In the 4th book of the Black Harbor Series, Tommy Greenlee is found dead in the back of a clubhouse, wrapped in garbage bags and doused in bleach. Tommy was the the ex-husband of Hazel, Sergeant Nikolai Kole's former lover, The killer not only shot him several times and left him for dead, but they left what appeared to be a calling card as well. Elsewhere, Hazel is haunted by her memories of Black Harbor. Lured back after eight years, she returns to find out who killed Tommy and why. With the atmosphere growing more volatile by the second, Hazel and Kole call a truce, and as they work together to solve this murder, they will not only unearth Black Harbor’s deepest, darkest secrets—they’ll each have to face their own.

I really enjoy this series. Black Harbor is the town you would never want to live in. It is riddled with crime, it is a hotbed of drug dealers and drug users. The only saving grace of that town is Kole. Each book can be read as a standalone, so don't worry if you haven't read any of the previous books. They all take place in Black Harbor, but each book has a different case, and there isn't really much if any overlap. If you love thrillers, then you should definitely check this out.

Hannah Morrissey delivers a dark, unrelenting murder mystery in The Unlucky Ones, set in the decaying streets of Black Harbor. Crime runs rampant, and Morrissey’s raw, atmospheric writing makes the city feel dangerously real.

Sergeant Nikolai Kole’s latest case turns personal when the victim is Tommy Greenlee—the ex-husband of his former lover, Hazel. A police transcriber-turned-writer, Hazel returns to Black Harbor seeking answers, forcing her and Kole to confront their tangled past while chasing a killer. Their uneasy alliance adds tension, blurring the line between trust and betrayal.

Morrissey balances a gritty police procedural with a simmering, complicated romance. The crime scenes are graphic, the emotions raw, and the city pulses with danger. If you’re looking for a thriller that pulls no punches, The Unlucky Ones is a must-read.

"Black Harbor is a tinderbox. Temperatures and violent crime have both risen to all-time highs, a new drug razes the city, and the scene to which Sergeant Nikolai Kole responds is anything but a rote homicide. In the back of a clubhouse lies a body wrapped in garbage bags and doused in bleach."
You know when a book begins with a scene like the one above it is going to be gruesome. I saw so many good things about this book and had to add it even though this is a little dark for me. I don't do horrific scenes very well.... The police procedural was well written and carried vivid details. The law enforcement in Black Harbor doesn't stand a chance against the thug and drug crimes in town. It doesn't take long to figure out who runs this town, but you have Sgt Nik Kole, who is an awesome character dedicated to his hometown.
Eight years ago, Hazel walked away from Black Harbor to write a novel and moved to NY. She also left behind her relationship with Nik Kole and an abusive ex-husband, Tommy. She is back in town because her ex is the one found viciously murdered. She also wants to know if she can salvage her and Nik's romance.
I have not read any of the other books in the series, so I didn't know the characters but the author did a great job with a smooth introduction to them.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Unlucky Ones (book 4) @hannahmorrissey
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date: March 25th, 2025

**Thank you to @netgalley, HannahMorrissey, and @StMartinsPress for a free ebook ARC copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

I would like to preface by saying that this was my first title by Hannah Morrissey, so I have not read the previous 3 books in The Black Harbour series. Despite not reading the other books I did enjoy this read and flew through it. I was on my toes wondering who killed Tommy.
Black Harbor is definitely a place that I wouldn't want to hang around for too long. I can't wait to dig into the previous 3 books to gain more insight on Hazel and how they all ended up where they are at the beginning of this book. Excited to see if this series continues or if this was the final.

Sergeant Nikolai Kole has his work cut out for him in this book when the body of Tommy Greenlee is called in, the ex husband of his former lover, Hazel. The killer left a calling card and Nik doesn’t have a clue what it means. Hazel got out of Black Harbor 8 years ago, but now she’s come back to figure out who shot Tommy. But this is bigger than what it seems, and no one is safe.

