I went into The Red Letter completely blind and was hooked from the very first page. This fast-paced, twisty thriller had me flying through chapters! I truly could not put it down! It’s the second book in The Orphanage by the Lake series, but it reads smoothly as a standalone for new readers.

Hazel is a strong, compelling protagonist - a private investigator with a thriving business, a promising relationship, and a past that refuses to stay buried. When a neighborhood priest is found dead with a mysterious red letter nearby, Hazel agrees to look into the case. But things quickly escalate as she uncovers a pattern of killings, each victim receiving the same ominous letter before their death.

The tension builds beautifully, and Daniel G. Miller does a fantastic job weaving together mystery, danger, and personal stakes. Each reveal kept me guessing, and the suspense never let up. I especially loved how Hazel’s character is both capable and vulnerable - she’s easy to root for and layered in ways that make the story even more gripping.

This was an incredibly entertaining, high-stakes thriller that delivered on all fronts. I’ll definitely be going back to read book one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the free e-book in exchange for my honest review.

I was super excited to be approved for this title as I flew through the first book in this series within a day. I do have to say that this one did not keep me as interested as the first one, but it was still very good. I really love Hazel as a character and I hope to see more novels in this series. If you love a good twist, this book/series is definitely one that you should pick up., When I say my jaw was on the floor, I mean it! Perfect for any thriller lovers out there, especially lovers of Freida McFadden and John Marrs.

Thank you Netgalley, The Author, and The Publisher for an ebook copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Really enjoyed this book. Good characters and plot. Will definitely read more by this author. Thanks Netgalley for letting me read this book for an honest review

This was not bad. I was hooked until the ending. The ending felt rushed. Otherwise I did love it. My problem is I don’t like how the “villain” is always closer than you think. It just irks me. Not to mention i’m not a fan of a white man writing an Asian females perspective without sensitivity readers. I hope he used them. I’m not sure though.

This book had me hooked from the very start. The twist at the end really got me good. I thought I knew who the culprit was, but I was totally wrong and was not expecting that. I try to be a little detective while I’m reading, but this one really took me by surprise.

I had no idea this was the second book in the series but I feel like it could be read as a standalone? I didn’t feel like I was missing anything, although I want to go back now and read the first one (Orphanage by the Lake).

I loved Hazel’s character. She takes pride in her work and she doesn’t stop until justice is served. She encountered so much during this book, but she was truly a strong FMC.

The serial killer would send sealed red envelopes to their victims that included a certain cryptic bible verse and their daily/nightly pills would be poisoned. It was unsettling in the most poetic way. I definitely recommend this as a fast paced thriller.

2⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced copy of The Red Letter.

Hazel owns her own PI office and it is thriving. She is dating the man of her dreams and she is happy. A friend asks her to investigate a case of a beloved priests death. She starts to find that this is not the only recent murder and every time a red envelope shows up a new murder happens.

This is actually the second book in the series. I really wanted to like this one but I could not connect to the female main character. She came off a bit whiny to me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gripping and Unique — I Really Enjoyed It

The Red Letter by Daniel G. Miller pulled me in right away. I loved how the story made me think about how people judge each other and how one simple mark could change someone’s life. The characters felt real and relatable, and the mystery kept me turning the pages.

There were a couple of slower parts, but overall, I was really into it. It’s one of those books that stays with you after you finish. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who likes stories that mix suspense with deeper meaning.

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my opinions!

Great mystery-thriller for all. Book 2 of series Orphanage by the lake. Hazel is an investigator with very good intuitions. Murders are happening and her past had some near death moments for her. The song Danny Boy is now stuck in my head.

Yay! We are back with Hazel Cho! The brilliant, chaotic private investigator we met in Miller's "The Orphanage by the Lake". I love Hazel. I love reading the story from her point of view, where we see her deductive reasoning, logic, and at times paranoid thinking work their way through the intricacies of a case. In the Red Letter, Hazel is asked by her old acquaintance and "friend" attorney Shavali (who, to make things weird, just happens to be the ex of Hazel's boyfriend Jack to help defend a young man whom she believes is wrongfully accused in the horrific death of a priest.
Hazel refuses the case at first, but the security footage of the violent, gruesome death of Fr. Kenneally triggers her, and she can't help but conjure images of the trauma she experienced in her first case. However, under pressure from Shavali and Kenny, she agrees, and soon regrets the decision.
Soon, there is another murder, with the victim dying the same way. Another… so obviously, the suspect cannot be the young man sitting in prison. But who could it be?
As the story progresses, the murders become closer and more personal, with Hazel herself fearing for her life and the lives of those she loves.
I liked this book! It is a quick read; however, the plot seemed rushed, allowing for no substantial character development. For example, the death of a key character didn't really affect me all that much because we didn't get a chance to get to know them. And I didn't feel sorrow for the heartache experienced by those suffering the loss. Additionally, at times, it seemed there were numerous opportunities for the author to build suspense, but the action was rushed through too quickly.
I like Miller's writing. I like Hazel. I will be reading more of Hazel Cho's adventures.

