I read the second and third installments in the Black Harbor series hoping for Hazel’s return. It was worth the wait. But her return isn’t a happy one, and it’s easy to see why she stayed away. Black Harbor is a dark, dangerous place. Morrissey is so intimately familiar with the world she’s built in the series that the reader is transported fully into its environs. It’s easy to feel the unsettling nature of the city while reading this book so don’t be surprised if you find yourself checking to see if your doors are locked. The strong sense of place has been a strength of the Black Harbor series, and the characters continue to develop as we feel their desire to run away along with their sense of obligation to stay. This internal conflict provides a tension that adds to the story – and the conflict plays out within almost every character. The complicated dynamic of emotions between Hazel and Kole ramps things up even more.

Morrissey is a mystery author that should be considered on any short list of top contemporary voices in the genre. The writing is extraordinary in its descriptiveness, treating emotion and crime scenes with equal realistic detail. Events and actions push the story forward, but the reader is pulled in by the earnestness in which the characters are written.

Note: Morrissey’s novels thus far all feature Black Harbor but can be read as standalones. Readers will benefit from reading the debut “Hello, Transcriber, however.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an early look. The Unlucky Ones will be released on March 25, 2024.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This is the fourth book in the Black Harbor series. I have not read the previous books but this book would be fine as a stand alone.
Hazel returns to Black Harbor after an eight year absence. Her ex husband has been murdered. Her former lover Kole is investigating the murder.
The characterization of the main two characters is well developed in this dark crime novel. As it is a book that takes place in a criminal police investigation, I was not surprised to find vulgar language. I don’t like it but it is part of the environment that is depicted in this book.
The storyline is very strong and engaging. I look forward to reading the backstories that lead up to this book.

Black Harbor is HEATING UP as Hazel and Kole reunite in this action-packed, dark crime procedural that had me on the edge of my seat!

Hazel (Police transcriber-turned-author) returns to Black Harbor after 8 years to help solve the brutal murder of her ex-husband Tommy. Of course, the lead detective on the case is her ex-lover Kole. Agreeing to work together, they unearth the town's deepest, darkest secrets...

Atmospheric.
Dark.
Gritty.
Suspenseful.

THE UNLUCKY ONES packs so much crime, drugs, and corruption on the pages. You can feel the tension of the grim small town. These characters are vile; just downright deplorable. There are detailed, vivid murder scenes are depicted so read with caution if you're squeamish.

While this can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the first 3 books in the series, particularly Hello, Transcriber in order to fully understand the dynamic between Hazel and Kole.

Petition to bring this story to the big screen...it reads like an action movie!

If all you had to do was one bad thing, and you could leave Black Harbor behind forever, would you do it?

The sweltering days leading up to the 4th of July weekend are the least of Sergeant Nikolai Kole’s worries. His latest scene is in the back of a clubhouse hostile to cops—containing a body wrapped in trash bags and doused with bleach.

Inside: Tommy Greenlee, the ex-husband of Hazel…Kole’s former lover.

Even though she left Black Harbor, Hazel has hardly “escaped”. Haunted by memories of the place, she finds herself back—trying to figure out who killed Tommy and why. But, will she be able to make it out, again?

I am a huge fan of the Black Harbor series (please see the mug in this photo 😊) and this book is absolute PERFECTION! The tension between what is happening in Black Harbor and the emotions of its denizens is tautly written. The plot and atmosphere leave the reader on edge, waiting for what could ignite this tinderbox and let everything break loose. The mystery is gripping, and two moments caused me to go “AHHHHHHH!” out loud. (No regrets).

While the prior three books in the series can be read in any order, my recommendation would be to read all three of those books before reading this one. You have some time because The Unlucky Ones releases on March 25, 2025. Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the e-ARC.

I really enjoyed this book, this is one of my favorite series and I hope it continues. Hazel, the former transcriber for the Black Harbor police, left the area after the events in the first book, she is now returning after finding out her ex-husband, Tommy, has been killed, she wants to make sure she's not implicated in his murder, though she wasn't there when it happened. Tommy was a real miserable person, and he took his misery out on Hazel, frequently abusing her verbally and physically. Hazel had also been involved with the Sergeant of the police Nikolai (Nik) Kole, and left him when she left the area. Doesn't take long though for them to connect, she's busy searching the duplex Tommy and her lived in, looking for the gun registered to her, hoping it's still there, when Nik shows up and catches her in the act. There are a lot of moving parts in this story, Nik is investigating Tommy's murder, which took place in a members only club, he is also aware there is a deadly drug making the rounds in the area, one that has no antidote. Nik also has a confidential informant that he believes knows more than she's letting on and with Hazel back, he's distracted. I would highly recommend though I would suggest reading the others first but I think it could be read as a stand a lone as well. Thanks to #Netgalley and #Minotaur books for the ARC.

