Admittedly, this was my first jump into the Black Harbor series and I found that Hannah Morrissey has a way of thoroughly describing the setting in a way that had me unsettled and at the edge of my seat. Hazel, a former police transcriber and now a novelist is thrust into solving the mystery of her ex-husband’s murder along with her former lover Kole. Understandably, tensions are high and it is only after the two agree to work together to solve the murder that they are able to put their past behind them.

Morrissey is an excellent story teller, I love the detail and descriptions throughout. I do feel as though it would have been helpful for me to have read the previous Black Harbor books (which I am doing now that I’m finished with The Unlucky Ones!!)

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this advanced reader copy!

The Unlucky Ones by Hannah Morrissey takes us back to Black Harbor with Hazel, the transcriber.

"Hazel, the former police transcriber but now a novelist, returns to Black Harbor to find answers to why her ex-husband was murdered"

Morrissey writes such a bleak place in Black Harbor - the heat, the drugs, the trash in the street, rampant crime, the smell and characters like Dirty Harriet. It all makes for a desperate setting. This is more crime fiction than the first book. There's a murder and the detectives try to find answers. Nick and Hazel eventually look together while dancing around the feelings they still have for each other.

Wild ending to this one.

Another good story from Morrissey.

Another amazing read from the Black Harbor series. This time Hazel is back! I absolutely loved that we got another installment with Hazel who came back 8 years later to figure out who killed her ex husband….although I’m not sure why she cares….if mine ended up dead I’d be like…ok cool

Another book in the Black Harbor series but it can easily be read as a standalone. It was nice to see Hazel (from Hello, Transcriber) back. The storyline was good but it didn't grab my full attention until almost the very end.

I wanted so badly to love this one. It is book 4 in the Black Harbor series, and I really liked book 3, When I’m Dead, which was a BOTM pick. Unfortunately, nothing seemed to happen in this one. There was a clever calling card that was left when they were working to solve the murders, but it didn’t seem like it ever amounted to anything. Overall, there were parts that really lagged and I struggled to get through it.

Black Harbor is a tinderbox. Temperatures and violent crime have both risen to all-time highs, a new drug razes the city, and the scene to which Sergeant Nikolai Kole responds is anything but a rote homicide. In the back of a clubhouse lies a body wrapped in garbage bags and doused in bleach. It isn’t just any body. Tommy Greenlee, the ex-husband of Kole’s former lover, Hazel, has been shot several times and left for dead. What’s more…the killer left what appears to be a calling card.

Elsewhere, Hazel is haunted by her memories of Black Harbor. Lured there after eight years, she returns to find out who killed Tommy and why. Now back in Kole’s orbit, their love affair can hardly pick up where it left off.

Welcome to the dark side! Black Harbor is not the place you want to be! Excellent story, from the first page to the last. I love Hazel and how her character grows through the story. Great read. I highly recommend this if you like dark stories! 5⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

While in the end I quite enjoyed this book, it was a little hard to slog through for the first half or so, at least; I think that was a result of my having read the first book in the series but not the two I somehow missed in between then and now. Once I realized what was going on, though, I got more into it.

The first book, "Hello, Transcriber," introduced us to professional police report transcriber Hazel Greenlee, who could type more than 100 words per minute virtually error-free. Back in the day, I - who in high school aspired to be an executive secretary - I could do the same (but on a manual typewriter). In that book, the relationship between Hazel and Black Harbor, Wisconsin, police detective Nikolai Kole was heating up despite her disintegrating marriage to Tommy Greenlee. In the intervening books, Hazel apparently bolted from Black Harbor for Brooklyn, N.Y., establishing herself as a writer of novels.

Now, though, she's back - lured by the discovery of her former husband Tommy's dead body that's been riddled with bullets, covered with bleach and wrapped in a garbage bag. While Hazel has little affection left for Tommy, she can't help but wonder who murdered him and why.

That's a question shared by Kole and his team of officers. But although Hazel and Nik had a "thing" going back then and both still wonder what might have been, each is wary of seeing the other again. But of course, it's inevitable; the only question is how each will handle the reconnection - and what they'll find out about Tommy's murder.

