Buried in the Woods Below

by Daniel G. Miller

A spine-tingling new suspense-thriller from bestselling author Daniel G. Miller that will keep your heart racing to the last page.

SOME MEMORIES WERE NEVER MEANT TO STAY BURIED.

When Charlotte Hoffman's picture-perfect career implodes overnight, she retreats to the one place she swore she'd never Big Island, Minnesota. Home to her childhood best friend, Olivia Parker, and the place where her life first fell apart.

Eighteen years ago, tragedy struck, and Charlotte's blamed herself for that bloody night ever since. Now she's back, staying with the Parkers in their isolated lakeside home, surrounded by dark woods shrouded in mist and the decaying remains of a long-abandoned amusement park.

But something isn't right. 

The Parkers' young twin girls whisper about ghosts in the trees. Threatening notes appear on doors. An old carousel screams in the wind. And every night the island claims another victim.

As Charlotte wades ever-deeper into danger, she can't shake the feeling that someone brought her back to the isolated island for a reason.

Someone who wants to finish what was started all those years ago.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Psychological Thriller

Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 1, 2026

About the author

Daniel G. Miller is a bestselling thriller and adventure novelist. When he's not writing, he enjoys contemplating the "what-ifs" of the world, traveling and celebrating with his wife, and sitting on the couch like an ogre watching NBA basketball. He currently lives in Boca Raton with his wife, Lexi.

Reviews

[Lu thrillskillsandchills · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a solid, atmospheric thriller that completely pulled me in.

Charlotte returning to her hometown after years away already carries that uneasy tension, but setting it against an isolated lakeside house, dense woods, and an abandoned amusement park? It creates this constant sense that something isn’t quite right — and that feeling never really lets up.

The pacing is strong from the start, but what I really loved was how the final stretch kicked things up another notch. The last 30% moves fast, and I absolutely flew through it needing to know how everything was going to come together.

There are plenty of twists woven throughout. I did pick up on a couple early, but there were still enough surprises to keep me engaged, and the way it all builds into the ending made it worthwhile.

This leans into that eerie, slightly unsettling space between psychological thriller and something a little darker, with an unreliable edge that keeps you questioning what’s real and what isn’t.

Heathcliff 💔 not the sole reason this wasn’t a 5⭐️ for me, but it definitely played a part.

A really engaging, twisty read with a strong finish.

[crystal niche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh wow… I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this!
Daniel has become an instant read author for me.

Charlotte is a successful woman who has had a lot of tragedy and trauma that haunts her.. She’s suspended from work, and her mother suggests she visits old friends on an island with bad cell service and no WiFi.. what could happen?

Thank you for the advance reader copy!

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 ⭐️ Charlotte goes back to a family friend’s island home while taking a leave from work. However, vacation turns into survival as the people around her star disappearing and threatening notes appear on her door. The writing definitely made me feel trapped on the island with everyone as they navigated this mystery. This book has scandal, mystery, ghosts, isolation, and untrustworthy characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the early copy!

[Nicole Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

“Buried in the Woods Below” by Daniel G. Miller is one of those thrillers that starts out feeling eerie and atmospheric and then slowly spirals into something deeply unsettling and genuinely messed up in the best way possible. This book has major “read with all the lights on” energy, especially once the twists start hitting. Before getting into this book, I do want to provide a content warning for an unexpected dog death.

The story follows Charlotte Hoffman, who returns to Big Island, Minnesota after years away, carrying a mountain of guilt, trauma, and unresolved issues. Right away, Charlotte feels like a complicated and messy main character. She’s dealing with the fallout of a traumatic accident involving her best friend, a deeply unhealthy relationship with alcohol, and childhood scars from growing up with an alcoholic father. She’s also been suspended from work after defending herself from a coworker’s assault, which immediately made me root for her despite all her flaws.