I have been (im)patiently waiting for Hazel to return to Black Harbor, and this one was well worth the wait. While the fourth, and possibly last in the Black Harbor series, this is the only one where I think you would benefit from reading the other ones first. At least, read Hello, Transcriber. Put that one on your Holiday TBR so you are ready for this one when it comes out in March 2025.

Morrissey has the ability to craft extremely atmospheric, dark and gritty novels. You can feel, see and smell all the things in this one. While I am from Wisconsin and familiar with the area where she draws her inspiration, the way she writes is phenomenal and puts you right in the action. The tension is palpable, and it seems like you are on the streets, and the slums, of Black Harbor experiencing it first-hand.

Also, the way she weaves together storylines is simply incredible. Everyone is important from their backstory to their own connections. Reconnecting with all the characters from the other books was an element I didn’t realize I needed.

Lastly, I truly appreciate the struggles Hazel faces because they are so real. For someone that has faced emotional and physical abuse, her trust issues are legit and well explored along the main storyline. You can’t help but love Kole and cheer for him to protect her – from herself and the crime that surrounds them.

I am obsessed with Black Harbor, so don’t miss this one. It will be one of your top reads in 2025 – trust me!

I didn't realize this book was part of a series when I requested it, but I read it anyway. It seems it can be read as a standalone. It was a great book, and makes me want to read the others in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

The Unlucky Ones but I was lucky to read this book! Amazing book, great job! I really enjoyed it! Such an interesting book.

grim, gritty, crime-fiction, psychological-thriller, triggers, criminal-acts, noir, discord, Wisconsin, suspense, small-town, local-law-enforcement, murders, investigations, writers, violence, PTSD, secrets, lies, spousal-abuse****

Eight years of backstory is well covered enough to make this effective as a standalone. Hazel returns to town about the same time that her abusive ex-husband is executed and winds up working with her ex-lover to investigate the murder. Lots of drama.
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected digital galley from St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books via NetGalley.
Avail Mar 25, 2025 #TheUnluckyOnes by Hannah Morrissey #BlackHarborNovelsBk4 St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books #PsychologicalThriller

This is book 4 in the Black Harbor series. If you loved book 1 with its beautiful writing and the love story between Hazel and Detective Kole, you will love this one too.
After 8 years away, Hazel finally returns to Black Harbor to help solve the murder of her ex-husband Tommy.
Hannah Morrissey’s writing really speaks to me. Book 2 and 3 felt different, but book 4 flows similarly to book 1 which was an absolute plus for me. The storylines, twists and turns were strong, however I wish there had been more of Hazel and Kole’s relationship. Hopefully Hannah Morrissey’s next book will bring us just that.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I need to be more aware when requesting a book to make sure it’s not part of a series. This could be read as a standalone but I think it would have been better to have some background story. The book was a bit slow at parts and I really had to push myself to finish it. Overall, it was okay

I am not a big series fan but have enjoyed this one. This is Book 4 of the Black Harbor series and features Hazel, the Transcriber. Hazel has been away from the town of Black Harbor series. Hazel has been away from Black Harbor and returns to help solve the murder of Tommy, her ex-husband. This also puts her back working with Sergeant Nikolai Kole, an ex-lover. But that is just a small part with the main story being the murder, crime and corruption running rampant in this small town. You can read The Unlucky ones as a standalone, but I recommend beginning with Book 1 for all the character history and backstory! This is definitely a worthy addition to the series, and I look forward to Book 5. I love Hannah's characters and writing style.

Thank you to #NetGalley, Hannah Morrissey and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I will post my review to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Facebook and other retail and social media sites upon publication day of March 25, 2025.

This is the fourth book in her Black Harbour series. This was my first book and it didn't seem to affect my overall enjoyment of the story. I do want to go back and read the other books in the series. This book focuses on solving the murder of Hazel ex husband. By investigating his murder and couple others detective Nikolai Cole is in the same orbit as the only girl he loves. The twists were good but almost underwhelming and not completely finished. I also wish i seen more of the love story between Cole and Hazel. Overall a good book and I am looking forward to reading more.