The rest of the story follows their interaction and the investigation into a complicated web of lies, deceit and crimes that have had serious impact on both of their lives. Well done, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

This is book #4 in the Black Harbor series, and while they can be read somewhat standalone there is overlap so best to keep it in order and fully immerse yourself into the world of Black Harbor! You of course get murder and mystery rolled into a ball of suspense and whodunnit, but this book has also brought back the past in a serious way. Hazel left Black Harbor only to find herself returning in the wake of her dead ex-husband Tommy's murder! Who killed Tommy, but the better question is can we get Hazel and Kole's love affair back to hot, steamy, and dreamy for such a dark place to have love creep in?!?! Somewhat toxic to each other while also being intoxicating, because Kole is well..... a little on the volatile side especially when he is hunting killers.
Without giving spoilers Kole and Hazel needed this reunion, Tommy needed to go so not sad for that write off at all, and bringing even more past to the present to hit you in the face with what is going on adds punches to the storyline to keep you pulled in! The ending was done so well leaving it to either just end and this be it, or to maybe one day revive the horrors of Black Harbor. I was so happy to get a gifted copy of this what seems to be last installment to the Black Harbor series, and I have loved these books from start to finish!! I am assuming this is the end by the way the book came full circle, but if there were ever to be a creative itch to bring Hazel and Kole back I would be on board!! Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and of course Morrissey on her great writing that has brought this series to the lives of us obsessed with reading the dark, danger in the shadows, suspenseful underground world vibes in our books!!

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Pub Date: 3/25
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The Unlucky Ones is book number 4 in the Black Harbor series. This one follows Hazel and Kole and many characters from book number 1. You most definitely have to read at least book 1 before picking this one up, but the series as a whole is fantastic so I recommend them all. She will reference the other books in this one, but everything is explained enough for you to not be scratching your head totally lost.
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I loved getting another glimpse into the Kole/Hazel world. I was so excited to see what happened to Hazel and what kind of trouble she would get herself into in this book. This had the perfect amount of twists and suspense. It is a steady to fast paced book so buckle up!
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I listened to this via audiobook while reading an eARC. Angela Dawe and Robb Moreira were fantastic. They were so complimentary of one another. I felt like I was actually watching this one. The audiobook is a 10/10 from me.
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Overall, this is a series you do not want to miss out on. Every single book was great! Be sure to check this one out! Huge thank you to NetGalley, Hannah Morrissey, MacMillan Audio and St. Martin’s Press for the ALC and eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Welcome to Black Harbor where you definitely won’t want to stay unless you are a criminal or perhaps a cop.
This was my first book in the series. I definitely think you could read this as a standalone as I did. Kole and Hazel had a lot of history to overcome. So if you like to know backstories I’ve seen people say read Hello Transcriber.
I listened to the audio book which I enjoyed. I really liked the 2 narrators.
This is first and foremost a police procedural with a sprinkle of romance. So if you like this genre you will enjoy the read.
3.5 out of 5 stars for me.
I received an ALC of this title, all opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for providing me with an early copy to read and review.

I have not read the previous novel with Hazel and Kole, but I didn’t feel like it was an issue for enjoying this story.

A gritty, mystery/thriller that was slow-moving at times, but overall a captivating read. There are some very dark and disturbing descriptions, which add to the atmosphere of the novel, but if one is sensitive to that, it would be a good thing to note before starting this series.

Black Harbor's favorite police transcriber, Hazel, who finally
escaped the town's clutches years ago, has now returned after
the brutal murder of her ex-husband. But is she back to help
solve the crime, or did she have something to do with
committing it? As Hazel teams up with detective Kole, old
emotions flare, and they dig deep into Black Harbor's drug trade
in an effort to clear Hazel from wrong-doing. I enjoyed both the
written and audio (dual narration!) of this fourth book in this series. You don't need to read them in
order, but I'd recommend doing so. She writes the best morally
gray characters and brings back a few of my favorites in The
Unlucky Ones.

I loved this book! This is such a great series. I feel like I’m visiting Gotham city when I read it. I hope we get more books!

This series had me at “Hello, Transcriber” and got better and better with “The Widowmaker” and “When I’m Dead.” So when I saw that Hazel (the transcriber now turned author) would be returning to Black Harbor in “The Unlucky Ones,” I knew I didn’t want to miss it. While each of the first three installments can easily be read as a standalone book, I think “The Unlucky Ones” reads best if you at least read “Hello, Transcriber” to understand Hazel and Nik’s backstory.

So I’m sad to say that “The Unlucky Ones” left me underwhelmed. The town of Black Harbor hasn’t changed, it’s gritty, dangerous, and drug infested. In case you forgot, you’ll be reminded of it over and over as you turn the pages. This installment’s plot dives deep into Black Harbor’s drug underworld, but I struggled to connect with or care about any of the unsympathetic players in the drug game. The motive is no huge mystery – it’s all about drugs: who has them, who sells them, and who will kill for them. Most disappointingly, the forbidden zing of electricity between Hazel and Nik that made “Hello, Transcriber” so compelling is mostly missing here.

That’s not to say this is a bad book. Hannah Morrissey still shows her prowess for writing “Midwestern noir” and I love the way she turns a phrase, but this plot is kind of lackluster compared to the earlier books in the series. It took me a week to get through this book, and for someone who reads 15+ books per month, that’s saying something. Fans of the Black Harbor series will still want to read this one, but it might not be your favorite.

