Some issues with this story. In what area would a couple, a cop and a medical examiner be allowed to have involvement in a case of their own child? There were many issues throughout. Thanks Netgally and the publisher for the advanced ecopy.

I so love this series, dark and disturbing and tense. Black Harbor is a cruel and miserable place, but I’ll follow Hannah Morrissey there anytime.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5/5)

When I’m Dead was a solid follow-up and the second book I’ve read in this series. I really enjoy Hannah Morrissey’s moody, atmospheric writing style—it creates such a vivid backdrop for the story and makes the mystery feel layered and tense.

That said, this one didn’t hit me quite as hard as the first. The pacing felt uneven at times, and a few parts dragged a little before the plot picked back up. Some of the character choices also left me feeling a bit disconnected. Still, there were strong moments, especially the darker, emotional undertones that Morrissey writes so well.

Overall, I’d call it an engaging read with some great twists, even if it wasn’t my favorite in the series. I’ll definitely keep going, though, because her writing always leaves me curious for more.

"When I’m Dead" is a dark, atmospheric novel that grips you from the very first page. The writing is strikingly poetic, weaving haunting imagery with raw emotion that lingers long after you’ve finished. I was captivated by the deeply real characters, whose complexities and vulnerabilities made them feel incredibly authentic. The story’s dark undertone is both chilling and compelling, making it impossible to put down. Blending a harrowing murder mystery with profound emotional depth, especially through the eyes of a grieving mother, this book stays with you, echoing in your thoughts long after the final chapter.

When I’m Dead was dark, atmospheric, and completely absorbing—I couldn’t put it down. I loved how the story blended a haunting murder mystery with deeply emotional moments, especially from the perspective of a grieving mother. The writing was sharp and poetic, and the characters felt complex and real. It was the kind of book that gave me chills and made me think long after the last page.

When I'm Dead by Hannah Morrissey is a beautifully crafted, emotionally resonant mystery that captivated me from the first page. Morrissey masterfully weaves a tale of grief, guilt, and redemption, creating characters whose struggles feel heartbreakingly real. The plot’s revelations landed with surprising impact, and the lush, atmospheric writing elevated the suspense to something truly memorable. It’s a haunting, powerful story that lingers long after the final page.

Every time I read a book in the Black Harbor series I say that it's my favorite. Well guess what? We have a new favorite.
Hannah Morrissey is so gifted when it comes to writing an unique plot with plenty of twists that are unpredictable even for the most seasoned thriller readers. She truly has a magical gift and I cannot wait to continue this series! Go in without reading the synopsis and I promise your head will spin.

This is definitely probably my favorite in the series so far!
I love a good kidnapping/murder investigation!
This also kind of had a YA feel to it.
It held the POV of the adults alongside that of the kids involved, which i liked.
Again, I like how there are always a variety of suspects and it's not always 100% clear who could have done it!
There were some loose ends that could have been explained a little better imo.
Again, I like that the series includes people from past books!
You don't have to read them in order but I would recommend it!
I highly recommend this series!

Hannah Morrissey nails the bleak setting once again! I’m all in on the Black Harbor series at this point.

Rowan’s daughter’s best friend ends up on her exam table, and her daughter is missing. I liked the inside view of Rowan and her family. A lot of the time you don’t get much about the medical examiners. I needed to know if Chloe was involved in her friend's death and why she disappeared.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my copy of this book.

Thank you for approving me for this title. After some thought, I’ve realized it’s not quite the right fit for me personally, so I won’t be able to provide a full review. I appreciate the opportunity to access it and wish the book great success.

This book started out strongly for me but fizzled a little as it went on. The premise was great. The mystery was intriguing and difficult for me as the reader to puzzle out on my own until close to the end of the book. The thing is, however, it just seemed to drag on. It felt as if there wasn’t any true urgency to solving the murders/disappearance. In reality, the book spans over only a few days, but it felt like it went on for weeks. There was a lot of inner monologue and repetition that felt unnecessary.

