This is the third book of the Black Harbor series, but can easily be read as a standalone.
Rowan, the city’s medical examiner, and her husband Alex, a detective, are so caught up in the murder of their daughter’s friend that they leave her school production early. As their guard is down, their own daughter, Chloe, disappears.
Searching for clues while trying to forgive themselves for their own inactions, they each learn hints from other school friends and their mothers that leave them wondering, was their daughter who they thought she was? Were they really that disconnected from their own family and each other?
The clues are scarce, and each seems to discount the next, meanwhile the clock is ticking. And even you, the reader, won’t hear from Chloe during these tense hours, leading you to believe the worst. There are no happy harbingers here, just a very bleak outlook for the young girls of Black Harbor.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The publishing date was October 31, 2023.

This is a thrilling audiobook, enhanced by its exceptional cast of narrators who skillfully bring the characters to life. The story exudes a captivating blend of mystery, gothic and spooky vibes, keeping me engaged throughout. The depth of character development was great to see, and it also had a complex cast. There was certainly times where the plot and a character was chilling and kept me on the edge of the seat. This book is a must-listen for fans of mystery and intricate characters.

This is book#3 in the Black Harbor series. Each book is written as a stand alone, each is a chapter of a crime set against the back drop of Black Harbor. Each book introduces readers to an individual or a group that has been involved in a crime and must now solve it, or else. In WHEN I'M DEAD, we will meet Black Harbor's medical examiner and her husband, a detective on the Black Harbor Police Department.

Medical examiner Rowan Winthrop has been called in due to the unexplained death of a young woman. She realizes this body is the best friend of her daughter, Chloe. She will frantically try to contact Chloe, only to be unable to find her. Rowan will contact her police detective husband, Axel, and both begin the long search to find Chloe. The search will take them places and they will meet people that no parent wants connected to their child. The story is well written and fast paced, each chapter brings new shocks and clues that twist onto themselves and keep you gasping at each reveal. This is an excellent book in a series that has been "killer" so far. Hannah Morrissey has proven her ability to write reader favorites so far.

The whole theme of this book is just crazy. I LOVE IT! I have been going "WTF" throughout this whole book. The suspense keeps going just as well as the twists. It was one of those that made me stop and think and wonder hmmm.

“You’ll love me more when I’m dead.”

Can you imagine your child saying these words to you? Ouch! That would hurt like hell alright!

In this novel, husband Axel’s a detective while his wife Rowan’s a medical examiner. Both are called away from work more times than you can count, mostly leaving their daughter Chloe to her own devices. This creates an inevitable conflict between them, as well as guilt feelings from the parents. When Chloe’s best friend was murdered, she too went missing right after. Axel and Rowan must set aside their personal issues and solve both cases before it’s too late.

I so enjoyed reading this multiple POV police procedural. Reading Axel and Rowan’s POVs stirred up my own guilt feelings as a working mom…we all want quality time with our kids but at the same time it cannot be helped as work is essential to put food on the table right?? I binge read this because I want a HEA for this family! It’s always a good sign when a reader is invested with the characters of the story. Needless to say, it’s one of best books I’ve read this year. The plot is twisty, the characters with depth and the writing’s riveting. I actually finished the book already when I discovered that it is part of Black Harbor series. Good thing all the books can be read as standalones. When I’m Dead is now available at your favorite bookstores. It is the perfect fall read so do check it out!🍂🍁🍂

Rating: 4.5/5

While investigating the death of her daughter’s best friend, medical examiner Rowan Winthrop and her detective husband discover that their daughter Chloe is also gone, but not without a trace. While working closely together, they begin to unearth disturbing details about their daughter.

When I’m Dead was another atmospheric read with complex characters and an engrossing story line. Not only do you get the murder case and the disappearance, you get the personal relationship and struggles of both main leads along the way, which made the story much more personal. Lots of red herrings and twists along the way, secrets, lies and the perfect mix of mystery/thriller and police procedural. Although this is the third book, it could be read as a stand alone. Another great instalment which I thoroughly enjoyed!

3⭐️

First, this is the third book in the series but can easily be read as a standalone book. I didn’t know going into this book that it was a part of the series, but I don’t feel that it hindered how I related to the characters and the story.

