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Black Harbor #4
The Unlucky Ones
A police transcriber-turned-novelist returns to Black Harbor to help solve the case of her ex-husband’s murder in the newest riveting Black Harbor mystery by acclaimed author Hannah Morrissey.
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. They both used each other to their own ends before, which begs the question: would they do it again?
With the atmosphere growing more volatile by the second, Hazel and Kole call a truce, and as they work together to solve this murder, they will not only unearth Black Harbor’s deepest, darkest secrets—they’ll each have to face their own.
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. They both used each other to their own ends before, which begs the question: would they do it again?
With the atmosphere growing more volatile by the second, Hazel and Kole call a truce, and as they work together to solve this murder, they will not only unearth Black Harbor’s deepest, darkest secrets—they’ll each have to face their own.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published March 25, 2025
48 people are currently reading
14406 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Morrissey
13 books1,215 followersHannah Morrissey is a USA Today bestselling author of the Black Harbor suspense series and other gripping works of crime fiction (coming soon!). Praised for their hauntingly atmospheric settings and gritty Midwestern realism, her novels have helped define a distinct subgenre: Midwestern Noir.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she studied English and Creative Writing, Hannah now lives near Milwaukee with her husband and their three mischievous pugs.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she studied English and Creative Writing, Hannah now lives near Milwaukee with her husband and their three mischievous pugs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 473 reviews
March 25, 2025
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
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My 4.0 star review is coming soon.
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
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My 4.0 star review is coming soon.
November 15, 2024
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!
~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/the-unlucky-...
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!
~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/the-unlucky-...
September 5, 2024
Say hello again to transcriber Hazel Greenlee, lured in The Unlucky Ones back to Black Harbor to help solve her ex-husband’s brutal murder, but the people there are as dark and twisted as she remembers. Morrissey’s talents take center stage here: moody, razor-sharp prose; a scrupulously plotted chain of escalating events; and a cast of damaged characters so real they leap off the page. Black Harbor is a cruel and miserable place, but I’ll follow Hannah Morrissey there anytime.
February 26, 2025
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Hannah Morrissey, St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
After discovering the Black Harbor series a few years ago, I cannot get enough of it. Quaint, yet mysterious, those who live and work here see other things lurking in the shadows. After the body of Tommy Greenlee is discovered, old faces return to make themselves known, while the crime has no solid leads. Working angles as best he can, Nikolai Kole must find a killer before everything implodes and goes up in smoke. It's sure to be a tough job, but someone has to keep things seeming bucolic to outsiders. Hannah Morrissey does well to slice another portion of Black Harbor up and present it to the curious reader.
Black Harbor was once a lovely place to live, but all that has changed. Violent crimes and racial clashes have left the community struggling to know itself, with a drug business that has turned things upside down. Police Sergeant Nikolai Kole makes his way to a crime scene and discovers it is anything but a straightforward murder. The victim has been killed and the body is put in a position to ensure it disintegrates swiftly.
The body is that of Tommy Greenlee, which adds new concerns for Sergeant Kole. This is the ex-husband of Kole’s former love interest, Hazel. The body had also been shot and evidence points to Hazel potentially having been involved. Sergeant Kole knows there is more than enough reason for Hazel to have wanted her ex dead, but could she have gone this far?
After a long hiatus, Hazel is back in Black Harbor. The memories are anything but pleasant. Still, Hazel wants to know what happened to Tommy. The interactions with Sergeant Kole are inevitable, but the love affair has long gone cold and there is little chance they can warm it up after so long and a great deal of history. A dead body and a history that does not provide Hazel an alibi, Sergeant Kole will have to work quickly to make sense of it all and the evidence that is before him. Hannah Morrissey delivers another strong book in the series with this piece!
A story of this nature requires patience and determination to write, as the pieces must slide in together perfectly. There's something to be said of the abilities Hannah Morrissey offers to her reading base, while crafting a well-paced narrative. The story flows with ease and keeps the reader enthralled from the outset, with multiple mysteries that keeps Black Harbor all the more intriguing. I could not get enough of the quick writing and swift chapters that meld into one another as things progress with ease from start to finish. Characters emerge to offer their own perspectives, as some take the helm of narrative various parts of the book. This leaves the reader to sense things in a number of ways and keeps the story from getting too predictable. This is also found in the numerous plot twists that Morrissey provides the curious reader, taking things up a notch or two. The reader can bask in the nuances and there is much to discover. I cannot wait to see if there is more to come and how Morrissey presents it.
Kudos, Madam Morrissey, for a great addition to a series that has never let me down.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
After discovering the Black Harbor series a few years ago, I cannot get enough of it. Quaint, yet mysterious, those who live and work here see other things lurking in the shadows. After the body of Tommy Greenlee is discovered, old faces return to make themselves known, while the crime has no solid leads. Working angles as best he can, Nikolai Kole must find a killer before everything implodes and goes up in smoke. It's sure to be a tough job, but someone has to keep things seeming bucolic to outsiders. Hannah Morrissey does well to slice another portion of Black Harbor up and present it to the curious reader.
