I enjoyed another trip into the world of Black Harbor with its sense of danger and interesting law enforcement. This book featured the multiple POVS of Sergeant Cole and his former lover and former transcriber, Hazel. Hazel returned to town after her ex-husband's murder and found herself in danger from an unknown source as she tried to work out who the murderer was. Cole was on the case, forcing them to cross paths, and things heated up between them again as they did when they had an affair together years earlier. Both characters had a dark backstory and trauma in their pasts that made the current storyline richer as their storylines merged and the truth revealed itself. Fans of crime thrillers will love this book.

I am speechless (and emotional) after finishing! The Unlucky Ones has truly cinched my love of Hannah Morrissey's writing - which is the same thing I have now said about each of the four books in her Black Harbor series.

Where do I even start? Because there is no way I can properly convey how much I loved it!

This one is the seedy underbelly of Black Harbor.
This one is everything.

Kole is a constant throughout this series, with the other characters orbiting around him. He's been lurking in the background, and up until now, we've only ever seen him from an outside vantage point; finally, we are rewarded with a perspective all his own. Morrissey is fantastic at character development, as Kole is exactly who I anticipated him to be. His outside persona and inside monologue are simply one in the same. (Although I will say he's matured a lot since we first met.)

And Hazel? I love and adore her with all my heart. Forever.

After eight (book) years, I am so happy that Hazel and Kole have found themselves taking up the same space once again.

This is where I give a standing ovation for this audiobook! (And, I'll admit I was apprehensive about it!) My love of Angela Dawe's voice simply has no limit, but it was Robb Moreira's version of Kole that drove this one home for me! Finally, we get to hear Kole from his own perspective and in his own voice rather than hearing it through other characters (and their narrators). Although Moreira's voice isn't exactly the same as that original voice Dawe created for Kole, it is perfect! Moreira's assertive breathiness was the perfect choice, matching and complimenting Dawe's voice and narration flawlessly. Kudos to whomever selected Moreira! And even with all that being said... I'm so happy that this ending, this epilogue was from the perspective it was; it felt like a complete loop, giving a bit of solace to the wounds incurred along the way.

If this is, in fact, the end, it was one hell of a ride! And I can't wait to read whatever Morrissey comes up with next!

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

Hazel’s BACK!!! After reading Hello, Transcriber I have been wanting more time with Hazel and Cole and this was such a good follow-up. Black Harbor is not a setting for the faint of heart but I gobbled this on up. If you are like me and love dark, atmospheric thrillers you won’t want to miss this one! While each book in the Black Harbor series is an interconnected standalone, I highly recommend that you read Hello, Transcriber first.

While I eyeball read most of the book, I did listen to a few chapters on audiobooks. Angela Dawe and Robb Moreira did a fantastic job with the narration and either option is a great way to digest this fantastic dark read!

****Many thanks to Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for the gifted copies.

The Unlucky Ones is the fourth book in the series and the second one I have read. Each book contains its own story; while the characters and setting of Black Harbor remain consistent, the mystery in each book is unique. The relationships between the characters are easy to follow, even without having read the first two books in the series. The different dynamics between the characters are quickly discernible.

I did not feel an urgency to finish this book but the pace was very comfortable and the storyline was easy to follow. I enjoyed the mystery and am intrigued with Hazel and Kole’s relationship. At times, I felt the story drag on a bit and found myself skimming the paragraphs a bit.

I would recommend this book to any mystery thriller reader looking for a good police drama. I felt like I was reading an episode of a police tv show.

Hannah Morrissey is back and better than ever with her fourth installment in the Black Harbor series. I loved the previous books in this enthralling, dark, atmospheric series, and was super excited to have the opportunity to read the newest book. A huge thank you to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, the author and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy of this book.

Black Harbor is a city that has been rife with crime: gangs, drugs, and murder. The city is hot, a ticking time bomb ready to explode. Nikolai Kole responds to the scene of homicide at the back of a clubhouse. He knows that this will not be another routinely worked case. The dead body is the ex-husband of Hazel, who was once his lover.

Hazel, a former police transcriber has fled Black Harbor, but continues be haunted by the memories of her time there. She has been able to carve out a new life for herself as a writer. But when she hears the about the brutal murder of her ex-husband Tommy she feels compelled to return after being gone for eight years now.
She wants to find out what really happened to her ex. However, can she and Kole put aside what transpired between them, and work together to solve the murder? Can they unravel the dangerous secrets in this volatile city?

Hannah Morrissey once again brilliantly delivers a masterful, highly addictive police procedural. With a suspenseful, taut, twisty storyline that kept me guessing, and that I could not put down until the very end. If you are looking for dark, gritty mysteries to read then definitely add the Black Harbor series to your reading list.

