I first discovered Hannah Morrissey’s writing through her fantastic debut, Hello, Transcriber, where she introduced the bleak and crime-ridden town of Black Harbor, Wisconsin. Her atmospheric prose, combined with a gripping murder mystery, made the novel a standout. I quickly devoured her next two books set in Black Harbor, each featuring new characters and mysteries while remaining interconnected through their shared setting.
So when Morrissey’s publisher offered me a chance to review The Unlucky Ones, the fourth book in the Black Harbor series, I jumped at it. Learning that this novel would revisit the main character from her debut only heightened my excitement.
She wouldn't have believed you if you had told Hazel she’d return to Black Harbor. She was more than happy to leave the town and everything it represented behind. Black Harbor had given her nothing but misery: an emotionally and physically abusive ex-husband, a toxic workplace romance, and a job that entangled her in a murder investigation that nearly cost her life. She escaped, and she never looked back. But now, against all odds, she’s back, and the darkness she left behind threatens to consume her once again.
With the Fourth of July approaching, tensions in Black Harbor are rising. A deadly new drug is flooding the streets, the summer heat is suffocating, and, of course, there’s been another murder. Sergeant Nikolai Kole has seen plenty of crime scenes, but this one is different. A body, wrapped in garbage bags and doused in bleach, lies in the back of a clubhouse. The victim? Tommy Greenlee—Hazel’s ex-husband.
Hazel and Kole, former lovers with a complicated history, must work together to uncover the truth. They both want justice, even if neither of them particularly cares for Tommy. But can they trust each other? They once used each other for their own ends, and their reunion threatens to dredge up old wounds. As the chaos in Black Harbor escalates, Hazel and Kole strike an uneasy truce. To solve this murder, they’ll have to navigate the city’s darkest secrets and confront their own secrets along the way.
With The Unlucky Ones, Hannah Morrisey returns to Black Harbor, continuing the story that began in her debut and offering an unflinching look at the city’s dark underbelly. Known for her atmospheric worldbuilding, Morrisey once again immerses readers in her enigmatic setting. This time, she trades Black Harbor’s signature frigid winters for the sweltering heat of summer, a striking contrast that adds a new layer of tension.
Since this novel is a direct continuation of Hazel’s story from Hello, Transcriber, I’d recommend reading that book first to fully appreciate the depth of this one. The alternating POVs, carefully placed revelations, and relentless twists make for an addictive read. While the climax hinges on a plot point that felt a bit too convenient, I was so engrossed in the characters and their world that it hardly mattered.
With The Unlucky Ones, Morrisey delivers yet another gripping thriller, proving once again why she’s at the top of her game. Her next novel has already been teased as a brand-new standalone and is already on my radar. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2025, 24)
I'd forgotten about this author and her Black Harbor books. Thanks for the reminder. They are ones I'd like to try this summer.
ReplyDeleteThey're worth catching up on for sure!
DeleteI remember your review for Morrissey's previous book. That's so gritty stuff. Glad the follow up was a good one for you.
ReplyDeleteShe doesn’t hold back on the dark stuff, but the mysteries are super intriguing!
DeleteThis sounds like a great thriller! I need to check out this series. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI think you'd really love this series!
DeleteThat does sound really good. I don't read many thrillers these days.
ReplyDeleteVery gritty stuff, in line with the TV series True Detective.
DeleteI want to try this author. Maybe I should read the first book and this one. I'm interested in Hazel and Detective Kole.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a great plan. My favorites are the first and third book.
DeleteI remember that first book, but yes noted, read that one first
ReplyDeleteThe whole series is great, but the first and this one are much more connected. Everything else can be read as standalone.
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