Black Harbor was once a lovely place to live, but all that has changed. Violent crimes and racial clashes have left the community struggling to know itself, with a drug business that has turned things upside down. Police Sergeant Nikolai Kole makes his way to a crime scene and discovers it is anything but a straightforward murder. The victim has been killed and the body is put in a position to ensure it disintegrates swiftly.
The body is that of Tommy Greenlee, which adds new concerns for Sergeant Kole. This is the ex-husband of Kole’s former love interest, Hazel. The body had also been shot and evidence points to Hazel potentially having been involved. Sergeant Kole knows there is more than enough reason for Hazel to have wanted her ex dead, but could she have gone this far?
After a long hiatus, Hazel is back in Black Harbor. The memories are anything but pleasant. Still, Hazel wants to know what happened to Tommy. The interactions with Sergeant Kole are inevitable, but the love affair has long gone cold and there is little chance they can warm it up after so long and a great deal of history. A dead body and a history that does not provide Hazel an alibi, Sergeant Kole will have to work quickly to make sense of it all and the evidence that is before him. Hannah Morrissey delivers another strong book in the series with this piece!
A story of this nature requires patience and determination to write, as the pieces must slide in together perfectly. There's something to be said of the abilities Hannah Morrissey offers to her reading base, while crafting a well-paced narrative. The story flows with ease and keeps the reader enthralled from the outset, with multiple mysteries that keeps Black Harbor all the more intriguing. I could not get enough of the quick writing and swift chapters that meld into one another as things progress with ease from start to finish. Characters emerge to offer their own perspectives, as some take the helm of narrative various parts of the book. This leaves the reader to sense things in a number of ways and keeps the story from getting too predictable. This is also found in the numerous plot twists that Morrissey provides the curious reader, taking things up a notch or two. The reader can bask in the nuances and there is much to discover. I cannot wait to see if there is more to come and how Morrissey presents it.
Kudos, Madam Morrissey, for a great addition to a series that has never let me down.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
March 26, 2025
The Unlucky Ones is the fourth book in Hannah Morrissey’s gritty Black Harbor series, but it’s the first one that revisits characters from a previous book. This one takes place eight years after the events of Hello, Transcriber, the first book in this loosely connected series, and we get to revisit the main characters in that book, Hazel Greenlee (the former titular police transcriber), and detective Nikolai Kole, who had a short affair back then.
Black Harbor is a bleak city in Wisconsin, right on Lake Michigan. It is known as the highest crime city in Wisconsin and has huge drug and gang problems, among other issues.
Hazel fled Black Harbor and became a writer, fulfilling one of her dreams. When Hazel’s abusive ex-husband is murdered, she decides to come back to Black Harbor to find out what happened and why. This is that story.
The story unfolds via two points of view, Hazel’s and Nik’s. (The audiobook uses two narrators, which I loved.) Seeing them try to reconnect after eight years apart, dancing around their former connection, formed part of the book. Getting to know Nik’s partners in his violent crimes task force was another highlight. I could imagine the atmosphere in Black Harbor leading up to July 4th, which they knew would come with a few deaths. I can’t imagine living in such a depressingly bleak place, but Nik is tied to it and doesn’t picture himself leaving anytime soon.
There were several gang members that I had trouble keeping straight, but I powered through that issue and just kept reading/listening.
In addition to this book reaching back to the first book in the series, there’s a mention or two of the Reynolds family, who featured in book two, The Widowmaker, so perhaps Morrissey intends to revisit that story in a future book. Who knows?
Recommended for readers who don’t mind a gritty police procedural, with some violent scenes.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook and to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Black Harbor is a bleak city in Wisconsin, right on Lake Michigan. It is known as the highest crime city in Wisconsin and has huge drug and gang problems, among other issues.
Hazel fled Black Harbor and became a writer, fulfilling one of her dreams. When Hazel’s abusive ex-husband is murdered, she decides to come back to Black Harbor to find out what happened and why. This is that story.
The story unfolds via two points of view, Hazel’s and Nik’s. (The audiobook uses two narrators, which I loved.) Seeing them try to reconnect after eight years apart, dancing around their former connection, formed part of the book. Getting to know Nik’s partners in his violent crimes task force was another highlight. I could imagine the atmosphere in Black Harbor leading up to July 4th, which they knew would come with a few deaths. I can’t imagine living in such a depressingly bleak place, but Nik is tied to it and doesn’t picture himself leaving anytime soon.
There were several gang members that I had trouble keeping straight, but I powered through that issue and just kept reading/listening.
In addition to this book reaching back to the first book in the series, there’s a mention or two of the Reynolds family, who featured in book two, The Widowmaker, so perhaps Morrissey intends to revisit that story in a future book. Who knows?
Recommended for readers who don’t mind a gritty police procedural, with some violent scenes.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook and to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
November 15, 2024
Hazel returns to Black Harbor after being away for years. She is hoping that Tommie's murder will be solved. Thus book lagged in a few places.
