The Unlucky Ones Summary, Characters and Themes
The Unlucky Ones by Hannah Morrissey is a crime thriller set in the bleak, decaying town of Black Harbor. This atmospheric novel focuses on the lives of its troubled inhabitants, especially Hazel, a woman haunted by her abusive past with her ex-husband Tommy, whose death draws her back to the city she tried to leave behind.
Hazel’s emotional turmoil and unresolved guilt intertwine with the investigation of Tommy’s murder, led by the determined Detective Nikolai Kole. As they delve deeper into Tommy’s criminal connections, secrets of the city’s dark underworld and the personal struggles of those involved unfold, creating a tense narrative of crime, survival, and redemption.
Summary
Hazel had hoped she could escape Black Harbor, the city that had once been her home and prison. However, after the violent death of her ex-husband, Tommy Greenlee, she is pulled back into the city’s grip, unable to avoid the ghosts of her past.
Tommy’s murder forces Hazel to return to the place she had tried to leave behind. Haunted by nightmares and overwhelmed by guilt, Hazel struggles with anxiety and panic attacks, feeling as though Tommy’s violent past still follows her.
Despite her attempts to move forward, she feels mentally trapped in the city’s dark history.
Hazel’s search for answers leads her to uncover troubling details about Tommy’s life before his death. She discovers that his murder took place at the Mineshaft, a notorious dive bar in Black Harbor.
Investigators, including Detective Nikolai Kole, find crucial evidence linking Tommy to a network of dangerous people and criminal activities, including drugs and possible doomsday prepping. What seems like a straightforward murder investigation becomes more complex as Kole’s team uncovers evidence of drugs, firearms, and connections to a larger conspiracy involving people from all over Black Harbor.
As the investigation unfolds, the connection between Tommy and Hazel grows clearer. Despite Hazel’s attempts to distance herself from her past, she becomes entangled in the case, especially when a gun tied to her fingerprints is found at the crime scene.
Though Hazel wasn’t in Black Harbor when Tommy was murdered, the mounting evidence suggests she may be linked to the crime. The gun, her ex-husband’s obsession with survivalism, and the connections to the underworld make her a person of interest.
Meanwhile, Kole is wrestling with his own demons. As he investigates Tommy’s death, he is reminded of his own painful past, particularly the unresolved grief from his brother Evan’s death.
Evan’s death had been ruled a suicide, but new evidence suggests it may be tied to Black Harbor’s criminal underworld, specifically involving a dangerous figure named Hades. Kole’s determination to uncover the truth about Tommy’s murder is complicated by his emotional struggles, particularly the tension-filled relationship he has with Hazel.
Their shared history adds a personal layer to the investigation, with both of them haunted by their past decisions and actions.
Hazel’s personal journey becomes even more complicated as she learns about the connections between Tommy’s criminal activities and the rest of the people in Black Harbor. The city is a place where betrayal and violence are daily realities, and Hazel begins to realize that Tommy’s death was just the tip of the iceberg.
While searching for her own answers, she faces mounting threats, including the growing suspicions around her involvement in Tommy’s murder and a disturbing discovery that someone has been watching her. Hazel finds herself entangled in a game of cat and mouse, unsure who to trust.
In her search for answers, Hazel revisits her old home, hoping to find her revolver. The house, now in disrepair, is a stark reminder of the abusive relationship she once endured with Tommy.
Inside, she confronts her past as she searches for the weapon that could potentially tie her to Tommy’s death. Just as she is about to grab the gun, she is confronted by Nikolai Kole, who warns her to freeze.
The emotional tension between them is palpable, and their interaction exposes the unresolved feelings and personal conflicts that still exist between them. Kole is skeptical of Hazel’s innocence, especially when he discovers the gun that could be linked to the crime.
As the investigation continues, Kole and his team uncover more disturbing details about Tommy’s life, including his ties to drugs and criminal organizations. The investigation takes them to various locations in Black Harbor, including a visit to Deschane, a taxidermist with a shady history, and a potential lead on Tommy’s connection to the dangerous criminals in the city.
These discoveries point to a larger conspiracy and a network of people involved in the drug trade, which complicates the case further.
At the same time, Hazel’s anxiety and fear grow as she becomes more entrenched in the investigation. She starts to question her own role in Tommy’s death and the growing suspicions surrounding her.
The tension between her and Kole reaches new heights as their unresolved feelings bubble to the surface. Despite their personal history, Hazel and Kole are forced to confront the painful truths about their past while trying to piece together the mystery of Tommy’s death.
