This had potential to be a great psychological thriller but it lacked twists that weren’t predictable. Bad cops, rich people, girls gone missing. There is some dark topics that I wasn’t expecting going into the book. But for some readers this would be very triggering with how it was dealt with. I felt like it wasn’t executed well and the ending was kind of rushed.

Hazel was so chaotic and her life was a shamble. She was likeable but sometimes a little too silly. She was unprofessional on multiple occasions and was annoying.
Her job as a Private Investigator, putting her self into a position where her life could be in danger was a little too unrealistic to me. Why not speak to the cop who she was trusting, Bobby.? She just willy nilly went along with perfect Andrew. Like how could that be believable? A handsome, rich man just so happens to bump into you.

The cover was good, the blurb was intriguing and it had a good concept.

My thoughts on this read are so ambivalent. Hazel, a private investigator struggling to make ends meet , has a mysterious client challenge her to solve the case of her teenaged goddaughter missing from an orphanage in a very short amount of time. Hazel takes the challenge given the money promised and visits the orphanage meeting only one person who seems to care about Mia’s disappearance. Several of the others seem like prime suspects. Hazel seems somewhat chaotic in her approach to her investigation. Her instincts seem on target but she frequently does not seem to take it seriously, drinking more than she should and showing up late to meetings. Andrew’s appearance was very predictable.
Some of the revelations towards the end were not a surprise. I did enjoy Kenny and his unwavering devotion to Hazel. There was so much potential with this premise making it easy to read.
Many many thanks to Daniel G. Miller, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read an arc of The Orphanage by the Lake, published on March 18th.

There has been so much hype around this book and I had such high hopes. Unfortunately, it fell a little flat for me. I thought the overall premise of the story was good but it was a super slow start and it felt like all the action took place in the last 20-25% of the story.
Thanks to Netgalley, Houndstooth Books, and the author for this ebook to read. All opinions are my own

Im a fan of investigation books and this is exactly what this book had! Was great to see a woman being a PI and they make her very relatable. While Hazel being the main character was depicted as not strong and weak i think she handled herself well for it being her first big case. While reading I did have a hunch on who was behind it all but didn't come unraveled until the end.

In 'The Orphanage by the Lake,' we are introduced to Hazel Cho, a struggling private investigator in Manhattan. Hazel’s fortunes seem to change when Madeline Hemsley hires her to locate Mia Ross, a young girl who vanished from Saint Agnes, an orphanage in upstate New York. As Hazel delves into the case, she uncovers unsettling clues—bloodstains, cryptic symbols, and shadowy figures—that suggest a more sinister reality beneath the surface.

Miller crafts a suspenseful narrative that explores deception with the contrast between appearances and reality. Hazel’s character is portrayed with depth, highlighting her resilience and determination while undergoing personal and professional challenges. The novel’s atmosphere and intricate plot twists kept me engaged, which made it a compelling read for fans of psychological thrillers.

Not for me. I love a female PI lead, but this one was not it. Too much discussion about food, too many unrealistic scenarios, weak characters, Good Good idea for a story but it fell flat to me.

While the story was a little predictable I still definitely enjoyed it. We followed Hazel Cho, female PI whose given a missing persons case surrounding an orphanage on the Lake. There are so many twists and shady characters that I was hooked.

I am impressed with Hazel. Despite the extreme time crunch that Madeline gives her in which to find the missing Mia, she works fast, finds leads and despite some scary threats from scarred men, keeps at it and with this fast reading thriller, solves the case in the nick of time. It does get pretty dark and there are a few dead bodies but is a good mystery thriller that flows well. Hazel is quite the interesting character and I think her private detective agency will go far, especially when Kenny is added to the team. I cannot wait to see what their next case will be and though I do not see the charm of living in the big city, I wish Hazel the best luck in finding a parking space and solving her next case and maybe finding a guy that is right for her (even if her parents don't approve).

I enjoyed this intriguing story because it had several twists that popped up throughout the story. The author wrapped things nicely without rushing to do so. The main character is very likable, and I found myself rooting for her to be successful in saving her PI business. I was gifted the digital version by the author with no expectation of a positive review. These thoughts are my own.

This was a fun mystery to read. The main character, Hazel Cho, brings humor and spirit to the book while working on a case of a missing teen. Hazel and her roommate Kenny are a fun couple of good friends, I enjoyed ready the food references that Kenny likes to cook and Hazel loves to eat.

She seemed like a realistic person whose life has a chaotic vibe. Private detective story usually interest me and I got caught up in this one . Her client was a true pain in the ass with a rushed deadline. Hazel buckles down and is able to get further than any of the previously hired detectives to find the missing teen.

Plenty of bad guy action and a great ending ! Rated it 5 stars . Thanks for the opportunity to read

The Orphanage by the Lake is a gripping, atmospheric mystery that kept me hooked from start to finish. Hazel, a private investigator on the verge of losing her business, is thrust into a case that seems simple at first—a missing girl from a local orphanage. However, as she digs deeper, the case unravels into something far darker, filled with secrets, eerie symbols, and a web of intrigue that kept me on edge.

The setting of the orphanage by the lake adds an unsettling, gothic feel to the story. The remote, almost haunted atmosphere of the location is perfectly suited for the growing sense of dread that pervades Hazel's investigation. Hazel herself is an engaging and relatable protagonist, struggling with the pressures of her failing career while still trying to maintain her professional integrity. Her determination to find the missing girl, despite the mounting dangers, made her a character I genuinely rooted for.

