📚 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!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for my copy of WHEN I'M DEAD by Hannah Morrissey.

I love black harbor books but this one didn't hit as hard as the previous two. It felt a little elementary in comparison. I still love these books and will keep reading the series, but I hope the next one is better.

When I'm Dead by Hannah Morrissey is the perfect spooky book to put you in a Halloween mood!

I hadn’t known this was book number three in the Black Harbor series, but after some help from fellow Bookstagrammers, and a little additional research, I decided to treat this book as a stand alone. Of course, I absolutely have plans to go back and read the first two books in the series, because I've heard they're amazing as well!

The wide cast of characters, combined with the fast pace felt a little overwhelming initially, but eventually I got a grasp on everything. Once I was no longer trudging through muddy waters, the writing began to really shine. Maybe shine is the wrong term... how about glisten in a sliver of light like fresh blood… because that's how dark the descriptions and word usage are! They are as dark as can be, and I devoured Morrissey’s writing! Even describing mundane things, the best synonyms are chosen to evoke the creepiest of images.

I really loved Rowen, Medical Examiner and mother of missing Chloe. I found myself drawn into the narrator's voice when she spoke, and I was intrigued by her secretive past. I connected with Rowen as a mother, and straight up realized that I have a penchant for reading about gore, which there was a decent amount of it, as Rowen works with crime scenes and dead bodies.

Highlights:
-multiple perspectives and narrators
-Halloween season with appropriate spookiness
-dark wordage
-blood and dead bodies

This one really made me want to read more true crime books, and I’m sure lovers of that genre will find many similarities to this book as well!

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary copies to read and review.

Here I am, in Black Harbor once again, for my second read of When I'm Dead by Hannah Morrissey. I've said this with each of the previous books in the series - but this one truly cinches my love of her writing!

When I'm Dead is the one that started my love affair with Morrissey's books - with this read becoming my fifth time reading her dark, twisted, and compulsively addictive books! And still, I simply can't get enough!

Macabre is the perfect adjective for this one. Hands down, it's the darkest of the three in the series (up to this point, anyway). And I still can't believe the tone is as sinister as it is. But of course, I ate it up like the deranged reader that I am! Filled with foreboding promises, Morrissey creates an art out of turning a simple phrase into conveying the darkest of imagery! (How can I say this book depressed me and make it sound attractive? Like, that's what I signed up for and wanted! Because I did, and it's true!)

Rowen still stands out to me, but I found myself empathizing so much with Axel on this re-read! The dynamic these two have together made me long for Hazel and Kole, although they are both completely different couples. The relationships Morrissey crafts are not for the faint of heart; they are the messiest, truest form of dysfunction, and they are beautiful! Libby was the perfect character to offset these two adults.

This audiobook is a multicast narration from Andrew Eiden, Caitlin Kelly, Gary Tiedemann, and Xe Sands. In complete transparency, it was Eiden's narration that caught me off guard (in the best way! - IYKYK) and I loved the execution that he, Kelly, Tiedemann, and Sands performed for these characters! I simply can't get over the choice in narrators for this series - as the selection is pure perfection!

Another completely binge-worthy, dark, and twisty ride! I can't wait to revisit Black Harbor with the next installment: The Unlucky Ones! (And yes, I'm still thinking of snatching up property within the town - because I'm obsessed!)

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for the complimentary copy to read and review.

I've enjoyed this series so far, and I like that each book takes us in a new direction and allows us to follow secondary characters from previous books without the previous ones being required reading beforehand except for background info on the characters/understanding the vague references to previous events.

This one mainly follows Rowan, the ME, and her husband, Axel, one of the Black Harbor detectives, as they're called out to investigate the death of their daughter's best friend, which quickly takes a turn for the worse. There are a couple other POVs included here and there, but each one is labeled and it's easy to follow the story, with a few twists and turns that I didn't quite expect, but it kept me on my toes about who was behind it all and their reasoning for it.

For me, this is my least favorite of the three so far, but it's still a really good story that I would recommend for fans of this genre/author, and I'm looking forward to starting #4 whenever I can manage to find the time.

3.5 stars

**I received an ARC copy from Netgalley and am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and comments contained within are my own.**

Wow, this is number 3 in this series.

There is a lot happening with the teen age girls in the town.

A couple are murdered, one is missing and everyone is a suspect.

Loved the return to Al, the secrets and stresses of being a high school young adult. It isn’t easy and friendship can change day to day.

Really good story.

Hannah Morrissey’s When I’m Dead is a gripping psychological thriller that masterfully weaves a haunting murder mystery with an emotional romance subplot. Set in the eerie, tension-filled town of Black Harbor, the novel follows Rowan, a medical examiner, as she becomes entangled in the murder of a high school girl and the disappearance of her own high school daughter. With the chilling atmosphere, unique characters, and unexpected twists, Morrissey crafts a story that keeps readers on edge until the very last page.

One of the novel’s strongest elements is Morrissey’s ability to lead the reader astray when it comes to the identity of the killer. Throughout the story, she expertly plants red herrings and suspicious behavior among multiple characters, making it easy to suspect the wrong person. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, the narrative takes a sharp turn, proving that Morrissey is a master at deception. This misdirection not only keeps the suspense high but also makes the final reveal even more satisfying.

