"The Orphanage by the Lake" by Daniel G. Miller is a psychological crime thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat, captivated from the first page to the last. Miller has proven his mastery in crafting a gripping narrative that seamlessly blends mystery, suspense, and psychological depth.

The story revolves around Hazel, a determined and resilient private investigator on the brink of closure for her business. Her life takes a sudden turn when Madeline Hemsley, a mysterious socialite, presents her with an offer that promises not only a lifeline for her struggling agency but also a chance for a new beginning. The mission: to find a missing orphan girl from a seemingly tranquil children's home with a dark underbelly.

The author's ability to create an atmosphere of palpable tension and mystery is commendable, keeping readers hooked as they navigate through the twists and turns of the plot.

What sets "The Orphanage by the Lake" apart is its meticulous attention to detail, drawing readers into a world where nothing is as it seems. Miller masterfully unveils layers of complexity within the characters, making them feel authentic and relatable. Hazel's journey is not just a search for a missing girl; it's a personal exploration that uncovers the terrifying truths lurking in the shadows.

The pacing of the novel is impeccable, with each chapter leaving you craving for more. As the story progresses, the suspense intensifies, and Miller skillfully maintains the delicate balance between anticipation and revelation.

The writing is very, very good. Devoured in twenty-four hours, it's the best book I've read in a long, long time.

I've loved Miller's other books and this one blew me away! My heart is still in my throat as I finish it; it's a creepy, wild ride for sure but I powered through as I couldn't stop reading! Hazel Cho is.a PI who gets drawn into a case when wealthy Madeline hires her to find god-daughter Mia who attended an exclusive school run by headmaster, Mackenzie. As Hazel has limited finances, she takes the case eagerly as it promises a lot of money but she's stymied by everyone including school officials and police, And when she discovers Mia isn't the first girl to go missing, she's ever more curious as she's threatened by two "goons" in a seemingly random attack. It's dark and edgy but oh so good! Can't wait for Miller's next novel!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley for this Arc copy. The Orphanage By The Lake was heartbreaking and haunting, I won’t forget about Hazel or Mia anytime soon. Highly recommend this one!

Hazel Cho is a private investigator who is barely making ends meet. Then Madeline Hemsley walks through her door and offers to pay her $100,000 to find Mia Thomas, her goddaughter and an orphan at Saint Agnes Home for Girls. She has two weeks to do it. Mia disappeared three months ago and the police believe she is a runaway, other PIs have been no help so the trail is very cold. Can Hazel solve the case?

Hazel’s a scrappy girl and it’s nice to have characters that are barely getting by….too many people in too many books have too much money. That said, Hazel does some really dumb things. But it’s a decent mystery and I enjoyed it.

There is potential, but this just wasn’t for me. The storyline was there, but the FMC was dumb, her roommate was annoying, and it felt predictable. So much of what happened here was unbelievable and weren’t situations I could emotionally connect with.

Hazel is a struggling PI in Manhattan. Through reading her inner dialogue and conversations and experiencing her choices in involvement with potential suspects in her case, it’s no wonder she is struggling.
She did minimal research into Madeline before taking the case to find Mia, her missing goddaughter from St Agnes School for Orphans. Even an entry level PI should have been able to discover that Madeline was actually Mia’s mother. And Madeline paying her $100k AND giving her a Tesla?
Kenny, the roommate, is in the police academy. So why is Hazel so hesitant to accept his help on this case, even once it turns dangerous for her?
Sonia automatically directs her to who to investigate at the school, but why did she just take Sonia’s word and never look into the woman? That seems like poor PI work.
And Andrew, who she met at a gala where she was present to investigate potential suspects. She goes home with him and jumps into a relationship without investigating his connection?

I love a good psychological thriller, but I need emotional connection with the characters and case as well as a believable storyline. I felt like this had potential in the beginning, but the deeper I got, the less interested I became.

4 stars. The Orphanage by the Lake by Daniel G. Miller is a thriller which was very good. Hazel Cho is a private investigator living in NYC. Her bank account is down to zero and her parents disappointment at her becoming a PI reverberates in her ears. In comes Madeline, a new client whose godchild is missing from the children's home.

Hazel will receive a 100,000 bonus if she finds Mia by the deadline set by Madeline. Plus she really wants to find out what happened to this beautiful young girl, who also happens to sing like an angel. So she begins her investigation. Nothing is as it seems. Everyone is lying about something, or holding onto secrets. Even the police can't be trusted.

The story is very linear. I liked Hazel and her roommate Kenny. They were endearing. One thing that drove me crazy was the level of trust Hazel had for others. Especially those who could have been potential suspects. If they said they didn't do it, Hazel believed them. Other than that, I loved the story. The writing was well done and I finished the book quickly. The ending was a bit lackluster but it was satisfying. I will definitely look at more of Mr. Miller's books.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. I greatly appreciate it. I do recommend this book.

Hazel is a private investigator looking into the case of a missing girl from a children’s home. She was hired by a wealthy woman named Madeline Hemsley who treats her terribly but offers a huge amount of money if Hazel solves the case in one week. So money wins out over self-pride and Hazel jumps at the chance. She begins investigating the case and discovers several plausible suspects at the children’s home. But she soon becomes threatened into backing off one of her most promising leads and she’s not so sure anymore if the money is worth the risk. Will she find the girl in time, or will she become the next one to disappear?

I’m just going to put it out there – it’s very odd having a white male writing from a female Korean point of view. The character’s heritage is featured quite a bit when she reminisces about family and mealtimes, and her roommate who is also of Asian heritage. It also adds to the prejudices she faces about being a petite female PI. Now I can relate, being a small female who looks quite young for her age, but I also wouldn’t want an Asian male writing from my perspective as if he’s lived it. I’m also including this because every white character in the book is a terrible person. Not a spoiler – there aren’t many and those you meet are described as rude, creepy, or disturbing.