I haven’t read any other book in this series, and while this can be read as a standalone, there were a few times that things were mentioned from earlier books that just went over my head. They weren’t pertinent to the plot here, but it would have been nice to understand the meaning. Morrissey is a talented author and I absolutely will read another one of her books.

That being said, the motive behind the killing is revealed pretty early on. Drugs are just not something I enjoy reading about. So realistically, this book was just not for me. I wouldn’t have known that reading the synopsis. Had I known that, I probably wouldn’t have picked up this book. Again, this is totally a me thing and not anything against the author at all. I struggled to connect with anyone or care about any of it.

However, just because the book wasn’t for me doesn’t mean that it’s not for you. Morrissey is talented, so give the book a try!

We are returning to the dark and gritty of Black Harbor. Back with Hazel and Kole whom we met in the very first book in this series Hello, Transcriber.
I read this one before bk 1 so I wasn't as invested in their relationship as I would have liked to have been, but as always Hannah Morrissey sucks you into the setting and the thriller aspects of the story. I did end up really liking Kole and Hazel together as they grew closer in trying to solve the murder of her ex, and appreciated it more after going back and reading the first book after finishing this one.

“A police transcriber-turned-novelist returns to Black Harbor to help solve the case of her ex-husband’s murder in the next riveting Black Harbor, featuring the return of characters from Hannah Morrissey's breakout debut, Hello, Transcriber.”

This is the fourth book in the Black Harbor Series. I did not read the first in the series but have read the other two books. I do think I should have read the first book to truly appreciate all of the characters/storyline in this final installment BUT, I was able to enjoy and get involved with this story regardless.

Let’s just start by saying Hannah Morrissey is amazing at describing details in such an artistic way and developing atmosphere. If you love atmosphere driven books- you will love this author.

The theme of the book is definitely gritty. It is more of a police/crime based mystery (which isn’t always my favorite but still enjoyed🖤). There is a touch of romance which adds a little light to all the darkness and grime. I wanted to keep reading to know how it would all wrap up and the ending didn’t disappoint.

If you haven’t given Hannah Morrissey and Black Harbor a try….I highly recommend 🖤

Hazel never thought she would return to Black Harbor, but after an incident involving her ex-husband, she feels a pull to return. Once again, she connects with Sergeant Nikolai Kole. Who hasn't been able to let go of memories between them? The mystery around Tommy's death and who is involved draws you in, and one can't help but try to figure out who was involved. There were moments when I grew frustrated with Hazel because her actions were putting her in danger. I believe that Hazel was finally able to put her relationship with Tommy to rest and let go of the terrible memories that haunted her.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the arc!

I've been Team Kole since the first book and this book gave me everything I needed! As usual Black Harbor is bleak and depressing and dealing with a never ending war on drugs and crime. This was a well written novel that kept me invested into the very end.

I was so excited to be back in Black Harbor. It’s like meeting up with old friends.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this standalone series of thrillers set in the same town. This one did not disappoint. The tension was there. It was fast paced. When I wasn’t reading, I was constantly thinking about this book. Learning the fate of Kole’s brother was a nice addition. I can’t wait appreciate that he did get some closure. I low key felt really bad for Hudson. Hazel was…Hazel. She did get on my nerves towards the end, but I’m happy she and Kole are back together.

The one thing that didn’t work for me, the mystery was solved, but like he’s dead. Justice wasn’t really served. But it didn’t undermine story.

I highly recommend this series. It’s by far one of my favorites. I’m kinda sad we may not get another Black Harbor book but I’m looking forward to more from Hannah.

I rated this 4.75 stars on StoryGraph, rounded up to 6.

Something and/or someone stinks to high heaven in Black Harbor. The question is who because there is so much filth and crime in this city, that it could be anyone.

Hazel escaped Black Harbor and her abusive husband, Tommy Greenlee. She was a police transcriber who is now a successful novelist. She does not want to ever go back to Black Harbor. However, someone has viciously murdered Tommy, and she needs answers.