Beyond the murder plotline, the romance between Axel and Rowan adds depth and heart to the novel. Axel, a detective, and Rowan, caught in the chaos of the case & fending off her own demons, navigate their marriage amidst the darkness surrounding them. Their moments together provide a much-needed balance to the novel’s more sinister themes, making their romance an integral part of the story rather than just a subplot.

Overall, When I’m Dead is an outstanding thriller that blends mystery, psychological depth, and romance seamlessly. Morrissey’s writing is atmospheric and immersive, her characters are flawed yet compelling, and the twists are genuinely surprising. Fans of psychological thrillers with a touch of romance will find this book hard to put down.

This book was so suspenseful. It definitely took an unexpected turn. I like how this series focuses on different characters each time.

"When I'm Dead" by Hannah Morrissey is the 3rd book in the "Black Harbor" series. Even if it can be read as a standalone it has some spoilers for the previous books. So if you read the series, you should read the books in order.

I received a complimentary digital copy of the book from St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books via Netgalley. Opinions from this review are completely my own.

In this book, the Black Harbor police investigate the murder of a girl and the disappearance of another. The story is told from multiple POVs:
- Rowan, a medical examiner and Chloe's mother (the missing girl)
- her husband Axel, who is a detective for Black Harbor PD
- Libby, who is Chloe's best friend and neighbour.

I enjoyed this book more than the previous one. Even if we are still dealing with murders, it is not as dark as "The Widowmaker".
During the investigation there is another murder and there are a few suspects, including Chloe. Also, the relationship between Rowan and Axel is not good, especially because they spend a lot of time at work. This also influenced Chloe in a negative way and she found support in her drama teacher and in acting.

This story is engaging and emotional, especially because the victims are teenagers. We have bullying, hidden relationships, secrets from the past, unexpected twists and taxidermy.
As it takes place close to Halloween, there is an added spooky aspect and the fast pace makes it a page turner.

Overall I liked the book, especially because it was not predictable.

When I’m Dead by Hannah Morrissey is a chilling, atmospheric crime thriller that explores the dark underbelly of a small town. The novel follows a complex protagonist, a woman grappling with her own secrets while uncovering others’ hidden truths. Morrissey’s writing is haunting and evocative, drawing readers into a world of mystery, betrayal, and suspense. The plot twists keep you on edge, and the emotional depth of the characters adds a gripping layer to the crime-solving narrative. When I’m Dead is a fast-paced, captivating read perfect for fans of psychological thrillers.

When I initially read this, I hadn’t realized it was part of a series. That said, this is part of a series but was easily understandable as a standalone book. This was a quick, interesting read that I finished in less than 24 hours. The author does a great job of character development.
Looking forward to reading the rest of the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of When I'm Dead by Hannah Morrissey in exchange for my honest review and feedback. When requesting this book, I didn't realize it was in a series but I was totally able to read this without reading the prior books. Found it to be a great read and I will for sure go back and read the earlier books.

Yes because this author just works for me. Suspenseful and thrilling from open to end the story keeps you guessing and leaves you thrilled.

I enjoyed this story - my book club actually read it as our August book last year. It was a great plot, and I actually went back and read the others in the story. They author has a great way of telling a story, and I look forward to more of her books.

I never read the author or the series before, but I'm so glad I picked it up. I enjoyed the writing style so much and the author sucked me into the heartbreak of dealing with a missing daughter suspected of murder. I empathized with the parents' pain over putting their careers first and seemingly missing trouble at home. The suspense was well done as the detective and medical examiner parents race to find their daughter while uncovering her teenage secrets and scandals. There was a bit of a "mean girls" trope that didn't totally work for me, but otherwise I thought the mystery was well done.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* This was a great book, would love to see this as a tv show lol would recommend

It is good to be back in Black Harbor with Hannah Morrissey’s third installment of this series. These books are perfect to read in the dead of winter with the featured chilling weather, derelict small town setting and never ending list of crimes. Between the multiple POVs, short chapters, and suspicion cast on everyone, I was hooked and flying through this one. If you enjoy dark, twisty thrillers then this one is for you!

This was a new to me author right when I discovered my love for thrillers instead of just romance books. This was wonderfully written and I cannot wait to read more of her work and share with my audience. Thanks so much for the gifted copy of this one!

This book focuses on Medical Examiner, Rowan Winthorp, investigating the death of her daughter’s best friend. Hours later, tragedy hits even closer to home when she discovers her daughter, Chloe, is missing.

This book had an engaging plot that had good twists and turns leaving you wondering what would happen next. I was torn on the rating of this one for two reasons. One - I didn’t like was the fat shaming. There was just too much of it. Two - there was no way the parents would have been allowed to work their own daughter’s disappearance. It might have been better if they were doing a behind the scenes investigation on their own. There wasn’t much believability to it.

I did enjoy the authors writing style and character development, so I will be going back to read the rest in the series. This just might not have been the book for me…

I want to thank NetGalley, Hannah Morrissey and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for the e-ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are honest, my own and left voluntarily.