Hannah Morrissey's latest book is The Unlucky Ones - 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 really, really hope we see Hazel again. And if that's not in the cards - Black Harbor again. A five star listen for me.

The audio version of The Unlucky Ones was performed by Angela Dawe and Robb Moreira. They both created excellent voices that were easily discernable. Moreira's voice has growly tones the fits the character. Dawe's voice is velvety and low, driving the listener to pay attention. Both are easy to understand. They bring the emotions and the action of the plot to life. An excellent presentation of an excellent book. Run time 9 hours and 39 minutes.

4.5/5 rounded up

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy!

Another excellent black harbor mystery! This one was extra fun with so many characters from previous books coming together. While I do think all the books in this series can be read as standalones, this one is definitely better if you have read the previous books! I read the series out of order — 1, 3, 2, 4 (lol) — and think that reading Hello, Transcriber & The Widowmaker especially matter for this book.

As always, Hannah’s writing is so dark and atmospheric, it grips you right away. Being back with Hazel was great, too. I love listening to these on audio and always find it fun to hear “Finlay Donovan” — aka Angela Dawe — narrating a dark character like Hazel. Hannah does a great job of creating mysterious, dark and complicated women in her stories, particularly Hazel! Her relationship with Kole is so… bizarre and yet so powerful.

Like I said, the connection in this one between all the former characters came together to create a wild, well thought-out and inventive mystery. I was truly shocked by some of the webs woven in black harbor, this time around especially!! Can’t wait to chat with the book club and the author this weekend!

The 4th novel in the Black Harbor series has Hazel Greenlee coming back to Black Harbor after she made her escape from her ex-husband and former lover, Nikolai Kole.
Her ex, Tommy, has been murdered and Hazel needs closure. Black Harbor is suffering now more than ever; a new drug on the street, the heat rising and drug lords waging war on each other and the city.
Hazel finds herself caught in the middle of the investigation into Tommy's murder and her feelings for Kole.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this digital audio e-arc.*

Thank you for this book Netgalley. Unfortunately this one just wasn’t for me. I had trouble getting into it and didn’t connect with any of the characters.

It was great to be Black Harbor and to see Hazel and Kole reconnect 8 years later from Hello, Transcriber. Black Harbor continues to be a big focal point in the story and it's still dark and gritty.

Hazel returns when her ex husband is found dead. Kole is investigating the murder and there's lots of mystery with his dead that brings up other deaths.

I enjoyed the pacing of the story and seeing Hazel and Kole's attraction reignite.

Though you can read this as a standalone, I do recommend at least reading Hello, Transcriber to give you backstory on both of the characters as well as the town.

Angela Dawe and Robb Moreira did a great job with the narration and bringing in the darkness of the town.

Thank you @minotaur_books @macmillan.audio for a copy of this thriller.

Dark and complex crime thriller.

This is the 4th and probably last in the series set in Black Harbor, a small crime-ridden town on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Hazel Greenlee returns to Black Harbor after her ex husband, Tommy, is killed inside the Mineshaft, a club/bar full of big and small time criminals. Hazel used to work as a transcriber for the local police and that's how she met and fell in love with Sergeant Nikolai Kole of the Black Harbor Police Department. She escaped the town and all the bad memories, became a successful author and was living in New York. Her return changes everything. She's dropped right in during the investigation and insinuates herself back into Nik's life. Murder. Drugs. Gangs. Money. Things go on one way in this town and that is from bad to worse.

I don't know why, but I just didn't get all that involved with this book in the series. Maybe I was tired of Hazel who just seemed like such a wrong choice as a love interest for Nik. She does one stupid thing after another and I don't see her appeal as I didn't care for her character in previous books and even less in this one. Nik was interesting and had a lot of depth considering all that has happened to him. The plot was centered on stolen drugs and the kill or be killed attitude of all the bad actors. Some of the descriptions of torture and murder were quite gory. Some of the things that happened stretched credulity, especially with regard to Hades. The nasty people were very nasty indeed. It was all just quite dismal and depressing to me. I think it ended on the appropriate note so I can say goodbye and close the book on these characters and this place.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book, both provided by the publishers. I enjoyed the voices of both narrators who brought the characters to life and gave the production a good dramatic flair to enhance my enjoyment of the book.

