Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this audiobook so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must listen for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

"When I'm Dead" is book three in the Black Harbor series by Hannah Morrissey. The cover first caught my eye and after reading the description, I was looking forward to getting started. This was actually my first read from this author and I enjoyed it. The audio was well performed and the story-line was exciting.

Rowan Winthorp is a Medical Examiner investigating the death of her daughter, Chloe's best friend. Rowan's husband, Axel is a detective who is also investigating the death. Things go from bad to worse when hours later their daughter, Chloe goes missing. The rush is on to solve the murder and find Chloe.

Will they find Chloe before it's too late?

While this novel worked well as a stand alone, If I'd read the previous two books in the series it likely would have added to my enjoyment. However, I still really liked this story.

A fast paced and twisty read that kept me guessing from start to finish!



I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

Intense story with some sensitive topics. Pulls at your heart. Feeds your crime novel desires. All around well balanced and well paced. I enjoyed it and would recommend it.

i didn’t love the book, the narrator didn’t make the book very inviting and the authors writing felt slow and drawn out. i felt like reading this was a chore and that sucked but i do think the cover and premise is cool

It has been awhile since I read a great thriller, so I am excited that I was able to listen to When I'm Dead by Hannah Morrissey. It had multiple POVs and the end was twisty and disturbing. Definitely not something I could have predicted. If you are looking for a fast paced thriller, I would recommend this book. I also thought the narrators did a fantastic job. I always enjoy multiple narrators when a book has different POVs.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my gifted copy!

Book #3 in the Black Harbor Series, but it read fine for me as a standalone!

The plot was interesting and I was curious to see what happened to Chloe. A couple moments when I thought I had the story figured out, but it twisted and went in another direction. High school rumors and secrets, and hard to tell what is the truth. Suspenseful, entertaining read!

I struggled to connect with Rowan and Axel which may be because I had an audio version. I didn’t care much for Rowan’s narrator - it was muffled and I had a lot of trouble understanding her.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s press for my advanced copy!

I always appreciate a series where the books can be read as a standalone book, and while I am glad I read Hannah Morrissey's previous Black Harbor books, it was not necessary to enjoy When I'm Dead. This book was highly entertaining, dark, and suspenseful. I couldn't give it five stars only because I found the relationship between characters unrealistic and unbelievable (quick example, Rowan seems barely bothered that Chloe is missing). But, overall, the action makes this a fast-paced book I could not put down!

This is my first Hannah Morrissey book and the first that I read in the Black Harbor series. This worked as a standalone murder mystery, not having read the first two books. I may have missed some things or characters from previous books, but it didn’t change the story or hinder my experience with this book.

I listened to the audiobook, which is multiple POV with multiple voice narrators. Unfortunately, I really disliked the voice of Rowan, Caitlin Kelly. It sounded like she was trying to be breathy and seductive, which didn’t work at all for me. At times, she mumbled and sounded muffled, which made it hard to understand her portions. I preferred hearing the other narrators. I would not listen to Caitlin Kelly again.

Overall, this was just an okay murder mystery. There was nothing special or unique about it. It felt like I was listening to an episode from the former TV series, Bones, but not as good. We followed the detective/crime investigating side with Axel, and then the medical side with Rowan since she’s a medical examiner. There were descriptions of the murdered or decomposing bodies that were gross, but they felt accurate. There was a lot of medical information, technical details, and portions of the story that felt realistic.

The book was well-written with descriptive, lush writing that immersed the reader and transported you to this rather bleak town. The conveyed messages about Black Harbor were extremely negative. So much so that I wondered why these people would choose to stay in such an awful town where crime, murders, and dangers seemed to lurk around every corner. The place sounded absolutely dreadful to me.

However, this murder mystery story fell flat for me. It was pretty repetitive, which made it sound boring for most of the book. There needed to be a lot more drama and action. I kept waiting for something big to happen, and it never really did. The last quarter of the book picked up in pacing, but before this part, it felt like a chore to get through all the investigating. It barely kept my interest. Honestly, if I had been reading this book, I probably would’ve DNF’d it about halfway in or before. But since I was listening to it, I just increased the speed to push through it.