As the investigation draws closer to a conclusion, the complex web of criminal activity, betrayal, and deception in Black Harbor begins to unravel. Kole and his team close in on Buddha, a key figure in the criminal world who is connected to Tommy’s murder.
The case takes a personal turn when Aubrey Jeske, the widow of one of the victims, reveals crucial information that leads Kole closer to the truth. Meanwhile, Hazel’s internal conflict reaches a peak as she tries to reconcile her past with her present and figure out her place in a city that continues to haunt her.
In the end, the investigation uncovers dark secrets about the criminal underworld in Black Harbor, including the role of figures like Hades and Buddha in the city’s violent and corrupt network. The revelations are explosive, and the story culminates in a confrontation that exposes the true nature of Black Harbor’s criminal activities.
However, even as the truth comes to light, the characters’ lives remain irrevocably changed. Hazel and Kole’s relationship remains complicated, and while some characters find a path toward redemption, others are consumed by the darkness of their past.
Black Harbor, much like its inhabitants, is a place where survival is key, and escape is nearly impossible.
Characters
Hazel
Hazel, the central character of The Unlucky Ones, is a woman trapped between her painful past in Black Harbor and the desperate need to escape its clutches. She carries the emotional scars of a tumultuous relationship with her ex-husband, Tommy, whose abusive behavior and eventual death continue to haunt her.
Hazel’s return to Black Harbor, initially driven by the need to uncover the truth about Tommy’s murder, is also a confrontation with her own unresolved trauma. Her psyche is fragile, plagued by nightmares, anxiety, and panic attacks that make it difficult for her to function normally.
Despite her desire to distance herself from her past, she is inexorably drawn back to the city that shaped her, both physically and emotionally. Hazel’s internal conflict is palpable throughout the narrative as she navigates guilt, fear, and the unsettling realization that she may be tied to Tommy’s death in ways she cannot control.
Her search for answers also becomes a journey of self-discovery, forcing her to face the abusive relationship that defined much of her adult life. Hazel is a character defined by her vulnerability, resilience, and deep internal struggle as she tries to reconcile her past with her present.
Sergeant Nikolai Kole
Sergeant Nikolai Kole is a seasoned detective in Black Harbor’s Violent Crime Task Force, marked by a relentless pursuit of justice and a personal history that complicates his professional duties. The murder of Tommy Greenlee is not just another case for Kole; it pulls him into a web of personal demons and emotional baggage, primarily tied to his late brother Evan.
Kole’s investigation into Tommy’s death is hampered by his unresolved grief over Evan’s death, which he long believed was a suicide. As new evidence suggests foul play, particularly involving dangerous figures like Hades, Kole is forced to reconsider everything he knew about his brother’s death.
His professional detachment is continually tested by the personal connection he feels to Hazel, his ex-lover. Despite the strained nature of their relationship, the emotional undercurrent between Kole and Hazel remains undeniable, further complicating his investigation.
Kole is a man torn between duty and personal retribution, constantly grappling with the blurred lines between justice and vengeance. His role as a detective is marked by his keen analytical skills and his willingness to make moral compromises to uncover the truth, even if it means working with dangerous individuals like Hades.
Tommy Greenlee
Though Tommy Greenlee is dead before the events of The Unlucky Ones fully unfold, his presence looms large over the narrative. His abusive relationship with Hazel serves as a central catalyst for much of the story’s emotional tension.
Tommy is a man broken by his own demons, with his obsession for doomsday prepping and drug addiction contributing to his erratic behavior. He is revealed to have been involved in the criminal underworld of Black Harbor, dealing with figures like Hades and Buddha, which ultimately leads to his violent end.
Despite his reprehensible actions, particularly his abuse of Hazel, there is an element of tragic inevitability in Tommy’s life. His refusal to escape Black Harbor, even when it seemed he could, symbolizes the cyclical nature of violence and despair that grips the city.
His death, surrounded by betrayal and unanswered questions, becomes the driving force that compels Hazel’s return to Black Harbor, forcing her to confront not only the reality of his passing but also the unresolved aspects of their relationship.
Hades
Hades is one of the darker figures in The Unlucky Ones, a former kingpin in Black Harbor’s criminal underworld. His role in the narrative is that of a manipulative and dangerous man who, despite his ruthless past, is a key figure in the investigation surrounding Tommy’s death.
