4.5 star

Pub Date: April 9th

I found this mystery so addictive! There were a few moments where I was holding my breath and got pretty creeped out, which all thrillers will recognize means it’s a good one lol

Our main character, Hazel Sharp, has had a seemingly tumultuous time of it since she was a kid. There’s a few things that we find out near the beginning of the book that go into that and it makes a ton of sense… as well as creating SO much drama. Love to see it!

There’s a lot of family drama and small town creepy & eery mystery vibes. CONFESSION! I’m terrified of large bodies of water that aren’t pools lol so the fact that this focuses SO heavily on a creepy lake holding a ton of secrets at the bottom led me to be a bit of an anxious mess at times. But hey! It’s all part of reading a good thriller/mystery.

I read this so quickly and could not put it down. It’s super addictive so keep that in mind if you have other obligations other than sitting on the couch with snacks and reading for hours on end lol

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada and Marysue Rucci Books for my copy of this!

Love a small town mystery. This was well paced family thriller with many layers that kept me guessing the entire read. Pretty much suspicious of everyone and turning the pages quickly to find out what was going on.
The atmosphere of Mirror Lake and the town was so well written that I could actually visualize everything as I was reading, TBH, some creepy moments that had me a little jumpy when my flood lights lit up outside while reading.
I found this to be very developed with really good characters making it very entertaining.
Can’t wait to read more by author!

Who says you can't go home again? For Hazel Sharp, returning to Mirror Lake is anything but simple. I loved this premise of the daughter of a detective who returns home after his death, only for long buried secrets to come to light.

Hazel idolized her father, and when he dies and leaves her the coveted family cabin, she finds out she has more to contend with than just her ill-tempered brothers. There's estranged family and friends, chilly receptions, nosy bystanders and a long lost love. Oh, and there's the old car mysteriously drudged up from the lake and another discovered underneath the dock of the family cabin, days apart.

I have been a fan of this author since All The Missing Girls and eagerly await her new releases every year. Miranda excels at small town mysteries, the secrets that lie beneath them and the tight knit communities that protect them. I found myself so engrossed in the many interesting characters and complex family dynamics. This is one messy family too- I love how Miranda played with legacies here, found family, and the differences between sons and daughters. Tense, well-layered and atmospheric - you don't know who to trust and those are my favourite kinds of suspense stories.

The lead-up to the reveal was fantastic and the ending had me at the edge of my seat! A great thriller read that I could see being adapted into a Netflix movie- and it should! Thanks Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for an early review- go get your copy when it pubs April 9!

I finally finished this book after much delay. I found this book to be a bit awkward and slow in the beginning. However, after the first two chapters it picked up speed. I found myself concerned for the main character and troubled by her brothers behaviours towards her at times. I must admit, I suspected the uncle for something from the start, he was too helpful and involved in the community to not be a part of the mysterious deaths and disappearances of Audrey and Libby. I found this book captivating, heartwarming and heartbreaking, even frightening at times. It was an honour and pleasure to read this book as an early release.

Thank you, Simon & Schuster Canada for this advance copy in exchange for my review.

Megan has never let me down, there’s a reason she’s my absolute favourite author.
Daughter of Mine was perfectly suspenseful and small town claustrophobic. A slow-burn at first but around half way through I literally couldn’t put it down. There were some heart pounding moments for me towards the end and I live for those.
I can’t wait to to-read this one with my ears when the audio is available.

A slow-burn suspense, I can see this being a big hit and enjoyed reading it. A solid plot, interesting characters, and legit twists add up to a good read.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC to read and review.

3.5 stars
A drought, a lake full of secrets, and a family full of more secrets—the new Megan Miranda novel is full of suspense and small town tension! Hazel returns home after her father's death, and her family is unhappy with how their father left the will. Things are amiss at his house, and the drama amongst the Holt family builds.
This is a tightly packed mystery that slowly builds. The narrative is well constructed, and the characters are easy to get to know. There were a few predictable twists and turns, but it was a satisfying read, and I am sure Miranda fans will devour it.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for review.

“It seems to me that not everyone makes it out of Mirror Lake so easily.”

This was an absolutely phenomenal mystery! I rarely re-read a book, yet I can’t wait to make time to re-read this one.

This is my fourth book written by Megan Miranda and I believe it’s her best yet. She really excels at (1) showing the power and benefit of a small town as a setting for her murder mystery and (2) utilizing the weather as a plot device showing its pervasive effects.