First and foremost, I want to thank NetGalley, St. Martin's Publishing/ Minotaur Books and Hannah Morrissey for opportunity to read this ARC.

Black Harbor serves as a dynamic and integral element in this narrative, more so than in previous installments, which seemed unlikely. The city's essence permeates the characters just as much as they influence it. The adage holds true: one can remove the individual from the city, but not the city from the individual. Kole and Hazel become entwined in a series of murders, and each clue they uncover leads to further questions rather than answers. A notable aspect of Hazel's journey is her preparedness for Black Harbor, with her development intricately linked to the bridge. This story serves as a poignant and fitting farewell to a city that continues to captivate. Though departing from Black Harbor might appear final, the urge to revisit Hannah's intricate world-building and the captivating characters of Black Harbor remains strong. This is book #4 in the Black Harbor series. I would highly recommend this series. I can’t wait to see what Hannah Morrissey has in store for us next time. Release date is March 25,2025.

✨Pub day must read✨
I loved being back in the atmospheric crime ridden city of Black Harbor. When Hazel’s ex-husband, Tommy turns up dead, she is drawn back to Black Harbor to find out what happened. We get to revisit the smoldering romance of Hazel and Nik and several characters from the past. The mystery behind Tommy’s death kept me intrigued and the possibility of guilty suspects piled up right until the end.

This is the fourth installment in the Black Harbor series. I did a re-read of Hello, Transcriber prior to reading this and was glad I did. It was helpful to have the background and relationship of Kole and Hazel fresh in my mind.

Being from Wisconsin, I love that this series is set in a fictional WI town along Lake Michigan. I can picture the scenes so easily in my head.

Highly recommend this book and this whole series! I can’t wait to see Hannah at @lions_mouth_bookstore this Saturday and hear her talk about the book!

Thank you @stmartinspress for the digital e-arc!

The Unlucky Ones by Hannah Morrissey
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Nikolai Kole is called to a homocide scene. Upon arriving, he knows who the victim is, and he knows this will be a tricky case. Meanwhile, Hazel left Black Harbor eight years ago and is determined to never go back…until she hears that her ex-husband has been murdered.
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The Unlucky Ones is book four in the Black Harbor series, and while it can be read as a stand alone, you get so much more by reading the whole series.

I was really excited to read this book after hearing that our favorite police transcriber from book one was returning. Hazel coming back to Black Harbor and having to come to terms with everything she went through while living there was really coming full circle.

I always liked Kole but I loved getting to hear his POV this time as he works the case and organizes his thoughts about Hazel.

The mystery of who killed Tommy had me guessing and stressing. I did not guess well. 🧐 But I loved how it all ended.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I read the whole series in order and I highly recommend it that way. I think my favorites were either The Unlucky Ones or The Widowmaker, but all four books are excellent. If you love dark mysteries then be sure to add all the Black Harbor books to your TBR.

THE UNLUCKY ONES is book four in the Black Harbor series. It also marks Hazel’s return to the place she so desperately wanted to escape.

Nobody writes a dark, gritty, atmospheric town like Hannah 🙌

I loved reading this fast-paced procedural that dredged up moments from the characters’ pasts. I had so many theories, but Hannah caught me off guard for sure!

These books can each be read as standalones, but I would definitely reading HELLO, TRANSCRIBER before picking up this one!

My book club had so much fun meeting with Hannah on Saturday to talk all things Black Harbor and THE UNLUCKY ONES 🖤

Black Harbor, Wisconsin is at a flash point. A critical juncture has been reached between gangs, drugs, guns, the heat, murders, and the police are trying to prevent a point of no return. Which way will the situation tip? The Unlucky Ones by Hannah Morrissey is the fourth book in the Black Harbor series. Sergeant Nikolai Kole responds to a homicide in the back of a criminal clubhouse. The body is that of Tommy Greenlee, the ex-husband of Kole’s former girlfriend, Hazel, who returns to the town after eight years in Brooklyn.

Kole is sharp, unrelenting, blunt, and confident. His violent crime task force has a 95 percent closure rate. He’s a little rough around the edges, but is determined to help the helpless, and he loves his golden retriever, Rocket. Hazel is a former police transcriber who is now a novelist. She’s tough to read, tends to look for the worst in things, and leaps to conclusions. The supporting characters are well-rounded and brought another layer of depth to the story. I especially enjoyed getting to know more about Axel as well as Ryan Hudson.

The story is told from the perspectives of Kole and Hazel. Except for the prologue and epilogue, this crime novel and police procedural takes place over five days. The author did a great job of setting the scene, making the scenes come alive and easy to visualize. Additionally, she did a great job of building the suspense and adding a twist or two to keep readers and the investigators on their toes.