The characters were underwhelming for me. I didn’t connect with any of them, which didn’t make me care that much for them. Also, Axel and Rowan didn’t behave in ways I’d think parents would behave when their daughter goes missing, potentially kidnapped. The side characters were easy to forget about. There really weren’t any memorable qualities to any of the characters. The only one that I felt some compassion for was the neighbor girl next door, Libby.

As for the murderer, I had no clue who it was until they were revealed. So at the very least, this book kept me guessing the whole time, which was fun. There were many red herrings that I fell for, and then when I realized it wasn’t that person, I had to rethink some of my guesses. However, once we discovered who the murderer was, I felt disappointed. I can’t really explain without spoiling the book, but it felt like a letdown. The last quarter of the book picked up in pacing, which I liked, but the whole resolution scene felt predictable and stereotypical.

I didn’t hate this book, but I didn’t really like it either. It was very middle of the road for me. I don’t know if I would recommend it, but if you’ve already been reading this series, then I’d suggest to keep going and maybe you’ll like it more than me. It also takes place around Halloween so it would be a good seasonal read around fall and Spooky Season. It did feel rather creepy and eerie at times. The atmosphere felt cold and mysterious.

There was also quite a bit of language in this book and one spicy scene, which felt awkward and unnecessary. I don’t care for spice in my murder mysteries, so that was a turnoff for me. There were also some woke/liberal comments made here and there by characters, which was another huge turnoff and eye roll for me as well. Even though I appreciated the descriptive writing, I don’t know if I would read another book by this author.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

4.5/5 stars

Thank you Netgalley & Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy!

SYNOPSIS: Rowan Winthorp and her husband, Axel, are called to the scene of lots of bodies. As medical examiner and homicide detective, respectively, they investigate all of Black Harbor's gruesome deaths, but never that of their daughter's best friend, Madison. When their own daughter disappears that same night, they are forced to chase down the chaotic and morbid set of clues and transgressions in hopes of finding her alive. With a dark and complex past, a creepy next door neighbor and a potentially creepy teacher, Rowan and Axel have their work cut out for them.

** NOTE -- WHEN I'M DEAD is the third book in the Black Harbor series, but can definitely be read as a standalone! There are some small tie-ins to the first two books (I've only read the first one, HELLO TRANSCRIBER, so far) that will make you perk up if you've read them, but nothing that makes it hard to keep track of the story at hand. **

That being said, I really enjoyed this book. I think I liked HELLO TRANSCRIBER a little bit better, but that could have been due to the narration -- I had a hard time understanding Rowen's character a few times, which is surprising because i typically love Xe Sands and have no issues understanding her. It was almost like her parts were recorded differently than the others and were more mumbley. That said, the other three narrators were fantastic and I really loved each character having their own voice.

WHEN I'M DEAD was dark and twisty and creepy and the perfect fall thriller. The story was well-woven and I found myself guessing at every turn. I really enjoy the Black Harbor setting, in part because it's a dark Wisconsin town with which I am all too familiar, and in part because it's gruesome and atmospheric and fun to read about. I had the pleasure of meeting author Hannah Morrissey at book club this week, and it was so interesting to hear how her dark and twisted mind (the highest compliment!) took her Wisconsin town and turned it into the sight of these gruesome stories. I really enjoyed WHEN I'M DEAD and I can't wait to see what's next in Black Harbor (or beyond!).

This audiobook was great. With a few different narrators, the characters were easily distinguishable, and it gave it a more real feeling. I didn't realize this book was part of a series until after I was finished... Having not read the first two books, I am not sure if that would have changed my review at all.

Rowan and her husband Axel are investigating the sudden death of their daughters best friend. Soon after, they discover their own daughter Chloe has gone missing as well. This story has many twists and turns and leaves you questioning who you can trust. Together, the couple must figure out what happened to their daughter, and find her before it's too late.