Small towns are deeply troubled in their own unique way, and the township of Mirror Lake is no different. Miranda uses this to accentuate her themes and provide the foundation for the mystery surrounding the Holt family. Mirror Lake is a perfect place to hide. The townsfolk are protected by the mountains and a lack of cell service means they’re cut off from the outside world. As Hazel Sharp suggests, it’s “like we were cut off from the past that was looking for us.” Until her father, Detective Perry Holt, died three weeks ago, the town simply relied on its setting to cover up any secrets. Perry’s absence and the timely discovery of a submerged car in the lake is the undoing of the town. All of a sudden, everything is exposed.

Hazel points out “how quickly the past could grasp on to you here, and pull….” and that’s exactly what happens next.

The fact that the town is experiencing a drought, adds to the story. As the water levels in the lake decrease, it reveals the town’s “secrets and ghosts.” Each chapter reminds the reader how long the town has gone without rain. As the novel progresses, the secrets keep piling up. Will the rain ever pour down again? Are the weather gods waiting for all the secrets to be revealed first?

Miranda examines hidden things, abandonment, betrayal, and isolation. Her characterization and word choice, even making the weather a plot device, creates a sense of unease and her masterfully crafted ‘take no prisoners’ female main character plans on sweeping the secrets out from under the metaphorical carpet.

I’ll be the one shouting the accolades of this book from the rooftops. Make sure you have this one on your radar. This twisty tale is worthy of ALL THE STARS.

I was gifted this copy by Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

4.5/5 - Hazel Holt returns home to Mirror Lake after the death of her father. Her relationship with her brothers is rocky, made even more rocky when her father names her as the sole beneficiary of the family home. Add to that a serious drought hitting the area, uncovering plenty of secrets in the area. Hazel is shocked to find some secrets from her past start to unravel, maybe answering questions as to how her mother disappeared all those years ago.

This thriller was so tense from the very beginning. The first chapters are chilling, with the author setting the scene and developing the relationships. I found myself suspicious of everyone, and this built as we went through each portion of the book.

Megan Miranda gives us pieces of the puzzle allowing us to slowly pieced together what happened and who was responsible for what. This thriller isn't fast-paced, but she builds up the tension through each chapter as more secrets are unravelled and the drama intensifies. There was a certain amount of claustrophobia I felt in this small town, where everyone knows your business.

I thought this was an excellent, quiet thriller that was page-turning and kept me engaged the whole way through. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.

🏡 D O M E S T I C T H R I L L E R Thursday 🏡 featuring “Daughter of Mine” by Megan Miranda!

BOOK REVIEW: 🖤🖤🖤🖤/5

Hazel Sharp reluctantly returns to her hometown of Mirror Lake after her stepfather’s passing. Her Stepfather was the town’s longtime police chief and was well loved within the community. Soon Hazel finds out that the family home has been left entirely to HER over her two brothers. The shock and animosity starts to turn ugly between the siblings .. WHY would he leave it to her OVER them??

While staying at the house to pack up her father’s things, Hazel begins to uncover many twisted town secrets. When her runaway mother’s abandoned car gets found in the lake behind the house, Hazel decides to stick around longer to find out WHY the car was ditched and WHERE her mother disappeared to when she was a young girl.

But someone is watching Hazel and is determined to make sure that she does not find out the truth 👀!

Megan Miranda can do no wrong!! I loved the claustrophobic small town setting, the tangled web of secrets and the creepy/unsetting occurrences inside the house!

Thank you kindly to @meganlmiranda @marysueruccibooks @simonschusterca @netgalley for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review! This book releases on April 9, 2024!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you enjoy a dark family drama, in a gloomy police family setting the this book will definitely be your vibe.

It unfortunately wasnt mine. I wasn't invested at all in Hazel, much less her quest for the truth and so I found myself not enjoying this read.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada, S&S/ Marysue Rucci Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

Meghan Miranda is easily one of my favorite authors and this is my new favorite book of hers

This had me on the edge of my seat and staying up all night to finish it. I could not stop thinking about this book. While some parts I did see coming there were so many other twists and turns! I fell in love with the characters and really did not want the book to end.

5 stars and will be recommending this book to people!

Daughter of Mine draws you in slowly to a small town in North Carolina.

The book quickly picks up pace as Hazel returns home following her dad's death.

Her Mum disappeared years ago and she his shocked to learn that she alone inherits the family home.

Mirror Lake is a town full of secrets, lies and Hazel can't trust anyone.

When two cars are pulled up from the bottom of the lake strange things begin to occur .

Megan Miranda weaves a story with twists and turns and red herrings as the tension mounts.

Thought (smugly I must say) that I had it all figured out but I was wrong.

Daughter of Mine will definitely keep those pages turning and I highly recommend you get your copy and clear your schedule.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada, S&S/Marysue Rucci books for the privilege of reading and reviewing Daughter of Mine.