Hades’ motivations are always layered, driven by a need to maintain power and control over the dark corners of Black Harbor. He forms an uneasy alliance with Kole, whose investigations into Tommy’s murder reveal a complex web of deceit and corruption that Hades is deeply embedded in.
Hades’ character is defined by his ability to sway others to his will, often using fear, intimidation, and manipulation. His history with Kole adds a personal layer to their interactions, especially as Kole navigates his own issues surrounding his brother’s death and the influence of men like Hades in shaping his fate.
Hades represents the moral ambiguity that pervades Black Harbor, where survival often requires compromising one’s principles.
Buddha
Buddha is another key antagonist in The Unlucky Ones, a criminal mastermind who plays a pivotal role in the unfolding conspiracy surrounding Tommy’s death. Like Hades, Buddha operates within the dark, dangerous world of Black Harbor’s drug trade and criminal activity.
He is a figure whose ruthlessness and cunning are only matched by his ability to manipulate and control those around him. Buddha’s connection to Tommy is one of betrayal, exploitation, and the ugly underbelly of Black Harbor’s criminal empire.
Throughout the investigation, Buddha remains a shadowy figure, with his true motivations and influence slowly coming to light. His interactions with other characters, particularly Kole and Hades, reveal the intense power struggles that exist within the city’s criminal landscape.
Buddha is a calculating figure whose actions contribute to the web of deception and violence that defines the narrative, embodying the dangers of unchecked power in a city like Black Harbor.
Robbie
Robbie is introduced as the building manager in Hazel’s new life outside of Black Harbor. However, as the story progresses, his true nature becomes increasingly suspicious.
His interactions with Hazel take on a menacing tone, especially when he is revealed to be watching her and monitoring her every move. Robbie’s presence adds an unsettling layer to the tension that already exists in Hazel’s life.
The discovery of a hidden camera outside her apartment confirms his manipulative tendencies, creating a sense of paranoia and vulnerability for Hazel. Robbie’s role in the story, though not fully developed, serves to highlight the constant surveillance and distrust that pervades Hazel’s world, making her feel as though she can never truly escape the eyes of those who have hurt her.
His actions contribute to the theme of invasion and control that runs through the narrative, further complicating Hazel’s emotional and psychological state as she unravels the truth behind Tommy’s death.
Themes
Trauma and Memory
The theme of trauma and its impact on memory plays a central role in The Unlucky Ones. Hazel’s return to Black Harbor is marked by the haunting weight of her past, especially the unresolved trauma stemming from her abusive marriage to Tommy.
The violence and manipulation she suffered in their relationship leave deep scars that continue to shape her sense of identity and self-worth. The psychological toll of her experiences manifests in her recurring nightmares, anxiety, and panic attacks, making it clear that trauma is not easily escaped.
Hazel’s return to the city, despite her desire to move on, highlights the powerful pull of memory. The past clings to her, continually resurfacing in the form of physical sensations, emotional responses, and the relentless memories of Tommy.
These memories are not just about what happened to her but also about her guilt over abandoning Tommy to the very environment that ultimately led to his demise. Hazel’s inability to sever ties with her past underscores how traumatic experiences can become an inescapable part of one’s psyche, influencing their present and future actions.
This theme of trauma extends beyond Hazel to other characters, such as Sergeant Kole, whose grief over the death of his brother, Evan, is similarly unresolved. The death, initially suspected to be a suicide, is reexamined as new evidence emerges, challenging Kole’s perception of his brother’s death and revealing layers of betrayal and loss.
The psychological burden of not knowing the truth of Evan’s death weighs heavily on Kole, further complicating his already strained emotional state. Both Hazel and Kole are trapped in their respective pasts, unable to move forward without confronting the emotional and psychological wreckage left behind by their traumatic experiences.
The city of Black Harbor itself seems to be a reflection of this persistent trauma, a place where the past is never truly gone, and the present is shaped by the unresolved pains of its inhabitants.
Guilt and Redemption
Guilt serves as a driving force for the actions of both Hazel and Kole throughout The Unlucky Ones. Hazel’s guilt over abandoning Tommy to the dangers of Black Harbor is palpable, and it influences her every decision as she returns to the city in search of answers about his death.
Despite the years of separation and her attempt to leave her old life behind, Hazel cannot shake the feeling that she is responsible for Tommy’s fate. This guilt is compounded by the discovery that her fingerprints are on the gun linked to Tommy’s murder, leading her to fear that she might be implicated in his death.
