Well written. There's a Gothic atmosphere throughout and an eerieness that really got to me. The story is much more thanni expected. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

I really enjoyed this book, it gives off a police-procedural vibe but from a private investigator's POV. Going through the motions with the MC, Hazel, was a lot of fun. Overall, I think this was a solid thriller!

Oh the ending!!

We follow a Private Investigator named Hazel Cho, who is hired by an extremely wealthy socialite who wants answers to where her “goddaughter” has disappeared to. She was last seen tucked up in bed within the walls of her strict and old fashion orphanage. The next morning she had vanished.

Hazel meets rich businessmen, bent coppers, glamorous mentors and skittish teachers but how do they all fit together and which parts do they play in the infamous theatre that is Saint Agnes.

This read was slow to start, explaining the settings and characters more than anything else but once you hit the 60% mark, things speed up and you are thrown into a spin of curiosity and suspense. I didn’t see the end coming at all and it certainly packs a punch.

Thank you to Daniel G Miller and NetGalley for allowing me to read this title before publication.

The Orphanage by the Lake was an interesting read from the perspective of a private investigator. The main character, Hazel, is a private investigator in Manhattan that is sought out by a filthy rich woman, Madeline, to help track down who kidnapped her goddaughter, Mia, from a prestigious orphanage in upstate New York. Hazel initially thinks it's a simple missing's persons case, but early on into the investigation she begins to realize there is something incredibly sinister brewing at The Orphanage. Her investigation leads her down a road of police corruption, a bizarre headmaster, eerie staff members of the orphanage, a questionable detective, a lying woman, and a conniving man.

I love the ending (although it took a deep, dark turn rather quickly and unexpectedly). There were some spots in the book that were a bit slow, but otherwise, I loved the plot. I never suspected the ending and never saw it coming, so that was an awesome twist.

Oh my gosh. Soo good. I couldn't put the book down. I loved the characters and all of their quirkiness. Hazel, the lead is such a great character and it was fun to watch her grow and mature as the book progressed. Definitely keeps you guessing. Lots of twists and plot turns through the book.

Hazel Cho, a down to earth PI who is just trying to be true to herself even if it disappoints her family. She takes a case searching for a young orphan but hits wall after wall while investigating. It seems no one cares like she does. The people in her the young girls life seem to hinder more than help. Can Hazel find the truth when everyone seems to have something to hide?

I enjoyed this story. I was even surprised in the end. I did not want to put this book down. A Must read for anyone that enjoys a good mystery with lots of suspects. The story gives lots of case details, lots of suspects, and makes you question who you can trust.

This compelling mystery introduces Hazel, a thirty-year-old single woman on the brink of closing her private investigation business. Her luck takes an unexpected turn when she's offered an enticing job by Madeline Hemsley, a mysterious socialite. Tasked with finding a missing orphan girl from The Orphanage By The Lake, Hazel soon discovers that this seemingly standard runaway case hides darker secrets.

As Hazel delves deeper into the investigation, she uncovers unexplained blood stains, cryptic symbols, and sinister figures trailing her every move. The narrative skillfully weaves a suspenseful tale, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The Orphanage By The Lake emerges as a place harboring chilling secrets, and Hazel must confront not only the mysteries surrounding the missing girl but also the enigmatic Madeline.

The author expertly builds tension, creating a riveting story filled with twists and turns. Hazel's journey to uncover the truth takes unexpected and chilling turns, making this mystery a must-read for fans of suspenseful and atmospheric storytelling.

I love a good psychological thriller!
This book is being released on Feb. 26th 2024

We follow an investigator - Hazel - as she takes on a new job that FINALLY is something interesting. She is hired to find this woman's missing (orphaned) granddaughter. To do so, Hazel has to find a mysterious orphanage haunted by a dark past.

If you're looking for a thriller that keeps you guessing, this is it. It's fast and enjoyable.

Thank you, NetGalley, for sending me this ARC - my opinions are my own.

My 1st read buy this author and very much enjoyed. Hazel is doing her dream job. as a private investigator she good at it but not very many clients the bills are amounting up, until one morning Madeline Hemsley walks in her office. And wants her to find her goddaughter. Has gone missing from the children's home. But as Hazel starts digging someone does not want her to find anything out at all Lies greed this book has it all and Hazel is one firecracker loved it

It’s a race against time for Hazel Cho in Daniel G. Miller’s novel, "The Orphanage By The Lake." When a twelve-year-old girl goes missing,the girl’s godmother seeks the services of a private investigator, Miss Hazel Cho, and wants a positive result in the next 10 days, failure to which she’ll find another investigator for the job. Caught up in financial troubles, Hazel must solve the case. She’s already gotten attached to the missing girl after listening to her sing Cyndi Lauper's song: “If you’re lost, you can look, and you will find me. Time after time.” If Hazel fails, she will go back to working for scumbags like Gene Strauss. Or marry Dr.Lee, as her mother wants. But how will she solve the case when the parties involved present obstacle after obstacle, beginning with the missing girl’s headmaster, Dr. Thomas Mackenzie and the detective previously assigned the case? Even worse, the girl’s godmother, Madeline Hemsley, isn’t forthright with Hazel.

As far as investigative books about missing persons go, this book checks all the right boxes. First, readers will no doubt love the protagonist and follow her adventure till the end. On the book’s first page, Daniel presents the readers with the protagonist’s status quo, which makes the readers sympathize with the protagonist and root for her. About the characters, they’re relatable, especially Kenny, Andrew, and Mackenzie. Daniel’s writing reads effortlessly. Regarding the investigation, it’s done the old way: Hazel asks questions, tries to get CCTV footage around the crime scene and attends a gala wearing her detective hat. Interestingly, Daniel explores a common theme in investigative writing: the idea that the enemy is always close and usually too clean to fit into the list of suspects.

Overall, "The Orphanage By The Lake" is wonderfully written and professionally edited and is sure to win over fans of investigation novels.

This was too much. Too much that didn't have anything to do with the main story, too much unnecessary. The client in the beginning and anything to do with her parents. And there were too many love interests in too many directions. The one she chose was not believable at all, he would never choose her to sleep with.

This pulled me in from page one. From the easy, flowing writing to the relatable, believable main character, I was captivated and devouring every chapter. The cast if suspects are unique, refreshing, and their roles and suspicious activity are nothing short of riveting. I was desperate to solve this case and searching for clues at every turn right along with Hazel. Kenny added a delightful and quirky relief from the suspense. I absolutely lived this book and will be looking for more from this author.

Hazel is a plucky young investigator. She has been successfully running her business for a few years but never had the opportunity to investigate anything INTERESTING. Insurance fraud and cheating spouses have been her break and butter for far too long and she is barely paying her bills because of it. When a mysterious woman offers quite a bit of money to find a missing orphan that she claims is her goddaughter, Hazel snaps the job up right away.

The Godmother is very high maintenance and the orphanage/school is quite mysterious. Miller creates a great gothic feel with just. hint of violence in the background. Hazel realizes pretty quickly that this case is not open and shut -but is it worth her life?

Join Hazel in a great fun mystery ! #theorphanagebythelake #danilegmiller #houndstooth

These characters made me so mad, but in a good way. It made me invested in the story. Overall the plot was ok, it was very fast in the beginning but I felt that it slowed down through out the book and I began to lose interest. The main antagonist was predictable and came out of nowwhere, “raising his brows” at literally everything Hazel said. No poker face

"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.