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5
Publication date March 25, 2025

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sending this eARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Hazel the transcriber is back! When Hazel learns about her ex-husbands murder, she goes back to Black Harbor after 9 years to find out what happened and get some closure. What she doesn't expect (or does she??) is being thrown into the middle of this investigation, with her former lover Detective Kole.

I absolutely love the Black Harbor series, and definitely recommend reading them all in order. I love Hannah Morrissey's writing style and character development. I hope to read more about Black Harbor, and am looking forward to any stand alone novels as well.

The Unlucky Ones will take you on an adventure through the seedy underbelly of Black Harbor, WI. When Hazel returns to Black Harbor, after being away almost a decade, to investigate the murder of her ex-husband, she has no idea what she will find. From her old haunts to old lovers, you will be taken through not only her past but her present to get to the bottom of the case.

This book is written for the person who loves to solve the case and get to know the characters. Not all the characters are likable but that emulates real life. If you want to get to know more about Black Harbor be sure to read the previous books in the series.

Thank you to Minotaur Books for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in return for my honest feedback.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Hazel returns to Black Harbor after being away for years. She is hoping that Tommie's murder will be solved. This book lagged at times.

Wow! I have thoroughly enjoyed this series, but this story is my favorite! What a heart-pounding ending to this fantastic series! Everything has come full circle. I love Hazel is back. I love her and Kole and their dynamic. I love the suspense and the investigations and the nuggets and details as they were dropped. I had chills as everything began to unravel. Fantastic storytelling. Intriguing, captivating, gritty murder mystery!

“The truth conquers all and yet…everybody lies.”

While I found the premise promising, the story ultimately fell short of my expectations. The plot began with an intriguing setup, offering a world or conflict that had real potential. However, as the story progressed, I found myself losing interest.

One of the main issues was the pacing. Early on, things seemed to move quickly, but the middle of the book felt drawn-out, with little progression in terms of character development or plot. The twists I was hoping for never materialized, and what should have been climactic moments fell a bit flat.

Characterization was another area where the book didn't quite hit the mark. While the characters were clearly designed to be compelling, they lacked depth and complexity. Many of their actions seemed to be driven more by the needs of the plot rather than their individual personalities, making it hard for me to emotionally connect with them.

The writing itself was solid, and there were moments of insight that made me think the author had a lot of talent. However, the underdeveloped plot and lack of meaningful stakes kept me from fully enjoying the journey. It felt like the book had all the right ingredients but didn't quite manage to cook up something satisfying.

Overall, I’d say this is a decent read if you’re not looking for anything too heavy or groundbreaking, but if you’re after a story with strong emotional resonance or a gripping plot, this one might not be for you. A three-star rating reflects the potential I saw, but the execution just didn’t live up to it.

I have to say that this author does not shy away from the dark side of a city and she builds a thrilling murder mystery that is raw and gritty. Her descriptions are vivid and believable.

This is a police procedural book that includes a fantastic plot that is headline-worthy and teaming with characters that hold their own. Most of them have qualities that are certainly questionable.

The Unlucky Ones is a dark, gritty murder mystery set in the underbelly of a city that reeks of drugs and rot. But within the pages, a romance tries to bloom between two past lovers. Morrissey teases us with a bit of lightness to offset the ugly.

Overall, this is a great police procedural that will suck you in and give you the feeling like you are on the streets with them as they unfold the murder mystery. If you are not shy about raw, vivid depictions of the crime-ridden world, this is a great novel and Kole is an awesome main character!

A huge fan of the Black Harbor series, I was thrilled to jump back into the dark world of Black Harbor, Wisconsin in THE UNLUCKY ONES, book 4 in the series. Hazel Greenlee managed to get out of Black Harbor 8 years ago but now her ex, Tommy, turns up dead with a calling card left behind. Finding herself drawn back to this dark town to find out what happened also leads her back to Sergeant Nikolai Kole, whom she had an affair with years ago when she was working with the department as a transcriber (which you can read all about in book 1 of the series, HELLO, TRANSCRIBER). I was beyond thrilled to jump back into the cruel world that is Black Harbor and Hannah Morrissey sucked me right in once again!? Highly recommended author, book & series!!