Thank you NetGalley for the read. One girl is missing and one has met a terrible fate. Dark, atmospheric and creepy. This is a law enforcement-based thrill, murder mystery with a relentless pursuit of truth. This was my first Hannah Morissey book. I did find it a little challenging to keep picking it up but am glad I finished. I am intrigued now to read the first 2.

Rowan Winthorp is the town Medical Examiner, married to a policeman, with a daughter going through some things. When Rowan is called to the scene of a murder, she is shocked to see her daughter’s best friend.

She is more shocked when she discovers her daughter, Chloe, is now missing.

As the clues unfold, they realize they may not even know their own daughter. Unraveling lies, secrets, and very disturbing things about what their daughter has been up to.

Rowan, however, has her own secret past and it would seem like it has come calling.

NetGalley/ St. Martin’s Press, October 31, 2023

When one of Chloe’s, their daughter’s, classmates is murdered, police detective Alex and medical examiner Rowan are called to the grisly scene. When they return home, they realize that Chloe is missing. As the investigation unfolds, they learn that Chloe had been the victim of social media shaming by the deceased; could Chloe be involved in the crime.? Meanwhile, a secret from Rowan’s past haunts her into thinking it may karma.

The third in the Black Harbor series; each book has independent characters, so this works as a standalone.

Morrissey paints a gritty picture of Black Harbor, a town that most people want to leave. The approach of Halloween, a haunted house and falling leaves from the giant red sugar maple add to the atmosphere. Told from different POVs, there are twists and turns in this macabre story. There are quite a few red herrings here and although I identified the culprit as soon as (s)he was introduced, the twist at the end was unexpected. There are a few sub themes here that ignite third rail emotions. Some police procedures were questionable, but that didn’t take away from the overall story.


Thanks to #netgalley and @stmartinspress #Minotaur for the ARC.

TW: Gruesome details, child murders

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC copy of this book to read and review. All of these comments are my own.

I thought this was a good mystery/crime novel. I think the plot was great but the execution could’ve been a bit better. I don’t feel like the parents reaction to their daughter going missing/possibly dead was realistic. They just didn’t seem very phased about it to me.

I would’ve liked more background as to why Rowan thought Katherine’s death was her fault. At the beginning it seemed like Rowan had this big secret to hide but it was literally nothing and Katherine’s death wasn’t explained, so I’m not seeing the point of that even being in the story.

Overall though I think it was decent novel and enjoyable. Very fast-pace and does keep you guessing.

3 stars!

Thank you so much to Hannah Morrissey, NetGalley, and Macmillan publishers for this ARC of When I’m Dead. I was nervous to read this without reading the first two books in the series but I was able to jump in without feeling like I was missing a huge piece of the plot line. I love the dual POVs, although I know it is a little hard to follow at times. The book was dark and haunting, it kept me anxious throughout the entire thing. I truly was on the edge of my seat. My big complaint is that this story seems to be a BIG conflict of interest so it isn’t very realistic, but it is a fictional novel! I hope to read more from this author in the future.

One girl is missing and another is dead. So many twists and turns. I loved every second of this. It can easily be read as a stand-alone but now I wasn’t to go back and read the other books in the series. Highly recommend!

4⭐️

Medical examiner Rowan Winthorp thought she was loving her worst nightmare when the case she was called to involved her daughters best friend. Her nightmare came true later that evening when she discovered that her daughter, Chloe, never made it home from the school play she was staring in.

As Rowan and her police detective Axel investigate the death of Chloe’s friend, they begin to see parts of their daughter’s life they never knew about, including the vicious rumor mill that went around the high school. All the while, Rowan can’t help but think about the last thing Chloe said to her: “You’ll never me more when I’m dead.”

This was a very standard police procedural that felt like watching an episode of Criminal Minds. I like that we see the struggle of Rowan and Axel wanting to stay involved while knowing there’s only so much they can do while their daughter is the missing person case being investigated. The tension between both Rowan and Axel as well as Chloe and her parents gave a good amount of drama to push the story along.

I do wish there was something a bit bigger to push this past being just another police procedural story but I’m not sure what exactly.

Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur Books for providing this ARC to me!