This book was a great thriller action packed page tuner I enjoyed it than you and I will recommend it was a very good book took me for a ride trying to get to the last page and might I add a great addition to the first book but I do feel like this can be a stand alone either way you will enjoy it

3.5 ⭐️

And we’re back with Hazel and Kenny for another whodunnit 👀 I always joke about how Hazel goes about solving her cases and just goes head first into every situation. I love it! She’s did great this go around trying to figure out who’s behind the red letters. Once again, Daniel does a great job concealing the identity of who the suspect is and had me looking at everyone sideways. I enjoyed the mystery around the “red letters” showing up and thought it really brought the suspense to the story. This was worth the read and I feel like it could be read as a standalone even thought it’s a part of a series.

A gripping and emotionally layered thriller. Hazel Cho is a standout protagonist, smart, flawed, and fiercely determined. The mystery around the red letters builds tension brilliantly, and the twists kept me hooked. Some supporting characters could've used more depth, but the pacing and emotional stakes more than made up for it. A strong second installment in the series. I’ll definitely be reading the next one

In the book The Red Letter, author Daniel G. Miller continues his series featuring PI Hazel Cho. Hazel is riding the waive of success from solving the case at the Orphanage by the Lake. She has a new boyfriend, Jack, who is running for mayor of New York City. When a popular local priest dies a gruesome from poison, Hazel is called by an old friend to investigate. But the case gets stranger and stranger, and more people are dying from a rare poison. But what is the motive and connection between the victims? And who is next? This is a good second book but I would not want to be Hazel’s friend. I would recommend this book. I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book in this series, but it works fine as a standalone.
We're back with Hazel Cho, after her big breakthrough with the Orphanage Case (covered in the previous book). She has been able to expand her business a bit and take on some more employees. When, well, I'm not really sure if shes a friend or not, but someone Hazel knew from Law school, contacts her about taking a case, one that she first refuses, but then ends up taking on after a big ask from her polictican boyfriend, Hazel realizes the case might be more complicated than she first thought. It's not only one dead body anymore, and it seems like Hazel might be in the killer's crosshairs as well.

I like Hazel for the most part, but sometimes I feel like her personality has changed a bit from the first book. But if you haven't read that one, it's not something that you're going to notice. The mystery was good, and there were plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. And the killer came as a complete surprise.

The Red Letter was a great book with lots of twists that I would recommend reading! Thank you NetGalley!

The Red Letter is a dark, suspenseful psychological thriller that will keep you guessing right until the very end!!

Having enjoyed the first book in the series (The Orphanage by the Lake), I had high expectations for this book. Although the books can be read independently, it was nice having read the first book as I felt more connected to the main character, Hazel, and it enabled you to understood more of her background.

The Red Letter was a real page turner, with a real twist that I didn’t see coming! It’s left me invested in Hazel and wanting to know more of what she gets up to next. I hope there’s more in the series to come!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and the author for access to this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Really enjoyed this book, was easy to read with good twists.
I have recommended this book along with the first book

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Suspenseful, sharp, and absolutely gripping

The Red Letter is an electrifying follow-up that delivers everything I hoped for and more. If you loved the first book, prepare yourself,this one raises the stakes, twists the plot, and pulls no punches. Daniel G. Miller knows how to weave tension into every chapter.

Right from the beginning, the mysterious red envelope draws you into a world where secrets can ruin lives and every decision carries weight. The suspense builds steadily, and just when you think you’ve figured it out,BOOM, a twist you didn’t see coming.

One of my favorite things about this series is the portrayal of strong, complex female characters. They’re fierce, smart, and resourceful and they carry so much emotional weight in this story. The writing is tight, the pacing is just right, and the ending? Chef’s kiss.

This is one of those thrillers that leaves you thinking long after you’ve turned the last page. Addictive, thought-provoking, and brilliantly written.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC I highly recommend reading both books in this series. You won’t regret it.

✨️Book Review✨️

The Red Letter
(The Orphanage By The Lake, #2)
By Daniel G. Miller

Themes:
🔪 Serial Killer
🕵‍♀️ Private Investigator
⏰️ Quick Read

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

After enjoying The Orphanage By The Lake, I was thrilled to dive back into Hazel’s world in this compelling sequel. While it can be read on its own, I’d recommend starting with the first book to fully appreciate Hazel’s growth as a character.

Hazel is such a likeable and easy-to-root-for protagonist, even when her inexperience as a private investigator leads her into risky and questionable decisions. I loved following her thought process as she pieced together the case—it gave the story a true “behind-the-scenes” private investigator feel. The plot builds like a puzzle, with darker elements woven in that kept me hooked until the satisfying ending.

Daniel G. Miller blends character depth with a smart, twisty mystery. Fans of small-town secrets and detective-style thrillers will find this an addictive follow-up.

After reading and loving The Orphanage By The Lake, I couldn't wait to read The Red Letter, which is next in the series.

Hazel has everything going great. She works at her private investigation firm, she is in a good relationship and things are going well. That is, until a beloved neighbourhood priest is found deceased along with a mysterious red letter.

Hazel investigates and discovers that he was not the only victim found with a mysterious red letter.

The Red Letter is an addictive thriller that will have you flipping pages to see what is going to happen next. Hazel makes a great main investigating character as the female lead. Hazel is tough, thorough, hard-working and likeable.

There are so many twists and turns in this novel to keep you hooked and guessing until the end.