Cover Image: When I'm Dead

When I'm Dead

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When I'm Dead is the first book that I have read from Hannah Morrissey. I thought this book was fine but my main problem is that I found I had to suspend belief here and that was extremely hard for me to do. There is no way that the two parents who worked in law enforcement would EVER have been allowed to work the crime scene of their daughter disappearing. Conflict of interest is written all of this and I just couldn't get past that.

So while the mystery was decent, I just couldn't believe any of it.

I still gave this book 3 stars as I had an decent time reading it.

A big thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read an early copy.

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The Halloween vibes in this one are perfection. It’s creepy but not scary, so it’s perfect for fans of mystery, thriller and police procedural books.

When you really vibe with an author’s work, high expectations can be dangerous. But this book still managed to blow me away. I’ve been a big fan of Hannah’s since her 2021, debut, and “When I’m Dead” is my favorite work of hers yet.

“When I’m Dead” is about a medical examiner and homicide detective who are married. The book opens as they are investigating the murder of their daughter’s best friend; within hours, their daughter is missing too.

This one truly has it all: murder, a marriage at a crossroads, borderline gross medical details, nitty gritty crime writing. The character development is SO RICH. The pacing is perfection. It is a 2023 favorite of mine, and I’ll be recommending it to anyone who asks for the rest of the year. It would be a great intro to crime fiction if you’ve never read the genre — but it might set your expectations too high!

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The third book in the Black Harbor series by Hannah Morrissey, When I'm Dead is a thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. It can be read as a standalone. Trigger warning: this book deals with the murder of teenagers. It is a police procedural following a medical examiner and her detective husband trying to solve the brutal murder of one teenager and then another, along with their missing daughter. It is a gripping read for parents struggling with raising children, teenagers being especially vulnerable. A well-written book if you can get past the trigger warnings. I do recommend it to the proper audience.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

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I loveeeeed this book so much. The twists & turns kept me guessing throughout the entire thing. And had me holding my breath for the last 20%. This was one of my favorite thrillers of fall 2023. Thanks so much, Netgalley!

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Very suspenseful and kept me on the edge of my seat. I love it when a story keeps me guessing. Well done.

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Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC. I'm definitely late to the party on this one. This was a great thriller, full of suspense that keeps you guessing. I'll remember this one for sure!

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This was a REALLY good thriller! I was engaged the entire time and didn't see a lot of the twists coming. Loved it!

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Holy cow, this was my last book of 2023 and it did not disappoint.

I'll start by saying that this novel is the 3rd in the Black Harbor series, which I've never read before. It can absolutely be read as a standalone, you won't feel like you're missing out on anything.

That said, this book took me on a TRIP.

Do you ever read a book in which you just can't figure out what's going on? And you're one of those people that isn't fooled very easily, so when you find a book like this, you just cannot put it down. That's this book for me. Normally, it's relatively easy for me to figure out what's going on, but every time I thought I had the ending nailed down, something else would happen and I'd be right back at square one again.

People are keeping secrets in Black Harbor, and all of those secrets will slowly come out. But not before more people lose their lives, and not before havoc is raised in this small, dead-end town.

I loved how this author built up the characters, and even though they all had their flaws, I couldn't help but want them to end up okay in the end. And even though Chloe obviously had a lot of problems and was keeping a lot of secrets, I desperately wanted her to be alive. I didn't want my hopes dashed.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to find out what else the author has in store. You'll want to get your hands on this book.

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And just like that, I am thrown back into another mystery in Black Harbor. WHEN I'M DEAD is now the third time I have visited this town filled with death and unfortunate events. Morrissey has a way of developing a story that pulls her readers down the rabbit hole of the investigation while still grounding them in a variety of human emotions.

Sometimes I wonder what keeps bringing me back to the dark and twisty tales that fill my to-read pile. Then, I read a book like Morrissey’s and I remember. There is a macabre enjoyment in getting lost in a narrative that brings the best and worst of people together. The struggles with pain, the desire to recapture what was once lost, the love felt for the people in our lives, and the want for something more than the life currently being led are all front and center with this book. It all works together to build suspense and shock the reader with a perfect ending.

Between the quirky and complex characters brought to life through her prose, this author shows time and time again that emotion, suspense, and expert storytelling can deliver one brilliantly dark thriller.

Audiobook Note: With a cast of characters telling this story, I loved that there was more than one narrator. Andrew Eiden, Caitlin Kelly, Gary Tiedemann, and Xe Sands showcased the distinctive voices within the book in an entertaining way. The pace was just right and the portrayal of each individual felt true to the overall tone of the book.

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Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

This is the third book in the Black Harbour series. I have not read the other two books but I do not think they impacted my enjoyment of this book. I will definitely be reading the first two books in this series. I liked the main character, Rowan Winthrop and would like to read more about her and her family.

On the night of their daughter’s performance in Beetlejuice Rowan and her husband Axel are called away to a murder scene, the dead girl, their daughter’s best friend, Madison. After they get home, they discover their daughter, Chloe is missing. As they try to find Chloe they have to start to wonder if Chloe is victim or killer. The storyline was well written and there were enough twists to make it interesting. Would definitely recommend and will be reading future books in this series.

