Mystery
![Hannah Morrissey - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B096BM23RX.jpg)
The Widowmaker: A Black Harbor Novel (Black Harbor Novels)
A wealthy family shrouded in scandal; a detective tasked with solving an impossible cold case; and a woman with a dark past collide in Hannah Morrissey's stunning new Black Harbor mystery, The Widowmaker.
Ever since business mogul Clive Reynolds disappeared twenty years ago, the name "Reynolds" has become synonymous with "murder" and "mystery." And now, lured by a cryptic note, down-on-her-luck photographer Morgan Mori returns home to Black Harbor and into the web of their family secrets and double lives. The same night she photographs the Reynolds holiday get-together, Morgan becomes witness to a homicide of a cop that triggers the discovery of a long-buried clue.
This could finally be the thing to crack open the chilling cold case, and Investigator Ryan Hudson has a chance to prove himself as lead detective. If only he could stop letting his need to solve his partner's recent murder distract him. But as Morgan exposes her own dark demons, could her sordid history be the key to unlocking more than one mystery?
Ever since business mogul Clive Reynolds disappeared twenty years ago, the name "Reynolds" has become synonymous with "murder" and "mystery." And now, lured by a cryptic note, down-on-her-luck photographer Morgan Mori returns home to Black Harbor and into the web of their family secrets and double lives. The same night she photographs the Reynolds holiday get-together, Morgan becomes witness to a homicide of a cop that triggers the discovery of a long-buried clue.
This could finally be the thing to crack open the chilling cold case, and Investigator Ryan Hudson has a chance to prove himself as lead detective. If only he could stop letting his need to solve his partner's recent murder distract him. But as Morgan exposes her own dark demons, could her sordid history be the key to unlocking more than one mystery?
Editorial Reviews
"The Widowmaker confirms Hannah Morrisey's status as one of the brightest new voices in crime fiction. An unflinching look at two damaged people trying to do right in a world full of wrong, told in scalpel-sharp prose with a poet's eye for detail." ―Riley Sager, New York Times bestselling author of The House Across the Lake
"The Widowmaker is impossible to put down and even harder to stop thinking about, with characters so fully formed, they walk right off the page, crawl inside you, and stick to your bones." –Elle Cosimano, USA Today bestselling author of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It
"The Widowmaker is absolutely enthralling. It's moody and dark, with characters that are heartbreakingly real. Hannah Morrissey has become a must-read author for me." – Samantha Downing, internationally bestselling author of My Lovely Wife
"Welcome back to Black Harbor, where the snow looks like ash and the people are darker than ever. Morrissey's latest is an electrifying and unnerving exploration of privilege, justice, and the strength it takes to tackle a city's grit and glitter in one fell swoop." ―Tessa Wegert, author of Dead Wind
"An instantly compelling main character and unforgettable cast. A propulsive look at family and secrets and desire . . . gorgeously written." - Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today bestselling author of Her Perfect Life
"Mesmerizing, moody, and filled with menace, you won't want to put down The Widowmaker. The future of crime fiction is named Hannah Morrissey." ―Alex Finlay, author of The Night Shift
"The Widowmaker is impossible to put down and even harder to stop thinking about, with characters so fully formed, they walk right off the page, crawl inside you, and stick to your bones." –Elle Cosimano, USA Today bestselling author of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It
"The Widowmaker is absolutely enthralling. It's moody and dark, with characters that are heartbreakingly real. Hannah Morrissey has become a must-read author for me." – Samantha Downing, internationally bestselling author of My Lovely Wife
"Welcome back to Black Harbor, where the snow looks like ash and the people are darker than ever. Morrissey's latest is an electrifying and unnerving exploration of privilege, justice, and the strength it takes to tackle a city's grit and glitter in one fell swoop." ―Tessa Wegert, author of Dead Wind
"An instantly compelling main character and unforgettable cast. A propulsive look at family and secrets and desire . . . gorgeously written." - Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today bestselling author of Her Perfect Life
"Mesmerizing, moody, and filled with menace, you won't want to put down The Widowmaker. The future of crime fiction is named Hannah Morrissey." ―Alex Finlay, author of The Night Shift
Readers Top Reviews
Kay
Been wanting to read this book. It was intriguing I enjoyed reading this book. This is my first book by this author and she does well with her writing will check her other book out as well.
Carla the ReaderK
4.5 Stars: I was a bit worried when I saw that The Widowmaker is the second in the Black Harbor series by Hannah Morrissey, but it is a standalone story and is only a series based on the setting. This story follows photographer Morgan Mori and Detective Ryan Hudson, as their lives intertwine when two cases that Hudson is involved with converge. Morgan has finished photographing the famous Reynold's family Christmas pictures when she witnesses the murder of Officer Garrison at a gas station. She is the only witness and the only one who knows what Garrison's last words were. Garrison was Hudson's partner and the police want to keep him off the case. He is put on the cold case of Clive Reynolds when his car is found submerged in the lake. As he investigates that case, it becomes obvious that Regan is the key to both of these and it is up to Hudson to solve them and keep her safe. The Widowmaker is an interesting and gripping story. It is told in alternating chapters with Morgan's and Hudson's POV. This does make it a bit repetitive at times, but it is nice to get both POVs. There was a bit of a dual timeline in the sense that Morgan's past comes to light and it was a dark one. There is a theme of child abuse and pedophilia that was disturbing and may trigger some readers. This was a well written story, that I sat back and listened to. It was part police procedural, part psychological thriller and part mystery. Morgan was a great character. With everything she had been through, she was a fighter and did not give up like many would have. She was starting a new life for herself and as some of the secrets were revealed, I could see her getting closure to the tragedy of her youth. I loved both Morgan's and Ryan's character and was cheering for them to find the answers and solve not only the cold case, but the murder of Garrison as well. The reveals were shocking and the twists brought this story to a satisfying conclusion. With the darker storyline in the middle, this book will not be for everyone, but I enjoyed the cases, the investigations and the conclusion as it brought a wonderful closure for Morgan. After reading this one, I do want to go back and read her debut story, also the first in the Black Harbor series.
sandraB BurkeCarl
Very very slow, way too much time spent on very little and then rushed the ending. Author tried to impress with her descriptive phrases which were overdone and didn't make much sense. The best thing about trying new authors is that when you return to your favorites you really appreciate them. I won't be buying any future books by Ms. Morrissey.
MeemosandraB Burk
Wow, this was a dark and twisty read. I hadn't read the first book in this series, but this stood alone quite well. (And I will be reading the first one.) Damaged characters with dark pasts (and presents) - trying to unravel a mystery and uncovering even more secrets. I enjoyed this one a lot, atmospheric, with interesting characters and the mysteries kept me reading. I listened to the audiobook and both narrations were excellent.
