Last year, I read Orphanage by the Lake, and I have anticipated The Red Letter since then!
I was not at all disappointed, and I am thankful to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for giving me a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review 4 months before the release date.

I adore Hazel, and my heart truly broke for that woman again. She is a tough cookie if you ask me. And the killer, holy moly, this one left my mouth hanging. Daniel Miller took me for a spin and left me hanging all alone at the end of this book. The characters were well-developed this time, and even the side characters were incredibly interesting. This was a 5 star read!

I read Orphanage by the Lake from this author and really liked it. This is Book 2 in what seems to be shaping up to be a really good series if it continues. I certainly hope so. Don't worry though, it can also be read as a standalone. The main character is Hazel Cho, a private detective. Hazel is hilarious! I love her! This time around, she is asked by a friend to help prove his client's innocence. This young man is accused of killing a priest. We have three things here that I am not really crazy about in a book- a series, religious themes and politics. Somehow this author has combined these things and written a fascinating and twisty story that I had a blast reading! Lots of surprises, great ending and even a bit emotional! Bring on more Hazel!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Daniel G. Miller and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC.

I will post my review to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Instagram and other retail and social media sites upon publication day of July 22nd, 2025.

This book I could not put down loved it from beginning to end. I would highly recommend!! This isn't like something ie read before.

The Red Letter
Part of the Orphanage by the Lake
Daniel G. Miller
07/22/2025
Poisoned Pen Press

Hazel Cho is back! She is a funny, saucy, smart ass private detective that you just want more of. The intensity of the cases she tackles escalates with every investigation, but is it possible for things to get a little too close to home?

Hazel and her partner Kenny have set up their private investigation office. Things are going great and then she is asked by an old friend, Shavali to help investigate a case. Shavali is defending a young man accused of murdering a priest. She has one week left before trial to see if she can get her client out of jail because she is certain that he IS innocent. Why did this case get to trial so fast? When it involves a Catholic priest, poisoning and connections to a settlement for child abuse, the archdiocese and everyone involved wants this book to be closed. But when questions are asked and answered more clues, red herrings, red letters and dead people show up.

I did my usual predictions at 50 and 80% fail! The ending left me shocked and any idea I had about how the ending would go – well that was gone. I hope to goodness there is more of Hazel Cho. From the moment she steps into the investigation, it's clear that this private detective is unlike any other. With a sharp mind, unflinching determination, and a personal depth that lingers long after the case is solved, she’s a character you won’t easily forget.

Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC!

I did not even know at first there would be more of Hazel Cho after Orphanage By The Lake, it really was a pleasant surprise.

Just like the first book, this was a good, twisty story that kept me guessing until the end. Plots with religion as a topic are not my cup of tea usually, but this was an easy read and I felt really entertained. Plus, I do like the whole premise with the cryptic letters. So, if there will be a third book with Hazel Cho at some point, I am surely going to look into that one, as well!

Great book with an interesting story line. The twists were good and unpredictable. I was surprised to see that it was as good as the first book!

After reading “The orphanage by the lake” I’ve been anxiously awaiting this one!! Hazel Cho, private investigator, is back on the scene! When a friend asks her to investigate a murder, all of Hazel’s alarm bell go off but she reluctantly takes the case.

It starts out with a cryptic Red Letter sent to a well beloved priest and his subsequent death. This was such a quick read. Lots of nonstop action and Hazel is just such a likable character that we are all rooting for her. I really enjoyed this one!

I had NO CLUE this was a second book in a series. This could serve as a stand alone. The background is recapped concisely and seamlessly.

From the beginning readers are thrust into action. The story is about a Private Investigator, Hazel, who is trying to track down a local serial killer who delivers a red letter to its prospective victims.

Some topic/themes are:
✨Retribution
✨Religion
✨Ethics of Politics
✨Overcoming hardship… and more!

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. The writing was entertaining and the characters were diverse. Hazel put her fears side to help her community try to catch a killer. There were twists along the way and likeable characters.

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

✨Review✨

The Red Letter by Daniel G. Miller

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

A DEAD BODY. A MYSTERIOUS RED LETTER.