August 19, 2025
I enjoyed this whodunnit. I had read book 3 in the series last year and enjoyed it enough that I was intrigued where else the author would take us. I am clearly a sucker for romance so if you mix that with a mystery/murder, I am pumped! This was a second chance which just added to the intrigue for me. I had not read the book where these two characters were originally introduced but did not feel like I didn't understand what was happening. I liked the snippets of backstory we got on Nikolai and Hazel. I thought that Hannah did a good job of building everything up and how she intertwined the past with the present. I liked Hazel- she had been running from her life in Black Harbor for good reason. The only good thing for her was Nikolai who she left behind. But she is back in town for closure. She has started to realize how strong she is and what she has been able to overcome. I really liked Nikolai too- he was like Batman in Gothman. He recognized how terrible his city was but also it was his home. He was determine to do anything he could to make it a better place. I liked their tension and chemistry and that it didn't really take that long for them to reconnect.
Nikolai has found himself in the trenches yet again. He is leading a team that has a great closing rate. They are doing what they can to keep the bad guys at bay, but they are like Hydra. You cut one off and another one that is most likely worse comes back. Imagine his surprise when the woman he loved and let go shows back up, Hazel. They have a complicated history. He knows she is only here because it was her ex that was killed. And the more he digs the more questions he has. Could Hazel know more? Is she the key to all of this? Or should she be a suspect? That one is a no go. How is that he hasn't seen or spoken to her in 8 years and it's like no time has passed in regard to his feelings. He wants her again. She gives him hope. So when it becomes clear that she could be a victim he does the hardest thing but the right thing. She caught wind though and instead of leaving ran right into the lion's den. She underestimate what he would do for her. How far he would go. He just hopes that when he asks her to stay this time she will say yes.
Hazel ran away from Black Harbor eight years ago and hasn't looked back. And yet here she is because her ex was murdered. The ex who has had so much of a hold on her. The ex she has been over for forever yet he still has a hold on her. Now she finds herself mixed up in the game that he had going. A game involving very powerful people who now want her. Well too bad because her ex lover Nikolai decides to step in and save the day. Now she finds herself basically living with this man who she loved all those years ago. She finds herself questioning if he still feels the same way. She finds herself wondering if they could make anything work because even though she can't stand this place she thinks she can't stand walking away from him again more. But then he goes and tries to be noble- well who does he think she is? She is here to stay. She is here to see this through and for him. But when the bad guys get her she hopes that he will get her in time so she can tell him how she really feels.
This was definitely more suspense/mystery than romance but again I liked that added element. I had such a hard time thinking of this as a real place in the US. It just sounds so terrible and haunting. Yet I appreciated Nikolai's grit to make it right whatever that looked like. I listened to this and read it on my Kindle app and enjoyed both. I would recommend this if you want an easy murder/mystery with a flash of second chance.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Nikolai has found himself in the trenches yet again. He is leading a team that has a great closing rate. They are doing what they can to keep the bad guys at bay, but they are like Hydra. You cut one off and another one that is most likely worse comes back. Imagine his surprise when the woman he loved and let go shows back up, Hazel. They have a complicated history. He knows she is only here because it was her ex that was killed. And the more he digs the more questions he has. Could Hazel know more? Is she the key to all of this? Or should she be a suspect? That one is a no go. How is that he hasn't seen or spoken to her in 8 years and it's like no time has passed in regard to his feelings. He wants her again. She gives him hope. So when it becomes clear that she could be a victim he does the hardest thing but the right thing. She caught wind though and instead of leaving ran right into the lion's den. She underestimate what he would do for her. How far he would go. He just hopes that when he asks her to stay this time she will say yes.
Hazel ran away from Black Harbor eight years ago and hasn't looked back. And yet here she is because her ex was murdered. The ex who has had so much of a hold on her. The ex she has been over for forever yet he still has a hold on her. Now she finds herself mixed up in the game that he had going. A game involving very powerful people who now want her. Well too bad because her ex lover Nikolai decides to step in and save the day. Now she finds herself basically living with this man who she loved all those years ago. She finds herself questioning if he still feels the same way. She finds herself wondering if they could make anything work because even though she can't stand this place she thinks she can't stand walking away from him again more. But then he goes and tries to be noble- well who does he think she is? She is here to stay. She is here to see this through and for him. But when the bad guys get her she hopes that he will get her in time so she can tell him how she really feels.
This was definitely more suspense/mystery than romance but again I liked that added element. I had such a hard time thinking of this as a real place in the US. It just sounds so terrible and haunting. Yet I appreciated Nikolai's grit to make it right whatever that looked like. I listened to this and read it on my Kindle app and enjoyed both. I would recommend this if you want an easy murder/mystery with a flash of second chance.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
February 9, 2025
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 “Hello, Transcriber” 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.
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 “Hello, Transcriber” 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.
March 28, 2025
This is the fourth book in the Black Harbor series by Hannah Morrissey and the third one I've read. Although the town of Black Harbor is not one I would ever want to live in, these books are good!
Description:
A police transcriber-turned-novelist returns to Black Harbor to help solve the case of her ex-husband’s murder in the newest riveting Black Harbor mystery by acclaimed author Hannah Morrissey.
