Hannah Morrissey’s latest Black Harbor novel (#3) WHEN I’M DEAD is a deliciously, dark psychological thriller that had me hooked from the very first page.
As Rowan Winthrop and her husband, Axel are called away from their daughter, Chloe’s big performance to investigate the discovery of a young female corpse, Chloe replies, “You’ll love me when I’m dead.” Rowan believes that she’ll have time to make it up to Chloe. When she and Axel arrive at the scene, they discover that the body is that of a classmate and former friend of Chloe’s. Then Chloe herself disappears, and another body turns up. As Rowan and the Axel investigate, rumors, lies and secrets begin to surface, making them, realize that there was a bunch of Chloe‘s life of which they weren’t even aware. Classmates, boyfriends, trusted adults, and even a weird taxidermy teacher may all be hiding secrets and lies. While Rowan and Axel appear to be of different minds as to whether Chloe is still alive, Rowan can’t help but believe that karma has truly come around for her due to a mistake in her past.
I love any book with rumors, lies, secrets, and whispers between classes. This is my first Black Harbor novel, but I can’t wait to delve into the first two which will very shortly be on my to be read pile. Great Job!

This is the third installment of the Black Harbor series. This book can be read independently, however I feel you get the full flavor of read after the first two books.

This book details teenagers and their drama. Only in Black Harbor, drama end up in a murder of one girl and another girl missing. But who is responsible? We follow Investigator Axel and his wife Medical Examiner Rowen while they not only deal with their missing daughter as well as investigating the murder of two other teenagers. Are they connected? Is their daughter responsible? Will their marriage survive this life trauma?

This book is another fantastic read, expertly written with colorful detail. Hannah Morrissey is definitely an author to follow!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

I began reading this quite some time ago and after a chapter or two, I put it aside. I was not interested and felt like it was going to be more of a procedural crime novel. I was encouraged by someone in my book club to continue because she really liked it. I'm glad I listened to her. It did get better!

The author did create some interesting characters and was able to lead the reader to consider various scenarios. I even tried to think of some the author didn't suggest. While some of it was rather unbelievable, it is a work of fiction so I was able to overlook that for the greater good of the story.

I liked that the story was told from the perspectives of different characters which gave us some new insights.

Towards the end of the book, I had to keep reading to find out how it is finally resolved. This strong finish always leaves me wanting to give a higher rating. I leave feeling satisfied.

This book was an ARC from St. Martin's Press was provided to me for free by NetGalley and this is my unbiased opinion given voluntarily.

I didn’t realize the book was part of a series and I don’t feel I missed out as the book worked find as a standalone. I didn’t feel engaged with the characters and found myself skipping some chapters to move forward. I’ve read a few books lately that have used the multiple POV format with nuggets dropped here and there alluding to situations that occurred and are leading to a revelation. I have decided I find this format annoying, which is on me and not the author.

Thank you to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and Hannah Morrissey for the eARC.

I wasn't aware of this author prior to getting this book. This book is actually one of a series but thankfully it stands alone as a good read! I will be checking into the other books. Plot twists pull you in and keep you reading to find out what happens next. Thanks for the chance to become acquainted with a new author.

One teenager is found murdered and another did not come home... When I'm Dead sucked me right in from the start. When the Medical Examiner shows up to a crime scene only to find out the victim is her daughter's best friend? 😯 This was my first novel by this author and I loved the page turning twists and turns of Black Harbor's gritty city. Thanks for NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this ARC copy.

I did not know that this book was part of a series until I was done. I will definitely look for the first two books.

This was a page turner. I hated to put it down (so what if dinner is late!) The twists and turns kept me looking for more. The characters were well developed, interesting and flawed.

First, I have to admit that I did not realize this was the third book in the Black Harbor series by Hannah Morrissey. Once I realized, I was worried that the book might not be as good since I hadn't read the first three. I decided to try to read it, and if it wasn't working that I would find the other two and read them and then return to this one. Two things that I realized: 1. You don't need to read the other two for this book to be read, and 2. I NEED to read the other two because this was was so good! I immediately went and bought the other two books as soon as I finished this one, because this one was SO GOOD. 5 stars, definitely recommend to anyone that loves a crime thriller.
One girl is missing and another one dead; the missing girl is the daughter of a police officer and the town's Medical Examiner. The plot is so good and so touching, there are even parts where I teared up (which doesn't happen often, let alone during a thriller), that I could not put it down. Rowan, the medical examiner, has a heartbreaking past, is trying to battle against time to find her daughter, and wondering if this is the karma she deserved. Very well written, and I definitely recommend this to everyone! Thank you to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review!