I really loved being back with Kole & Hazel for this installment of the Black Harbor series, but boy does Hazel ever drive me nuts. Her constant jumping to conclusions made it really hard for me to root for her in this one. I’m all about an underdog with a grungy backstory, but she’s a little too I’m-a-victim-and-I’ll-always-be-one to make me believe Kole would really be so in love with her. Dude’s definitely got a damsel in distress complex.
Overall, though, this mystery was good. Lots of drug lingo and gang member names and Dirty Harriett genuinely grossed me out. As per usual, Morrissey paints a dark and twisty picture of this crime-infested town and its grungy characters. All 4 books are tied in nicely with this one, making it feel like a truly excellent edition to the set.
If you’re a fan of this series, you’ll love The Unlucky Ones.
4.5 rounded up because the audio narration really fit this one well. Other installments in the series didn’t do it for me with the narration and this was excellent!

The Unlucky Ones is a dark thriller that explores trauma, fate, and the consequences of past choices. The story follows a series of tragic deaths in a small town, with eerie similarities that suggest they may not be accidents. As Detective Rowan Winthorpe investigates, she’s forced to confront not only the disturbing truth behind these cases but also her own personal demons.

The premise is gripping and full of potential, and Hannah Morrissey does a great job creating a moody, unsettling atmosphere. That said, the audiobook narration is excellent, bringing the tension and emotional weight of the story to life. The narrator helps elevate the suspense and makes the characters feel more vivid.

If you enjoy slow-burn thrillers this might be a good pick for you!

Hazel has returned to Black Harbor, 8 years after escaping the town! Her ex-husband has been murdered and Kole is investigating the murder. While I typically would say that the order that you read the Black Harbor series in does not matter, however, this book is the exception. You will definitely want to read Hello, Transcriber before reading The Unlucky Ones.

I love @hannahmorrisseywriter’s series and The Unlucky Ones is another fantastic installment in the series. I highly recommend this book and series if you love:
🖤 noir novels
🖤 gritty small town settings
🖤 strong character development
🖤 a sprinkle of romance in a crime thriller
🖤 fast paced, dual POVs
🖤 well narrated audiobooks (especially if you love Angela Dawe’s voice, like I do!)

This book is actually a continuation of the Black Harbor series but was easily read as a stand alone.

We followed Hazel as she returned to Black Harbor following the death of her ex husband whom she fled years ago. To make things more complicated, the Sargent investigating his murder is Kole, Hazels ex lover! This book was full of intrigue, “will they or won’t they”, a little gore, and lots of twists and turns!

Like I said, this is a continuation of the series but I read this as a stand alone and at no point was I confused about the plot. Morrissey did an incredible job with the little refreshers, or explanations for people like me, when there were points relating to previous books in the series.

The narration (I consumed this one in audiobook format) was captivating and definitely animated. Angela Dawe and Robb Moreira did a great job!

This is definitely being added to my list of recommended reads to others!

Thank you again NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC! I always appreciate a chance to check out a book prior to the release and give my honest opinion to readers who may be interested on release day!

Hannah's fourth book was masterfully done and well written. Some of the ways she described Buddha was insane and I loved it! Gave me shivers! Loved the audiobook version! I might go back and re-listen to the first 3.

Hannah Morrissey delivers another atmospheric thriller with The Unlucky Ones, plunging readers back into the haunting streets of Black Harbor. The tension is razor-sharp as Hazel and Kole navigate a murder that’s as personal as it is chilling. The city itself feels like a living, breathing character—grimy, dangerous, and unrelenting. Morrissey’s writing is immersive, laced with noir-style grit and complex emotions. While the pacing slows at times, the mystery keeps you hooked, and the chemistry between Hazel and Kole crackles with unresolved tension. A gripping, moody read that crime fiction fans will devour.