I love this series so much. It's dark and gritty and realistic. In this entry in the series, Hazel the transcriber from the first book, returns to Black Harbor after the death of her ex-husband. Hazel reconnects with police detective Nik Kole to investigate the murder and confront the unresolved feelings she had when she left Black Harbor the first time, as they face danger from drug dealers and other unsavory characters in the notorious town. She made it out of Black Harbor once; will she make it out again?

Reading the author's acknowledgements at the end of the book, she states this might be the last book in the series. I will miss Black Harbor, but will continue to look forward to other novels by Hannah Morrissey.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher St. Martin's Press/Minotaur for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

It's been eight years since Hazel left her husband, lover, and Black Harbor. But now she's back to figure out who killed her ex-husband.

This is a signature Hannah Morrisey story with complicated characters and a gritty setting. I loved meeting Kole and Hazel again.

I seem to be in the minority on this one. This was a big miss for me. I loved BLack Harbor #3. Was hoping to love this one. Maybe I needed to read the other two books of the series. I think I read book one and could not finish. I heard other readers say this could be read as a stand alone novel, but I think the context could be helpful.

Hazel from book one, returns to Black Harbor to solve her ex-husband’s murder. Black Harbor is depicted as a bleak, depressing place full of crime. Both books I have read have mentioned that it is a place of misery that few escape but there is never any explanation of why or exploration of this.
Why is it a high crime area?

I didn’t connect to any of the characters. The two main characters had a past relationship. Hazel cheated on her husband with the police detective years ago. Infidelity plot points never a favorite for me. A big chunk of the mystery resolves around drugs and the illegal activities involved in selling drugs. Another big no for me. I just don’t find drug plots interesting.

This was dark. I like dark but was bored with this one. The mystery just never captured my interest.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Mar. 25, 2025
Sergeant Nikolai Kole is called to the scene of a grisly crime- a man has been shot dead, his body left covered in a garbage bag and left on the toilet. Further investigation reveals the dead man to be Tommy Greenlee, the ex-husband of Kole’s former lover, Hazel. Although Hazel swore she’d never return to the drug-fueled, poverty-ridden town of Black Harbour, desperate to start a new life in New York and leave her past, and Kole, behind, she knows she has to return to Black Harbour. Hazel needs to find out who killed Tommy because she may be next.
“The Unlucky Ones” is the fourth novel in Hannah Morrissey’s “Black Harbour” series. Although I have read the other novels that belong to this series, I can say with some certainty that it is not necessary to do so in order to keep up with the plot. Like most police procedurals, “Ones” has an independent storyline and, although the characters have appeared in the previous books, their relationships are written so that a newcomer can easily keep pace.
“Ones” is narrated by the protagonists, Kole and Hazel, although it is made clear that Hazel is the lead, as she narrates her chapters in the first person, whereas Kole tells his story in the second person. Both of them have equally complicated relationships with just about everyone they meet so it is obvious that they are perfect for each other, which is why they keep circling back to one another like vultures over prey. This aspect of their personalities is what will draw readers to them, making both Kole and Hazel flawed but charming.
The ending wraps up only this storyline, but it is evident that the two protagonists have much more to uncover, especially when it comes to their romantic situation. As for “Ones”, the crime is solved in an extremely satisfying way, after pages of exciting police investigations into bad guy drug dens and stolen guns. “Ones” is chock full of action and suspense, with a minuscule amount of romance sprinkled in (just the way I like it).
Morrissey’s fourth novel is taut and gripping, marking her as one to watch in the police procedural/mystery genre. So much thanks for the chance to follow along with Kole and Hazel and I look forward to the fifth installment.

Dark, Gritty, Atmospheric.

In this series' fourth installment, Hazel Greenlee returns to the crime-ridden underbelly of Black Harbor after her ex-husband Tommy is found murdered. Hazel’s sordid history with Tommy places her directly in the crosshairs as a prime suspect. On a quest to remove all suspicion and clear her name, Hazel finds herself on the defense and back in the orbit of sultry detective Nikolai Kole. With sufficient backstory highlights, this new mystery, and the bittersweet infatuation between Nik and Hazel . . . this novel can be enjoyed as a standalone novel.

I recommend this book for those who enjoy visiting Black Harbor, moody murder mysteries, police procedurals, and slow-burn romance.

I thank NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of The Unlucky Ones for my unbiased evaluation.  3 stars

Nothing makes me happier than a return trip to the cesspool of Black Harbor, and when I found out Hazel and Kole would be in this one... !!!!!!!!!!!

I absolutely love Hannah Morrissey, and this is officially my second-favorite of the series (my heart will always be owned by Hello, Transcriber). Dark and emotional and twisty and all of the things. READ THIS! (But def read at least Hello first)