Fab plot with great pacing and execution.
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I don’t usually choose a murder suspense book because of the mystery portion. I choose the book because it may be heavier on the police procedural portion.

That means I’m usually pretty picky about the stories that I do select to read and review. But I also get both sides of the story, which to me enhances the thrill.

It has to be a strong writer that can give us both sides with clarity and precision, which to me enhances the story all the way around.

When I’m Dead was a tough choice for me to make when it came to deciding whether I was going to read it or not. Books dealing with child crimes I usually pass on, but this one was different due to the medical examiner storyline aspect.

Heavy on the crime, the gruesome discoveries are quite detailed, and the story focused on the personal side of the victims. So it was a little light on the police procedural portion I was looking for, but the author certainly spared no expense when it came to details of the scene, the suspects, and the back stories that come out during the hunt for the perpetrator.

This is the first time I have read this author, and she brings us a fabulous plot with great pacing and wonderful execution of the story. She keeps you on the edge of your seat as they dive in trying to find the who and the why these crimes and devastating deaths are occurring in their neighborhood.

With detailed descriptions, gritty visualization, and plenty of drama and twists to keep you completely engaged, When I’m Dead is a mystery and suspense story with a great twist at the end. Definitely, one to read over and over to catch all of the details.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy!

Apparently this is book #3 - but I haven’t read the first two and it works just fine as a stand-alone.
Two girls are found murdered, and a third is missing. Told in multiple POV and I absolutely ate this book up. Read in almost one sitting! I love a good spooky season, murder mystery, whodunnit and this book hit all the points.
I would absolutely recommend!!

This was a good read that was pretty fast paced. Not enough twists and turns for me though, ending was somewhat predictable. Would have like to see a little more character development. Overall though, I liked it. Just wish the ending was a bit more exciting.

I’ve read the other two books and outta the 3 this has been the best book so far. Enjoyed the whole series so far. Thank you NetGalley!

𝑨𝒙𝒆𝒍 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒔 𝒂𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔. 𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔, 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒃𝒍𝒖𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌 𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆.

My first foray into the fictional world of Black Harbor, and all I can do is ask myself, "What took you so long?" I usually never read a series out of order, but several people reassured me I could read these as standalones, but I made sure to get the first two to get caught up!

On a freezing October night, Medical Examiner Rowan Winthorp investigates the death of her teen daughter’s best friend. Hours later, the tragedy hits even closer to home when she makes a devastating discovery—her daughter, Chloe, is gone. She and her detective husband Axel have to face some hard truths about their daughter, and for Rowan, she is convinced she is being punished for some transgression from her past.

I loved the atmosphere that Morrissey has created with her fictional town of Black Harbor, WI, and I'm now a fan! Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this thrilling early read. This title will publish October 31, 2023.

Thank you to the author and the publisher Minotaur Books for sending me this one to read through NetGalley!

4.5/5 stars!

*** I will be sharing this review on my instagram account @readitwithtay today 7/29 and then again on 10/31 for the publishing date!***

Wow I raced through this book. I just could not put it down. It was definitely a psychological thriller with elements of your basic crime thriller (main characters both work with the local police department).

It’s just another day for Axel and Rowen when they get a murder call and are torn away from their daughters performance in the school play, except this time the murder hits extremely close to home. Madison Caldwell, their daughters childhood best friend is found in a gulley in an extremely gruesome state. Not long after working the call, their own daughter goes missing, never returning home from her star performance. Is this just a coincidence? Or is there something extremely dark unfolding in Black Harbor?

The author has a way with writing characters that really draw you in. These characters are real raw and somewhat disturbing. If you like dark thrillers like Sharp Objects, Girl on the train or Gone Girl you will love this one. I’ll admit I had suspicions about who was the “murderer” and turned out to be correct, but these characters will have you second guessing.