Megan Miranda’s “Daughter of Mine” is a compelling read that masterfully intertwines an engaging mystery with an atmospheric setting (weirdly, the third mystery set in North Carolina I've read so far in 2024). Miranda masterfully builds tension, keeping the pages turning with expertly timed revelations and drawing readers into a world where suspense lurks around every corner, making this a quick and satisfying read. The main character is crafted with a careful balance of mystery and relatability, revealing just enough to make her likeable and keep us invested in her journey -- something many thrillers fall short on I have found.

Long-time fans of Miranda’s work, especially those who have followed her since her debut, will find “Daughter of Mine” a refreshing reminder of why they find her stories so engaging. While some of her previous works may have fallen short of expectations, this latest novel is a resounding success, showcasing her true writing excellence once again. It’s a must-read for anyone who appreciates a well-crafted contemporary mystery that knows how to hold its audience captive until the very last page.

This was an ARC review for NetGalley.

Another great Megan Miranda novel and great popcorn thriller. Hazel inherits her childhood home and along with it come some unexpected surprises.

I love her books so much and this one was one of my faves so far. The plot was fast and twisty and I didn’t see the end coming!

A small town life can hold some big secrets! Not everyone who is family is on your side and sometimes it’s not family who holds your best interests at heart.
I wasn’t really sure what to expect while reading this book. So many secrets which led to some really good twists. I give this 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. If you like a small town who done it mystery you will definitely enjoy this. And the who done it will actually surprise you. Grab a tea and a blanket and enjoy. Thank you NetGalley

I really enjoyed this book! It was very well written and I was drawn into the story even at times where there wasn't very much action (it's definitely a slow burn).

The story follows Hazel who goes home for her father's funeral and finds out that she alone has inherited the house where her and her two brothers had grown up. It turns out that her father wasn't her father, no one knows where her mother is or what happened to her, and now others are missing and strange things are happening.

The book is written like a puzzle with suspense that builds as time goes on with each piece that you uncover. There is also reference to a drought that ends in a storm when all the pieces unfold which was an interesting analogy as you go through the book.

When Hazel Sharpe unexpectedly inherited her childhood home after her Father’s passing, she returned to her hometown to help settle his affairs with her siblings. Meanwhile, a massive draught caused water levels to plummet on the lake, revealing a possible key to solving the mystery of her Mother’s disappearance.

Daughter of Mine is my new favorite Megan Miranda book, and a major contender to be a top read of 2024. This novel was deliciously suspenseful, creepy and ominous. There were moments where I was genuinely scared, which is a rarity for me. As soon as I started reading, I knew that I was going to love it and I was fully invested right from the start. The author’s writing was beautifully descriptive, which made it feel as though this story was a movie playing out inside in my mind. Trust me, you won’t want to miss out on this upcoming release!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: April 9, 2024
Hazel Sharp left her hometown of Mirror Lake years ago and didn’t think she’d ever return. Until her father, a local police detective, passes away, leaving Hazel (and only Hazel) his house and all of its belongings. Now, Hazel must return to Mirror Lake and face the questions of the community, and the ire of her brothers, in order to figure out why her father left the house to her. However, Hazel soon loons that her father left her more than a house, he left behind a mystery to solve and answers to a question Hazel has been asking herself since she was a child- what happened to her mother? Did she really abandon Hazel years ago or was she unable to return to Mirror Lake for another reason?
I was a little late to jump on the Megan Miranda train, so I haven’t read all of her books, but I’ve read a good number and I was not going to pass up the oppourtunity to read her newest, “Daughter of Mine”. As expected, it was full of twists and turns, homecomings and reunions, and family secrets, and I devoured each and every page.
The story takes place in the small town of Mirror Lake, a town that has spent over a month without rain and, with the drought, a great number of things have been pulled out of the namesake lake, as the water levels decrease. Right away, the mystery unfolds as a vehicle is pulled from the lake, and, even a few pages in, I knew I was hooked.
Hazel is the protagonist and she is a strong and multi-layered character. After being supposedly abandoned by her mother, Hazel is raised by the local police chief, a man she grows up to call “father”, which is just the beginning of the twisted family secrets in the Sharp house. Although she is the outlier in a town she once called home, Hazel is determined and focused on finding out the truth, and she brings the reader along for the ride. Miranda is a master at building tension, relieving the pressure slowly and keeping you engaged.
The intricate plot is detailed and flows well. Although I made many speculations throughout the novel about how it would play out, Miranda managed to catch me off guard (in a good way) and deliver an unexpected ending.
“Daughter of Mine” is suspenseful, emotional and, quite honestly, Miranda’s best novel yet.