All of that aside, the story is ok if not predictable. Hazel lets Madeline treat her like garbage for too long, and although Madeline is Hazel’s age, her words and actions come across as those of an older woman. I was shocked when her age was revealed through some twists in the storyline. The ending is okay, you’ll probably see it coming much sooner than Hazel, who really needs to work on reading people better.
It's not your typical missing children story, but it’s a quick, breezy mystery that might be more your style than mine.

My heart is still pounding

What just happened ? I’m an adult, how did a book shake me to my core ? Well, when you are Daniel G. Miller, you know how to skillfully craft a book that will consume and frighten even the coldest of folks.

I know I know. This is crazy . I can read Stephen King and not even bat an eye but I tell ya, this one is good, real good .

It might have been the whole spooky orphanage setting or maybe it was the secrets and twists that just kept on coming .

I think you should find out for yourself …

Teaser :

Hazel wants a new life.

She’s thirty years old, single, and her private investigation business is months away from folding.

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 has disappeared from a children’s home—The Orphanage By The Lake, as the locals call it—and Madeline wants Hazel to find her.

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 The Orphanage By The Lake holds terrifying secrets, and even worse…

…so does Madeline.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC to review.

Hazel is a struggling PI in New York City. Her clientele is less than ideal, her bank account is dwindling, and her diet consists of entirely too many sugar-free Red Bulls. She’s ready to throw in the towel, but when Madeline Hemsley shows up at her office in search of her missing goddaughter, Hazel decides to give one more case (and the promise of a lot of money) a go.

The premise of this book is solid. Who doesn’t love a down-on-her-luck protagonist working to solve a mystery at a creepy orphanage? It has the makings to be a page-turner, but Hazel as a main character is, in a word, frustrating. It is easy to see why her PI business is failing, as she reveals all her cards immediately upon meeting someone she likes, and she usually chooses arbitrary reasons for finding someone favorable. Hazel constantly blurs the lines of professionalism, befriending one suspect and dating another. She pushes fast forward on the relationships, declaring herself loyal to people regardless of any red flags on fire. Hazel needs to solve this case to save her practice, but the reader can’t help but wonder if its closure would perhaps be for the best.

Another challenging aspect of this book is the reveal at the end; it takes the reader to a dark place with a contrived reveal and an overly tidy conclusion. While this book possesses some good twists and turns, it is ultimately hard to move past Hazel’s failings.

I am so thankful I got the opportunity to read this book in advance! This book was so addictive! It captivated me from the start and gave such creepy vibes! Strongly encouraged and recommended this read!!

I really enjoyed this, I loved Hazel she’s trying hard to be. Good PI taking on the case of a Mia a missing girl from an orphanage. This book was full of twists and turns you didn’t know who to trust what the full story was it was a crazy ride. I actually thought I knew what had happened but I was so wrong. It’s a nice easy read which I loved kept me interested and shocked. A really good mystery thriller

Title: *The Orphanage By The Lake*

Author: Daniel G. Miller

Genre: Psychological Crime Thriller

Publication Date: February 26, 2024

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Brief Summary:
In Daniel G. Miller's upcoming release, *The Orphanage By The Lake*, readers are plunged into a gripping psychological crime thriller that follows the journey of Hazel, a thirty-year-old private investigator facing the brink of closure for her business. The plot takes an intriguing turn when Hazel is presented with an offer by the enigmatic socialite Madeline Hemsley: to find a missing orphan girl from The Orphanage By The Lake. What begins as a seemingly routine case evolves into a labyrinth of mysteries as Hazel discovers unexplained blood stains, cryptic symbols, and ominous figures shadowing her every move. As she delves deeper, it becomes evident that The Orphanage By The Lake harbors chilling secrets, and Madeline herself is entwined in a web of darkness.

Characters and Setting:
Miller skillfully crafts the characters in this psychological crime thriller, with Hazel at the forefront grappling not only with the disappearance but also with the shadows of her own past. The setting of The Orphanage By The Lake becomes a character in its own right, shrouded in an eerie atmosphere that intensifies the suspense. The author's vivid descriptions draw readers into a world where every corner holds secrets waiting to be unraveled. The sinister undertones of the narrative and the complexities of Madeline's character add layers of intrigue to the unfolding mystery.

Themes, Writing Style, and Final Thoughts:
*The Orphanage By The Lake* delves into themes of mystery, suspense, and psychological intrigue. Miller's writing style is captivating, immersing the reader in Hazel's quest for the truth. The plot's twists and turns are expertly woven, keeping the suspense alive until the final pages. As Hazel peels back the layers of the investigation, readers are confronted with a chilling reality that extends beyond the orphanage itself. With its skillful storytelling, well-developed characters, and a plot that keeps you guessing, *The Orphanage By The Lake* is poised to be a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers.

I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was interesting! It has a very linear plot, but interesting characters. We follow Hazel, who’s trying to bust a case involving a missing girl from an orphanage… but there’s so much more than meets the eye. Plenty of twists and turns, but also oddly predictable in some spots.

The characters are interesting enough. Perhaps Hazel is a bit naive, but she is kind hearted and grows into her character a bit by force. Andrew. Ugh. No spoilers here.

The writing was very easy to read, I read this in one sitting. It kept my attention until the end, but just barely. The resolution was a bit simplistic to me, but I like longer books.

All in all, I enjoyed this. A bit predictable, but with lots of twists and turns to get to it. 3.75⭐️