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Ben Packard #1
And There He Kept Her
They thought he was a helpless old man. They were wrong.
When two teenagers break into a house on a remote lake in search of prescription drugs, what starts as a simple burglary turns into a nightmare for all involved. Emmett Burr has secrets he's been keeping in his basement for more than two decades, and he'll do anything to keep his past from being revealed. As he gets the upper hand on his tormentors, the lines blur between victim, abuser, and protector.
Personal tragedy has sent former police officer Ben Packard back to the small Minnesota town of Sandy Lake in search of a fresh start. Now a sheriff's deputy, Packard is leading the investigation into the missing teens, motivated by a family connection. As clues dry up and time runs out to save them, Packard is forced to reveal his own secrets and dig deep to uncover the dark past of the place he now calls home.
Unrelentingly suspenseful and written with a piercing gaze into the dark depths of the human soul, And There He Kept Her is a thrilling page-turner that introduces readers to a complicated new hero and forces us to consider the true nature of evil.
Follow Acting Deputy Sheriff Ben Packard back into Minnesota's North Country August 15th with Where the Dead Sleep.
When two teenagers break into a house on a remote lake in search of prescription drugs, what starts as a simple burglary turns into a nightmare for all involved. Emmett Burr has secrets he's been keeping in his basement for more than two decades, and he'll do anything to keep his past from being revealed. As he gets the upper hand on his tormentors, the lines blur between victim, abuser, and protector.
Personal tragedy has sent former police officer Ben Packard back to the small Minnesota town of Sandy Lake in search of a fresh start. Now a sheriff's deputy, Packard is leading the investigation into the missing teens, motivated by a family connection. As clues dry up and time runs out to save them, Packard is forced to reveal his own secrets and dig deep to uncover the dark past of the place he now calls home.
Unrelentingly suspenseful and written with a piercing gaze into the dark depths of the human soul, And There He Kept Her is a thrilling page-turner that introduces readers to a complicated new hero and forces us to consider the true nature of evil.
Follow Acting Deputy Sheriff Ben Packard back into Minnesota's North Country August 15th with Where the Dead Sleep.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,636 reviews
June 11, 2025
Finally, a new thriller series introducing us to another complex character: ladies and gentlemen, here’s the new sheriff deputy of Sandy Lake: Ben Packard, who returns to his hometown after the tragedy that struck and shook him to the core, applying for this job for his fresh start!
Now he’s using his guns to stop wild animals from harassing the townies, including wild bears! He has bad memories about the town where his brother got missing and never been found! This is the very same place where his parents’ marriage was damaged. His sister and big brother moved to other places, and only his widowed cousin, Susan, who is a restaurant owner, raising her teenage kid, left behind as a family member.
The main reason he left his old job is not only losing his longtime boyfriend who has been shot on duty, but he also dealt with condescending comments about his sexual preferences that his colleagues talked behind his back.
Now he’s the main authority in the small, conservative, religious, tight-knit town as a gay man in charge. It’s the challenge he has to accept and own.
He tries too hard to stay out of trouble, not to dig around his past, but when his cousin Susan’s girl is missing alongside her boyfriend, he conducts his investigation to find out who the real monsters disguise in human fur.
The book is extremely intense! The monsters who keep Ben’s niece are extremely soulless, vicious, and disgusting human wastes. The graphic violence and darkness of the story make you startle!
There’s no big mystery or twist! We know the perpetrators from the beginning. We just get introduced to several well-developed characters, and Packard is racing against the time to find the culprits.
It was a character-driven, intriguing, and well-structured debut novel! Probably in the second book, Packard will investigate the mystery behind the cold case about his brother who is still missing! And I truly look forward to reading that!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Press Pen for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Now he’s using his guns to stop wild animals from harassing the townies, including wild bears! He has bad memories about the town where his brother got missing and never been found! This is the very same place where his parents’ marriage was damaged. His sister and big brother moved to other places, and only his widowed cousin, Susan, who is a restaurant owner, raising her teenage kid, left behind as a family member.