The plot line was a little over-the-top in places and some of the actions by Hazel felt unrealistic and unnecessarily dangerous. The pacing is fast and kept me rapidly turning the pages. Readers should be aware that there are some graphic details regarding torture and murder. There are also several characters with street names that need to be kept straight. Additional themes running through the novel are confidential informants, lies, relationships, and grief, as well as emotional, physical, and verbal abuse.

Overall, this is a dark, disturbing, and gritty story, full of suspense and investigation with characters that came to life. While this book can be read as a standalone from the standpoint of the actual murder mystery, it refers to people and events in prior novels. Reading the series in order would likely enhance the experience and give background and context that would otherwise be missed. I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author. Readers who like dark police procedurals with vivid descriptions and dynamic characters will likely enjoy this novel.

St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Hannah Morrissey provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for March 25, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine

Morrissey continues to be so talented and has written another excellent installment to the Black Harbor novels. Her subtle humor always makes me smile. And her storytelling is perfectly dark.

I loved being back in Black Harbor.
Another very well written and gripping novel by Hannah Morrissey.
The vivid descriptions fitted the setting perfectly.
This authors masterful writing style is perfection. I easily fell in love with her style before.... But this!
This is on a whole new level.
A fascinating and unique mystery and it was one of those "I want to savor every last word"
And one of those "damn does it have to end so soon"
Compelling, atmospheric and downright unputdownable!! I loved everything about this book
Another nail-biter, perfect for an all-nighter.

The latest title in the Black Harbor series doesn’t pull any punches. Hazel had escaped Black Harbor and had forged a new life for herself as an author, but when she hears that her ex husband, Tommy is found brutally murdered she is compelled to return and find out what happened. The city was rough before but seems to have gotten worse since she left. Sergeant Nikolai Kole is still there and continues to do whatever he can to keep the darkness at bay by putting criminals behind bars, even if the criminals continue to get worse. Kole and Hazel have a history and both find themselves working together as they uncover the secrets that surround Tommy’s death.

This was a nail biter!! There is no one better than Hannah Morrissey that can create the dark and gritty atmosphere of Black Harbor with her prose and attention to detail . She is so good at setting a scene and developing her characters that you are immersed in this world and so invested. Kole and Hazel have great chemistry and the sexual tension was perfect!! I Loved this and was amazed how she was able to keep everything on track, not missing a beat as the story raced to the action packed ending.

5 ⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for the book #TheUnluckyOnes by #HannahMorrissey. This is the fourth book in the Black Harbor series and it’s beyond words how good it is. I am obsessed with this series!! Hazel has come back to Black Harbor to find out who killed her ex husband, Tommy. Eight years ago, Hazel and Kole, a detective, had started an affair before Hazel took off to pursue a career as a writer. Now that she’s back, will she and Kole pick up where they left off? And can they find out who killed Tommy and the mysterious calling cards being left behind for years?

Hannah Morrissey's "The Unlucky Ones" delivers an enthralling police drama that captivates readers from the first page to the last. Set in a small town with its own hidden secrets, the novel intricately weaves a tale of mystery and suspense, using multiple narrators to provide a rich tapestry of perspectives.

The story brilliantly captures the essence of small-town life, where everyone knows each other's business, yet secrets remain buried deep within the community. Morrissey's storytelling is masterful, as she expertly balances the tension between the personal lives of the characters and the unfolding criminal investigations. The multiple narrators add a layer of complexity and depth, giving readers insight into the motivations and emotions of the diverse cast.

The character development is exceptional, with each narrator bringing their own unique voice and perspective to the narrative. This technique not only enriches the storyline but also allows for a deeper connection with the characters and their struggles. As a reader, I found myself engrossed in their individual journeys, eagerly turning the pages to uncover the truth.

Morrissey's writing style is both engaging and evocative, painting vivid pictures of the small-town setting and the intricate details of police work. The plot twists are cleverly crafted, keeping readers guessing until the very end. The novel's pacing is perfect, with the tension steadily building to a satisfying and unexpected conclusion.

Overall, "The Unlucky Ones" is a must-read for fans of police dramas and mystery novels. Hannah Morrissey has crafted a compelling and thought-provoking story that will leave readers eager for more. This book is a testament to her talent as a storyteller, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a gripping and immersive reading experience.

Black Harbor is a gritty, crime-ridden town that Hazel, a former police transcriber, escaped years ago — along with her abusive ex-husband, Tommy. After his murder, she returns, but is it for answers or to reconnect with her former lover, police sergeant Nikolai Kole? As they dig deeper, the town’s darkest secrets come to light.