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. They both used each other to their own ends before, which begs the question: would they do it again?
With the atmosphere growing more volatile by the second, Hazel and Kole call a truce, and as they work together to solve this murder, they will not only unearth Black Harbor’s deepest, darkest secrets—they’ll each have to face their own.
My Thoughts:
The new drug that has arrived in town is really scary and Sergeant Nikolai Kole and his team face many challenges to stop the inflow. The dark drug trade is rules by some ruthless characters and they need to be stopped. The return of Hazel, a lover from Nikolai's past, after her ex-husband is murdered is suspicious. Nikolai thinks Hazel could have had nothing to do with it, but others on his team are not so sure and Nikolai needs to find the killer. There are red herrings to distract and a good investigation to follow. Anyone who enjoys a good mystery will like this one and the Black Harbor series.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
A police transcriber-turned-novelist returns to Black Harbor to help solve the case of her ex-husband’s murder in the newest riveting Black Harbor mystery by acclaimed author Hannah Morrissey.
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. They both used each other to their own ends before, which begs the question: would they do it again?
With the atmosphere growing more volatile by the second, Hazel and Kole call a truce, and as they work together to solve this murder, they will not only unearth Black Harbor’s deepest, darkest secrets—they’ll each have to face their own.
My Thoughts:
The new drug that has arrived in town is really scary and Sergeant Nikolai Kole and his team face many challenges to stop the inflow. The dark drug trade is rules by some ruthless characters and they need to be stopped. The return of Hazel, a lover from Nikolai's past, after her ex-husband is murdered is suspicious. Nikolai thinks Hazel could have had nothing to do with it, but others on his team are not so sure and Nikolai needs to find the killer. There are red herrings to distract and a good investigation to follow. Anyone who enjoys a good mystery will like this one and the Black Harbor series.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.
March 23, 2025
I listened to the audiobook of this one and I enjoyed the narrators a lot. They did a good job making each main character come to life. The story itself was good, but it didn’t grip me. I realize that with all that is going on in the world I may be having a more difficult time than normal to sink into fictional worlds so this might be more me than this book. Hazel hears the news that her ex-husband is dead and it draws her back to the town she thought she would never return to. But Black Harbor hasn’t changed and it is the same cesspool of crime. As Hazel tries to figure out what happened she runs into a man she thought she had left behind when she scrambled to leave Black Harbor. The story was decent although I wasn’t super into the romance. Overall I gave this one 3.5 stars. I would give another one in this series a try, the writing was good and the characters were interesting.
May 16, 2025
I love this series! This book and her first book (HELLO, TRANSCRIBER) are my favorites. I love Hazel and her quirkiness. I love Hazel and Kole’s relationship and was happy to see them back in book 4.
If you love atmospheric, dark, gritty, novels, this midwestern noir crime series is for you! Hannah is a great writer and her stories really come to life where you feel so immersed in it and picture yourself as a fly on the wall right alongside all the characters.
Highly recommend THE UNLUCKY ONES (which can be read as a standalone), but makes the most sense to read the entire series!
If you love atmospheric, dark, gritty, novels, this midwestern noir crime series is for you! Hannah is a great writer and her stories really come to life where you feel so immersed in it and picture yourself as a fly on the wall right alongside all the characters.
Highly recommend THE UNLUCKY ONES (which can be read as a standalone), but makes the most sense to read the entire series!
December 17, 2024
Black Harbor is a dark place; crime ridden, derelict, drug filled. Hazel, a former police transcriber escaped the town and her abusive ex husband, Tommy, eight years ago and wrote a successful book based on Black Harbor. When that husband is killed, she returns there, but why? Is it just to find out what happened to Tommy or to re kindle something with her former lover, police sergeant Nikolai Kole? As Kole and Hazel investigate, the true underbelly of Black Harbor is exposed.
Morrissey paints a grittily atmospheric picture of Black Harbor, a town that most people long to leave. Well written and plotted, with strong character development, this was an engrossing read. There are rays of light in this dark tale.I did find Hannah’s motivations sometimes difficult to understand.
This is the fourth in the Black Harbor series. I read the third one that featured other characters, so this was my first introduction to Hazel and Kole who were protagonists in the first installment. This can be easily read as a standalone as the author recounts their history in the narrative.
Thanks to #NetGalley and @StMartinsPress @Minotaur_books for the DRC.
Morrissey paints a grittily atmospheric picture of Black Harbor, a town that most people long to leave. Well written and plotted, with strong character development, this was an engrossing read. There are rays of light in this dark tale.I did find Hannah’s motivations sometimes difficult to understand.
This is the fourth in the Black Harbor series. I read the third one that featured other characters, so this was my first introduction to Hazel and Kole who were protagonists in the first installment. This can be easily read as a standalone as the author recounts their history in the narrative.
Thanks to #NetGalley and @StMartinsPress @Minotaur_books for the DRC.
April 4, 2025
3.75⭐️
October 26, 2025
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.