Sgt. Nikolai Kole is called to the scene of the murder, and is shocked to see the man, whose wife he had affair with, is lying dead on the cold, hard floor. When he realizes that Hazel is back in town, his heart and head are fighting over what to think and/or do. But he knows, more than anything, that she needs protection.

If you are looking for a quick fix mystery, this one is not for you. If you enjoy a mystery that builds with a plot that escalates with each chapter, you will enjoy this one. This author starts out by giving you little pieces of the pie, and then you get more. But, at first, none of them make sense. However, she knows how to bring those pieces all together for a stunning, explosive ending. There are definitely some dark characters who haunt the pages of this this book, but this makes this mystery even more interesting because it is a fight for good vs. evil as the police of Black Harbor struggle to regain control of this crime ridden city.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

2.5 rounded up to 3. I really enjoyed the tension that lingered between Kole and Hazel. I enjoyed the dual POV as their experiences were drastically different and it was nice to hear things from each MC. I felt like the story with Tommy was really drug out and didn't match the fast pace/intensity of the previous Black Harbor book. Overall, it was just an okay read!

The Unlucky Ones is book #4 in the Black Harbor series, by Hannah Morrissey. I had not read any of the previous books and not really sure that would have made a huge difference. I just didn't connect to any of the characters in the book like I like to do. Having said that it was a decent read, just not a great one for me. I would still recommend to others, because I know not everyone enjoys the same writing styles.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

THE UNLUCKY ONES by Hannah Morrissey is a clear view of the dark side of a city. It is a thrilling mystery that is not for the faint of heart. Her descriptions are so vivid and lifelike, but under the filth and grime, there is a budding romance to hold the reader.

The author does a great job with character development, especially of Kole.

I enjoyed returning to this world. It was great to catch up with Hazel and Nik. Both slightly messed up souls. Would they heal together? Good mystery. Like how everything is connected to the previous books. Sad to think this is the end of the series.

I wish I had read the other books in the series to better follow the characters. This one was a bit slow at times, but I ended up enjoying it. The story follows Hazel, whose ex-husband has been shot and killed. She returns to find out what happened, and her ex is on the case. They decide to work together to solve the murder.

Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the advanced e copy in exchange for my honest review.

Publish date: March 25, 2025

Didn’t realize this was part of a series, I started it and felt a little bit lost. Guess I need to read the first 3 books to be totally into it

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the gifted early galley.

This was a return to Black Harbor featuring characters from Hello, transcriber that fans waited for. I loved the way author reminded us of who is who and why we should care, but reading book one is an absolute must from my perspective.
This book gets really dark and what I categorize as "gross descriptions". It is not bad, just not for me because I picture everything I am reading and had to skip through paragraphs a lot with this book.
Having a crime novel with a large romance love story plot line is unique and I think author does very well in here. If discussing organs and dead animals in between very slightly spicy scenes and catching the killer is your thing, this book will be perfect.
I wish I loved it more but objectively this just wasn't for me.

The Unlucky Ones is Hannah Morrissey's new book and the fourth entry in her Black Harbor series.

We met Hazel in the first book. She was a night transcriber for the police department in Black Harbor. She fled from everything - her lover, her husband, her job, the crime and the pull of the dark water at the bridge. Eight years have passed and Hazel needs answers. But she doesn't know what the questions are. There are a number of characters from book one returning in this latest.

The setting is dark and dangerous. Menacing and gritty. Morrissey has done a wonderful job bringing it to life. Grit lit.

Just as good is the plotting. It could have been ripped from the crime section of the newspaper. But Morrissey puts her own stamp on things. I had no idea what would happen next. I couldn't put the book down.

I really, really hope we see Hazel again. And if that's not in the cards - Black Harbor again. A five star read for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting. I could not put it done and had to know what was going to happen. I would definitely recommend this book.