Another dark, atmospheric tale in the Black Harbor series.

Although this is the second book set in Black Harbor, it is only peripherally related to the debut, so you do not have to read the first before you open this one unless you're like me. I have a thing about reading books in order.

Cold winter in Black Harbor, Minnesota. Morgan Mori has returned home after a fire left her without a place to live and work. She's going to try her luck at photography and manages to get a job taking Christmas pictures of a wealthy local family. Interesting, however, is that this family has a scandal attached as the matriarch is suspected of killing her husband who vanished without a trace over 2- years ago. Then Morgan witnesses the murder of a cop at a convenience store and is drawn into a dark and convoluted mystery that may unlock the secrets of her very sordid past.

This author has a way with words making the narrative so enticing that before you know it, you've read the book in a single sitting. I just love the way Morrissey strings phrases together. Her characters are so vividly drawn that they leap, fully formed, off the pages. Morgan is a dark horse for sure and the backstory is revealed in bits and pieces as the reader clamors for more detail. I was happy to see a familiar face from the first book -- an investigator from the police department. The plot was clever and it was definitely a great story.

Definitely recommend this one and plan to find the next installment immediately. ( )

This was underwhelming but definitely better than the first in the series. Apparently none of the cops can keep it in their pants in this town, which is not something I need great detail about in a mystery. I'm hoping third time's the charm with this author, but I remain sceptical.

A lot of child SA and abuse here so be forewarned. ( )

HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!(U.S.) December 6, 2022

4.5⭐

“My Ruin: All roads lead back to home.”

A cryptic message left for struggling photographer Morgan Mori, at the site of her destroyed workspace in Chicago, leads her back to her hometown, crime-infested Black Harbor, Wisconsin where the “city’s grim atmosphere gnawed on people’s morals”.

Back home, Morgan is hired by the wealthy and influential Reynolds family to photograph the family Christmas party. The Reynolds family has its share of mystery and scandal surrounding them, ever since Clive Reynolds, disappeared twenty years ago without a trace. Everyone suspected his wife Eleanor of killing him for a hefty insurance payout - a crime that was not proven. However, Morgan finds the Reynolds family to be pleasant and welcoming. After the party, Morgan, stops at a gas station and witnesses a cop being shot to death by a masked assailant. The cop, Brix Garrison, before drawing his last breath seems to recognize Morgan, which perplexes her. Morgan remains haunted by her horrific childhood characterized by abandonment, unimaginable abuse and trauma before being rescued by the police when she was eight years old and eventually being adopted by the Mori family when she was ten. Her experiences have left scars and have had a significant impact on her adult life. Someone, who knows details about her past and present life, is taunting her with messages that are indicative of a secret from her traumatic childhood.

When Clive Reynold’s Porsche, which was reported missing ten days before he disappeared twenty years ago, is recovered from the bottom of a lake with a dead body in it, Investigator Ryan Hudson of the BHPD is assigned to look into the cold case. He is also covertly looking into the murder of his friend and former partner - the murder Morgan witnessed- despite being told to stay away from the investigation.

As the story progresses, both Morgan and Ryan find themselves tangled in a complicated and dangerous web of dark secrets, lies, deception and murder.

Hannah Morrissey knows how to create atmospheric settings. With its consistent pacing, intriguing plot and interesting characters, The Widowmaker by Hannah Morrissey is dark, intense and gritty. The narrative is shared from the perspectives of Morgan and Ryan in alternating chapters. Though I did kind of guess the identity of the culprit halfway in, the intricately plotted story kept me turning pages to follow how all the missing pieces of the puzzle came together in the end and I was not disappointed with the twists and turns along the way! The story is a perfect balance between complex psychological thriller and police procedural. However, even though I liked both Morgan and Ryan, I feel that the relationship between them needn’t have gotten so personal so quickly. But I’m willing to overlook that one given that it did not detract from the overall reading experience. Hannah Morrissey’s impressive debut novel, "Hello, Transcriber" was also intense and dark, but with "The Widowmaker", Hannah Morrissey has firmly established herself as a must-read author for me. (Sergeant Nikolai Kole, from "Hello, Transcriber" plays a supporting role in this novel, proving to be an ally to Ryan. Please note that it is not necessary to read Hello, Transcriber to follow this story. This is perfectly readable as a standalone novel as there is virtually no overlap.)

Thank You, Hannah Morrissey, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This book is due to be released on December 6, 2022.

P.S. : Please note that this is not an easy read. Those triggered by graphic descriptions of violence and abuse (especially involving children) might find some parts to be quite disturbing. ( )

Disquieting and gruesome in many spots, but I tried to overlook them and concentrate on the mystery. I didn't think the book was non-putdownable. ( )

Morgan Mori has led a troubled life. Her father is unknown. Her mother left her at a young age in the care of an aunt who basically rented her out to men for their pleasure. At the age of 31, she has moved back to her hometown of Black Harbor, WI and is living in the basement of her foster parents’ house.

She’s hoping things are turning around, though. A professional photographer, she has a jobphotographing the family Christmas party of Eleanor Reynolds, a rich matriarch in this run-down town. Eleanor has a stigma of her own, however. Twenty years prior, her husband Clive mysteriously disappeared, never to be heard from again. She has been vilified by the news media and town folk as the woman who got away with murdering her husband.

On her way home from the Reynolds mansion, Mori stops at a Fast Mart for gas and a candy bar and is the sole witness to the fatal shooting of policeman Brix Garrison. As she’s huddled on the floor, blood spreading around her, the dying detective looks at her and whispers “I’ve found you.” Why was he looking for her and what is she hiding?

Ryan Hudson was Garrison’s patrol partner until several months earlier when he moved to Sensitive Crimes. Garrison was his mentor and friend and all Hudson wants to do is find Garrison’s killer. But the murder took place outside Black Harbor’s jurisdiction. In order to keep Hudson occupied, he’s assigned the cold case of Clive Reynolds, whose 1978 Porsche 930, a model dubbed the Widowmaker, was recently found submerged in Lake Michigan. A dead body was in the passenger seat and the driver side seat belt was sliced in two. Police are hoping that the identification of the body will lead investigators in new, productive directions.

Hudson, however, can’t keep himself off the Garrison case and approaches Morgan, as the key witness, to discuss what she saw. Hudson, though, is hiding a major secret that could derail both the investigation and his career.

Midwestern Noir is a perfect definition for this dark, moody, chilling mystery. There are multiple story lines: murders, disappearances, secrets, abuse but they are not overwhelming and come together seamlessly. Widowmaker is told in the third person in alternating chapters between Morgan and Hudson. Morrissey combines the slow emergence of details regarding Mori with the abrupt disclosure of Hudson’s, a fitting contrast to the two personalities. The secrets behind the Reynolds family members reveal themselves throughout the book. These all produce a bunch of red herrings leading to a satisfying conclusion to a book you won’t want to put down. ( )