Hello, Transcriber and The Unlucky Ones by Hannah Morrissey in one frenzied (re-read) review.
This time around, I read these books for the irresistible love story they are. Because these two? They're dark romance disguised as crime fiction.
The elastic band between Hazel and Kole is pulled so achingly tight, expertly wound so taut, that when it snaps... it's a fever pitch.
They continue walking this tightrope between love and hate, balancing, leaning, falling headfirst in both directions... it's passion, it's scorching, it's an inferno.
Angela Dawe and Robb Moreira make these audiobooks so gravelly, so lustful, so addicting... that you kind of forget everything else.
These characters, their tension, this town... it's a black hole that sucks you into its depths. It's perfect for this (or any) time of year, and I'm already planning a re-read of the whole Black Harbor series... because I am a woman in love with Morrissey's characters and writing!
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.
Hello, Transcriber and The Unlucky Ones by Hannah Morrissey in one frenzied (re-read) review.
This time around, I read these books for the irresistible love story they are. Because these two? They're dark romance disguised as crime fiction.
The elastic band between Hazel and Kole is pulled so achingly tight, expertly wound so taut, that when it snaps... it's a fever pitch.
They continue walking this tightrope between love and hate, balancing, leaning, falling headfirst in both directions... it's passion, it's scorching, it's an inferno.
Angela Dawe and Robb Moreira make these audiobooks so gravelly, so lustful, so addicting... that you kind of forget everything else.
These characters, their tension, this town... it's a black hole that sucks you into its depths. It's perfect for this (or any) time of year, and I'm already planning a re-read of the whole Black Harbor series... because I am a woman in love with Morrissey's characters and writing!
February 28, 2025
Hazel and Kole are back and I couldn’t have been more excited for this one 😭 Hannah brings all the grit and excitement you want in a crime thriller. This time around we get Black Harbor in the summer time. The weight of the summer heat mingles with the drama and tension of the current case the BHPD is trying to unravel. Hannah gives you everything with this novel: a disturbing murder, a gritty investigation, escalating events, and a damn good conclusion.
I LOVED all the references to events from previous books and the appearances of many of the characters I loved. Hazel and Kole were two of my favorites so I’m thrilled we were given more of them. This series has me in a chokehold and I can’t recommend it enough.
I LOVED all the references to events from previous books and the appearances of many of the characters I loved. Hazel and Kole were two of my favorites so I’m thrilled we were given more of them. This series has me in a chokehold and I can’t recommend it enough.
January 31, 2025
Wasn't the one for me. Didn't like any characters or the storyline. It just didn't hook me at all.. I found it a little boring and very bland. It's also really depressing throughout and nothing worked for me. Not my cup of tea but it could be yours !
✨Thank you to @minotaur_booke & Hannah Morrissey for my gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
✨Thank you to @minotaur_booke & Hannah Morrissey for my gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 13, 2025
4.5 rounded up because I LOVED this one! A fun, dark and twisty mystery. I could not put this down and quite literally lost sleep to finish it! The twists kept me guessing, the story was intriguing and exciting and I really enjoyed the characters, too.
Definitely worth the read and made me want to read the rest of the books in the series!
Definitely worth the read and made me want to read the rest of the books in the series!
March 22, 2025
Another fantastic installment in the Black Harbor series! This gritty little town feels so close to home as a Wisconsin girl and I cherish the time I get to spend in it between these pages. I loved being back in the mind of Hazel and all of the easter eggs from previous books throughout that only added to the reading experience for me.
I love this series and will forever read any and all parts of it. Can’t wait to host the fantastically twisted minded Hannah and my bookclub this weekend to chat all things Black Harbor☠️🖤
I love this series and will forever read any and all parts of it. Can’t wait to host the fantastically twisted minded Hannah and my bookclub this weekend to chat all things Black Harbor☠️🖤
February 9, 2025
I absolutely loved the audio version of this novel—I couldn’t stop listening! Even though I hadn’t read the previous book, I was still fully captivated by the story. The emotional depth really hit home for me, especially the moments that were both incredibly sad and heartwarming. There’s something about the way the author blends raw emotion with warmth that made the experience unforgettable. I found myself connected to the characters, feeling their joy, pain, and everything in between.
On top of that, I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery in this book! It kept me on my toes with so many questions arising throughout the story. The suspense was palpable, and I found myself eager to piece together the clues alongside the characters. The characters were well-developed and engaging, each bringing their own unique perspective to the investigation. I became invested in their journeys and the relationships that unfolded as they worked to solve the case.
Resolving the murder of a young victim was an intricate puzzle, and the way the author unfolded the clues was both clever and satisfying. Overall, this was a fantastic read that combined suspense and great character work perfectly. Highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good mystery!
On top of that, I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery in this book! It kept me on my toes with so many questions arising throughout the story. The suspense was palpable, and I found myself eager to piece together the clues alongside the characters. The characters were well-developed and engaging, each bringing their own unique perspective to the investigation. I became invested in their journeys and the relationships that unfolded as they worked to solve the case.
