I will begin with possible trigger warnings. This book will mention and discuss: pedophilia, medication abuse.

Hazel is a PI who cannot wait to get high profile cases. She is tired of the little cases that barely pay the bills. To her surprise, one morning she gets the opportunity she has been waiting for.

Madeline walks through her door with a case for her solve. Madeline's goddaughter Mia went missing six months ago from an orphanage. She wants her found. Hazel is offered a large amount of money, and use of a vehicle to find Mia.
This is the break Hazel has been waiting for. Only it comes with a catch. Hazel only has eight days to find Mia or she loses it all.
Will she be able to do this assignment.

This book has so many twists and turns. I could not put it down. Be careful who you trust. You never know who is with you or against you.

The Orphanage by the Lake is a relentless, heart-pounding thriller that plunges you into a shadowy world of buried secrets. I was intrigued by the ins and outs of Hazel (the PI) tenacious investigation, watching her unravel a web of deceit, even when faced with stonewalling officials and menacing threats.

Hazel's determination, coupled with the endearing support of her roommate Kenny, made her a compelling protagonist. I love that this book is a dark mystery and thoroughly enjoyed Hazel’s journey!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you for the ARC!!!!

The writing was overall good.
I actually love to read a lot of thrillers.
And this was a pretty good one. I kind of half guessed the ending- Some of the parts really made me feel disgusted.

I loved Hazel's character. A woman in a male-dominated field where she was trying her best to survive & make a name for herself (AND SHE DID). I was so suspicious of the headmaster and Bobby too but I never really thought that Sonia would be the mastermind of this omg- That was the plot twist for me!!!!

The FMC was likable . Her relationship with her room mate was entertaining . The suspense was good , but the storyline in general was just ok.

I enjoyed his writing style , but felt this was slightly predictable .

This story kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end and had me suspicious of everyone. The main character Hazel is strong and unrelenting. Her own past experiences drive her motivation to help others which only makes her that much stronger. The storyline moves quickly and highly entertaining, making this a quick read.

There were multiple twists throughout, some that I saw coming, and several that still took my by surprise. I was left with some lingering questions at the end of the book, which I don’t love. But I still really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it!

Thank you NetGalley and Houndstooth Books for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Somewhat predictable as i was reading it but when I went to mark it on my Goodreads it said I had read it June of 2024? Fell in love with the characters. Excited for the red envelope sequel and hope the ARC will be offered on here as well.

The Orphanage by the Lake
by Daniel G. Miller
Pub Date: Mar 18 2025

This is my first Daniel Miller book and definitely won’t be my last! The Orphanage by the Lake follows Hazel Cho, a private investigator living in NYC who needs cash to keep her business open and pay her personal bills. Along comes Madeline who wants to hire her services to find her god daughter who went missing from an orphanage six months ago. The thing is Hazel only has so many days to find her or Madeline moves on to another PI.

The story had great potential, interesting characters, it kept me on the edge of my seat as I was suspecting everyone as being the culprit and when I finally found out who the real culprit was I was totally surprised! This is a story I would recommend and I hear there is a second book coming out which I'm looking forward to reading!

Many thanks to #orphanagebythelake #NetGalley and #PoisonedPenPress for providing me with an E-ARC of this fantastic book!

This was actually pretty good. The author did a great job writing from the perspective of a woman, and I enjoyed the aspects of Korean culture (the main character is Korean) he threw in. And let's just say that the ending wasn't what I expected, so I enjoyed that surprise.

Every PI I read about or watched on tv was nothing like Hazel. I think we need to take her license because she led herself right into every trap possible! I wanted to jump through this book and duck tape her mouth. She literally told everyone and their momma about every lead she came across. As for the other characters... EVERYONE WAS A SUSPECT! I don't care if it was a cat walking across the street, it was on the list too! Everyone in this book played a role in the disappearances and I love how the author incorporated so many elements of suspense.
This is what l'm looking for in a whodunnit type of thriller.
I will be reading book two.