But the real star of this book is the atmosphere. Big Island feels like its own living nightmare. You’ve got dense woods, an isolated lakeside house, threatening notes, creepy dolls, whispering twins, strange noises at night, and an abandoned amusement park with a carousel that basically screams into the wind. The entire setting feels damp, cold, and haunted even when nothing outright supernatural is happening. Miller absolutely nails that cozy-creepy vibe where everything feels quiet and beautiful right before something horrible happens.

The pacing is more of a slow-burn psychological unraveling than nonstop action, but the tension keeps tightening chapter by chapter. The alternating timelines between Charlotte’s past and present worked really well because you slowly start piecing together just how unreliable Charlotte actually is. There’s this constant feeling that something is very wrong, not just with the island, but with Charlotte herself. The flashbacks, violent thoughts, and buried secrets all build this growing sense of dread that honestly had me side-eyeing everyone.

I will say, seasoned thriller readers may figure out one of the major twists fairly early because there are definitely clues planted throughout the story. But honestly? Even when I suspected where certain things were going, the full reveal still landed hard because of how dark and emotionally twisted everything became. And this reveal is extremely dark, which was unexpected for me.

One thing I really appreciated was how the book explored motherly love in a pretty disturbing way. Charlotte’s mom is fiercely protective to the point where it becomes unhealthy, constantly shielding Charlotte from consequences and cleaning up her messes no matter what. Their relationship added such an uncomfortable emotional layer underneath the thriller elements.

That said, there were a few things that didn’t fully work for me. Charlotte’s long-running crush on Olivia’s married father was weird and not in a particularly compelling way. Some of her choices were frustrating, especially early on, and there are moments where the book leans heavily into her instability without always balancing it perfectly. Also, as stated earlier, huge content warning for an on-page dog death that was sudden and upsetting.

But overall, this book absolutely hooked me. The deeper it got into Charlotte’s fractured mind and the island’s buried secrets, the harder it became to stop reading. The ending goes very dark, and the epilogue especially recontextualizes everything in such an unsettling way. It’s the kind of ending that makes you sit there afterward like “well, that was horrifying.”

Overall, “Buried in the Woods Below" is a creepy, twisty psychological thriller packed with unreliable narration, isolated gothic atmosphere, buried trauma, and mounting dread. If you love thrillers where the setting feels alive, the main character might be unraveling, and absolutely nobody feels safe by the end, this one is definitely worth picking up.

[T. Wynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daniel G. Miller’s Buried in the Woods Below was my first introduction to his work, and after finishing it, I can absolutely see why people keep talking about him. I’ve heard great things about The Orphanage by the Lake and The Red Letter for a while now, but after reading this one, I may need to bump both of them way higher on my TBR.

This book honestly felt like a roller coaster, which is funny considering it literally opens on a Ferris wheel. And when I say roller coaster, I mean it had some serious highs and lows. There were sections I absolutely flew through because the pacing picked up, the tension ramped up, and I needed to know what was coming next. Then there were other parts that slowed down a bit too much for me with exposition that felt overextended and didn’t always add much to the overall plot. At times, I found myself itching to get back to the creepy stuff.

That said, the atmosphere in this book was fantastic. A former amusement park buried in the woods? A secluded lake house? Strange happenings that may or may not be paranormal? Daniel G. Miller really knows how to create a setting that feels unsettling in the best way possible. The vibes especially gave the story an eerie, cinematic quality I could picture so vividly while reading.

Charlotte was also a strong main character. She’s flawed, emotionally worn down, and clearly trying to escape reality after a traumatic incident at work. When she heads to her childhood best friend’s lake house to help watch the twin girls and reset mentally, you immediately know things won't stay peaceful for long. I liked her a lot and found myself invested in her journey, even during some of the slower moments.

As for the twist… I’ll be honest, it didn’t completely shock me. I caught on to it fairly early, and once the idea clicked into place, much of the story suddenly made sense. That didn’t ruin the experience for me, though. Sometimes it’s still fun watching everything unravel, even when you think you know where it’s headed. I definitely won’t spoil anything here because this is the kind of book people should experience for themselves.

One thing I kept thinking while reading was how well this would translate into a movie. It already feels incredibly visual and atmospheric, though it did remind me a little of a film I watched years ago. Saying which one would absolutely spoil the plot, so my lips are sealed.