This book has a lot of POVs so be prepared to hear different perspectives (specifically Rowen and Axel’s) I like multiple POVs but it really can make you confused about some details and character interactions. There was a lot of miscommunication between the two characters which made the dual POV very important but at times frustrated me.

After reading this one I will be going back to check out this authors other work , I believe her two other books have to do with the same setting and possibly similar characters.

This was one of the best ARCs I’ve read all year. This book is slated to publish on 10/31. The perfect spooky fall read. Pick this up and enjoy!

The Black Harbor series continues to stun!

This time out in When I'm Dead, we explore how the miasmic conditions of Black Harbor seep their way into people's minds, affecting their attitudes and lives. When a girl goes missing, a Husband (detective) and Wife (Medical Examiner) are pushed to their limits... both in finding their daughter, and in salvaging their marriage.

With Hannah's trademark literary flow and propulsive plot, I finished this in one sitting! Very well done, and I hope to see more come in the series!

My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Im a huge fan of all of Hannah Morrissey books but I think this one was my favorite so far. I love how each book is a standalone story but has connections to other characters from other books. It makes it feel like you’re part of the area where the books take place and know the characters. I really liked the story of a killer targeting these girls and their parents all being wrapped up in the situation in this small community. The author really builds the story well and keeps the reader always wanting more. The only thing I found unrealistic was how the daughter of one of the investigators and the medical examiner is missing (and could be the murderer) and they kind of just keep going on with life and aren’t taken away from the case since they are so closely involved. I feel like in the real world it would have been handled a lot differently. I highly recommend anything by Hannah Morrissey.

Definitely a bizarre and twisty story. I thought the writing was well done as was the mystery, but I didn't completely love the characters or really care about them enough. Character building was definitely a bit lackluster for me.

Thank you for the ARC! This series is a definitely a little darker than im used to but i do love this series! Her first book was really good and this was a good sequel! Love the fall/halloween time feels. Love the characters and the story!

This is the third installment of the Black Harbor series, but since each of these crime thrillers introduce new characters with only the nefarious, hardscrabble, coaldust-spewing town in common, “When I’m Dead” can be read as a standalone novel. In this book, Rowan and Axel are the medical examiner/homicide detective-wife/husband protagonists. They get called out to the scene of a murder while their method-acting 15 year old and newly Goth-inspired daughter is onstage at the school production of “Beetlejuice.” The victim is daughter Chloe’s best friend Madison; the murder scene is 30 yards from home; and they quickly discover that Chloe is missing, too. The last thing a prickly Chloe said to her mother was “You’ll love me more when I’m dead.”

The story alternates between Rowan and Axel’s perspectives, but there’s also Libby, the loner next door neighbor girl who’s a classmate of Madison and Chloe’s and keenly observant. She knows something, but no one is asking her the right questions. The book dives deeply into the guilt of working parents as well as the awful pettiness of high school girls. It’s emotional, chilling and heart-breaking as all three characters are on the verge of breaking down as they search for Chloe. 5 stars! Time for me to visit the other tales of the eroding town of Black Harbor.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Axel has blue-green eyes, as does Rowan.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): YES/NO It’s October in Wisconsin and Libby’s greenhouse appropriately has autumn mums for sale. Hardy Canadian Aurora Borealis rose bushes, however, are definitely not red, but shocking pink and would probably not be blooming for fall plantings. But here they need to be blood red and in full bloom.

Rowan has a difficult job being the medical examiner in Black Harbor, Michigan. She wants to watch her daughter perform in play but gets called away because of work. The dead girl is Madison Caldwell who was Chloe's best friend. This happened so close to their home. Then Chloe doesn't come home from play and is missing.

Rowan feels like karma has finally caught up with her. She is haunted by the last thing her daughter said to her. She must find Chloe. You feel the strain of Rowan's and Axel's relationship as they try and work and find out what happened to Chloe. The teachers saw signs as parents how did they miss it? I liked how Madison's character was said to be like Regina George because she was mean and bullied people. She was making Chloe's life miserable by starting rumors about her. Chloe found a friend in Libby her quirky next door neighbor.

I enjoyed the world building of this town, the neighbors, the school. This is third in the series but first one I read so it works as a stand alone. I liked watching the mystery of who the killer was unfold and why. It gave off some creepy vibes but was good.