Resolving the murder of a young victim was an intricate puzzle, and the way the author unfolded the clues was both clever and satisfying. Overall, this was a fantastic read that combined suspense and great character work perfectly. Highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good mystery!
September 30, 2024
Like Hazel returns to Forge Bridge, so we return once again to Black Harbor. But this time, instead of the city freezing to death, the temperature rises and so does the body count.
Black Harbor is more of a living, breathing character in this story than it has been in the others (which I didn't even think was possible). It's in all of the characters just as much as the characters are in it. It's true what they say, you can take the girl out of the city, but you can't take the city out of the girl.
Nik and Hazel find themselves ensnared in the middle of a series of murders and every time they pull on a thread, they find just as many new questions as they do answers. There's a difference in Hazel though, she's ready for Black Harbor and throughout the story her growth is tied to the bridge.
This is the perfect, bittersweet farewell to a city I will inevitably be pulled back to revisit. The only way out of Black Harbor is down, but putting down these books is only temporary. We're all drawn back to Hannah's immersive world-building and the character's in Black Harbor who stole our hearts.
Black Harbor is more of a living, breathing character in this story than it has been in the others (which I didn't even think was possible). It's in all of the characters just as much as the characters are in it. It's true what they say, you can take the girl out of the city, but you can't take the city out of the girl.
Nik and Hazel find themselves ensnared in the middle of a series of murders and every time they pull on a thread, they find just as many new questions as they do answers. There's a difference in Hazel though, she's ready for Black Harbor and throughout the story her growth is tied to the bridge.
This is the perfect, bittersweet farewell to a city I will inevitably be pulled back to revisit. The only way out of Black Harbor is down, but putting down these books is only temporary. We're all drawn back to Hannah's immersive world-building and the character's in Black Harbor who stole our hearts.
April 13, 2025
A perfect follow up for Hazel and Kole. After meeting Hannah this spring, I found myself searching for her Easter eggs in this book. I’d like to say I found a few but I’m sure there were many I missed.
The conclusion of this book was so memorable, with the final paragraph describing the Forge Bridge that has been a staple in all her books. You finally see it for what it is not. “You are not the villain in this story. You never were. You are as grim and unrelenting as the truth, blunt and bulletproof. Yes, you swallow some people whole, but for those of us who survive, you strip us down to our very essence, forcing us to see all the frightening, remarkable things we are made of. We either bend to your power or we break. And if we’re lucky, we are set free.”
The conclusion of this book was so memorable, with the final paragraph describing the Forge Bridge that has been a staple in all her books. You finally see it for what it is not. “You are not the villain in this story. You never were. You are as grim and unrelenting as the truth, blunt and bulletproof. Yes, you swallow some people whole, but for those of us who survive, you strip us down to our very essence, forcing us to see all the frightening, remarkable things we are made of. We either bend to your power or we break. And if we’re lucky, we are set free.”
February 7, 2025
OMG HAZEL AND KOLE ARE BAAAAAAAACK 🖤🖤🖤🖤
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)
* thanks to Minotaur Books for the NetGalley review copy. The Unlucky Ones publishes March 25, 2025.
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)
* thanks to Minotaur Books for the NetGalley review copy. The Unlucky Ones publishes March 25, 2025.
October 19, 2024
THE UNLUCKY ONES by @hannahmorrisseywriter✨
ARC review • pub date 03.25.25
black harbor novel #4
Hazel and Kole are baaaack 🔥
If you haven’t read the Black Harbor series yet, what are you waiting for??
Definitely give the first three books a read before this one releases in March!
The first three books can be read as standalone but this one cannot, as it brings back the two MCs from Hello, Transcriber (book 1) and a LOT has unfolded since then.
Hazel returns to Black Harbor after a murder of someone she used to be close with. And Kole is working the case. They haven’t seen each other in almost a decade.
I love this series so much and book four was the perfect addition to it! If you need a new thriller series with an overall dark tone, definitely pick this one up 🖤
4.5⭐️
Thanks so much to the author, @minotaur_books + @netgalley for my ARC!
ARC review • pub date 03.25.25
black harbor novel #4
Hazel and Kole are baaaack 🔥
If you haven’t read the Black Harbor series yet, what are you waiting for??
Definitely give the first three books a read before this one releases in March!
The first three books can be read as standalone but this one cannot, as it brings back the two MCs from Hello, Transcriber (book 1) and a LOT has unfolded since then.
Hazel returns to Black Harbor after a murder of someone she used to be close with. And Kole is working the case. They haven’t seen each other in almost a decade.
I love this series so much and book four was the perfect addition to it! If you need a new thriller series with an overall dark tone, definitely pick this one up 🖤
4.5⭐️
Thanks so much to the author, @minotaur_books + @netgalley for my ARC!
February 17, 2025
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.
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.
December 15, 2024
The Black Harbor series continue to be everything I wanted.
Hazel and Kole are back! What else do I need? This book was an amazing come back for both of these characters.
Fast paced, intense and suspenseful, book #4 will take you on a wild journey. Investigating murders, unfolding the clues, it was clever, entertaining, and very satisfying.
