Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, & Daniel G. Miller for giving me an advanced readers copy. All opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved The Orphanage By The Lake and couldn't wait for this one to come out. The premise was great and should have pulled me in. Unfortunately I just couldn't get into it or keep my mind from wandering. Hazel seemed different. She was abrupt, unlikeable, shallow and condescending. I understand there were supposed to be some changes because of what she experienced in the first book but this went too far. It's hard to root for a character that you just don't like. The ending pulled together nice though.

Review Script

Let me start off by saying you have to put this on your TBR immediately. This book is the second in The Orphanage by the Lake but you can also read it as a standalone. We follow Hazel and her team through another high stakes investigation. I loved all the twists and turns. The suspense was addicting and I couldn’t put it down. If you love crime thrillers you have to read it!
⬇️see description⬇️

3,5 ⭐ rounded up

hazel's life is thriving - her PI business is booming and she's in a happy relationship - until a local priest is found murdered with a mysterious red letter. as more murders follow, each marked by a red letter, hazel is forced to confront a dark past she thought she'd left behind.
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although i haven't read orphanage by the lake, i was completely drawn into the story. it can be read as a standalone, and i never felt like i was missing anything by not having read the previous book.

there were a few moments when i found myself skimming through the book, but overall - it was a fun read.
one of the main themes in this book is power and how people who have powerful and influential positions can get away with almost anything.
the story also explores aspects of politics and religion. while i'm usually not a fan of those themes, the author blended them into a twisty and engaging story that i actually enjoyed.
the book was packed with surprises and had a satisfying ending - probably my favorite part. it kept me on the edge of my seat.

i liked the characters, each one had a unique personality and was written with so much detail. kenny was my favorite one!
the mc - hazel - was really relatable, and i appreciated how she showed strength despite her past traumas and grief.

to sum up, i'd be willing to read the previous and the next story in the series, as this one kept me engaged.



*thanks to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, & Daniel G. Miller for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.*

Wow! That was a fantastic, unputdownable, and "controversial" page-turner that completely hooked me! Even though I haven't read "Orphanage by the Lake," I still found myself fully engaged with the story. It was a thrilling ride, and I absolutely loved it! I don't usually enjoy reading "PI" novels because they often come with lengthy descriptions and narratives that can bore me and slow down the pace. But not this one! While I may not have been smitten from the very first page, sticking with it was one of the best decisions I've made.

I was struggling to find my next read from my TBR collection—many of which simply didn't capture my interest, or I was just not in the mood to read them yet—I was thrilled to stumble upon "The Red Letter." This fast-paced novel was so captivating that I devoured it in one sitting! Its theme leans towards the darker aspects of "Catholicism and politics", which is particularly relevant to me, given that I come from a country where religion plays an important role. Surprisingly, I didn't feel uncomfortable with the subject matter; it is a case that could happen anywhere. The plot and its twists felt refreshing and unique, even if I guessed some of the major twists early on. Despite not getting the gobsmacking reaction I had hoped for, it was still an enjoyable experience to decipher the identities of the suspects and victims, along with their motives.

One thing I did notice was the lack of clear indications for when the POV switched. I haven't read any of the author's previous works, but I found myself wishing there had been some sort of cue when the narration shifted. (Perhaps it was just the font on my e-reader!) It left me a bit confused, though it didn't detract too much from my enjoyment as I continued reading. Overall, the conclusion provided a satisfying sense of closure, and overall, the book was gripping, with plenty of minor twists to keep me on my toes. A big thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read it in advance!

This did not disappoint. If you loved Hazel before...you will love her more after reading The Red Letter. My emotions were all over the place with this book. The betrayal...finding it hard to trust anybody. Definitely 5 stars.

Hazel Cho is back with a thriving PI business, but things take a dark turn when red letters start circulating in her town, followed by a string of deaths. While the plot was definitely attention grabbing, unfortunately, I just couldn't get into this book. I found my mind wandering frequently until towards the end. Hazel's character was unlikable and lacked depth - her constant rudeness and condescension made it hard to root for her. I wish she had more personality and were a little kinder to people she loves. I will however say the ending was wrapped up well!

Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, & Daniel G. Miller for giving me an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Red Letter, is a chilling new offering from Daniel G Miller. The story is full of plot twists and plenty of suspense. I really enjoyed this one.

Great read from the start. Love how the story developed and the plot twist was unexpected. It was so hard to put down. This series needs a third book and Hazel should get a happy ending with Bobby

Thank you so much Poisoned Pen Press for reaching out to give me this book in exchange for an honest review!

