The author demonstrates an exceptional talent for introducing fresh, intricately crafted characters who seamlessly integrate into the story's fabric. As the plot unfolds with its twists and turns, the mysteries become increasingly gripping, and my heart races with anticipation from the very first page until the stunning conclusion.

In this latest installment of the psychological thriller series, we are introduced to Rowan Winthrop, a city medical examiner whose life is intricately entwined with her husband, Alex, a detective in the BHPD. Their demanding careers have left little room for rest or relaxation. However, their lives take a terrifying turn when Rowan stumbles upon a crime scene involving a young girl – none other than Chloe, her daughter's best friend. To Rowan's horror, she discovers that Chloe hasn't returned home after a school play. The chilling realization dawns upon her that she must traverse the treacherous path of a dangerous killer while desperately searching for her own daughter's abductors. As the investigation deepens, Rowan and her husband uncover disturbing secrets about Chloe that shatter the very foundations of their existence. Could it be possible that the daughter they thought they knew was nothing more than a facade?

The author skillfully orchestrates a guessing game that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. With each chapter, layers of complexity are added, potential culprits emerge, and suspicion shifts. The pressure intensifies, tightening its grip around us as we become more enmeshed in the story's intricate web. Just when we believe we've unraveled the truth, the climax hits with an unexpected force, leaving us in awe of the author's masterful storytelling. The jaw-dropping conclusion leaves us stunned, pondering the profound impact of the unfolding events.

As an avid fan of crime thrillers, I find immense satisfaction in the intense and claustrophobic atmosphere the author creates. The realistic characterizations allow us to empathize with Rowan's desperate search for her daughter and her emotional turmoil as she uncovers shocking revelations. The meticulously crafted pacing ensures that the narrative maintains relentless momentum, propelling us forward with each turn of the page.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this ARC!

I was nervous when I saw that this was the 3rd book in a series, however, you can definitely read this as a stand alone. That to say- I will be reading the other two in the Black Harbour series by Hannah Morrissey.

I devoured this book! I enjoyed the storyline and character development. Probably one of my favorite police procedural books I have read in a LONG time. I found the book to be full of twists and turns and left me guessing to the very end!

5 Stars!

When I’m Dead is the third book in the Black Harbor Series, but is able to be read as a stand-alone.

Rowen Winthorp, a medical examiner and Axle, her husband, a detective for the police. Both share their POV’s as the narrators of the book. Their daughter, Chloe, goes missing following her performance in a high school play. But, Chloe has left behind a trail of cryptic clues. It is also discovered that Chloe's best friend was murdered. When I'm Dead is about the investigation of the crimes, but primarily, it is the story of the trauma experienced by Rowen and Axle as they do their work, investigating the murder and Chloe's disappearance and the truth of what really happened.

Hannah Morrissey has constructed a novel that is both a thrilling mystery and a deeply moving exploration of what a parent will do to find their child. For readers that are looking for chilling atmospheric thriller that will remain with you long after the final chapter, This is it! For me, "When I'm Dead" is an absolute must-read.

“You’ll love me more when I’m dead”….
Oh teenagers, you know how dramatic they can be. But when Chloe goes missing and another friend found murdered, you begin to wonder where fact and fiction come into play.

This was a fast paced, easy book to read. #3 in the Black Harbor Series, I read it as a stand-alone just fine (I haven’t read the others).
Every parents worst nightmare is losing their kids, and when her daughter is missing and 2 others found murdered, Medical Examiner Rowan begins to question everything she thought she knew about her daughters life.

Dark and twisty, with multiple characters playing major roles, it really had me guessing as to who the real evil person was. And the ending would make for a great film escapade!
Should also mention that this book takes place in October, so the perfect fall read.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for this ARC in return for my honest opinion.

Pub date: 31 Oct 2023

DNF at 39%
I just think this book isn't for me. The writing is fine and the idea is interesting, but the inaccuracies in the police procedural process are getting on my nerves. A prosecutor could never do anything with this case. Plus I think I have an idea of who the killer is.

This was a decent thriller about Chloe who goes missing after two of her friends are murdered. It has all the elements of a great thriller with a twist.

My issues were that it felt way longer than it needed to be, and the nonchalance of Chloe’s parents really struck me as odd. I was confused wether or not I should suspect them, even though it was very clear that they were not suspects.

This was such a dark, twisty murder mystery that kept me guessing until the very end. Filled with unreliable characters, I was constantly questioning everyone and the very descriptive creepy atmospheric setting gave me all of the spooky feels. This was my first read by Morrissey and it will definitely not be my last.
FYI - this book is the third installment in a series but it can also be read as a stand-alone, which is what I did.

Thank you, NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and Hannah Morrissey for a #gifted ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Two girls are found dead. One girl is missing. A town on edge. Hannah Morrissey brings us back to Black Harbor in When I'm Dead. Its a dark town, with a dark history. Halloween week brings more darkness.

