. The novel comes together so well and the characters and the settings are very well-written. In addition, the story is fun as the reader, and the main character, are also drawn into the huge new world of swing dancing and everything that it entails.

“Kick Ball Slay: An Introduction to West Coast Swing… AND a Murder Mystery” is easy to read and will grab and keep your attention to the point where it is one of those stories that can be read cover-to-cover without putting it down, if you allow yourself to do so. I loved it and highly recommend it to all murder mystery fans out there. I cannot wait for the next installment, and dance genre, in Detective Myrick’s life. I think you will feel the same. 5 Stars!!