Thank you so much Minotaur Books, Hannah Morrissey for my #gifted ARC, and @netgalley for my eARC.
Highly Recommended!!
Hazel and Kole are back! What else do I need? This book was an amazing come back for both of these characters.
Fast paced, intense and suspenseful, book #4 will take you on a wild journey. Investigating murders, unfolding the clues, it was clever, entertaining, and very satisfying.
Thank you so much Minotaur Books, Hannah Morrissey for my #gifted ARC, and @netgalley for my eARC.
Highly Recommended!!
November 24, 2024
This is a great novel and Kole is a wonderful main character
January 23, 2025
NetGalley pub 3/25/25 I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher. I voluntarily wrote a review.
Book 4 of the Black Harbor series. Hazel is lured back to Black Harbor after hearing of the death of her ex-husband. She wants to figure out why he was killed. While back, she rekindles her romance with detective Kole. The plot delves into the drug trade and we meet many unsavory characters. This book held my interest, and the resolution was a good one. Finding out who the big bad was, was a surprising reveal. This was a good addition to the series.
Book 4 of the Black Harbor series. Hazel is lured back to Black Harbor after hearing of the death of her ex-husband. She wants to figure out why he was killed. While back, she rekindles her romance with detective Kole. The plot delves into the drug trade and we meet many unsavory characters. This book held my interest, and the resolution was a good one. Finding out who the big bad was, was a surprising reveal. This was a good addition to the series.
January 31, 2025
FULL REVIEW WILL BE ON APRIL 5.
Hazel finally escaped Tommy's abuse after eight years so why did she come back?
Because Tommy was dead and she felt safe now? Will she be accused of the murder?
THE UNLUCKY ONES was pretty brutal and the fourth book in the series.
It wasn't a favorite for me because of the grizzly scenes, but would be a good fit for those who like police procedure and crime scene themes. 3/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Hazel finally escaped Tommy's abuse after eight years so why did she come back?
Because Tommy was dead and she felt safe now? Will she be accused of the murder?
THE UNLUCKY ONES was pretty brutal and the fourth book in the series.
It wasn't a favorite for me because of the grizzly scenes, but would be a good fit for those who like police procedure and crime scene themes. 3/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Read
December 15, 2024As someone who has been mildly obsessed with the Black Harbor series, I was thrilled to see the latest installment available on NetGalley. Having read the third book first (When I'm Dead), I was immediately drawn to Sergeant Nikolai Kole and his emotional ties to a mysterious woman whose presence haunted him, notably in the form of a friendship bracelet with her name hanging from his police vehicle's rearview mirror. My love for this dark, captivating world only grew with each book, and I couldn't wait to dive deeper into the mysteries of Black Harbor—and, of course, the complicated relationship between Nik and Hazel.
And let me tell you, this book did not disappoint. For a lover of slow-burn romance intertwined with gripping mystery and suspense, this book hit all the right notes. I got exactly what I was hoping for: a story that balanced thrilling crime-solving with those emotional moments I've come to crave.
There’s so much that happens in this book, and it’s difficult to talk about without giving away spoilers. However, what I can say is that Hannah Morrissey continues to build a world that feels like both a terrifying and oddly comforting place to return to. The atmosphere is gritty and dark, but there’s something about it—whether it’s the characters or the world they inhabit—that draws me back every time. Nik and his loyal team feel like old friends, and seeing familiar faces like Medical Examiner Rowan Winthorp made me feel like I was stepping back into the world I love.
One of the major highlights of the book is the return of Hazel, the woman who has held such a tight grip on Nik’s heart for years. Their reunion, though bittersweet, was everything I hoped it would be—despite the dangerous and complicated circumstances they find themselves in. Hazel’s reappearance isn’t just a plot device for a romantic reunion; it’s integral to the mystery at hand. Her quest to find out who killed her ex-husband, combined with Nik’s own doubts, adds layers of tension and emotional depth. The trauma Hazel endured as Tommy’s wife is skillfully explored by Morrissey, and even though some of Hazel’s decisions may frustrate you, you can’t help but understand the reasons behind them.
As expected from Morrissey, the twists in this book will leave you gasping, especially one particular revelation toward the end that had me exclaiming, "WTF?!" out loud. This author has a knack for keeping readers on their toes, effortlessly weaving suspense and mystery throughout the story. I never try to predict the outcome of a thriller—honestly, I leave that to the author—and Morrissey delivers brilliantly, taking readers on a wild ride through crime scenes, desperate situations, and moments of fleeting hope.
But beyond the mystery and romance, what really makes The Unlucky Ones stand out is the way Morrissey balances the darkness with moments of unexpected tenderness. The brotherly bond between Nik and his team is so well-developed, and even small touches—like Hudson giving Hazel material for a new book (hello, The Widowmaker)—add layers of depth and emotion to the narrative. The strength of Riley as a character also shines through, as she continues to kick butt and defy anyone who tries to take advantage of her. And of course, I couldn’t forget the bit of closure for Axel, especially regarding the "bunnies" situation. These small but significant moments of character growth and closure were the icing on the cake.