Loved the storyline and the different unexpected twists. However, I think Rowan's character was lacking. Her reaction to her daughter missing was unrealistic, and made me strongly dislike her as a mother. The other characters were great though, and were important to the depth of the story.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC in exchange for my review!!

When I'm Dead is a mystery about a fifteen year old girl who was murdered and her former best friend who is now missing. There are multiple perspectives, largely the missing girl's parents who work in law enforcement. This is the third in the series, but worked as a stand-alone book.

The story is intriguing, but I found myself so confused by the setting of Black Harbor. Many of the parents are affluent and yet live in the crime-ridden cesspool that is Black Harbor? It was also wild to me that life went on as usual after a high schooler was murdered and one was missing. The parents were also allowed to investigate the murder and missing person case despite clear conflicts of interest.

I listened to the audiobook which had multiple narrators. It worked most of the time, but Rowan's narration was so hard to understand at times as the narrator constantly mumble.

Overall, the story was pretty interesting. I especially liked the descriptions of the mother's job as medical coroner and neighbor Libby's perspective.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for providing this ebook and audiobook ARC. All thoughts are my own.

I started this hook intrigued and obsessed but near the 40% mark I grew tired of the drawn out story and lack of character connection. I blame myself as this is book 3 in a series I never started but it fell flat for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the audio ARC. Unfortunately, this book was very off-putting to me due to the fatphobia within the story. It was unnecessary and added nothing to the plot - leading me to wonder why it was included in the first place? I wanted so much to like this but couldn’t get past that.

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.

When I'm Dead had me at the super interesting premise. I was very quickly drawn into the story, but it slowed down in the middle and I had a difficult time picking it up again.

I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook, and I think this is where I struggled. I just did not mesh well with the narrators and had a difficult time keeping focus on the plot.

- DNF
- 3rd Book is Series

This is an unfair review.

Cause ummmmm… I had no idea this was the third book in the Black Harbor
Series. Which explains some things maybe… Also, the narrators voice was so soothing I was losing track of what was going on. I listen primarily while doing boring house stuff but somehow laundry became more interesting. This was a pass for me

When I'm Dead is the third book in the Black Harbor series, but it can be read as a standalone (I have not read the other books). I was able to read/listen to it and got through it just fine. I found it to be entertaining and easily read/listened to. The pacing felt a little off, but I will say the narrators did a pretty good job keeping me interested in the story that didn't translate the same way on paper to me. I received this as an audio ARC and I also purchased a copy and ended up hybrid reading it, I would say 70% audio 30% physical book. I am giving this 3.5 stars rounded up simply because it kept me entertained enough to finish the book and that's a win in my book. I see there are star rating all across the board on this one so if you have been on the fence about reading it, you'll just have to try it out for yourself. You may enjoy it more than I did!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC and the chance to listen and review it honestly.

Happy reading!

Unfortunately this was a miss for me. I found it too unbelievable - parents being allowed to investigate their own daughter even when she is a leading suspect in a murder case? The parents also didnt seem "worried enough" about their daughter who was missing for days (weeks?). Also, I had issue with the setting, the way the characters spoke about their town being like a murder mania town - why on earth would anyone live there?? And why would wealthy people send their children to a private school in such a desolate town if it is that bad.I also dont like when mysteries introduce a million suspects but in the final hour the actual perp is a new character. That is just my personal preference though.

I really enjoyed this book and am so thankful to have an early copy! This book was a perfect fall book! Thank you so much to netgalley for this advanced readers copy!

An Audiobook with Multiple Narrators!
🌟🌟🌟🌟
I listened to this terrific audiobook, which has multiple narrators. This is always a big treat for me! They do a fantastic job as they take us through the bleak and depressing streets of Black Harbor. Looking for the person responsible for killing and mutilating a high school girl. If brutal murder scenes bother you, this isn’t the book for you.

This is the third book in the series but it can be read as a standalone. I’ve read all three books and this is my favorite! The atmosphere and characters of Black Harbor are elaborate and well-defined in each book. The author has a gift for making you feel as if you are a part of the story!

Sincere thanks to Macmillan Audio for this complimentary ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, all opinions are my own and are left voluntarily.

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