I did like the character development. Especially Libby, as she was an interesting character and I wanted to know more about her as the book went on. I wish we had gotten to know Reeves a little better. Axel and Rowan both have troubling pasts and I think it helps them understand one another more. I thought the author did a great job of highlighting how the disappearance of a child can cause a large rift in the parents marriage, especially when both are in the law enforcement world.

Overall, I enjoyed the book but wish it had been a little more succinct/condensed.

I made the mistake I always seem to make... I didn't realize this was a series. And of course, not realizing it was a series, I didn't read the first two books. Granted, this is one of those series where you don't necessarily need to read the previous books to understand what's happening, however, I think I would have connected with the characters better if I had.

This was a decent, quick read. I, unfortunately, didn't feel significantly invested in it. It leaned a bit more to the procedural and less to the emotional, so it seemed a little more difficult to connect with the MCs. It was entertaining but not necessarily memorable. With that being said, I think that it's partly my fault for not reading the first two. There's a chance that I will eventually go back and read those.

If you like police procedurals and small-town crime, this might be the read for you.

This was my second read in the Black Harbor series, and I loved it! I love the dreary setting and the suspense, and this one also had some solidly creepy elements! Looking forward to reading more from the series!

Give me a break. I’m all for suspending believability, but come on.
1. A taxidermy class as an high school elective? Riiiight.
2. The parents - homicide detective and medical examiner being allowed to investigate their own daughter’s disappearance? Yeah, right. The conflicts of interest made my brain itch.

A bit repetitive and dragged on. I couldn’t stand the character Rowen.

This was a book I really wanted to love, but felt slightly disappointed by. The storyline didn’t work for me, and though there were twists and turns, it didn’t work for me.

This was such a good psychological thriller, with a murder mystery that leads you in so many different directions.. you think you know who done it, being suspicious of one character then the next!!! I could not put this one down!!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion!!

📚 BOOK REVIEW 📚

When I'm Dead By Hannah Morrissey
Publication Date: October 31, 2023
Publisher: Minotaur Books

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
(Rounded Up To 5⭐)

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review! [And shout-out to Book of the Month for this gorgeous copy I purchased before realizing this was the third book in the series!]

📚MY REVIEW:

When I'm Dead, by Hannah Morrissey, might just be the creepiest book of the Black Harbor series so far. With lines like "the city is intent on killing them one way or another," and "the way they fit together was as satisfying to watch as peeling the skin off a mouse in one piece," I was chilled to the bone by the first few chapters of the series' third book.

While the vibe of this thriller is just as atmospheric as the first two books in the series, Morrissey upped the tension in this book with the suspense surrounding the mysterious killing of a teenage girl from Monroe Academy. The death hits close to home when Chloe Winthorp goes missing on the same night of Madison Caldwell's death, as Chloe is the daughter of Police Investigator Axel Winthorp and his wife Rowan, the town's medical examiner. And Chloe and Madison were best friends. There's a myriad of creepy suspects to consider in Black Harbor, but when another death happens and Chloe is still missing, the question has to be asked: is Chloe an undiscovered victim, or could she be the killer they're looking for?!

Every book in this series seems to ratchet up the edge-of-your-seat tension and mystery! When I'm Dead was a chilling thrill ride in the town of Black Harbor, where darkness and tragedy envelop its citizens day after day. I'm so excited to read the fourth book that comes out this week (on March 25th). If you're a fan of atmospheric thrillers and series that will have you clamoring to read them all as quickly as you can, I highly recommend the Black Harbor series!

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I've heard nothing but great things about this book. I went into it with high hopes, and the first chapter gave me pause. I wanted to love it, and eventually I did. It just took me a little bit to actually get into the book. I did enjoy the characters and storyline. I look forward to the rest of the series.

4.5/5 🌟

Set in the eerie backdrop of Black Harbor, the novel follows medical examiner Rowan Winthrop as she investigates the murder of a high school girl, while her own daughter has also gone missing.

The dual mysteries keep the tension high, and the characters are richly developed, making their struggles feel raw and real. The story unfolds with a slow-burn intensity, rewarding readers with unexpected twists.

If you love dark, character-driven mysteries, this one is a must-read!