Overall, this wasn’t a perfect thriller for me, but it was an entertaining one. Creepy atmosphere, strong setting, solid suspense, and enough intrigue to keep me turning pages, even if some sections dragged. Definitely worth picking up if you enjoy mystery thrillers with eerie small-town energy, abandoned places, and a touch of possible paranormal chaos.

[mkm_bookloverarchivistreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Buried in the Woods Below" by Daniel G. Miller is a suspense thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It tells the story of Charlotte Hoffman, who reluctantly makes her way back to her Minnesota hometown on Big Island after a tough time at work. But as she settles in, she starts to suspect that someone has come after her, seeking revenge for a terrible event that happened years ago. The book explores mental health challenges, grief, and hidden truths, especially for a couple of its characters. After a picture-perfect career in the city falls apart, Charlotte Hoffman flees back to the one place she swore she would never return: Big Island, Minnesota.
Charlotte finds herself staying with her childhood friend, Olivia Parker, in a secluded lakeside house. The house is nestled among a thick, misty forest and the crumbling remnants of an old amusement park that hasn't been touched in ages. Eighteen years ago, something terrible happened on the island, and Charlotte has been haunted by guilt ever since. As soon as she arrives, strange things start to happen. There are threatening notes left on her doors, and the whispers of the park's past and the ghostly figures in the trees seem to come to life. As more people on the island start disappearing, Charlotte has to figure out how to escape a dangerous web of secrets. She's starting to understand that her return wasn't just a random event, but part of a plan by someone who wants to make her pay for what she did in the past. Daniel G. Miller's novel, "Buried in the woods," is a masterful blend of suspense, mystery, and supernatural elements that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
The author's ability to create a compelling narrative and evoke a sense of unease is truly remarkable. As readers delve deeper into the mystery, they uncover secrets that challenge their perceptions. Miller's writing style is both engaging and thought-provoking, leaving readers with a sense of wonder and curiosity. The vivid descriptions of the setting and the haunting atmosphere contribute to the overall suspense and tension of the novel. Although characters may assign blame, Daniel G. Miller encourages readers to contemplate whether the tragedy warrants culpability. Is truth or grief at the heart of a plan set by Eric, a man whose grief is obvious. Dive into Buried in the Woods by Daniel G. Miller—a thrilling new thriller packed with suspense, drama, and ghosts. The question is left by Miller of is their truly blame to issue or is it a case of tragedy where the character Eric can’t face the difference between a horrible accident and murder? Read to see your own view of the ending.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buried in the Woods is the kind of thriller that wraps its fingers around your nerves from the first chapter and never quite lets go. There’s a thick, eerie stillness to Big Island—mist curling through the trees, the lake holding its secrets, the abandoned amusement park decaying like a memory you’d rather not revisit—and Daniel G. Miller uses that atmosphere beautifully. You can almost feel the damp chill settling into your bones.
Charlotte’s return home is soaked in regret and unresolved grief, and the novel leans into that emotional weight without ever slowing the tension. She’s brittle, haunted, and trying so hard to outrun a past that clearly isn’t finished with her. The Parkers’ lakeside home, with its whispering twins and creaking shadows, becomes the perfect pressure cooker for everything she’s been avoiding.

What really elevates the story is the way the island itself feels complicit. Threatening notes, ghostly murmurs in the woods, the carousel screaming in the wind—it’s all wonderfully unsettling, blurring the line between memory and menace. Every chapter tightens the sense that Charlotte isn’t just being watched; she’s being lured.

As the danger deepens, the book becomes a clever tangle of guilt, obsession, and long‑buried truths. Miller keeps the pace sharp, the reveals well‑timed, and the emotional undercurrent surprisingly tender beneath all the dread. By the time the past finally catches up, it feels both inevitable and devastating.

Dark, atmospheric, and deliciously tense, Buried in the Woods is a gripping descent into the shadows we think we’ve left behind—and the ones that never really let us go.