Thank you Hannah Morrissey, Macmillan Audio, St. Martins Press, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

"If all you had to do was one bad thing and you could leave Black Harbor behind forever, would you do it?

Okay now that I binged all of the Black Harbor novels in the past month in a half, I am so sad that I am all caught up. I know, you don't necessarily need to read all of the books, but I loved being able to see all the interconnected-ness. Taking a trip back to Hazel and Kole felt like coming home. I loved them in the first book, and I loved them even more in the second book.

Hazel returns to Black Harbor ten years after she left, (even though she swore she would never return) to help find out who murdered her ex-husband. But that also needs to see her ex flame, the very hot and broody sergeant detective Nikolai Kole. Through this novel, Hazel and Kole come face to face with some personal demons as well as some very real demons who run the drug business in Black Harbor. Turns out Tommy was in some very shady business. It takes not only Kole and Hazel to solve what is going on but also some old familiar faces such as Axel and Hutson.

I found a new love for Hannah Morrissey this year, and I will now read anything she decides to publish. Her writing puts me on the edge of my seat, and the twists and turns keep me entertained from beginning to end. As always, Angela Dawe does a fantastic job narrating and I really enjoyed Robb Moreira as the voice of Kole. Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced listener copy.

Hazel returns to Black Harbor when her abusive ex-husband Tommy is found dead. It's been more than 8 years since she was last there, and the memories are not good. She has not seen her ex-lover Nikolai Kole in that time, and the meetings are inevitable as he is investigating Tommy's death.

Another dark and gritty tale from Morrissey, who manages to show the underbelly of this poverty stricken and drug infested place in such descriptive ways. As Hazel and Nikolai circle each other, they try to figure out who killed Tommy.

The characters are all flawed and plot is dark and twisty. I liked the fact that the story was told from both Hazel and Nikolai's point of view, but for some reason the plot lagged for me in the middle of the book. I like these characters very much and really enjoyed the earlier books in the series. This one didn't quite do it for me, although I can't really put my finger on why!

I'm still looking forward to the next in the series.

I listened to the book and I did like the way the narrator handled the multiple characters, and in particular the dialogue.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this audiobook. All opinions in this review are my own.

Once you leave Black Harbor, you never come back. At least, that's what Hazel Greenlee thought. She left Black Harbor and the memories there years ago, but now she's being pulled back to this bleak, drug run city after her ex-husband was found dead.

Sergeant Nikolai Kole remembers Hazel all too well. His feelings for her never really waned, but now she may be a prime suspect in her ex's homicide.

I enjoyed this book more so than the first. I thought the writing was better. The murder mystery was more suspenseful for a police procedural type of book. The narration was well done, and the pacing was good.

Thank you to St Martin's Press and MacMillan audio for review copies!
Hannah Morrissey once again draws readers into the shadowy, all-consuming atmosphere of Black Harbor—a place where darkness and emptiness seep into its residents, shaping their every move. When I'm Dead unfolds with a slow-burn intensity, rewarding those who embrace its deliberate pacing and intricate storytelling.

Hazel, a former police transcriber turned novelist, is pulled back into the city she once escaped when her ex-husband, Tommy Greenlee, is murdered. The case falls into the hands of Sergeant Nikolai Kole—her former lover, tangled in a history of betrayal. As they navigate their fractured past to uncover the truth, the novel skillfully returns to early characters and themes, reflecting on how time and tragedy have reshaped them.

Morrissey’s writing is as sharp as ever, her prose dripping with atmosphere, ensuring Black Harbor feels both alive and suffocating. The narrative unfolds in layers, shifting perspectives to keep the mystery unpredictable, with plot twists that deepen the intrigue. The audiobook narrators breathe life into Hazel and Kole, amplifying the tension and emotional weight of their story.

