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Hello, Transcriber: A dark, addictive thriller about a woman caught between the truth and her own lies (Black Habour 1)
'The future of crime fiction is named Hannah Morrissey' Alex Finlay
'A moody, unsettling debut novel' **The Washington Post**
Every night police transcriber Hazel Greenlee listens as detectives divulge Black Harbor's gruesome crimes. Hazel, an aspiring novelist, believes that writing a book could be her only ticket out of this frozen hellscape. Her life isn't exactly brimming with inspiration, until her neighbor confesses to hiding the corpse of an overdose victim.
With an insider's look at the investigation, Hazel becomes spellbound by the lead detective, Nikolai Kole, and the chilling narrative he shares with her. Through his transcription, she learns that the suspicious death is linked to Candy Man, a drug dealer notorious for selling illegal substances to children. When Kole invites her on a covert operation to help take the dealer down, the promise of a story calls to her.
As the investigation unfolds, Hazel will learn just how far she'll go for a good story -- even if it means destroying her marriage and luring the killer to her as she plunges deeper into the city she's desperate to claw her way out of.
'A moody, unsettling debut novel' **The Washington Post**
Every night police transcriber Hazel Greenlee listens as detectives divulge Black Harbor's gruesome crimes. Hazel, an aspiring novelist, believes that writing a book could be her only ticket out of this frozen hellscape. Her life isn't exactly brimming with inspiration, until her neighbor confesses to hiding the corpse of an overdose victim.
With an insider's look at the investigation, Hazel becomes spellbound by the lead detective, Nikolai Kole, and the chilling narrative he shares with her. Through his transcription, she learns that the suspicious death is linked to Candy Man, a drug dealer notorious for selling illegal substances to children. When Kole invites her on a covert operation to help take the dealer down, the promise of a story calls to her.
As the investigation unfolds, Hazel will learn just how far she'll go for a good story -- even if it means destroying her marriage and luring the killer to her as she plunges deeper into the city she's desperate to claw her way out of.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2025
14 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Morrissey
13 books1,221 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 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 13, 2025
3.5⭐️ Every night, police transcriber Hazel Greenlee listens as detectives divulge Black Harbor’s gruesome secrets. Hazel believes that writing a book could be her only ticket out of this frozen hellscape, but her life isn’t exactly brimming with inspiration. Until her neighbor confesses to hiding the corpse of an overdose victim. With an insider’s look at the investigation, Hazel becomes spellbound by the lead detective, Nikolai Kole. When Kole invites her on a covert operation to help take the dealer down, the promise of a story calls to her &, as the investigation unfolds, Hazel will discover just how far she will go for her story, even if it means destroying her marriage & her career…
Straight away it is evident that the descriptive prose in this book shows the author’s writing talent, creating an environment that you can imagine every element of.
Told solely from the perspective of main character Hazel, the story takes us from her first day at the new job, delving into the life she has with her husband that has got her to this point, & furthermore to where she wants to go.
From the moment she meets Nik it is quite obvious which direction the story will take, however there are some twists & turns along the way which throw this assumption off track. It does start with quite a slow burn pacing but from the halfway point the action really ramps up the speed, although some of the scenes with Nik do seem a little dragged out which does slow down the momentum slightly.
Also loved the mention of the Welsh word ‘Hiraeth’, which means a deep longing for home, which was very relevant to Hazel’s feelings of belonging throughout, alongside the dark thoughts she has in relation to her new surroundings & the ties binding her there. Would definitely read more by this author as really enjoyed her embracing writing style, if not the characters in this title.
Straight away it is evident that the descriptive prose in this book shows the author’s writing talent, creating an environment that you can imagine every element of.
Told solely from the perspective of main character Hazel, the story takes us from her first day at the new job, delving into the life she has with her husband that has got her to this point, & furthermore to where she wants to go.
From the moment she meets Nik it is quite obvious which direction the story will take, however there are some twists & turns along the way which throw this assumption off track. It does start with quite a slow burn pacing but from the halfway point the action really ramps up the speed, although some of the scenes with Nik do seem a little dragged out which does slow down the momentum slightly.
Also loved the mention of the Welsh word ‘Hiraeth’, which means a deep longing for home, which was very relevant to Hazel’s feelings of belonging throughout, alongside the dark thoughts she has in relation to her new surroundings & the ties binding her there. Would definitely read more by this author as really enjoyed her embracing writing style, if not the characters in this title.
December 29, 2025
An entertaining crime novel but one that is difficult to pin down in terms of style or genre. There are macabre moments, such as writing with a severed digit, but it taps into psychological terror, at times nightmarish, rather than horror. There are Noirish elements, but due to the bleak frozen setting there is perhaps more in common with Scandi-Noir than that of the West Coast. Most unusually of all for a crime novel, there are scenes of falling in love and sex, which become key to the story arc. This description may make it appear a curious mixture, but it comes together surprisingly well and keeps the reader engaged throughout. This is far from the traditional whodunnit.