I enjoyed this one. I’d give it a 3.5 stars. The story line kept my interest from start to finish. I kept wanting to find out what was going to happen next. I was able to figure out a couple of the big twists, but I still liked following Hazel on her case to find and get justice for Mia. I also thought that you could really tell female characters were written by a man. It wasn’t terrible, but I felt like some of Hazels character flaws or thoughts were more so stereotypes of women and not how women would actually act or be like in those situations. Over all this was a quick and twisty thriller and I see another one is set to release this year and I’ll give that one a try too!

BOOK: THE ORPHANAGE BY THE LAKE
AUTHOR: DANIEL G. MILLER
PUB DATE: 18 MARCH 2025
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REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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It's been a while since I read a contemporary book about a private investigator, and this one was very good with a female investigator, Hazel Cho. When I started this book, it was kinda boring, but it picked up when I reached 30% of the book. I'm so glad I continued it!
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The book started off with a 'simple' kidnapping case that turned out to be a serial one. I thought I suspected everyone, but I didn't because the culprit turned out to be someone totally unexpected, i was shaken! I can't say much about the case because I don't want to give spoilers, but it's kinda cliché with a plot twist of its own.
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Our FMC might have a troubled personal life, but there's nothing troubled about her investigating skills. She worked really hard, even harder than the police and other private investigators, and in such a short period, too. I admired her tenacity and her skills in solving the case. She did an amazing job, and I hope this is a series because I want to see more of Hazel Cho.
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This book had an amazing storyline, characters (not the perpetrators). I liked the ending and the epilogue I got, it gave me closure. I would definitely recommend this.
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This was a fun and interesting fast paced mystery book! I enjoyed how quick of a read it was, and how easy it was to get into. The twist and turns in the plot were unexpected and exciting, making the slow parts of the book not so bad. The ending is what made this book completely worth it. It was a little predictable but not in a bad way for me. I was able to put the pieces together before the reveal, but it did not take away from the ending. I was left with a few lingering questions at the end, but I still enjoyed the read!

What an intriguing mystery at the Saint Agnes Orphanage, full of secrets, bad cops, and an unraveling of innocent people for over 25 years. 50 orphan girls have gone missing from this castle-like estate under the scrutiny of Dr Thomas Mackenzie. Madeline, a wealthy socialite with an arrogant persona has a lot of pain behind her tough attitude that she does not want anyone to know. She, as well as her family, have a financial interest in the orphanage... her Goddaughter, Mia, is a resident there and has gone missing...MIA. She is a beautiful girl and can sing as softly as an angel. Her choir director Goolsby took her under his wing with promises she will be a star one day.
Madeline has hired numerous private investigators to find out what happened to Mia, but to no avail, except the obvious.
Hazel Cho went to law school with her parents pleading for her success as a lawyer. When she experienced a traumatizing nightmare. Her knight in shining armor was a private investigator, not a lawyer. This encouraged her to follow in his footsteps to help others, much to her parents' dismay.
Madeline approaches Hazel with an astounding $100,000 offer, as well as a Tesla, to help find Mia. She accepts, but the catch has a one week deadline.
The orphanage houses children that have no other family or have been abused and pulled from their homes. Their only hope is Saint Agnes. When she investigates the place, the people inside appear to have something to hide, as well as the disappearance of 50 girls.
Hazel meets the suave, wealthy and handsome Andrew Dupont, which helps her with the case or leads her into a dark web of lies and society. Kenny, her roommate, stalker and best friend, besides crushing on her, is an incredible addition to her case, helping behind the scenes.
All the characters play a huge role in the substance of the book and soon it becomes a questionable battle who Hazel can trust and work with. An outstanding book and an impressive talent of words from the author. The ending has a surprising twist with a horrifying glimpse into today's society. About halfway through the book, I thought I could see where it was going, but it did not deter me from enjoying it nonstop. The eye-catching cover had me begging for this one and I was not disappointed.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this incredible ARC in exchange for my review!

This is an engaging story. Although it is in the mystery genre, it is just as much about the life of the protagonist, a Korean-American woman. The mystery itself centers around the disappearance of a young girl from an orphanage.

The characters are well developed. Their personalities are detailed and varied. The dialogue pulls the reader into the story and keeps the pacing of the book fast and interesting.