The book starts with one murdered teenager and her missing best friend. I did find the book to be engaging and I enjoyed all the little secrets that were coming out throughout the book. I felt that it made the characters more realistic.

However, there were definitely some things in this book that were unbelievable. Even with the police department being short staffed, there is no way that they would let Axel and Rowen be so involved in these investigations. Outside sources would have been called in. I know that it’s fiction, but considering what happened is very plausible, this part kind of took me out of the story a little.

I did want to know who the killer was which did keep me flipping the pages, but when the reveal came it felt abrupt and random. Also the way the killer acted was unrealistic to me. I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to give it away.

This book was a 4⭐️ rating until the end. It just didn’t work for me.

Thank you to Stephen Erickson for inviting me to read this book from NetGalley! Also, thank you to Hannah Morrissey and St. Martin’s Press. My views and opinions are my own.

I deeply enjoyed my travels into this wonderful fictional world of Black Harbor that Hannah has created with this latest installment. These are the exact kind of mysteries that I really enjoy reading on cool, autumn days. Atmospheric, haunting, twisty and with characters that are rooted in human flaws and trying their best to hold it together.

This story starts out with a dead body and a bang, and never really lets up the pace on the investigation of both the dead girl, and the missing girl - simultaneously intertwined, but no one is sure how. The pacing was spot on, and the twists had me starting new chapter after new chapter to see what would happen with each increasingly tantalizing lead.

Overall, this one was a reminder why this series is so good, and I truly cannot wait to see what comes next in Black Harbor.

Many thanks to the publisher for the copy!

Rowan and her husband have been called away to investigate a murder. Rowan is the medical examiner and her husband is a detective. The girl murdered is the same age as their daughter. When Rowan arrives home, her daughter is missing. This is a twist neither parent can handle.

Rowan has a past. This is how she ended up in this crime ridden town. And now she knows she is paying for the sins of her past. Her daughter has been taken and Rowan knows it is payback, or is it?!?!

The way this author weaves in the killer is very entertaining. I knew the killer wasn’t any of the suspects. Anybody reading this book would know it. That is part of the plot. So, when the killer is unveiled, it is such a vague character, as a reader, you go “oh there he/she is!” I love when I am kept guessing, even when I don’t really have a chance. (A clue is probably in there and I just missed it)

I have said this before and I will say it again…I LOVE when an audio book is a production. It made this book for me. This book is a bit slow in the set up. But, with all the narrators keeping the characters real, this story turned out to be a pretty good read.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Hang on to your seat! When I'm Dead is full of heart pounding suspense on every page. Gripping and chilling, this book is highly recommended. Thank you to NetGalley.

When I’m Dead more than lives up to the promise of a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, guessing, anticipating what will happen next, turning pages as fast as you can to find out, but afraid to know. It’s a story full of secrets, hidden lives, misunderstood relationships. Makes you stop and think about just how well you know the people you are closest to, and if at some point you will believe them capable of the most horrific acts.

The pace of When I’m Dead is lightning fast, from the minute Rowan and Alex are called to the crime scene, when Chloe disappears, through eye-opening encounters with people that may be good, may be bad, may be crazy, right up to the breathtaking conclusion.

Rowan and Alex have drifted apart, Rowan has a terrible secret from her past that paralyzes her, it seems Chloe wasn’t the reserved but well-adjusted teenager they thought their daughter was, and while they are discovering and absorbing this people are being gruesomely murdered at a terrifying speed.

I figured out who the murderer was about halfway through the book but it did not detract from the suspense and excitement. The plot is a little jumbled at times and there are a few unusual phrases that are reused in a way that feels like a little too much cut and paste, but that did not detract from my enjoyment of the book either. Thanks to St. Martin’s Publishing Group, Minotaur Books for providing an advance copy of When I’m Dead via NetGalley. I very much enjoyed this story. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

I thought this was a good police procedural type mystery. It had some surprises along the way. It definitely keeps you turning the pages.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Hannah Morrissey for the gifted eARC of When I’m Dead! This is the third book set in Black Harbor and can be read as a stand-alone. It is the perfect spooky read for a chilly afternoon wrapped in a cozy blanket with a warm cup of tea. It is a dark, disturbing, tense and twisty story that will have you turning pages until the end. A young woman is murdered and the medical examiner’s daughter is missing. There are secrets, lies, strained relationships and many possible suspects. What is happening to the young women in Black Harbor?
4 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I didn’t realize this was the third book in a series and I’m not 100% sure if reading the first two books would have gave me a better understanding of other characters in the books or if it’s fine to just start this one. I do feel I would’ve like this book more had I read the other books first. I did enjoy the book, but it felt too long at times and I felt no connection to the characters. Again, maybe reading the first two books would have helped me connect to the characters more. I did find the book to be a good spooky/halloween read for this time of year!
I would recommend, it just wasn’t a favorite of mine.

