honestly do not have much to say besides this disappointed me big time. 2 stars :/ i had high hopes coming into this book as the plot seemed fascinating but it was a big struggle to get through this book.

This book felt like a palate cleanser—quick, easy to get through, and structured with short chapters that kept the pace moving. However, it lacked the "WOW" factor I look for in a great thriller. The premise was intriguing—a girl goes missing from an orphanage—but the ending was extremely predictable. I figured it out pretty early on, which took away from the suspense.

One aspect I did enjoy was Hazel, the MFC, Her determination to meet her deadline and her refusal to ignore the missing girl’s disappearance made her compelling. I appreciated that she couldn’t just let it go, especially when no one else seemed to care.

On the other hand, Sonia’s role felt underdeveloped. She played a crucial part in the ending, yet after being heavily mentioned in the beginning, she faded into the background for most of the book. It felt like a missed opportunity to build more tension and depth.

Overall, I wanted to feel more on edge, but the story never quite delivered that gripping, heart-racing experience I crave in a thriller. The ending, in particular, felt rushed—there was so much more that could have been explored, but it wrapped up too quickly. While it was an easy read, it ultimately left me wanting more.

Thank you to Netgalley, Daniel G. Miller, and Houndstooth Books for access to this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book. Madeline hires Hazel (a private investigator) to look into the disappearance of her god-daughter from the orphanage. The more the case is investigated, Hazel realises that ghis isnt just a case of a runaway girl. The plot to this book was really good. I did guess the twist.

This book was fast paced for me. It definitely kept me on edge and guessing It did however it did end abruptly and was left with a lot of questions. Will be reading more by this author.

I did not care for this story as there were too many things thrown in to the mix to ever be believable to me. I'm all for diversity in stories, but there is also a point where you say really?

I can't count how many times the main character, a bumbling PI, had to mention that she was Korean and liked Korean food. Once would have been enough to get the message across, but after that, it was too much, too often. I say bumbling, but then her client for this story acts like such a bi*ch I think I would quit rather than take her on.

An orphan is missing from a home for children without families. This "goddaughter" who is missing has quite the singing voice. While investigating the missing girl, info comes to our PI that maybe other orphans with talents are missing, too, in fact, there are children missing for the past 25 years.

Nope, too far fetched for me. Thank you NetGalley for an advance reader copy. Honest opinions expressed here are my own and are freely given,

This book was gripping and I couldn't stop turning pages. I usually have a hard time with books where there may be harm to children but I managed this one pretty well, having such a dogged advocate like Hazel looking into the case was certainly reassuring and this book kept me guessing until the end!

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It was an easy read that kept me interested from the first page. I love books with strong main characters, whether they're male or female. This one happens to be a female. She starts off a little shaky, but finds her footing about half way and knocks it out of the park by the end. If you're looking for a book with a lot of romance, this isn't it. There is a small amount, but it's not the center of the story.

The Orphange by the Lake was a really good mystery. In it, a private investigator sets out to find a missing girl. I liked the characters of Hazel and Kenny best, but the villians weren't cookie cutters either. The pacing was good, but could have moved a little faster before the climax. There was suspense throught the book. The ending hit hard and fast. I'm happy that there will hopefully be a second book. 4.5 stars rounded to 5 here on NetGalley.

Hazel is a 30 year old Korean PI who's about to be so broke she can't even afford the dump of an apartment she shares with her somewhat stalker-ish roommate. When a wealthy woman offers her a case with a ticking time clock and a huge reward, she cannot refuse. Madeline Hemsley's goddaughter went missing from Saint Agnes Children's Home, and she's giving Hazel 10 days to find her.

This book was a quick read and super engaging. It sucked me right in and kept me hooked until the last page! Even though one of the twists was somewhat predictable, the arguably bigger twist caught me totally off guard! I loved the characters so much and hope the author will give Hazel her own series! She's certainly deserving of one! This book is absolutely a Read It!

Note: I received an ARC of this book, at no cost to myself, from NetGalley and am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was such a great story. Once I started it I couldn't put it down! So many twists that kept me guessing until the very end. Looking forward to reading more from this author

The story follows Hazel, a tenacious and resourceful private investigator, as she works tirelessly to solve the case of a missing girl from a remote orphanage by a lake.