Readers who enjoy creative and stylish prose are well catered for. Part of the dialogue is the reports that are dictated onto tape for Hazel to type up as the transcriber. This means that the police officer will dictate his punctuation marks (like they used to on telegrams) and then there is the normal punctuation of the text. It looks a little strange on the page but is crying out to be spoken aloud.
The plot revolves around drug dealing, discovering the identity of the supplier ‘The Candyman’ and whether they are responsible for the death of an overdosed child. Naturally the drug world is the grim and grimy destroyer of lives. Hazel should only be typing reports but she is drawn into the investigation for real, partly out of morbid interest but also because there is a story there.
Snowbound locations are always atmospheric and bring a sense of unseen danger and isolation. What is fun and joyous during daylight can feel sinister at night. At times the reader can almost feel the cold in the frozen woods.
Also captured well is the declining small-town feel. Black Harbor is a small town but now suffers with big city crime. This also helps to keep the story tight. It begins with Hazel running on The Forge Bridge, a known suicide haunt and one where the river seems to call to you, or at least it does to Hazel. It becomes a recurring setting in the story and proves to be a significant location more than once. It provides a literary motif to instil fear and caution.
The characterisation holds the story together, with the central characters especially well drawn. The relationship building is intense, as is the breakdown, but its Hazel’s sister Elle is the one that packs the biggest surprise. There is a sense that you can only live your own life and whilst not being selfish we must all follow our own path to happiness.
The pacing I thought was a little stop-start, as the third quarter is largely relationship based, and the investigation is parked for few chapters. It is a key part of the story though and the conclusion is nicely handled.
An atmospheric and stylish thriller.
Readers who enjoy creative and stylish prose are well catered for. Part of the dialogue is the reports that are dictated onto tape for Hazel to type up as the transcriber. This means that the police officer will dictate his punctuation marks (like they used to on telegrams) and then there is the normal punctuation of the text. It looks a little strange on the page but is crying out to be spoken aloud.
The plot revolves around drug dealing, discovering the identity of the supplier ‘The Candyman’ and whether they are responsible for the death of an overdosed child. Naturally the drug world is the grim and grimy destroyer of lives. Hazel should only be typing reports but she is drawn into the investigation for real, partly out of morbid interest but also because there is a story there.
Snowbound locations are always atmospheric and bring a sense of unseen danger and isolation. What is fun and joyous during daylight can feel sinister at night. At times the reader can almost feel the cold in the frozen woods.
Also captured well is the declining small-town feel. Black Harbor is a small town but now suffers with big city crime. This also helps to keep the story tight. It begins with Hazel running on The Forge Bridge, a known suicide haunt and one where the river seems to call to you, or at least it does to Hazel. It becomes a recurring setting in the story and proves to be a significant location more than once. It provides a literary motif to instil fear and caution.
The characterisation holds the story together, with the central characters especially well drawn. The relationship building is intense, as is the breakdown, but its Hazel’s sister Elle is the one that packs the biggest surprise. There is a sense that you can only live your own life and whilst not being selfish we must all follow our own path to happiness.
The pacing I thought was a little stop-start, as the third quarter is largely relationship based, and the investigation is parked for few chapters. It is a key part of the story though and the conclusion is nicely handled.
An atmospheric and stylish thriller.
October 15, 2025
‘Hello, Transcriber’ is a brilliant dark thriller, that doesn't shy away from portraying a protagonist who is just searching for a connection with someone. Everyone in Black Harbour lies, whether it is to others, or even to themselves. This is the first book in a series and I instantly knew the minute I finished inhaling this one that I would need the next one! Thankfully, it seems it is being released in December - so not too long to wait.
Hannah Morrissey knows how to write. Her prose is richly descriptive, her choice of words is sublime and her characters are flawed and realistic. Black Harbour and Hazel Greenlee are complex, dark and ever so enthralling. Black Harbour is a small but crime-ridden city and when Hazel takes a night job transcribing police reports, she soon becomes obsessed with a particular case and its investigator. Hazel is looking for a reason to escape her life with her husband and her unfulfilled potential and dreams. So when her neighbour Sam is involved in a crime, this is a catalyst for her waking up and starting to take notice.
I devoured this in a couple of sittings and it was one of those books that once you enter the pages, you don't want to leave. Now, I am not someone who normally likes a romance aspect to their crime, but this time I was totally converted. All the characters radiate a deep sadness that was realistic and profound. This was a narrative that was about its characters rather than the mystery and as much as I wanted to know who had committed the crimes, it would have also been okay if the reader wasn't given that resolution. It was more about how the characters reacted to the events, their interactions with each other and how they affected those around them.
