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⭐️