With thanks to Daniel G Miller, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Kay Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buried in the Woods Below
by Daniel G. Miller
Publish Date Sep 01, 2026

Premise:
When Charlotte Hoffman's picture-perfect career implodes overnight, she retreats to the one place she swore she'd never return: Big Island, Minnesota. Home to her childhood best friend, Olivia Parker, and the place where her life first fell apart.
Eighteen years ago, tragedy struck, and Charlotte's blamed herself for that bloody night ever since. Now she's back, staying with the Parkers in their isolated lakeside home, surrounded by dark woods shrouded in mist and the decaying remains of a long-abandoned amusement park.
But something isn't right.
The Parkers' young twin girls whisper about ghosts in the trees. Threatening notes appear on doors. An old carousel screams in the wind. And every night the island claims another victim.
As Charlotte wades ever-deeper into danger, she can't shake the feeling that someone brought her back to the isolated island for a reason.
Someone who wants to finish what was started all those years ago.
Review:
Buried in the Woods Below is a thrilling, spine-tingling read that is highly recommended for fans of isolated-setting suspense. While it may suffer from slight pacing lags in the middle and somewhat familiar tropes for seasoned thriller readers, the atmospheric dread and the final, jaw-dropping twist make it a very worthwhile and entertaining page-turner.
Daniel G. Miller deserves high praise for the effortless transitions between young Charlotte’s past and her present-day reality. The alternating timeline builds suspense without ever disrupting the pacing of the story.
Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Daniel G. Miller for providing me with an ARC to review.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️

*Buried in the Woods Below* has a strong eerie atmosphere right from the beginning, and that was probably my favorite aspect of the book. There’s a quiet, unsettling tone running throughout the story that immediately pulls you in and gives the setting a creepy, isolated feel that works really well for this type of thriller.

This was my first time reading Daniel G. Miller, and overall I did enjoy his writing style. It’s very readable and moves quickly, though at times it felt a little more “young adult” in tone than I was expecting. I’m not sure if that’s typical of his work overall or just specific to this book, but it did slightly affect how immersed I felt in the story.

The mystery itself kept me engaged enough to want to continue, but I unfortunately figured out one of the major twists fairly early on. Because of that, the bigger reveal didn’t land with quite the impact I think it was intended to have, and I found myself a little underwhelmed by the ending overall.

That said, I don’t think this is a bad book at all — it just ultimately wasn’t the right fit for me personally. I think readers looking for a lighter, fast-paced thriller with an eerie atmosphere may enjoy this more than I did. However, if you’re hoping for a deeply layered, intensely twisty, darker psychological thriller, this may not completely satisfy that expectation.

Overall, while this one didn’t fully wow me, I still appreciated the creepy vibe and enjoyed getting introduced to Daniel G. Miller’s writing. I’d still be open to trying another book by him in the future.

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press & NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Leaf and Letter · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Buried in the Woods Below — Leaf & Letter Review
Buried in the Woods Below is the kind of thriller that feels right at home in a cozy corner of a bookstore—right up until it quietly slips a chill down your spine.

Daniel G. Miller crafts a story that begins with the familiar comfort of returning home and slowly lets the shadows lengthen around it. Charlotte Hoffman’s return to Big Island has the texture of damp pine needles, old memories, and the kind of silence you only hear in deep woods. It’s intimate, unsettling, and beautifully restrained.

The Parkers’ lakeside home—complete with whisper‑soft twins, strange notes, and a carousel that seems to breathe with the wind—feels like a place you’d want to explore with a mug of something warm in hand… even as you sense you shouldn’t linger too long. Miller’s atmosphere is rich without being heavy, eerie without losing its human heartbeat.

What makes this book perfect for readers who love our “cozy‑creepy” shelves is the way it blends emotional vulnerability with slow‑building dread. Nothing jumps out at you. Instead, the story curls around you like fog, tightening its grip one quiet chapter at a time. And when the truth finally surfaces, it lands with the weight of something that’s been waiting in the dark for years.