Dark, moody, and deeply immersive, When I'm Dead is a gripping blend of police procedural and psychological thriller. Morrissey masterfully crafts a world where past and present collide, and every revelation pulls you further into the abyss of Black Harbor.

I had no idea this was the fourth book 😅 I felt that the author gave enough background information so I didn’t feel lost. But I do wish, they had listed that this was the fourth in the series.

Hazels ex husband has been murdered. Hazel and her ex lover Kole decide to work together to solve the murder. Along the way, they will face their own deepest, darkest secrets.

I was able to listen to the audiobook. I did find it to be really slow, I started losing interest. I love a good plot that really pulls me in but this one was a miss for me. I do think the narrator did a good job.

Rating: ✨✨✨
Publication Date: March 25 2025

Thank you NetGalley, Hannah and Macmillan Audio for the ALC!

#NetGalley

THE UNLUCKY ONES by @hannahmorrisseywriter✨
ARC review • pub date 03.25.25
black harbor novel #4

Hazel and Kole are baaaack 🔥
If you haven’t read the Black Harbor series yet, what are you waiting for??
Definitely give the first three books a read before this one releases in March!
The first three books can be read as standalone but this one cannot, as it brings back the two MCs from Hello, Transcriber (book 1) and a LOT has unfolded since then.

Hazel returns to Black Harbor after a murder of someone she used to be close with. And Kole is working the case. They haven’t seen each other in almost a decade.

I love this series so much and book four was the perfect addition to it! If you need a new thriller series with an overall dark tone, definitely pick this one up 🖤

4.5⭐️

Thanks so much to the author, @macmillan.audio + @netgalley for my ARC!

#MacAudio2025

ARC review - rating 4,5 ⭐️

"The Unlucky Ones" by Hannah Morrissey is the 4th book in the "Black Harbor" series. The books in the series can be read as standalone, but before reading this one you should read at least "Hello, Transcriber".

I received an ARC from St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and ALC from Macmillan Audio (via Netgalley).
Opinions from this review are completely my own.

Publication date is 25 March 2025.

Hazel is a police transcriber turned writer, that returns to Black Harbor after 8 years, to help solve the murder of her ex-husband. The investigation is lead by sergent Nikolai Kole, the man she fell in love with
before leaving town.

I enjoyed all the books in the series, but this my favorite (followed by Hello, Transcriber).
This book has a dual POV, the story is told in 1st person by Hazel and in 3rd person by Kole.
The murder investigation uncovered links to other murders, including the one of Kole's brother and more connections to other crimes are revealed.
The story is dark, violent and filled with unexpected twists.
I also listened to the audiobook narrated by Angela Dawe and Robb Moreira and they did a great job helping me immerse in the story. They both did a great job portraing the characters and enhacing the story.

If you like dark crime thrillers with mystery and suspense I recomand this series.
Hopefully there will be more books in the future.

The Unlucky Ones by Hannah Morrissey
Rating: 3.5 stars
Pub date: 3/25

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for my complimentary audiobook.

Hazel, a former police transcriber turned novelist, is pulled back into the city she once escaped when her ex-husband, Tommy Greenlee, is murdered. The case lands in the hands of Sergeant Nikolai Kole—who just so happens to be her ex-boyfriend. Their history is full of betrayal, but they must learn to work together to bring the killer to justice.

This is book four in the Black Harbor series, but I read it as a standalone. While it was easy to follow along with the story, Hazel and Kole have a history that I wish I knew more about because I think I would have enjoyed the tension between them even more.

The narrators were perfect picks for Hazel and Kole, and they did an amazing job bringing all the characters to life.

Morrissey does a fantastic job setting the scene, making Black Harbor feel like a living, breathing nightmare. The story is fast-paced, the tension is high, and the mix of mystery and messy relationships keeps you hooked. If you love dark, atmospheric police procedural thrillers with flawed but fascinating characters, this book is definitely worth the read.