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On a crisp October evening, Medical Examiner Rowan Winthorp and her husband Alex, a detective with the Black Harbor Police Department, respond to the murder of a young girl who happens to be a friend of their daughter Chloe. Upon returning home, they are shaken to find that Chloe is missing. The resulting panic and the unsettling evidence they uncover lead them into a profoundly disturbing case. As more mysterious deaths are unearthed, the entire town of Black Harbor becomes fraught with suspicion and fear. This gripping tale of mystery and suspense is filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep readers and authorities guessing. The conclusion presents a startling revelation that leaves the entire town reeling, adding to the novel's allure. While part of the Black Harbor Mystery series, this installment can be enjoyed as a standalone, and I wholeheartedly recommend this suspenseful thriller.

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Good thriller with multiple POV and twists! For some reason I just couldn’t get into it as much as I would have liked to

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I received a free copy from NetGalley. I did not read books one and two, and thought this book stood alone okay without having done so. The characters seemed complex, but this was a very tiny and short piece of their story. Kept hinting that there was something wrong with the town because crime/murder was so high, which I couldn't decide if was foreshadowing or just funny for a murder series.

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I really enjoyed this book. It goes through several perspectives of the same story. One girl is dead another, Chloe, is missing. Her parents one who is a detective and the other is a medical examiner are determined to find her and butt heads throughout the story. Her friend Libby wants her home and tries to see if another peer is responsible.

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TITLE: WHEN I’M DEAD
AUTHOR: HANNAH MORRISSEY
PUB DATE: 10.31.2023 Now Available

Hannah Morrissey’s latest Black Harbor mystery When I’m Dead is another reason why I love - no, why I am OBSESSED with this series. If you enjoy thrillers like I do, and consume them like your life depended on them for that adrenaline rush and the satisfaction of reading a book in a day, then this book and series is for you. Though this is part of a series, each of the books reads wonderfully as a standalone.

In this installment we are introduced to medical examiner Rowan Winthrop and her husband Alex, a detective at Black Harbor PD, where they investigate the death of young girl, and looking for their missing daughter. Told in multiple view points, this highly charged thriller has all the right elements - the fast paced read, well written characters with lots of suspects, the desperation of the parents, the complex themes and story line.

I highly recommend
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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I had not read the first 2 in the Black Harbor series and I did not feel like I was missing anything. It felt like any other missing person book. The ending seemed predictable and run of the mill.

I want to thank Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book.

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When I’m Dead by Hannah Morrisey

Published: October 31, 2023
Minotaur Books
Genre: Suspense
Pages: 304
KKECReads Rating:
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

The development of this novel was fast-paced and deviously plotted. I wish I had time to read the first two books, just for more profound context, but this can be read as a standalone.

This twisted mystery keeps you on the edge of your seat. It’s impossible to put down, and the narrating perspectives shift and we get glimpses into the shadows.

I enjoyed the writing style and the pacing. I would love to know more about Rowen’s backstory; I don’t know if that is revealed in the first books. This was a brutal story, executed beautifully.

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I was fortunate enough to receive a complimentary copy of 'When I'm Dead' by Hannah Morrissey from NetGalley, and what an exhilarating experience it was! This book deserves nothing less than a resounding five-star rating for its gripping narrative, intricate plot, and exceptionally crafted characters.

From the first page, Morrissey plunges the reader into a dark and captivating world. The story is woven with such skill and precision that I found myself lost in its pages, unable to put the book down. The plot revolves around a haunting mystery that is as complex as it is intriguing. Morrissey's talent for suspense is evident in every twist and turn, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat throughout.

The character development in 'When I'm Dead' is nothing short of brilliant. Each character is meticulously crafted with depth and realism, making their experiences and emotions palpable. The protagonist's journey is especially compelling, as they navigate through the murky waters of the mystery, revealing layers of depth and complexity that are truly remarkable.

Morrissey's writing style is a standout aspect of this novel. Her prose is both beautiful and powerful, capable of conveying a wide range of emotions with subtlety and grace. The atmospheric details and vivid descriptions create an immersive experience that is rare in contemporary literature.

The themes explored in this book are both timeless and timely, resonating deeply with the reader. Morrissey addresses the nuances of human nature, the pain of loss, and the relentless pursuit of truth in a way that is both thoughtful and provocative.

In conclusion, 'When I'm Dead' by Hannah Morrissey is a masterful piece of fiction. It’s a book that not only entertains but also challenges and captivates its readers. This is a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery and appreciates well-crafted storytelling. Morrissey has outdone herself with this novel, and I eagerly anticipate her future works.

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It's a parent's worst nightmare. Their daughter's best friend is found murdered just down the path to the high school from their house, and their daughter is missing.

At first there's panic, then as the reality starts to setting in, sometime becomes clear to Rowan. She and her husband haven't actually been the most present parents. And during the teenage years, that's a problem. Part of it is their jobs - as the town medical examiner and a cop, they get called out of bed at all hours of the night. But they didn't realize it was such a problem until it was too late.

Because as it turns out, they don't know that a lot has changed in their daughter's life. And not knowing that information is making it harder to figure out where she went and if they'll ever find her. And unfortunately, it seems that the sins of the parents have fallen on their child.

When I'm Dead is a fantastic page-turner and the deep-seated family drama will keep you guessing until the end. Special thanks to Netgalley and St. Martins Minotar Press for an advanced e-galley in exchange for my honest review. This one is available now!

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This was my first Hannah Morrisey book and definitely won't be my last! I didn't know this was part of a series so hopefully I didn't miss or have something spoiled by reading out of order. I would definitely love to see if the others are just as good! I am such a sucker for a police procedural type of thriller. This is told through multiple POV's to discover the murder of a girl and a missing girl. This turns into a dark and twisted cat and mouse chase with the killer. This gave us just the right amount of creep factor and suspense to keep you reading along. I was committed to finding out the killer!

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