Interested to see other work be this author. I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.

this one is not for me unfortunately, the writing style stopped me from enjoying it, i also had trouble following along at times but that could just be me

thank you netgalley and poisoned pen press for the arc

**Analysis:**
*The Orphanage by the Lake* by Daniel G Miller is an atmospheric, suspenseful thriller set in a secluded orphanage near a misty lake. The novel weaves together dark secrets, eerie settings, and complex characters, slowly unraveling a mystery that blurs the lines between past traumas and present dangers. Miller's evocative prose builds a sense of dread and intrigue, making this a compelling read for fans of psychological thrillers and gothic mysteries.

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**Review: *The Orphanage by the Lake* by Daniel G Miller**

Step into a world shrouded in mist and mystery with *The Orphanage by the Lake*. Daniel G Miller crafts a chilling tale set in a secluded orphanage, where the quiet lapping of the lake hides dark secrets and forgotten sorrows. The story follows a cast of deeply complex characters whose lives are intertwined with the haunted legacy of the orphanage—a place where the past never truly dies, and every echo hints at a hidden truth.

Miller's prose is both atmospheric and immersive, drawing you into a narrative that is as much about uncovering buried secrets as it is about confronting the demons of memory. The slow-burning suspense, combined with moments of unexpected terror, creates a tension that never lets up. As the layers of mystery peel away, you’ll find yourself questioning the boundary between reality and the supernatural.

If you’re a fan of gothic mysteries and psychological thrillers that linger with you long after the final page, *The Orphanage by the Lake* is a must-read. It’s a story that will have you looking over your shoulder and questioning every shadow in the dark.

**Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity 💕**

Hazel Cho, a PI who could use a cash infusion, agrees to look for Mia, who has gone missing from the, well orphanage by the lake. That orphanage is a creepy place with deep secrets. It's a good,. albeit familiar, set up and I had high hopes. Regrettably, the execution didn't work for me. As some others have noted, Hazel spends a lot of time worrying about her romantic life and seems clueless at times. And I agree, the fact that she's written by a man is clear. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. I know others will enjoy this.

“She extends her hand and I shake it, feeling like I’ve just done a deal with the devil herself.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5/5)

Hazel Cho wants a new life. She’s thirty years old, single, and her private investigation business is on the brink of crashing.

Her luck takes a turn when Madeline Hemsley, a mysterious socialite, pays Hazel a visit with an offer too enticing to resist. An orphan girl named Mia has disappeared from a children’s home,The Orphanage By The Lake, as the locals call it, and Madeline wants Hazel to find her, as Mia is Madeline’s goddaughter.

At first glance, it appears to be a standard runaway case, but as Hazel plunges into the investigation, she finds signs of something more: unexplained blood stains, cryptic symbols, sinister figures shadowing her every move. The more she digs, the more she realizes that something sinister is going on, and she may also be in danger. She begins working with a local cop, the headmaster, other orphanage personnel, and even a socialite, but can she trust them?

The book was told by Hazel’s POV in chronological order. I haven’t read a book like that in awhile so it was a nice change of pace. The investigation into finding Mia is one dead end after another and while all the characters had the set up to be the culprit, there were less red herrings and more pointless dead ends that for me felt kinda meh.

I will say that the truth of the crime itself was well hidden and I failed to 100% correctly guess what was going to be revealed in the climax. I had worked some bits and pieces out but the mechanics of it had alluded me.

It was definitely darker than I expected but still kept me on my toes. I didn’t really connect with any characters either which is why the book was just okay for me. I never felt shocked or had any jaw dropping moments.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was just WOW! I was sucked into the plot immediately and I was obsessed with it until the last moment. It was thrilling and shocking, I never knew what was coming next and I loved it! It was such a great read, I can’t wait for the sequel. (There HAS to be a sequel.) Great story from a very promising author!

This was a compelling read centred around the disappearance of Mia, a young girl living at an orphanage. The story follows PI, Hazel, as she attempts to uncover the truth behind Mia’s disappearance. With many twists and turns, the book keeps you hooked and you can’t help reading on.
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.