The pacing of the book is well done. It starts off slow, with Hazel uncovering seemingly small clues, but gradually ramps up as the mystery deepens. The cryptic symbols, strange figures following Hazel, and the hidden truths of the orphanage all create a sense of mounting tension. I also really enjoyed the twists and turns in the plot, particularly as Hazel begins to question who she can trust, including the enigmatic Madeline Hemsley, who initially seems like a straightforward client but turns out to have her own dark secrets.

The only reason I didn't give this a full 5 stars is that I felt some aspects of the mystery were a bit predictable. There were moments when I guessed the direction of the story before it fully unfolded, which slightly dulled the impact of some of the reveals. However, the overall suspense and the way the story builds toward its chilling conclusion more than made up for it.

If you’re a fan of dark, atmospheric mysteries with plenty of twists and a strong, determined lead, The Orphanage by the Lake is definitely worth the read. It’s a compelling page-turner with a mix of suspense, mystery, and eerie intrigue that kept me hooked from beginning to end.

I really enjoyed this one. It was fast- paced and kept me intrigued. I did not see the twist coming at the end.
Thank you Houndstooth Books for the arc.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book. The storyline and story kept me intrigued to find out exactly what happened. The character build up and connection kept me wanting more. Such a great read.

Overall, I thought this was an okay mystery/thriller. The story itself was interesting. It definitely kept me engaged for most of the book, trying to guess who was involved and what the next twist would be. I think where I struggled most though was with Hazel. She felt like a character written by someone who had been told what it was like to be an Asian woman without having that experience themselves. She really fell flat for me which was so disappointing because I was so excited to see a female Korean PI. The potential was there but her voice didn’t come through as a minority woman who was a child of immigrants. There’s a feel to that that is hard to capture if it isn’t lived experience. So that really colored the entire book for me, making it difficult for me to fully engage with the story. I also didn’t care for the end at all. It felt very cartoon villain and I just didn’t enjoy it. First books in a series are so hard to write though, especially with setting up who is who and what their motives are so I’m optimistic the next book will be great!

This was a great read. Finished in one sitting. It was so good I could not stop reading because I needed to know how it would end. Well written and this would make a great movie.

This was the first book I have read from this author and I really did enjoy it. It was a nice easy read with a few twists although a little predictable with some parts. It did keep me wanting to read and not put it down until it was finished which was a plus. Biggest issue with this book is more of a personal preference. I did not like how weak the main character was portrayed especially being a PI. Any other profession then sure, but she seemed to crumble anytime something was hard. Thank you for allowing me to read this book early and I look forward to other books by this author.

Just finished reading The Orphanage by the Lake by Daniel G. Miller, and I’m truly impressed. 📖✨

This gripping psychological crime thriller introduces Hazel Cho, a Korean-American private investigator whose struggling business is handed a lifeline when a wealthy socialite hires her to track down a missing girl from a shadowy orphanage. What unfolds is a suspenseful, twist-filled story that kept me up late, unable to put it down.

Miller’s writing is sharp and fast-paced, delivering one surprise after another just when you think you’ve pieced it all together. The dark, moody atmosphere is so vividly crafted it feels like stepping into the pages, and the tension is palpable.

Hazel is a standout character—smart, quirky, and so refreshingly real. Her interactions, particularly with her roommate Kenny, bring both levity and heart to an otherwise intense story. I also appreciated the thoughtful representation of minority voices, which added richness and depth to the narrative.

If you enjoy crime thrillers that immerse you in the investigation and keep you guessing, this is a must-read. That said, it’s worth mentioning that the book tackles some tough subjects, like child abduction and sex trafficking, so proceed with awareness.

Overall, The Orphanage by the Lake is a masterful thriller that lingers in your thoughts long after you’ve turned the last page. Highly recommend this for your reading list. 🌟

#BookReview #TheOrphanageByTheLake #DanielGMiller #PsychologicalThriller #CrimeFiction #RecommendedReads #Bookstagram #ThrillerBooks #DiverseStories

I love a strong lead. Hazel is just that... brave and determined. She is not privileged and knows what it feels like to struggle. She didn't always do the smartest things, but she stood by the decisions she made. This story moved along quickly and was not necessarily bad, but overall predictable. Nothing against the author, but you could almost feel the unfamiliarity of the female perspective.
Just really let down by the twist and turns that were supposed to be shocking but overall could be seen coming.
Not the worst storyline, but not my favorite execution.

This was a great read—quick, page-turning action, interesting back story slowly revealed, unusual main character, and so much potential for additional volumes to come. I really enjoyed the Manhattan setting and the vast gulf between lifestyles of the antagonists and protagonists.

Thanks to Netgalley, Houndstooth Books, and the author for this ebook to read. All opinions are my own

While I had a bit of a hard time warming up to Hazel as our main character, I enjoyed the story's plot. We have a young girl gone missing from an orphanage and it seems no one in law enforcement or at the orphanage itself is really interested in helping Hazel figure out what happened to her. This makes it difficult to investigate, not to mention the client gave her a strict deadline which if isn't met Hazel is taken off the case and looses tons of money.

I think Hazel is a good investigator, but, she seemed to get in her own way quite a bit and it dragged parts of the story down for me. But
there are plenty of twists and turns, keeping me interested and wanting to see where it was all leading. Which ended up being a complete surprise for me.

While I'm not 100% sure about my feelings about Hazel, I think the rest of the book was entertaining, and a fast read.