Hazel’s quest for redemption is not just about clearing her name, but also about reconciling with the past and finding a way to forgive herself for the choices she made in a time of weakness and fear. Her internal struggle is mirrored in her complex relationship with Kole, as the two share a history of betrayal and unspoken feelings.
The tension between them reflects the struggle for personal redemption, as both characters wrestle with their own actions and their inability to undo the damage caused by their past decisions.
Kole, too, grapples with guilt, particularly in relation to his brother’s death. The revelation that Evan’s death may have been part of a larger conspiracy forces Kole to confront his own role in the aftermath.
His pursuit of justice for his brother becomes a way for him to atone for not having been there to protect him. However, Kole’s moral ambiguity complicates his path to redemption.
As he navigates the dangerous underworld of Black Harbor, he is forced to make choices that blur the lines between right and wrong. His partnership with Hades, a former criminal kingpin, represents a compromise of his own principles in the name of justice.
This moral conflict highlights the difficulty of achieving redemption in a world where the lines between good and evil are often indistinguishable, and the pursuit of justice requires navigating through a labyrinth of corruption and deceit.
The Corruption of Black Harbor
Black Harbor, the setting of The Unlucky Ones, is a character in itself, representing the pervasive corruption that shapes the lives of those who live there. The city is depicted as a decaying, dangerous place where violence, drugs, and criminal activity are deeply entrenched in its fabric.
The Mineshaft, the dive bar where Tommy’s body is found, serves as a metaphor for the city’s moral decay, a place where people are consumed by their vices, and death is a common occurrence. Black Harbor is a town where survival is the primary concern, and loyalty, rather than truth, is the most valuable currency.
This corruption is not just institutional but also personal, as characters like Kole and Hazel find themselves complicit in the very system they seek to dismantle. Kole’s investigation into Tommy’s murder leads him deeper into the criminal underworld, where he must make difficult decisions that challenge his integrity.
His uneasy alliance with Hades, who is deeply involved in Black Harbor’s illicit activities, reflects the moral compromises required to navigate a city where corruption is the norm rather than the exception.
The city’s influence extends beyond the criminal underworld, seeping into the lives of ordinary citizens like Hazel. Even though she attempts to escape Black Harbor and its toxic environment, the city’s grip on her is undeniable.
Her return to Black Harbor forces her to confront not only her past but also the broader corruption that shaped her relationship with Tommy. The sense of inevitability that permeates Hazel’s story—her belief that she could never truly escape the city—is a powerful reflection of how corruption and trauma can define a person’s fate, trapping them in a cycle they cannot break.
As the investigation into Tommy’s murder unfolds, it becomes clear that Black Harbor’s criminal activities are far-reaching and involve a web of deceit, betrayal, and violence that extends beyond the city limits. This pervasive corruption serves as both the backdrop and the driving force of the narrative, showing how deeply it impacts the characters and their ability to seek justice and redemption.
The Complexity of Relationships
The relationships in The Unlucky Ones are characterized by complexity, mistrust, and unresolved emotions. The dynamic between Hazel and Kole is particularly fraught with tension, as their shared history of betrayal and personal loss complicates their present interactions.
Their relationship is one of both attraction and animosity, as they navigate the personal and professional challenges posed by the investigation. Hazel’s return to Black Harbor forces her to confront her feelings for Kole, feelings that are tangled with the pain of their past.
Kole, too, is affected by his unresolved emotions toward Hazel, which makes his role as a detective in the investigation even more challenging. Their connection is not just about shared history but also about the deeper emotional scars that both characters carry.
Their inability to fully communicate or trust each other adds to the emotional intensity of the narrative, highlighting the difficulty of moving forward when the past continues to exert such a strong influence.
Beyond Hazel and Kole, the relationships in the story are marked by manipulation, betrayal, and power dynamics. Characters like Hades, Buddha, and Big House operate within the context of Black Harbor’s criminal world, where loyalty is often a façade, and betrayal is a means to an end.
The way these characters interact with each other reveals the harsh realities of life in Black Harbor, where relationships are often transactional and survival comes at the cost of personal integrity. As the investigation progresses, the personal and professional lives of the characters become increasingly intertwined, with each revelation about the murder bringing out deeper layers of mistrust and complicating the characters’ understanding of loyalty and betrayal.
The relationships in the novel, whether personal or professional, illustrate how individuals navigate the complexities of love, loss, and power in a world where survival often requires sacrificing one’s values.