If you enjoy thrillers that feel like a walk through the woods at dusk—beautiful, lonely, and humming with secrets—this one belongs on your nightstand.

A haunting, atmospheric read we’re proud to recommend from the Leaf & Letter shelves.

[Simran Kaur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for letting me review this book.

If you’re looking for a thriller that actually makes you want to leave the lights on, Buried in the Woods Below is it. Daniel G. Miller has crafted something seriously eerie that follows Charlotte Hoffman back to the one place she swore she’d never return: Big Island, Minnesota. The atmosphere is heavy with a "cozy-creepy" vibe, featuring an isolated lakeside home, a decaying amusement park, and a carousel that literally "screams" in the wind. Miller doesn't just describe the setting; he makes you feel the damp chill of the woods settling into your bones.

The suspense starts as a slow-burn dread with whispering twins, threatening notes, and local legends—before absolutely taking off. I loved how the story jumped between young Charlotte’s past and the present day; the alternating timelines build the mystery of that "bloody night" eighteen years ago without ever losing the momentum of the current danger. It’s a clever tangle of guilt and obsession where the island itself feels complicit in the mounting terror, blurring the line between memory and a very real, present menace.

I thought I had the plot figured out early on, but I was completely wrong. The jaw-dropping twist at the end is exactly what you want from a psychological thriller—it’s the kind of reveal that makes you want to pick your jaw up off the floor. It’s a haunting, addictive read that serves as a dark reminder that some secrets really weren't meant to stay buried.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one had me hooked for the atmosphere more than anything else. There’s something about that eerie, run-down carnival setting mixed with childhood memories that just works, and I really liked how that nostalgic thread was woven in. It gave the story a slightly off, almost dreamlike feel that kept me curious.

This is my second book by Daniel G. Miller, and once again, his storytelling pulled me in. He has a way of building a scene that feels vivid without overdoing it, and I stayed invested the whole time.

I also have to mention how much I loved the Chicago references. Having been born and lived in Chicago for over 46 years, those little details added an extra layer for me and made parts of the story feel even more immersive and personal.

That said, the dolls coming to life was where it lost me a bit. I can see how it fits with the tone and what the story was going for, and it was written well within that world, it just leaned a little too far into the unbelievable for my personal taste.

Even with that, I still enjoyed the ride. The writing, the setting, and the overall mood kept me engaged, and I’d definitely recommend it if you like a darker, slightly surreal twist mixed into your suspense.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buried in the Woods Below by Daniel G. Miller

I rated it 4 stars.

This book was absolutely wild in the best way. From the moment Charlotte returns to Big Island, Minnesota after her career suddenly falls apart, the story pulls you into an eerie, unsettling atmosphere filled with buried secrets, guilt, and danger.

Eighteen years after a tragic night changed everything, Charlotte finds herself back where it all began — staying with her childhood best friend Olivia in an isolated lakeside home surrounded by misty woods and the remains of an abandoned amusement park.

The setting was one of my favorite parts of the book. The creepy island atmosphere, ghostly whispers from the twins, threatening messages, and the abandoned carousel created such an intense feeling of suspense throughout. Every time I thought I understood what was happening, the story twisted in a completely unexpected direction.

Fast-paced, twisty, and impossible to predict, I ended up completely devouring it. If you enjoy atmospheric thrillers with secrets, mystery, and constant surprises, this one is definitely worth picking up.

Thank you, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

[Book Night Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buried in the Woods is a decent thriller with a set of unreliable characters and a spooky plot

The story starts when Charlotte returns to the Parkers family after years. She knows they would still resent her for whatever happened back then. But nothing prepared her for what she faced in the house!

When I initially started reading this story, I felt so much excitement to know what was happening and who was behind it all. Was this a horror story? A psychological thriller? Or even a murder mystery? I was confused but I enjoyed reading this.

There were a lot of good moments in the story as well. What really worked for me was the fast pace that the book adopted. I liked reading what happened in the past and in the present without any delay.

The only thing that prevented me from completely enjoying the story was how I felt I knew the major twist. So when I got that feeling, I started reading the story with a new perspective and as a result, I knew exactly who was behind the mysteries.

That said, it was purely what I faced and I wished so much that I wasn't able to guess the twist, because the twist was really good and the revelation was also better.

Overall, this is a good story that's best for a fast read thrilling experience!

[Amber Boos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a dark and atmospheric read. Eighteen years ago, Charlotte and Olivia are childhood best friends. Tragedy happens and Charlotte feels responsible. Fast forward those eighteen years and Charlotte's once promising life is a train-wreck. She retreats to Olivia's old lakeside home that also happens to be creepy and surrounded by dark woods where strange things happen. It's also the scene of that long ago tragedy. What could possibly go wrong? Well, threatening notes for starters. Oh, and don't forget maybe ghosts in the woods, creepy twins, scary dolls, secrets.... Maybe someone wants revenge for the past? No, this wasn't a run of the mill revenge from past type story. Yes, I did figure out a twist early on, but definitely not all of them and the setting is well-written. Charlotte was a weird one. She made some questionable choices, and I wavered back and forth on liking her or not, but I think that was intentional. I thought I knew what was going on, then the rug was pulled out. Just the way I like it! This is my third story from Daniel G. Miller and definitely not my last!

Thank you to Daniel G. Miller, #NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Kelsy Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ Book Review ✨

Buried in the Woods Below
By Daniel G. Miller
Publish Date: September 1, 2026

Themes:
🌲 Remote Island
🔪 Murder
👻 Buried Secrets

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

Some places feel haunted long before you discover the truth.

After a tragic accident in her childhood changed everything, Charlotte Hoffman reconnects with her childhood best friend and her family on a remote island in Minnesota. But the island itself feels wrong from the moment she arrives.

The woods are thick with fog and silence, the abandoned amusement park groans with decay, and the locals seem deeply unsettled by both newcomers and the secrets buried beneath the island’s surface. Strange noises echo through the trees, threatening messages begin appearing, and with every passing night, the feeling that something terrible happened here becomes harder to ignore.

I absolutely loved the atmosphere of this book. Daniel G. Miller created a setting that felt immersive in the best possible way. The isolated island, eerie lakeside home, and crumbling carnival gave the story such a haunting, cinematic quality that I flew through this one incredibly fast. There’s a constant sense of unease woven through every chapter, with little unsettling details and quiet moments of tension that slowly build into something much darker.

The ending also delivered a few twists that genuinely caught me off guard, which made the slow-building suspense feel especially satisfying. I’ve really enjoyed several of Daniel G. Miller’s other novels, including The Orphanage By The Lake, and this one continued that same dark, immersive storytelling style I’ve come to expect from his work.

A dark, immersive thriller filled with eerie atmosphere, buried secrets, and creeping dread. If you love isolated settings, unsettling small-town energy, and mysteries that slowly tighten their grip around you, this one is absolutely worth adding to your radar.

[Andrew Langert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley.

This is an eerie mystery set primarily on Big Island on Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota. The principal character is Charlotte, whose is on hiatus from her job in Chicago. She uses her “time out” to visit an old childhood friend on Big Island. Big Island (in this fictional story) is a spooky place. Numerous tragedies occur during Charlotte’s visit and she is baffled, unable to figure out who could be responsible for the crimes.

I am usually not a fan of books featuring an unreliable narrator. This book certainly has one, but I won’t penalize my rating because I was truly taken in my the quality and pace of the story, along with the author’s writing style.

[Donna McCaul Thibodeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four and a half stars rounded up to five. Charlotte Hoffman has been suspended by her job for a month, due to an altercation with another employee. Her mother suggests that she go to Big Island to help provide childcare for the Parkers. But Charlotte feels uneasy. The island is shrouded by mist, notes keep showing up nailed to the front door, and a little girl is said to haunt the island. Was coming here a mistake?
This was a great book! I basically read it in one sitting. I did figure out a plot twist early on, but it in no way interfered with my enjoyment of this book. Highly, highly recommended.

[Britney Ireland · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Twist!!!! Jaw dropping!!! I am giving this read 5 stars.

Thank you #NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy of this book.

This is my first book I’ve read by Daniel Miller and it will not be my last.

I was drawn into this book right from the beginning all the way through. Once the twist hit and I picked my jaw off the floor I knew I’d be giving this 5 stars.

This is a very suspenseful, mysterious read. It was very entertaining with a well written storyline that will hold your interest from start to finish.

[Danielle Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book more than five stars, I would. It’s going to be awhile before I get over this one. The setting Miller paints is equal parts beautifully idyllic and completely creepy. It is also completely perfect for this story. This book will have you on the edge of your seat for the whole ride, and gasping in shock by the end. The characters, especially Charlotte and Eric, are fantastic, and so incredibly well fleshed out. If you loved The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, this is a must read. Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this ARC!

[Autumn Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the early access to this book!

The first part of the book had me reeling with frustration. I felt sorry for Charlotte and how everyone treated her. Her and her mother's dynamic was very strange and then her acceptance of the invitation to Olivia's parents home seemed baffling.

But then BAM....major plot twist!! Daniel Miller is so incredibly talented and this book is a must read!!

[Brittany Selken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for letting review an early copy of this books. This book comes out September 1.2026

What the heck. I didn’t see that one coming at all. Like this was a faced paced book and the ending in the story I really didn’t see coming at all. Like I kind of wish Charlotte got the help she needed when she was younger. But I honestly thought the neighbors didn’t something about the events that had took place in this story.

[Alexandra Madsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Amazing read! I couldn’t put this book down. A very well written thriller that kept me on my toes the whole time. Bonus, it is based in Minnesota (my home state). It kept me guessing who the culprit or culprits were throughout the whole book. Very twisty and kept me wanting more with each turn of the page!

[Kristin Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woah this book is DARK. I did not see those twists coming at all, and I honestly didn’t even put the pieces together until everything started getting revealed. Then all of a sudden it all clicked.

If you like psycho thrillers that really go there and aren’t afraid to get messed up, you’ll probably love this one! Daniel G. Miller is quickly becoming one of my Top 10 faves!

[Alyssa Grimes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh the plot did indeed TWISt and I was sure I had it figured out but man this book is just creepy! Of course I am terrified of creepy children and porcelain dolls and this book has both soooooo… anyway I guessed wrong but a good time was had, it’s pretty f.*cked and I definitely recommend it!

[Sophia Navarro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for an advance copy. This book was a great eerie tale of tragedy, ghosts and mysterious notes. Was nail biting, wanting ti finish it in one sitting to see how it all played out. Was very good

[Melanie Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley! This book was amazing! Eerie, unsettling, and just oh so good! I felt like I was with Charlotte on Big Island! Daniel really captured the creepy vibes and the twist had my jaw on the floor! Creepy amusement park? Check. Creepy dolls? Check. Creepy everything? Check. Definitely recommend!

[Valerie Kestner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is pretty dark. There were some traps that didn't pan out and there were some surprises. It was an easy read. Thanks NetGalley for the read!

[Ashley Lossie]

This was an overall average read for me. It wasn’t bad, but it also didn’t leave much of a lasting impression. The story moved along fine, yet there wasn’t anything that really stood out or felt particularly memorable. I will say I wanted to DNF with the animal death and it definitely took a star away from the book for me.

One aspect that I found confusing was the 22-year gap between the children, which wasn’t given much background or explanation. It felt like an important detail that could have added depth to the story but was instead glossed over. The twins were another weak point. They came across as frustrating and difficult to connect with, which made their role in the story less engaging.

I also struggled to fully invest in the main character, Charlotte. There were elements of her personality and backstory that seemed underdeveloped, making it harder to understand her motivations or feel strongly about her journey. With more depth and exploration of her character, the story might have had a stronger emotional impact.

[Grace Engwall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many thrillers and this one is by FAR the one that had me on the edge of my seat the whole time! It kept me guessing who the killer was in each chapter!! Definitely in my top 5 thriller books now!