Ultimately, this book gave me everything I wanted: mystery, romance, complex characters, and a world I never want to leave. If you’re a fan of the Black Harbor series or you love a good thriller with emotional stakes, you’ll be just as hooked as I was. I’m already eagerly awaiting what comes next.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this review copy.
All opinions and ramblings are my own.
And let me tell you, this book did not disappoint. For a lover of slow-burn romance intertwined with gripping mystery and suspense, this book hit all the right notes. I got exactly what I was hoping for: a story that balanced thrilling crime-solving with those emotional moments I've come to crave.
If all you had to do was one bad thing, and you could leave Black Harbor behind forever, would you do it?
There’s so much that happens in this book, and it’s difficult to talk about without giving away spoilers. However, what I can say is that Hannah Morrissey continues to build a world that feels like both a terrifying and oddly comforting place to return to. The atmosphere is gritty and dark, but there’s something about it—whether it’s the characters or the world they inhabit—that draws me back every time. Nik and his loyal team feel like old friends, and seeing familiar faces like Medical Examiner Rowan Winthorp made me feel like I was stepping back into the world I love.
One of the major highlights of the book is the return of Hazel, the woman who has held such a tight grip on Nik’s heart for years. Their reunion, though bittersweet, was everything I hoped it would be—despite the dangerous and complicated circumstances they find themselves in. Hazel’s reappearance isn’t just a plot device for a romantic reunion; it’s integral to the mystery at hand. Her quest to find out who killed her ex-husband, combined with Nik’s own doubts, adds layers of tension and emotional depth. The trauma Hazel endured as Tommy’s wife is skillfully explored by Morrissey, and even though some of Hazel’s decisions may frustrate you, you can’t help but understand the reasons behind them.
As expected from Morrissey, the twists in this book will leave you gasping, especially one particular revelation toward the end that had me exclaiming, "WTF?!" out loud. This author has a knack for keeping readers on their toes, effortlessly weaving suspense and mystery throughout the story. I never try to predict the outcome of a thriller—honestly, I leave that to the author—and Morrissey delivers brilliantly, taking readers on a wild ride through crime scenes, desperate situations, and moments of fleeting hope.
But beyond the mystery and romance, what really makes The Unlucky Ones stand out is the way Morrissey balances the darkness with moments of unexpected tenderness. The brotherly bond between Nik and his team is so well-developed, and even small touches—like Hudson giving Hazel material for a new book (hello, The Widowmaker)—add layers of depth and emotion to the narrative. The strength of Riley as a character also shines through, as she continues to kick butt and defy anyone who tries to take advantage of her. And of course, I couldn’t forget the bit of closure for Axel, especially regarding the "bunnies" situation. These small but significant moments of character growth and closure were the icing on the cake.
Ultimately, this book gave me everything I wanted: mystery, romance, complex characters, and a world I never want to leave. If you’re a fan of the Black Harbor series or you love a good thriller with emotional stakes, you’ll be just as hooked as I was. I’m already eagerly awaiting what comes next.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this review copy.
All opinions and ramblings are my own.
March 18, 2025
4.5/5 rounded up
Thank you Minotaur Books for the advanced reading copy & Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy!
Another excellent black harbor mystery! This one was extra fun with so many characters from previous books coming together. While I do think all the books in this series can be read as standalones, this one is definitely better if you have read the previous books! I read the series out of order — 1, 3, 2, 4 (lol) — and think that reading Hello, Transcriber & The Widowmaker especially matter for this book.
As always, Hannah’s writing is so dark and atmospheric, it grips you right away. Being back with Hazel was great, too. I love listening to these on audio and always find it fun to hear “Finlay Donovan” — aka Angela Dawe — narrating a dark character like Hazel. Hannah does a great job of creating mysterious, dark and complicated women in her stories, particularly Hazel! Her relationship with Kole is so… bizarre and yet so powerful.
Like I said, the connection in this one between all the former characters came together to create a wild, well thought-out and inventive mystery. I was truly shocked by some of the webs woven in black harbor, this time around especially!! Can’t wait to chat with the book club and the author this weekend!
Thank you Minotaur Books for the advanced reading copy & Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy!
Another excellent black harbor mystery! This one was extra fun with so many characters from previous books coming together. While I do think all the books in this series can be read as standalones, this one is definitely better if you have read the previous books! I read the series out of order — 1, 3, 2, 4 (lol) — and think that reading Hello, Transcriber & The Widowmaker especially matter for this book.
As always, Hannah’s writing is so dark and atmospheric, it grips you right away. Being back with Hazel was great, too. I love listening to these on audio and always find it fun to hear “Finlay Donovan” — aka Angela Dawe — narrating a dark character like Hazel. Hannah does a great job of creating mysterious, dark and complicated women in her stories, particularly Hazel! Her relationship with Kole is so… bizarre and yet so powerful.
Like I said, the connection in this one between all the former characters came together to create a wild, well thought-out and inventive mystery. I was truly shocked by some of the webs woven in black harbor, this time around especially!! Can’t wait to chat with the book club and the author this weekend!
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