"When I'm Dead" by Hannah Morrissey takes readers on an unforgettable journey into the heart of mystery, secrets, and the relentless pursuit of truth. With masterful storytelling and a keen sense of emotional depth, Morrissey crafts a gripping narrative that explores the tangled web of human relationships and the haunting forces that drive them.

Set against a bone-chilling October backdrop, the story introduces us to Medical Examiner Rowan Winthorp, who is thrust into a nightmarish investigation after the death of her daughter's best friend. But the chilling enigma deepens when Rowan's own daughter, Chloe, disappears without a trace, leaving behind a trail of cryptic clues that challenge everything Rowan thought she knew.

Morrissey skillfully weaves a complex tapestry of intrigue and emotion as Rowan and her husband are driven to the edge of their understanding. The journey to uncover the truth behind Chloe's secrets is an enthralling one, as the couple must confront the uncomfortable truth that the ones closest to us can harbor the most unexpected mysteries.

The author's portrayal of Rowan's emotional turmoil is both poignant and relatable. As Rowan grapples with the dual burden of grief and the ghosts of her past, the narrative delves deep into themes of redemption and karma. The exploration of these themes adds a layer of complexity that resonates long after the final page is turned.

The plot's intricate twists and turns are expertly orchestrated, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with every revelation. Morrissey's ability to create an atmosphere of suspense and uncertainty contributes to the book's page-turning quality, making it impossible to put down.

But "When I'm Dead" is more than just a mystery; it's a meditation on the intricacies of human nature and the connections that tie us together. Morrissey's characters are richly drawn, their flaws and vulnerabilities adding authenticity to the story's narrative. Rowan's journey to uncover the truth about her daughter ultimately becomes a journey of self-discovery, creating a relatable and compelling narrative arc.

In "When I'm Dead," Hannah Morrissey has crafted a novel that is both a thrilling mystery and a deeply moving exploration of the human psyche. The book's seamless fusion of suspense, emotion, and moral introspection makes it a standout addition to the genre. For those seeking a thought-provoking read that lingers in the mind long after the final sentence, "When I'm Dead" is an absolute must-read.

This is a murder mystery based in the creepy town of Black Harbor, Michigan.

Rowan is a medical examiner and Axel is a homicide detective whose teenage daughter goes missing the same night that another teenage girl is found dead. The girl found dead was their daughters best friend, only clues found during the investigation point to that friendship having dissolved prior to her murder. A third girl is found murdered and all hell breaks loose. Who is the person or persons of interest? Is the missing girl truly missing? Is Karma at work after, playing her hand for something in Rowan’s past?

There is a decent plot, a lot of mystery surrounding the events of the story and some good support characters. You wonder who really did it through most of the book. Overall, a decent read.

I received an advance reader copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.

When I’m dead but Hannah Morrissey Published by Minotaur Books set to be published on Oct 31,2023.
I received this book early for the exchange of a honest review!!
I believe this may be a first of any of this authors books so I haven’t read any others of the series Black Harbor, the book is focused around a husband and wife Axel and Rowan who has a 15 year old daughter. One grave night in October Chloe goes missing and a slew of other events begin to happen including missing and mysterious deaths. It’s a case of who done it that has you guessing until the end. I quickly became very engrossed in this story and had many theories on who may or may not have been responsible but I’m not gonna lie I was kinda far off!! Looking forward to more from this author as well as more from the series!!!
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity o read this early, it definitely did not disappoint!!!

i received this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion and review. i’ve read all three Black Harbor books and this one was by far the best in my opinion. It grabbed my attention more than the rest and reminded me of a criminal minds episode.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was very well written, I liked the characters so it was easy to follow along and see how they were able to piece things together.