None of the characters were likeable. I did feel for Libby, although she was sketchy too! I felt like her storyline dropped toward the end, but overalll this was a great read for spooky season!

Just one more chapter. There is no stopping once you start. Nothing can get in your way.

There are multiple POVs in this crime thriller. Chole is 15 years old and excited to perform on stage in “Beetlejuice” as Lydia Deetz. She died her hair black and has the black boots and outfit that matches perfectly. Her proud parents, Rowan and Axel, are in the audience watching.

However, about half way through, they get a call and both of them excuse themselves. Someone has been killed and sadly, they have to leave their daughter’s performance and investigate. Rowan is a medical examiner and Axel is a homicide detective. Rowan sent a text to her neighbor, Marnie, asking her if she and her husband could take Chole home afterwards.

Then the bad news: they find out that a girl from the school was strangled close to where they live and it happens to be Chole’s best friend, Madison. Marnie didn’t get the text to take her daughter home. Rowan rushes to see if Chole is there. Her bedroom is quiet with the window open but her daughter isn’t there. Her last words to her mother were: “You’ll love me more when I’m dead.” What does that mean?

It's like a puzzle. Each chapter leads to more clues as the suspects are interviewed. Axel said someone always lies. The reader starts lining up who the killer may be: her boyfriend, one of her girlfriends, her teacher or maybe she was the murderer.

The timing is good with all the pieces in place. It’s not too ghastly and tense that the reader won’t be able to sleep at night. The chapters are relatively short. It’s fun and fast like something you’d want to see in the movies.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the EArc of When I'm Dead!

The Queen of Midwestern Noir strikes again with this total spooktacular and gripping Black Harbor novel!

In this book we get to read from a few different perspectives that are all equally and in their own way - so unreliable! Following Rowan and Axel in this story after their daughter is reported missing, and one of her supposed friends is found brutally murdered, pulled at my heartstrings more than I expected. While also simultaneously making me trust NO ONE in this book!

The way the author ties each of the Black Harbor novels together while keeping them entirely separate is a fun additional aspect to these books as they progress.

Also: KOLE *swoon* he's still got my heart in these books.

Definitely recommend!

Just finished this one! THANK YOU NETGALLEY FOR THE ARC!

I loved it! I got a physical copy right away so i can annotate!! 1. First the cover is amazing!
2. Multiple POVs which i love!. I enjoyed learning about each character. I could not get enough of Libby and her life. I will say in the beginning i did think it was her! I love that they bring up bullying in this book! That's a very important subject!
Also i have never read about stuffing animals and all that! I DID NOT LIKE THAT! I kind of skipped that part! I cant believe they allowed that in school! Also i was definitely interested to learn more about Chloe! Why did she start wearing black? What happened with her and the teacher? The last few chapters were kind of shocking and i loved it! It was gross and creepy and scary at times. I highly recommend. It's a easy read! it was hard to put it down! I know it says its a third book but it CAN BE standalone. So ya hope you all enjoy it!! 4/5 stars for sure!

This is the third book of the Black Harbor series, but can easily be read as a standalone.
Rowan, the city’s medical examiner, and her husband Alex, a detective, are so caught up in the murder of their daughter’s friend that they leave her school production early. As their guard is down, their own daughter, Chloe, disappears.
Searching for clues while trying to forgive themselves for their own inactions, they each learn hints from other school friends and their mothers that leave them wondering, was their daughter who they thought she was? Were they really that disconnected from their own family and each other?
The clues are scarce, and each seems to discount the next, meanwhile the clock is ticking. And even you, the reader, won’t hear from Chloe during these tense hours, leading you to believe the worst. There are no happy harbingers here, just a very bleak outlook for the young girls of Black Harbor.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The publishing date was October 31, 2023.

This is a thrilling audiobook, enhanced by its exceptional cast of narrators who skillfully bring the characters to life. The story exudes a captivating blend of mystery, gothic and spooky vibes, keeping me engaged throughout. The depth of character development was great to see, and it also had a complex cast. There was certainly times where the plot and a character was chilling and kept me on the edge of the seat. This book is a must-listen for fans of mystery and intricate characters.

This is book#3 in the Black Harbor series. Each book is written as a stand alone, each is a chapter of a crime set against the back drop of Black Harbor. Each book introduces readers to an individual or a group that has been involved in a crime and must now solve it, or else. In WHEN I'M DEAD, we will meet Black Harbor's medical examiner and her husband, a detective on the Black Harbor Police Department.

Medical examiner Rowan Winthrop has been called in due to the unexplained death of a young woman. She realizes this body is the best friend of her daughter, Chloe. She will frantically try to contact Chloe, only to be unable to find her. Rowan will contact her police detective husband, Axel, and both begin the long search to find Chloe. The search will take them places and they will meet people that no parent wants connected to their child. The story is well written and fast paced, each chapter brings new shocks and clues that twist onto themselves and keep you gasping at each reveal. This is an excellent book in a series that has been "killer" so far. Hannah Morrissey has proven her ability to write reader favorites so far.