The main reason he left his old job is not only losing his longtime boyfriend who has been shot on duty, but he also dealt with condescending comments about his sexual preferences that his colleagues talked behind his back.
Now he’s the main authority in the small, conservative, religious, tight-knit town as a gay man in charge. It’s the challenge he has to accept and own.
He tries too hard to stay out of trouble, not to dig around his past, but when his cousin Susan’s girl is missing alongside her boyfriend, he conducts his investigation to find out who the real monsters disguise in human fur.
The book is extremely intense! The monsters who keep Ben’s niece are extremely soulless, vicious, and disgusting human wastes. The graphic violence and darkness of the story make you startle!
There’s no big mystery or twist! We know the perpetrators from the beginning. We just get introduced to several well-developed characters, and Packard is racing against the time to find the culprits.
It was a character-driven, intriguing, and well-structured debut novel! Probably in the second book, Packard will investigate the mystery behind the cold case about his brother who is still missing! And I truly look forward to reading that!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Press Pen for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
April 18, 2022
4.5*
Shocking, creepy and downright disturbing. Yet… absolutely unputdownable!
While breaking into a home, Jesse and Jenny find their little criminal enterprise coming to a grinding halt. Their worst nightmare comes true when they come face-to-face with the owner, suddenly finding themselves staring straight down the barrel of his shotgun.
Can they possibly escape? Or is the terror just beginning?
Ben Packard has returned to the small community of Sandy Lake, Minnesota, and learns he’s next in line for town Sheriff. Keeping his personal life private is a priority. But in a small town like Sandy Lake? Good luck with that, Sheriff.
His biggest concern right now however is finding the teenagers before it’s too late.
I’m shocked this is a debut. Brilliantly written, I was glued to every page from the start. Each character was superbly developed in full color. The storyline flowed at a perfect pace with the tension rising as the situation became more dire.
I’m REALLY hoping this may be the beginning of a new series? Or will we be treated to another stand-alone.
Either way, I’m all in!🙋♀️ I have a new talented author to follow.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Press Press
Shocking, creepy and downright disturbing. Yet… absolutely unputdownable!
While breaking into a home, Jesse and Jenny find their little criminal enterprise coming to a grinding halt. Their worst nightmare comes true when they come face-to-face with the owner, suddenly finding themselves staring straight down the barrel of his shotgun.
Can they possibly escape? Or is the terror just beginning?
Ben Packard has returned to the small community of Sandy Lake, Minnesota, and learns he’s next in line for town Sheriff. Keeping his personal life private is a priority. But in a small town like Sandy Lake? Good luck with that, Sheriff.
His biggest concern right now however is finding the teenagers before it’s too late.
I’m shocked this is a debut. Brilliantly written, I was glued to every page from the start. Each character was superbly developed in full color. The storyline flowed at a perfect pace with the tension rising as the situation became more dire.
I’m REALLY hoping this may be the beginning of a new series? Or will we be treated to another stand-alone.
Either way, I’m all in!🙋♀️ I have a new talented author to follow.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Press Press
May 13, 2022
Two teenagers attempt to break into a senior citizen’s house to steal prescription medication only to be interrupted by the homeowner, Emmett Burr, who is armed and ready to take on the trespassers.
When two teenagers go missing in Sandy Lake, Minnesota, Sheriff's Deputy Ben Packard (acting Sheriff on account of the previous Sheriff’s terminal illness), leads the investigation into their disappearance. The case is also personal on account of one of the teenagers being the daughter of his cousin. As the story progresses, we find out more about Ben's personal life and his family's connection to Sandy Lake including a personal loss from his childhood and the mystery surrounding the same. Secrets from Emmett's past are also gradually revealed. We also get to meet some of the residents of this small town as the police leave no stone unturned in tracing the whereabouts of the two missing teens.
Dark and disturbing, And There He Kept Her by Joshua Moehling is a well-written debut that I am guessing will be the first in a series. The story is told in the third-person narrative style and switches between Ben’s and Emmett's PoVs. The author successfully weaves in some light-hearted moments in the narrative with the small-town dynamics and an interesting cast of characters among whom are two neighbors who require police intervention to resolve their feuds! The author does touch upon some important themes- substance abuse among schoolchildren, seniors’ safety, kidnapping and sexual abuse and some of the scenes are more than a bit disturbing. Having said that, I do not consider this book to be a “thriller” in the true sense of the term. Yes, crimes are committed – as sick and disgusting as one may imagine, but the reader knows mostly everything from the get-go - where the missing teenagers are, what happened to them and who is responsible! So all we have to do is follow the police as they uncover the “mystery”- no twists, no shocking reveals and therefore nothing much that makes this book stand out. The police procedural angle was well executed and the Deputy Sheriff’s trials and tribulations in navigating through his not-so-competent department, the gossip mill and speculation about his personal life while dealing with his own personal tragedies made for an interesting story.
While I enjoyed the read and truly liked the main character, I can’t say that this had me on the edge of my seat or rapidly turning pages to find out what happens at the end . Thus for me, though this is a well-written book I cannot give it more than an average rating.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the DRC of this novel. All opinions expressed here are my own.
When two teenagers go missing in Sandy Lake, Minnesota, Sheriff's Deputy Ben Packard (acting Sheriff on account of the previous Sheriff’s terminal illness), leads the investigation into their disappearance. The case is also personal on account of one of the teenagers being the daughter of his cousin. As the story progresses, we find out more about Ben's personal life and his family's connection to Sandy Lake including a personal loss from his childhood and the mystery surrounding the same. Secrets from Emmett's past are also gradually revealed. We also get to meet some of the residents of this small town as the police leave no stone unturned in tracing the whereabouts of the two missing teens.
Dark and disturbing, And There He Kept Her by Joshua Moehling is a well-written debut that I am guessing will be the first in a series. The story is told in the third-person narrative style and switches between Ben’s and Emmett's PoVs. The author successfully weaves in some light-hearted moments in the narrative with the small-town dynamics and an interesting cast of characters among whom are two neighbors who require police intervention to resolve their feuds! The author does touch upon some important themes- substance abuse among schoolchildren, seniors’ safety, kidnapping and sexual abuse and some of the scenes are more than a bit disturbing. Having said that, I do not consider this book to be a “thriller” in the true sense of the term. Yes, crimes are committed – as sick and disgusting as one may imagine, but the reader knows mostly everything from the get-go - where the missing teenagers are, what happened to them and who is responsible! So all we have to do is follow the police as they uncover the “mystery”- no twists, no shocking reveals and therefore nothing much that makes this book stand out. The police procedural angle was well executed and the Deputy Sheriff’s trials and tribulations in navigating through his not-so-competent department, the gossip mill and speculation about his personal life while dealing with his own personal tragedies made for an interesting story.
While I enjoyed the read and truly liked the main character, I can’t say that this had me on the edge of my seat or rapidly turning pages to find out what happens at the end . Thus for me, though this is a well-written book I cannot give it more than an average rating.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the DRC of this novel. All opinions expressed here are my own.
June 11, 2022
Jesse and Jenny head out to Emmet’s disgusting home to find some oxy. Jesse ends up dead and Jenny is abducted. (No spoiler, this is how the book begins.)
We know where Jenny is and who has her, so there is no mystery to solve, and it’s a very, very slow burn as Packard, the sheriff, slowly pieces together the puzzle. Did I mention it was SLOW? I like police procedurals but this is not that.
The “bad guys” are OTT caricatures of evil men, sick and disgusting. Everyone else is a stereotype to the point of being caricatures. Neither Emmet or Jenny did or said anything that was remotely believable. Emmet does some things that no abductor with more than 2 brain cells to rub together would do. It was so obvious, he may as well have carried around a poster declaring he had abducted the girl. He’s a candidate for a Darwin Award except NO ONE NOTICES THESE THINGS ARE ODD. Not the sharpest tools in the shed.
And why make Emmet morbidly obese? It added nothing to the story other than make some of the things he did even more unbelievable.
The story moved slowly with literally nothing happening, and I found myself skimming just to be done with it. If I know from the beginning what happened to the teenagers and who the perp is, then the storytelling and investigation needs to be top notch. That didn’t happen here. Even Frank, the corgi, couldn’t save this one.
I think Packard, the sheriff, has potential as an interesting character if given better material.
* I received a digital copy of the book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
We know where Jenny is and who has her, so there is no mystery to solve, and it’s a very, very slow burn as Packard, the sheriff, slowly pieces together the puzzle. Did I mention it was SLOW? I like police procedurals but this is not that.
The “bad guys” are OTT caricatures of evil men, sick and disgusting. Everyone else is a stereotype to the point of being caricatures. Neither Emmet or Jenny did or said anything that was remotely believable. Emmet does some things that no abductor with more than 2 brain cells to rub together would do. It was so obvious, he may as well have carried around a poster declaring he had abducted the girl. He’s a candidate for a Darwin Award except NO ONE NOTICES THESE THINGS ARE ODD. Not the sharpest tools in the shed.
And why make Emmet morbidly obese? It added nothing to the story other than make some of the things he did even more unbelievable.
The story moved slowly with literally nothing happening, and I found myself skimming just to be done with it. If I know from the beginning what happened to the teenagers and who the perp is, then the storytelling and investigation needs to be top notch. That didn’t happen here. Even Frank, the corgi, couldn’t save this one.
I think Packard, the sheriff, has potential as an interesting character if given better material.
* I received a digital copy of the book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
June 20, 2022
I was quite captivated by this police procedural, it's a reverse whodunnit--we know the identity of the bad guy(s) from the beginning and the book is about the police figuring everything out.
Two teens break into Emmett Burr's home to steal prescription drugs. The male is killed right away and the female is taken captive. We come to realize quickly that this isn't the first time Emmett has held a woman in his basement room. Police detective Ben Packard has recently moved to the small town of Sandy Lake, the place where his brother went missing many years before. As he begins to search for the missing teens he is wrestling with his own issues.
I really liked Packard and his character was one of the reasons I rated this book so highly. I love that it seems to be part of a new series because there are a few threads left unresolved, particularly with the case of his brother's disappearance. I appreciated the character development and the fact that he's a gay man looking for romance, which is unusual in a police procedural.
I listened to this as an audiobook and thought that the choice of Linda Jones as the narrator was a bit odd, considering the book is from the points of view of Ben and Emmett. Although Jones is a stellar narrator, I think a male voice would have been a better fit. I was still fully engaged throughout and had a difficult time setting the book aside, so overall it's not too big of an issue.
A solid four stars from me for this interesting story, can't wait to read more about Ben Packard and Sandy Lake.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Two teens break into Emmett Burr's home to steal prescription drugs. The male is killed right away and the female is taken captive. We come to realize quickly that this isn't the first time Emmett has held a woman in his basement room. Police detective Ben Packard has recently moved to the small town of Sandy Lake, the place where his brother went missing many years before. As he begins to search for the missing teens he is wrestling with his own issues.
I really liked Packard and his character was one of the reasons I rated this book so highly. I love that it seems to be part of a new series because there are a few threads left unresolved, particularly with the case of his brother's disappearance. I appreciated the character development and the fact that he's a gay man looking for romance, which is unusual in a police procedural.
I listened to this as an audiobook and thought that the choice of Linda Jones as the narrator was a bit odd, considering the book is from the points of view of Ben and Emmett. Although Jones is a stellar narrator, I think a male voice would have been a better fit. I was still fully engaged throughout and had a difficult time setting the book aside, so overall it's not too big of an issue.
A solid four stars from me for this interesting story, can't wait to read more about Ben Packard and Sandy Lake.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
January 2, 2022
From a debut author, comes a dark thriller revealing true evil within. This has a lot of high reviews, but just a little too deep for me. Excellent writing and sets an excellent pace as a whole town searches for two teenagers missing.
"They thought he was a helpless old man. They were wrong."
Two teens, Jesse and Jenny, break into a house of an older man, Emmett, to steal his pain killers. Unexpectedly, they are met with the owner and his shotgun. Jesse dies and Jenny is wounded and has a worse fate than death. He chains her to his basement where she is kept in the dark. This basement represents the kind of person Emmett is. She realizes she is not the first he has kept there and he reminds her often what happened to the other victims.
What surprises her, Emmett takes care of her wounds and becomes her protector from his friend, Carl, who has darker intentions than him.
The story is more centered around the main character and the sheriff's deputy, Packard, who is carrying his own secrets and trying to escape his past while searching for the two teens. It is a race against time as the anxiety increases and tensions rise between Carl and Emmett.
Thanks NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this book title in exchange for my honest review.
"They thought he was a helpless old man. They were wrong."
Two teens, Jesse and Jenny, break into a house of an older man, Emmett, to steal his pain killers. Unexpectedly, they are met with the owner and his shotgun. Jesse dies and Jenny is wounded and has a worse fate than death. He chains her to his basement where she is kept in the dark. This basement represents the kind of person Emmett is. She realizes she is not the first he has kept there and he reminds her often what happened to the other victims.
What surprises her, Emmett takes care of her wounds and becomes her protector from his friend, Carl, who has darker intentions than him.
The story is more centered around the main character and the sheriff's deputy, Packard, who is carrying his own secrets and trying to escape his past while searching for the two teens. It is a race against time as the anxiety increases and tensions rise between Carl and Emmett.
Thanks NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this book title in exchange for my honest review.
June 29, 2022
“You don’t put a woman in a cage and wait for her to learn to like it.” - Carl
I think I am suffering from Stockholm Syndrome after reading this book!
Next in line for Sheriff, Deputy Ben Packard returns to the small town of Sandy Lake, Minnesota. Ben wants to keep his personal life private, but finds this difficult in a town that thrives on knowing everyone’s business. He is coming to terms with his sexuality as a gay man and is still haunted by his brother Nick’s disappearance many years ago.
When his cousin’s daughter goes missing, Ben promises to find her and bring her home safely.
Emmett Burr is a 400 lb. sickly man, whose house is broken into by two kids attempting to steal his prescription pain pills. He shoots and kills the boy, but takes the girl captive. However, he is not calling the shots. Carl is the real man in charge. Time is ticking because the girl is a Type 1 Diabetic and reliant on insulin.
Will Packard find his cousin before it’s too late?
Told in alternating perspectives between Packard and Emmett, this mystery’s villain is revealed at the start. Knowing this, the reader must embark on a journey into the villain’s mind as well as follow the clues that will lead Packard to his cousin.
Emmett is disgusting, but I couldn’t help but sympathize with his sad life. However, I didn’t fully believe that a man of his size and poor health would be capable of all of the tasks he accomplished. He also makes a lot of dumb mistakes that any good detective would be able to spot right away.
This police procedural mostly focused on Packard’s character, who I found very compelling. I was never bored and am glad that this book might be the start of a longer series.
I expected this book to be very dark and disturbing, (just look at the cover!) but it never really went there. Instead, it is more of a character study, and Moehling does a great job getting into the heads of Emmett and Ben.
I listened to the audiobook that was narrated by Linda Jones. She does a fabulous job voicing all of the male characters. I highly recommend listening to this one!
3.5/5 stars rounded up
I think I am suffering from Stockholm Syndrome after reading this book!
Next in line for Sheriff, Deputy Ben Packard returns to the small town of Sandy Lake, Minnesota. Ben wants to keep his personal life private, but finds this difficult in a town that thrives on knowing everyone’s business. He is coming to terms with his sexuality as a gay man and is still haunted by his brother Nick’s disappearance many years ago.
When his cousin’s daughter goes missing, Ben promises to find her and bring her home safely.
Emmett Burr is a 400 lb. sickly man, whose house is broken into by two kids attempting to steal his prescription pain pills. He shoots and kills the boy, but takes the girl captive. However, he is not calling the shots. Carl is the real man in charge. Time is ticking because the girl is a Type 1 Diabetic and reliant on insulin.
Will Packard find his cousin before it’s too late?
Told in alternating perspectives between Packard and Emmett, this mystery’s villain is revealed at the start. Knowing this, the reader must embark on a journey into the villain’s mind as well as follow the clues that will lead Packard to his cousin.
Emmett is disgusting, but I couldn’t help but sympathize with his sad life. However, I didn’t fully believe that a man of his size and poor health would be capable of all of the tasks he accomplished. He also makes a lot of dumb mistakes that any good detective would be able to spot right away.
This police procedural mostly focused on Packard’s character, who I found very compelling. I was never bored and am glad that this book might be the start of a longer series.
I expected this book to be very dark and disturbing, (just look at the cover!) but it never really went there. Instead, it is more of a character study, and Moehling does a great job getting into the heads of Emmett and Ben.
I listened to the audiobook that was narrated by Linda Jones. She does a fabulous job voicing all of the male characters. I highly recommend listening to this one!
3.5/5 stars rounded up
June 13, 2022
And There He Kept Her is a dark and disturbing thriller.
On a frigid, rainy night, two teens attempt to break into what they believe is an unsuspecting senior’s home. What they do not know is that Emmett Burr has decades-old secrets. Secrets he would kill to keep.
It is up to acting Sheriff Ben Packard to find these teens as quickly as possible.
This suspenseful and well-written thriller shifts perspectives between Emmett and Packard. After the first few chapters, there are no shocking reveals. The reader merely has to wait for Packard to piece all of the clues together, which he does smartly and intuitively. There is a nice buildup of tension as the story progresses. Even though there are no big twists, the story never feels boring.
It was refreshing to see a detective-type main character that was not the usual cishet male that typically saturates this genre.
I’ll also give the author brownie points for briefly touching on issues that affect Indigenous communities. But minus many brownie points for making the only Indigenous character in the book a sex offender. But I’m willing to move past it.
Overall, I did enjoy this, and I hope to see more of Sheriff Packard in the future. I can easily see this as the beginning of a new series.
I recommend this novel if you want a fresh spin on a police procedural/thriller.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://booksandwheels.com
On a frigid, rainy night, two teens attempt to break into what they believe is an unsuspecting senior’s home. What they do not know is that Emmett Burr has decades-old secrets. Secrets he would kill to keep.
It is up to acting Sheriff Ben Packard to find these teens as quickly as possible.
This suspenseful and well-written thriller shifts perspectives between Emmett and Packard. After the first few chapters, there are no shocking reveals. The reader merely has to wait for Packard to piece all of the clues together, which he does smartly and intuitively. There is a nice buildup of tension as the story progresses. Even though there are no big twists, the story never feels boring.
It was refreshing to see a detective-type main character that was not the usual cishet male that typically saturates this genre.
I’ll also give the author brownie points for briefly touching on issues that affect Indigenous communities. But minus many brownie points for making the only Indigenous character in the book a sex offender. But I’m willing to move past it.
Overall, I did enjoy this, and I hope to see more of Sheriff Packard in the future. I can easily see this as the beginning of a new series.
I recommend this novel if you want a fresh spin on a police procedural/thriller.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://booksandwheels.com
August 19, 2025
4.5 stars.
It's hard to believe this was Moehling's debut novel.
I loved everything about And There He Kept Her. It hits all the marks I seek ... Thrills, suspense, action, mystery and (to my absolute delight) a good amount of horror.
Book two, Where the Dead Sleep is already on deck.
It's hard to believe this was Moehling's debut novel.
I loved everything about And There He Kept Her. It hits all the marks I seek ... Thrills, suspense, action, mystery and (to my absolute delight) a good amount of horror.
Book two, Where the Dead Sleep is already on deck.
June 7, 2022
Breaking and entering is always wrong.... but when you break into the wrong home you will pay the consequences!
Looking for prescription drugs to sell, Jenny and Jesse, break into a remote home hoping to hit pay dirt. What follows is a nightmare. Emmett Burr has dark secrets that he is willing to protect no matter what.
Ben Packard, the Sheriff's deputy, has moved back to his hometown after a personal tragedy. He is leading the investigation into the missing teens. Will he be able to crack the case?
This was a such a gripping and captivating book! I was full invested in the story from the first page. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Readers know more of what is going on than some of the characters but that will not hinder the enjoyment of this book in any way. I enjoyed knowing what was going on and watching to see Packard investigating.
This was brilliantly written, and the author did a great job at transporting me to Sandy Lake, Minnesota. The descriptions in this book are both vivid and disturbing. There is a clock ticking in this book which heightens the tension and had me worried.
I am hoping with my fingers crossed that there will be more books and that this is not a stand-alone book. I enjoyed Ben Packard's character and hope to read more about him and future cases. (hint hint, nudge nudge).
I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a fantastic job.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Looking for prescription drugs to sell, Jenny and Jesse, break into a remote home hoping to hit pay dirt. What follows is a nightmare. Emmett Burr has dark secrets that he is willing to protect no matter what.
Ben Packard, the Sheriff's deputy, has moved back to his hometown after a personal tragedy. He is leading the investigation into the missing teens. Will he be able to crack the case?
This was a such a gripping and captivating book! I was full invested in the story from the first page. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Readers know more of what is going on than some of the characters but that will not hinder the enjoyment of this book in any way. I enjoyed knowing what was going on and watching to see Packard investigating.
This was brilliantly written, and the author did a great job at transporting me to Sandy Lake, Minnesota. The descriptions in this book are both vivid and disturbing. There is a clock ticking in this book which heightens the tension and had me worried.
I am hoping with my fingers crossed that there will be more books and that this is not a stand-alone book. I enjoyed Ben Packard's character and hope to read more about him and future cases. (hint hint, nudge nudge).
I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a fantastic job.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
July 1, 2022
It is after midnight when two young teenagers break into a house thinking it will be an easy job. They don't want money they want drugs and they both know the old man who lives here has plenty of what they're looking for. The two are very nervous but unfortunately they know they must go through with the robbery because someone else is threatening to harm them and their family. The old man who lives here should be asleep plus he can't get around too well so they are counting on those facts to make the job an easy "get in and get out".
The next day Deputy Ben Packard gets a call about a teen who didn't come home and that's normally not a reason for alarm but soon after Packard knows something is very wrong because in this town several people have gone missing over the years including Packard's own teenage brother who disappeared over twenty years ago and not one of the missing young people were ever seen again. Will this be the same story for the two teens that never came home or is there a darker history that must be uncovered before more young people especially women continue to disappear.
This was a very intriguing and creepy story that was suspenseful as well as engaging from start to finish. At first I was hesitant because I thought there would be too much graphic sexual abuse and there was although with the author's terrific writing skills it made the book a read I could handle even though it was difficult at times reading about some of the torture and abuse. This was more of a human horror story not just a violent thriller. This book is not for everyone it was definitely cringe worthy and upsetting at times. What made the book so difficult to read was knowing these sickening acts of depravity and worse really do happen in the outside world and knowing this was definitely depressing and frightening, especially being a woman. Deputy Ben Packard was an amazing character and if a series is built around him I will certainly search out more books by the author "Joshua Moehling". If any reader enjoys a very dark and violent storyline yet with plenty of entertainment don't hesitate on picking this book up!
Warning: Extreme violence, rape, sexual torture, physical torture and other disturbing situations that are not easy to read.
I want to thank the publisher " Poisoned Pen Press" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this book a rating of 4 DISTURBING AND CREEPY 🌟🌟🌟🌟 STARS!!
The next day Deputy Ben Packard gets a call about a teen who didn't come home and that's normally not a reason for alarm but soon after Packard knows something is very wrong because in this town several people have gone missing over the years including Packard's own teenage brother who disappeared over twenty years ago and not one of the missing young people were ever seen again. Will this be the same story for the two teens that never came home or is there a darker history that must be uncovered before more young people especially women continue to disappear.