This was such a quick and gripping read.
The opening scene is so dramatic and shocking that you will not be able to put this book down until the last word is read.

Hazel’s next case in The Orphanage by the Lake series, the stakes are even higher and more life threatening!

This book is so thought out and creative with many hidden meanings for the readers to find.

“The lies are in the street; the truth hides behind closed doors”

Will there be more?

Thank you to NetGalley, Daniel G. Miller, and Position Press for the advanced copy!

📆Release date: July 2025
🔪 Emotional
🔪 Suspense
🔪 High Stakes
🔪 Mystery

I was happy i got a chance to read this arc and to see hazel story continued i love it as much as i loved the first one. I would recommend to others and would buy it.. i hope others will enjoy it also.

This is the second book in the Hazel Cho series. I loved the first book and I absolutely LOVED this book too!
I like the story-but what I love about Daniel Miller's writing is the character development. The characters in his book all have great and unique personalities. I also love how he adds some Asian taste to it by talking about Korean food! (Hazel has Korean background.) I can't wait for the third book, and I definitely recommend everyone to read this book!

Thank you to Mandy Chahal, the poisoned pen press, and Daniel Miller for the opportunity to read this incredible ARC!

While I have heard about The Orphanage by the Lake countless times and have it on my to read list, I have not read it yet. I was afraid that reading The Red Letter out of series order would be an issue, but the book stood alone very nicely and makes me even more eager to read his 1st book in the series!

The ending left me completely SHOCKED, and all my theories throughout the read were thrown out the window. Reminded me a lot of the twists in books written by Freida McFadden. Hazel Cho is a very down to earth, relatable character, and the author put a lot of details into each of the supporting characters. I sincerely hope there will be more books in this series, I need more!!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I’ve been waiting for the second book in Hazel’s story for a while, and I must say—it did not disappoint! From start to finish, this book was packed with twists and turns that kept me on edge. But what truly made this story unforgettable was the emotional depth. Hazel’s journey was already compelling, but the heartbreak…It was gut-wrenching, and I felt every ounce of her grief.

The writing pulled me in, making me feel like I was right there with her, experiencing every shock, loss, and revelation. Now, I’m left wondering—what will Hazel do next? I need to know if there is a next book ASAP!

What a fantastic sequel to The Orphanage By The Lake! From the moment the first red letter was introduced I was hooked! The book was very fast paced and kept me guessing until the very end! I loved the continued character development of Hazel & Kenny from the first book and I’m excited to see if they return for a third book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Daniel G. Miller did not disappoint with this follow up to The Orphanage By The Lake!!! This book was fantastic! Love Hazel Cho! What I wasn’t expecting was the emotional impact at the end. Great read! Will definitely recommend both books!!

Awesome followup to The Orphanage by the Lake! I thought that was really good but this is better. You don’t need to read them in order but it is better that way. I like Hazel and Kenny and their co-workers but was surprised at the events that happened in this novel. Surprises abound! I will definite look forward to the next volume in this series.

Thanks to Netgalley and The Poison Pen Press for this ebook arc to read. All opinions are my own

I was so happy to receive this ARC after reading the orphanage by the lake. I just love Hazel and this second installment did not disappoint!

This author is new to me, but I read his last book and it was really well written and really just a good story. Thank you to net galley for allowing me another opportunity to read another novel by this author.

I got this ARC from NetGalley as I found the description intriguing. Only afterwards did I realise that the book is part of a series and I have not yet read book number 1. However, you can definitely read this as a standalone. I connected with Hazel very quickly and loved how she showed strength despite her traumas. I thought I knew, by the end, what was going on, but I gasped out loud as the reveal! Amazing! The writing was good, the pace was to the point and I liked the characters. I almost cried at the end.
Thank you to NetGalley, publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Daniel Miller, you've done it again! This is the second installment for Hazel Cho, P.I. and honestly I'm hoping for another! The story line was ‘Holy’ unique, with an absolute mind-bend of a twist at the end. I mean seriously, I screamed and dropped my kindle! (don't worry it only fell on my bed!) I was NOT expecting that. 5 out of 5 stars from me!