Hazel is a standout character strong, empathetic, and relentless in her pursuit of the truth. Miller does an excellent job of portraying her internal struggles and personal motivations, which adds layers to her character and makes her journey all the more compelling. As she digs deeper into the orphanage’s dark past, the stakes become higher, and the tension mounts in a way that keeps you hooked page after page.
The setting of the orphanage by the lake is atmospheric and eerie, providing the perfect backdrop for this haunting mystery. Miller's writing captures the isolation and tension of the place, heightening the suspense as Hazel uncovers disturbing secrets. The plot is filled with unexpected twists, and Miller keeps the reader guessing until the very end. The investigation itself is intricate and well-paced, with every clue leading to new questions and discoveries. It’s a story about uncovering truths, not only about the missing girl but also about the people involved in the case, including Hazel herself.

If you’re a fan of suspenseful, emotionally rich thrillers, The Orphanage by the Lake is a must-read. Hazel is a remarkable protagonist, and the story is a brilliant blend of mystery and emotional depth that will keep you engaged from beginning to end. Highly recommended

This book was really well written and it was a brilliant crime thriller! I absolutely loved the ending of this book and the suspense was built through out the book!

The chapters were short and punchy which is a massive plus for me, I don't like it when chapters are too long so I enjoyed the fact they weren't long chapters.

This was a pretty straightforward thriller without a ton of crazy plot twists. I will say that the only negative part of this book was everything felt expected and there really wasn’t a shock factor which was slightly annoying. This of course could be totally different for someone else so it’s the worst thing a book has done.

The characters were surprisingly well rounded for a thriller. I appreciated their uniqueness as it helped add depth to the overall plot. Some of the writing felt basic which I felt neutral about. For thrillers I don’t expect a literary masterpiece, but I wish there was some indication of a higher vocabulary and overarching literary themes.

4.5/5⭐️
I devoured this book in no time; I simply couldn't put it down. It was incredibly enjoyable! While the villains and their involvement were fairly predictable, the story remained thoroughly captivating.

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

I really enjoyed The Orphanage on the Lake. It was a quick PI read. Hazel hung out her PI shingle after a horrible personal experience which caused the once strong woman into self doubt. She is struggling making ends meet as well as questioning her abilities. Along comes a wealthy woman looking for find her goddaughter who disappeared from an orphanage. She engaged the services of other PI’s who never made headway. They either quit or did not meet the time constraints. Hazel takes on the challenge lured by the big financial carrot as well as her drive to find the girl.
This book held my interest throughout. My impression is the author plans to make this into a series. If so, I will definitely look for the next book.
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy.

This was an average read about a Private Investigator who is hired to find a missing girl in a set amount of time for a large sum of money. It was a little slow at the beginning, but improved a bit. I'm not a huge mystery reader so this wasn't quite for me, but I feel like there are others that would really enjoy it!!

A plot twist I didn’t see coming. Characters I could easily connect with. And, the perfect ending to a crime ring that’s been impossible to solve. A perfect read.

Given the age group mentioned and where this book was set i knew this book might touch heart plunging subjects. And it did.
Hazel.is a Pi and not having the best of look with getting enough clients. She's almost ready to give up when a beacon comes through the door. The task. To find her clients god daughter. Only thing is she went missing from an orphanage. You can already get a sense that this is going to get dark. This isn't going to be pleasant. And so begins a twisted Web of secrets lies and danger. Possibly for all involved. Hazel has just days to solve this case and more is at threat than just the money.

Unfortunately not for me. There was potential but everything fell flat. The writing was not engaging, the FMC and actually all the characters were terrible. The bad guy was so predictable. The ending was so rushed and just not great.

The Orphanage by the Lake by Daniel Miller is a fast paced mystery that follows PI Hazel Cho who is in a race against the clock to find a missing 13-year old girl. While I guessed some of the twists in the book, I still very much enjoyed the book! I’m excited to read more from this author in the future.