The whole theme of this book is just crazy. I LOVE IT! I have been going "WTF" throughout this whole book. The suspense keeps going just as well as the twists. It was one of those that made me stop and think and wonder hmmm.

“You’ll love me more when I’m dead.”

Can you imagine your child saying these words to you? Ouch! That would hurt like hell alright!

In this novel, husband Axel’s a detective while his wife Rowan’s a medical examiner. Both are called away from work more times than you can count, mostly leaving their daughter Chloe to her own devices. This creates an inevitable conflict between them, as well as guilt feelings from the parents. When Chloe’s best friend was murdered, she too went missing right after. Axel and Rowan must set aside their personal issues and solve both cases before it’s too late.

I so enjoyed reading this multiple POV police procedural. Reading Axel and Rowan’s POVs stirred up my own guilt feelings as a working mom…we all want quality time with our kids but at the same time it cannot be helped as work is essential to put food on the table right?? I binge read this because I want a HEA for this family! It’s always a good sign when a reader is invested with the characters of the story. Needless to say, it’s one of best books I’ve read this year. The plot is twisty, the characters with depth and the writing’s riveting. I actually finished the book already when I discovered that it is part of Black Harbor series. Good thing all the books can be read as standalones. When I’m Dead is now available at your favorite bookstores. It is the perfect fall read so do check it out!🍂🍁🍂

Rating: 4.5/5

While investigating the death of her daughter’s best friend, medical examiner Rowan Winthrop and her detective husband discover that their daughter Chloe is also gone, but not without a trace. While working closely together, they begin to unearth disturbing details about their daughter.

When I’m Dead was another atmospheric read with complex characters and an engrossing story line. Not only do you get the murder case and the disappearance, you get the personal relationship and struggles of both main leads along the way, which made the story much more personal. Lots of red herrings and twists along the way, secrets, lies and the perfect mix of mystery/thriller and police procedural. Although this is the third book, it could be read as a stand alone. Another great instalment which I thoroughly enjoyed!

3⭐️

First, this is the third book in the series but can easily be read as a standalone book. I didn’t know going into this book that it was a part of the series, but I don’t feel that it hindered how I related to the characters and the story.

The book starts with one murdered teenager and her missing best friend. I did find the book to be engaging and I enjoyed all the little secrets that were coming out throughout the book. I felt that it made the characters more realistic.

However, there were definitely some things in this book that were unbelievable. Even with the police department being short staffed, there is no way that they would let Axel and Rowen be so involved in these investigations. Outside sources would have been called in. I know that it’s fiction, but considering what happened is very plausible, this part kind of took me out of the story a little.

I did want to know who the killer was which did keep me flipping the pages, but when the reveal came it felt abrupt and random. Also the way the killer acted was unrealistic to me. I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to give it away.

This book was a 4⭐️ rating until the end. It just didn’t work for me.

Thank you to Stephen Erickson for inviting me to read this book from NetGalley! Also, thank you to Hannah Morrissey and St. Martin’s Press. My views and opinions are my own.

I deeply enjoyed my travels into this wonderful fictional world of Black Harbor that Hannah has created with this latest installment. These are the exact kind of mysteries that I really enjoy reading on cool, autumn days. Atmospheric, haunting, twisty and with characters that are rooted in human flaws and trying their best to hold it together.

This story starts out with a dead body and a bang, and never really lets up the pace on the investigation of both the dead girl, and the missing girl - simultaneously intertwined, but no one is sure how. The pacing was spot on, and the twists had me starting new chapter after new chapter to see what would happen with each increasingly tantalizing lead.

Overall, this one was a reminder why this series is so good, and I truly cannot wait to see what comes next in Black Harbor.

Many thanks to the publisher for the copy!

Rowan and her husband have been called away to investigate a murder. Rowan is the medical examiner and her husband is a detective. The girl murdered is the same age as their daughter. When Rowan arrives home, her daughter is missing. This is a twist neither parent can handle.

Rowan has a past. This is how she ended up in this crime ridden town. And now she knows she is paying for the sins of her past. Her daughter has been taken and Rowan knows it is payback, or is it?!?!

The way this author weaves in the killer is very entertaining. I knew the killer wasn’t any of the suspects. Anybody reading this book would know it. That is part of the plot. So, when the killer is unveiled, it is such a vague character, as a reader, you go “oh there he/she is!” I love when I am kept guessing, even when I don’t really have a chance. (A clue is probably in there and I just missed it)

I have said this before and I will say it again…I LOVE when an audio book is a production. It made this book for me. This book is a bit slow in the set up. But, with all the narrators keeping the characters real, this story turned out to be a pretty good read.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.