This was my first read in the Black Harbor series and now I will have to go back and read the others! This story is told in alternating chapters from the viewpoints of Rowan, a medical examiner as well as the missing girl's mother, Axel, a homicide detective and missing girl's father, and Libby, the girl next door who is an overweight, frequently bullied classmate. A few trigger warnings - Graphic death scenes, autopsies, explicit sex, and bullying. Thanks NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this ARC that will be released October 31, 2023! #netgalley #whenimdead

When I’m Dead by Hannah Morrissey – Black Harbor has a crime problem or more to the point, is experiencing a killing spree. Detective Axel Winthorp and his wife, Medical Examiner Rowan Winthorp, are spending more time with the dead than they are with their daughter Chloe. Leaves rip from their branches and behind them, the lake throws punches at the half-sunk peers. The wind is bullish and sharp, biting at patches of exposed skin. Tendrils of hair slash across her face. This is it - a do or die moment. Bring her daughter home, or die trying. Life isn't worth living without Chloe. She's witnessed that first hand these past days that she has been missing. You'll love me more when I'm dead. Oh no, darling girl. I need you beside me, breathing, laughing, just simply being. That is what Rowan will tell her daughter Chloe if she is lucky enough to speak to her again, if her words don't fall on deaf, dead ears. Morrissey weaves together an exciting tale of small-town psyche, teenage troubles and murder.

Absolutely loved every second of this book. My expectations were blown out of the water and I felt myself not putting it down for long before I needed to pick it back up and read more.

Once I picked this up I couldn’t put it down! The story was so well written. There’s a lot going on between all the different characters but it’s still so organized and flows nicely. The twist and murders were creepy but so much so that I would classify this as a horror. So glad I read this and will be looking more into this author’s other works.
Thanks to Net Galley for allowing me to read this before it’s release.

One October night, Medical Examiner Rowan Winthorp, is called out to investigate the death of a young girl who turns out to be her daughter, Chloe's, best friend. Hours later she learns that Chloe never made it home from her school play.

As more of Chloe's friends, or ex friends as Rowan soon learns, wind up dead, it starts looking like Chloe may be the murderer.

As Rowan and her husband try to come to grips with the fact that Chloe may be dead, or a murderer, the strain on their marriage gets worse. Rowan is determined to find out what happened and prove that Chloe is not a murderer, despite the evidence that says otherwise.

This is a great book, and I definitely didn't see the ending coming. Highly recommend!

Thanks netgalley for this book. I was introduced to a series that I will become addicted to, no doubt. It was my first one to read and though it's not the first, I was not confused so I'm assuming it is a standalone series but after the writing and characters and the creative plot, I will go back and start a collection of them all. As a mother, this is terrifying to imagine and I was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole book. Did not put it down at all. Life was on hold until I completed it. Amazing job!

When I’m Dead centers around medical examiner Rowan Winthrop. Rowan is investigating the murder of her daughter's best friend when soon after she realizes that her daughter Chloe is missing. Dark secrets soon emerge and Rowan realizes she may not know her daughter as well as she thought. The deeper Rowan digs, the sinister secrets Chloe had hidden, threaten to tear the family apart.

This is my first read by the author and I’m kicking myself for not picking up her work sooner! This suspenseful, and dark story is everything I want in a murder mystery. It’s a high-stakes thriller filled with complex characters set in a chilling atmosphere. There are a few

When I’m Dead is book 3 in the Black Harbor series but can be read as a stand-alone. As soon as I finished this one, I rushed to get the first two books. I absolutely cannot wait to read more by the author!

When I’m Dead by Hannah Morrisey will be available on October 31. Many thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the gifted copy!

“One girl murdered...another one missing...and a medical examiner desperate to uncover the truth in When I'm Dead, the latest Black Harbor mystery by acclaimed author Hannah Morrissey.

On a bone-chilling October night, Medical Examiner Rowan Winthorp investigates the death of her daughter’s best friend. Hours later, the tragedy hits even closer to home when she makes a devastating discovery—her daughter, Chloe, is gone. But, not without a trace.”

I absolutely devoured this book! It had me hooked from the beginning. I loved all the twists and turns and it kept me on my toes. This book is part of a series but I had no issues reading it as a standalone. I can’t wait to go and read the first two in the series.

I loved the character development and Morrissey had a way to really draw you in. These characters are raw, real, and disturbing.

The story is told from a few different viewpoints - mainly alternating between Rowan and her husband Alex, but occasionally a chapter is told from the point of view of Libby, the girl next door. You think you know where the story is heading, but it gets more complex as you continue reading.

This is a great spooky read! It will be perfect for Fall and spooky season. Publication date is on Halloween! 👻

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.