Because I wasn't 1000% a fan of Orphanage By the Lake, I wasn't sure If I was going to like this. Boy was I WRONG. I loved it! It was done so well and kept me so engaged, In fact, I loved the writing and the storyline so much that I am going to re-read Orphanage By the Lake, that's how amazing this book was. If I could give it 6 stars, I would.

5/5

Holly Collins

I enjoyed the first book in this series, <i>The Orphanage By The Lake</I>, so was happy to receive this ARC. I still like our Korean female private investigator protagonist, though I felt she made some dumber decisions in this book. The mystery was solid (we open with a priest being poisoned after receiving a "red letter" of a Bible verse painted in blood) and I thought I knew the killer, but was wrong. The writing in this book felt a little more juvenile to me. Still, if there are more in this series, I'll continue to read them!

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Press for giving me an advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

Publishes July 22, 2025.

Review of ‘The Red Letter’ by Daniel G Miller, published 22 July 2025 by Poisoned Pen Press.

A sequel to ‘The Orphanage By the Lake’ which I had not read prior to this book, however it can be read as a standalone and I did not feel like I was missing out by not having read its predecessor.

The main character, Hazel Cho, is a PI investigating the murder of a Priest, and sets about trying to prove the innocence of the suspect.

A good read for fans of thriller/mystery/crime.

After The Orphanage by the Lake which really left a bad feeling in my mouth I was sceptical to try another book by the same author, but I actually really liked this one and thought that the author did redeem himself a bit with this book.

This is a great sequel to the orphanage by the lake. The MFC Hazel Cho is extremely relatable and you feel empathy as a reader for her journey and struggles. A great mystery that had me guessing until the end.

This is the second book (I read this after The Orphanage By The Lake) for me to read which I read in 3 days. I’m really enjoying these crime/thriller books by him and I can’t wait to read more. I will highly recommend him to my friends! 5 stars!!

This is an incredible story! I would have never guessed that twist! I was on the edge of my seat while reading, and looking over my shoulder every time I walked alone! Thanks for a great adventure!

Rating: 4 stars
This was such an engaging and suspenseful read! From the first chapter, I was completely pulled into the story. The plot follows a private investigator trying to uncover the identity of a serial killer who leaves eerie red letters for each of their victims. It was fast-paced, twisty, and full of surprises—I genuinely didn’t see any of it coming, which made the experience even more thrilling. The writing was strong, the pacing kept the tension high, and the twists were so well executed. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a gripping thriller with clever plot turns and a mystery that keeps you guessing.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!

THE PLOT
Hazel Cho is back, better and busier than ever. Hazel's business has expanded and she is ready to take on more PI cases. Hazel gets drawn into a new case involving a murdered priest. ⛪️ An 18 year old boy has been charged with his murder and Hazel is tasked with proving his innocence. The plot was surprising and complex combine that with the character development and this was a really solid read for me.

MY THOUGHTS🧠
This sequel to "The Orphanage By The Lake" solidified me as a true Hazel Cho fan! This was a compelling PI story mixed with a suspenseful thriller! I really enjoyed the witty banter between these well developed characters. The kind of characters you want to see play out on a TV show! I enjoyed getting the killer's perspective from 1st person. The snarky humor is a great touch of light to the darkness of the story. I definitely recommend this read but I recommend the whole series! Great read!

I devoured this book—started it at the hairdresser and barely looked up! ✂️ Hazel Cho is back in this chilling follow-up to The Orphanage by the Lake.

While The Red Letter works as a standalone, I’d definitely recommend reading them in order—Hazel’s story has even more depth and impact that way.

This spine-tingling thriller kicks off when a beloved priest is found dead, a mysterious red letter by his side. ✉️ More victims follow, each with the same ominous message… and a haunting link to Hazel’s past. As the killer closes in, everything Hazel thought she knew is thrown into question.

Tense, gripping, and packed with twists—I truly didn’t see the ending coming. 🔥 This series keeps getting better, and I can’t wait for the next instalment!

📅 Out 22 July – a must-add to your TBR!
Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the eARC!

A light-hearted private investigator novel, that just didn't get me engaged or excited. I liked the Asian main characters, but found the story mostly unoriginal. Lots of stereotypes and clichés. An easy read with a surprise ending, but it just didn't cluck for me. Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for this entertaining police procedural.

A captivating an enjoyable read, with a rule bending relatable police detective as the protagonist - this series caught my interest as it focuses on the functioning of the TEAM on a police force, rather than the soul actions of one clued in detective.

I read this book in one sitting, and I will eagerly watch for more in this series. The author Daniel G. Miller always has a clever and unique take on crime with twists and turns you won't predict.

The Red Letter is a highly entertaining police procedural.