I'm a sucker for atmosphere, and I loved the dark, gritty, crime-ridden vibe of Black Harbor.
This book is the 3rd in a series, but can easily be read as a standalone because Black Harbor is the constant, not the main characters like in most series. And I love that idea for a series.

This is a solid dark crime read... some have said it reminds them of Criminal Minds.

Thank you to NetGalley, St Martins Press & the author Hannah Morrissey for my advance copy.

This book takes us almost directly into every parent's worst nightmare - having a child go missing. Compounding the nightmare - the parents are Axel and Rowan Winthrop, a detective and the local medical examiner, who are called to the scene of the murder of their daughter's good friend, only to realize when they get home the same night that their own daughter, Chloe, has gone missing. They're caught between knowing too much because of their jobs, and realizing they don't know enough about what's been going on in Chloe's life. Could she be the killer? Is she another victim of the killer? Which would be more difficult to live with? And what does Libby, the teen girl next door, know? This is a well-paced book that kept me guessing. This isn't one of those series that makes you wish it were a real place that you could visit. Black Harbor doesn't sound like a great place to live or work, especially as a cop (although they do stay busy). But Morrissey does populate a dark and unappealing place with characters that I can root for, and she's great at creating dark and twisty plots.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

A suspenseful thriller that had me guessing right up until the end! Masterful story telling that explores familial relationships in an authentic way. I identified with more than one character in this story and it was a hard book to put down.

Another excellent Black Harbor mystery.

Autumn brings cold weather to this depressing town on the banks of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin. Most of the people who live there want to leave, but many are trapped by finances or other circumstances that keep them yearning for escape year after year.

Medical Examiner Rowan Winthorp and her husband, Investigator Axel Winthorp, are called to the scene of a grisly murder near Monroe Academy. The dead teen happens to be their daughter's schoolmate. Later that evening the parents discover that their daughter, Chloe, is missing. As the police department deals with the homicide probe, some very disturbing information about Chloe comes to their attention. The marriage of Rowan and Axel is strained with their overwhelming anxiety as they desperately try to find Chloe alive. Is Chloe a victim or is she the killer?

This was another great installment in a series that features characters who live and work in Black Harbor but is not like most as each novel features different people with only minimal carryover. You could read this as a standalone if desired. The setting is portrayed as so bleak and demoralizing and that sets the mood for the story that follows. This narrative shifts in point of view, mainly between Rowan and Axel, giving both of their perspectives on the evolving events. I really like the author's writing style and her descriptions of the people and place. The plot was not overly complex and, despite the red herrings, it was easy to anticipate the conclusion though that did not bother me. I read all of the first 3 in this series back-to-back in order which helps keep the atmosphere and tone in mind and I enjoyed all of them.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend.

Anything by Hannah Morrissey and Black Harbor is a must read for me! While each book has a different story line, book three did not disappoint, the author has a knack for developing such dynamic characters in a dark setting that keeps you hooked. This book focused on the local
Medical examiner, whose daughter’s best friend was just found dead, and not too long after, the ME’s own daughter goes missing. This book is fast paced and was so hard for me to put down! Will never stop recommending this author or this series!

Thank you, NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press for the ARC!

WHEN I’M DEAD is the third book in the Black Harbor series, but they can each be read as standalones! I’ve been a fan of Hannah’s since book one — HELLO, TRANSCRIBER — and I also loved book two — THE WIDOWMAKER. Somehow her books just keep getting better and better and I love returning to the eerie, atmospheric setting she has created.

The characters are complex and I loved getting multiple POVs. There is an overarching feeling of suspense from the very first page that continues until the very end. As a teacher, I loved how school and its dynamics played a role in the story.