Let me know if you pick this one up!
September 22, 2025
It was easy to get lost in this town of Black Harbour, feeling the chill and the despair that Hazel experiences, until she gets into being a transcriber for the police station and connects with the mysterious Detective Nikolai Kole and his case of finding the Candy Man, someone who is selling drugs to kids who overdose and die. Being a police transcriber sounds fascinating, dark but I agree with Hazel that it would definitely give someone lots of ideas for a novel. And I had to keep reading to find out who the Candy Man is (there are several suspects) and if Detective Kole can solve this case (with the help of Hazel of course) before there is another death. The other part with Hazel and her unhappiness in her marriage and her attraction to the detective helped make the story fill full and also emphasized how bleak it all is in Black Harbour.
As this is a first book in the series, there is a lot of set up for the characters and town and while the case gets solved, I am looking forward to reading more thrilling mysteries and crimes in this town of Black Harbour. I am glad I got the chance to read this book and many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me get lost in this dark town of snow and death.
As this is a first book in the series, there is a lot of set up for the characters and town and while the case gets solved, I am looking forward to reading more thrilling mysteries and crimes in this town of Black Harbour. I am glad I got the chance to read this book and many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me get lost in this dark town of snow and death.
October 20, 2025
This is a fantastic debut novel, Black Harbour is full of secrets, more than Hazel expected when she became the police transcriber. I felt Hazel just wanted somewhere to belong when she took on the role, to be trusted and recognised. Starting to unravel as she got too caught up on the dark side of Black Harbour. Suicides, overdoses and murders, her curiosity leading her down a dark path struggling to distinguish truths from the lies.
The way this book is written is captivating I read it in one sitting as I just kept saying to myself just one more chapter. The descriptive writing immersed me into the world of Black Harbour and its chilling secrets. It was a thriller that sucked me in and took me on a journey leaving me questioning what to believe.
I felt for Hazel and the life she finds herself in, a husband once a childhood romance now a master of coercive control. Co-workers she can’t trust and a need to uncover the truth.
A dark chilling psychological thriller the perfect start to a series. I can’t wait to read more from Hannah Morrissey and immersemyself back into Black Harbour.
The way this book is written is captivating I read it in one sitting as I just kept saying to myself just one more chapter. The descriptive writing immersed me into the world of Black Harbour and its chilling secrets. It was a thriller that sucked me in and took me on a journey leaving me questioning what to believe.
I felt for Hazel and the life she finds herself in, a husband once a childhood romance now a master of coercive control. Co-workers she can’t trust and a need to uncover the truth.
A dark chilling psychological thriller the perfect start to a series. I can’t wait to read more from Hannah Morrissey and immersemyself back into Black Harbour.
October 8, 2025
I really enjoyed the thriller/mystery side of this book. Following Hazel as she gets a new job as a transcriber, typing up police reports as she delves into a drug/murder plot involving acquaintances and a bridge near her home. I was hooked on this, loving the twists of who it could be.
I wasn't too impressed with the romance side of the story, but that's just me... An abusive other half doesn't give you the right to cheat, especially if you hardly know the man you are sleeping with! Yuck.
Maybe it's just me, but I couldn't stand Tommy or Nik!!
Just leave the creep then get to know the other guy first!
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I particularly enjoyed how the author dealt with some of the mental health and sexuality/identity issues.
I wasn't too impressed with the romance side of the story, but that's just me... An abusive other half doesn't give you the right to cheat, especially if you hardly know the man you are sleeping with! Yuck.
Maybe it's just me, but I couldn't stand Tommy or Nik!!
Just leave the creep then get to know the other guy first!
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I particularly enjoyed how the author dealt with some of the mental health and sexuality/identity issues.
October 7, 2025
I wasn’t sure what I was expecting when I started this book but it wasn’t what I got!
It was a great thriller and caught me out a few times!! I think I’d love a job transcribing crime reports but I am not sure I would jump into the story as much as Hazel does!
Hazel is drawn to a bridge and that links the whole story, the descriptions around it are so real and enchanting.
I really don’t like Hazels husband right from the beginning and the book really manages MH issues kindly and in a way I’ve not read before
I would recommend this!
It was a great thriller and caught me out a few times!! I think I’d love a job transcribing crime reports but I am not sure I would jump into the story as much as Hazel does!
Hazel is drawn to a bridge and that links the whole story, the descriptions around it are so real and enchanting.
I really don’t like Hazels husband right from the beginning and the book really manages MH issues kindly and in a way I’ve not read before
I would recommend this!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews