This is my first book in this series, and I felt quite confused when I started reading because I didn’t realize it was part of a series. I wish I had read at least one other book beforehand to better understand the characters' backgrounds and how this story connects to the others.

The book took some time to capture my interest. The two narratives, presented from different perspectives (third person and first person), were challenging to follow due to their distinct styles. I found myself preferring Kole’s chapters over Hazel’s. I also felt that Hazel and Kole’s relationship was strange. The exploration of the underground drug scene was interesting, as it's not something I typically read about, and the plot moved along quickly. Overall, it was a good story, but I did not love it.

I had access to both the Kindle and audiobook versions, but I listened to almost the entire story. The narrators Angela Dawe and Robb Moreira both did a great job.

Thank you to NetGallery and to Macmillan Audio and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for my copy.

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.

Wow! Just wow! Five huge stars for what is now my favorite entry into the Black Harbor series. This book exceeded my expectations, and my expectations were already very high. This one will be on my “best of” list for 2025.

Black Harbor is known for its crime. That is never in question. This time around, the city’s drug problem is officially at an untenable level. Detective Nikolai Kole and crew are back to investigate the murder of Tommy Greenlee. If that name sounds familiar, it is because he was in the first book of the series, Hello, Transcriber. Tommy’s ex-wife, Hazel returns for some answers. To say that I was excited for her return would be an understatement. Her entrance in this one was perfect too.

This book is gritty, violent, and heartbreaking - just as you would expect from a Black Harbor book. It was also incredibly human. The thing that really surprised me about this was the weather. Readers are used to the brutal cold and desolation of this area. This time around, we have the heat of July. This somehow made Black Harbor even more brutal. Black Harbor is its own character, and it lives up to its reputation again. This series truly gets better with each installment.

I read both the book and listened to the audiobook for this one. The narrators - Angela Dawe and Robb Moreira - are incredible. I could not put this one down or stop listening!

And that ending! I’ve already reread it 10 times.

Now, when is the next book?

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read this fantastic book! I highly recommend this entire series. This one is out on March 25 - preorder it now!

I didn't read books 2 and 3 in this series...but lucky me, this book picked up with the characters from Hello Transcriber! Nothing unlucky about that!. I love how these characters evolved over the 8 years apart, and how maybe they were both just in limbo that whole time. The audio version is spectacular!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Unfortunately this just wasn't the book for me. I didn't like any of the characters, I didn't enjoy the storyline. I just didn't connect with anything. I did stick through it but it wasn't for me.

I had difficulty following this. I learned from GR it was #4 in the series which explains why I was confused and not connecting with certain characters. Hard to say if this could be a “stand alone” for others. Wasn’t for me but I’m sure fans of the series will enjoy.

"The Unlucky Ones" is the fourth novel in the Black Harbor series. In this exciting police procedural, readers are reintroduced to Hazel Greenlee, a police transcriber-turned-novelist, who returns to Black Harbor, Wisconsin, when her ex-husband, Tommy is murdered. Investigating the case is none other than Sergeant Nikolai Kole, Hazel's former lover.

Once again, Hannah Morrissey has written a captivating, unputdownable thriller. I really enjoyed the last book in the series, "When I'm Dead," but I loved this one even more. Each book follows different members of the Black Harbor Police Department, and I loved that this book brought back Hazel and Kole from the first novel in the series, "Hello, Transcriber." The main characters from the other books also made appearances throughout, which was fun. The other books worked better as
standalone novels, but I think you should read the rest of the series before diving into this one.

I knew this was going to be a five-star read after the first chapter. I was completely hooked and could not put it down. The author does not hold back on the realities of crime, especially drug use and gang violence. Her vivid descriptions of crime-ridden Black Harbor and its residents will leave you feeling uneasy. The pacing was excellent, and I enjoyed the dual POVs of Kole and Hazel. As a former prosecutor, I sometimes struggle with police procedurals, but this one was so well-done. A pulse-pounding page-turner that I highly recommend!

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Robb Moreira and Angela Dawe. They blew me away and had me hanging on to their every word. I've listened to many of Dawe's audiobooks before as a Finlay Donovan fan, and she has such incredible range. Moreira was excellent too and is one of the best male narrators I've ever listened to. Their performances made it difficult to pause the audiobook. They did such a great job bringing the characters to life and delivering a fast-paced, suspenseful story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.