Morrissey paints a vivid, atmospheric portrait of a place most long to leave. The story is well-written, with strong character development, though I occasionally found Hazel’s motivations hard to grasp. This fourth installment works well as a standalone, with enough backstory to follow easily.

Every now and then, readers discover a series that seems to flow from one book to the next with no need to remember where the last one left off or get familiar with the characters again. Such is the Black Harbor series, this is book #4 but the story picks up where the last one stopped. Hannah Morrissey must be an avid reader to be able to craft a series like this one.
Black Harbor is a smallish town just like so many others. There are good characters and some not so good and some very interesting ones that keep readers involved in the stories. Sgt Nikolia Kole responds to a murder scene that turns out to be anything but a routine death in a drug house. The victim is Tommie, the ex-husband of Kole's former lover, Hazel. The scene is a mixture of bad things happening to bad people, but Hazel will return to Black Harbor in hopes of helping to find his killer. The story has dark moments but the tension runs tight throughout the book as Kole and Hazel dance around their history.
This series is one that will hook any one who loves great thrillers with characters that are well developed and three dimensional. I know I love it!!!

Trouble is brewing again in Black Harbor. The death of Tommy Greenlee brings his ex-wife, Hazel, the former police transcriber, back to town – a place she vowed never to return. Hazel left town at the end of the first novel in this series. In The Unlucky Ones, we meet Hazel again as she leaves the city to find out what happened to her ex-husband.
Black Harbor is not a pretty town. The economy doesn’t offer much to folks trying to make a life for themselves. Drugs and crime are rampant, and the old iron bridge in town is a beacon for lost souls. Hazel is certain though, regardless how awful and violent her relationship with Tommy turned, he never did the drugs that take most of the people in Black Harbor.
Sergeant Nikolai Kole is looking into Tommy’s gruesome death. It doesn’t take long for Nik and Hazel’s paths to cross again, and with all the tension. Trying to figure out what happened, and what each other’s motives are while navigating the darkness, they need to work together to fill the gaps. With their history, that makes things tough. Nik knows he needs to keep Hazel safe to get to the bottom of this newest crime wave, but will Hazel let him?
Though Black Harbor is not a tourist destination, I enjoy each visit there with Hannah Morrissey. Reuniting with all the characters and visiting the familiar places is comforting. It’s nice to know some people are able to fight against the dreariness of Black Harbor.
I’ve been a fan of this series since getting hooked on Hello, Transcriber by Hannah Morrissey. I appreciate receiving a digital ARC of The Unlucky Ones from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Book Four of the Series

When Hazel Greenlee returns to Black Harbor after learning her ex, Tommy, has been murdered. This also means being in the same place as her former lover, Sgt. Nikolai Kole.

As the temperatures rise, so does crime... why is that always the way? Kole is called out to a clubhouse after a body is found in trash bags with bleach poured over. This is going to be a challenge as one of the first rules of the clubhouse is no cops, so it's obvious that the members won't be helpful.

It was interesting to see how this murder was connected to other crime in the area. I'm thinking I would have enjoyed this more had I read the first books of the series. It just seemed slow to me, and never really picked up the pace.

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and Hannah Morrissey for the eARC.

Sergeant Nikolai Kole is called to the scene of the murder and discovers the body is his former lover’s ex-husband. Hazel is a police transcriber turned novelist who left Black Harbor eight years ago. Her ex-husband has been murdered, and she returns to find out who killed him and why. As the atmosphere in Black Harbor becomes more volatile, Hazel and Nikolai are forced to call a truce and work together to solve the murder.

THE UNLUCKY ONES is the fourth book in the Black Harbor series, and while I think it could be read as a standalone, I would highly recommend reading book one Hello, Transcriber first as this book is a continuation of Hazel and Nikolai’s story.

I’ve enjoyed each of Morrissey’s books, but I think this one takes the cake as my favorite with When I’m Dead taking a close second. Morrissey’s writing is vivid, descriptive, and highly engrossing. The setting of Black Harbor, like in her previous books, is so well described, eerie, and feels like a living and breathing character of its own.

I gained a better appreciation of Hazel and Kole’s story here. While I liked Hello, Transcriber, I enjoyed the continuation of their story and the characters themselves a lot more than my first reading experience. THE UNLUCKY ONES is told in dual POV, alternating between Kole and Hazel’s perspectives. The characters are well written with good depth, flaws, and distinctive voices. The chemistry and tension between the two characters is palpable. I really enjoyed the rapport they rekindle over the course of the story. A special shout out to Kole’s dog whose name I already cannot remember but whose presence I truly adored.

The plot is well-crafted with layers of grit, twists, and intrigue that kept me captivated from start to finish. I wasn’t sure how it would all go down but was more than willing to jump in and enjoy the ride!

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Minotaur Books, for the opportunity to read this advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.