This was a very intriguing and creepy story that was suspenseful as well as engaging from start to finish. At first I was hesitant because I thought there would be too much graphic sexual abuse and there was although with the author's terrific writing skills it made the book a read I could handle even though it was difficult at times reading about some of the torture and abuse. This was more of a human horror story not just a violent thriller. This book is not for everyone it was definitely cringe worthy and upsetting at times. What made the book so difficult to read was knowing these sickening acts of depravity and worse really do happen in the outside world and knowing this was definitely depressing and frightening, especially being a woman. Deputy Ben Packard was an amazing character and if a series is built around him I will certainly search out more books by the author "Joshua Moehling". If any reader enjoys a very dark and violent storyline yet with plenty of entertainment don't hesitate on picking this book up!
Warning: Extreme violence, rape, sexual torture, physical torture and other disturbing situations that are not easy to read.
I want to thank the publisher " Poisoned Pen Press" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this book a rating of 4 DISTURBING AND CREEPY 🌟🌟🌟🌟 STARS!!
February 15, 2022
Dark, disturbing and surprisingly fun! I enjoyed this book so much.
The premise alone made this book interesting to me when I saw it on Netgalley—I waited a few months for this to be approved and I guess the wait was worth it.
Jesse and Jenny went missing after breaking into an old man’s house in search of prescription drugs.
Emmet Burr is keeping a dark secret in his basement.
Ben Packard— the deputy sheriff of Sandly Lake has secrets of his own.
I just love the main character so much. I think the readers would appreciate the complexity and the realness of Ben’s character as they dig deeper into the story. There is a bit of unconfined cheerfulness in his personality that I find endearing. Although some parts of the story were dark and triggering, they were necessary in highlighting the depth of the crimes and the severity of a man’s wickedness.
Cheers to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced copy.
The premise alone made this book interesting to me when I saw it on Netgalley—I waited a few months for this to be approved and I guess the wait was worth it.
Jesse and Jenny went missing after breaking into an old man’s house in search of prescription drugs.
Emmet Burr is keeping a dark secret in his basement.
Ben Packard— the deputy sheriff of Sandly Lake has secrets of his own.
I just love the main character so much. I think the readers would appreciate the complexity and the realness of Ben’s character as they dig deeper into the story. There is a bit of unconfined cheerfulness in his personality that I find endearing. Although some parts of the story were dark and triggering, they were necessary in highlighting the depth of the crimes and the severity of a man’s wickedness.
Cheers to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced copy.
June 5, 2023
Not for the faint of heart. 🤢
This book is very well-written to the point that the graphics made me shudder. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not gory but it is GROSS. Very descriptive about unpleasant and uncomfortable topics.
This was the next Book Club read from my group and to be honest, it isn’t something I would normally grab.
Law enforcement books are never my go-to (although I have read some good ones in the past). Plus, it’s about an abduction which can be a bit too heavy for my liking. I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would.
Even though there’s no mystery in this book as it isn’t a whodunnit, there’s little twists here or there to surprise the reader.
I also really liked the humor and I appreciated the lightness despite the heavy topic.
As mentioned, this was incredibly well-written and I’m impressed that this is a debut for how good the writing is.
I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.
4⭐️
This book is very well-written to the point that the graphics made me shudder. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not gory but it is GROSS. Very descriptive about unpleasant and uncomfortable topics.
This was the next Book Club read from my group and to be honest, it isn’t something I would normally grab.
Law enforcement books are never my go-to (although I have read some good ones in the past). Plus, it’s about an abduction which can be a bit too heavy for my liking. I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would.
Even though there’s no mystery in this book as it isn’t a whodunnit, there’s little twists here or there to surprise the reader.
I also really liked the humor and I appreciated the lightness despite the heavy topic.
As mentioned, this was incredibly well-written and I’m impressed that this is a debut for how good the writing is.
I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.
4⭐️
February 19, 2022
Jesse and Jenny break into old man Emmett Burrs house intent on stealing some narcotics. What they didn’t expect is for Emmett to be home when they did it. This is when it gets crazy. Emmett seems like a harmless old man however, he has many secrets buried in his basement and he is determined to keep them hidden.
Simultaneously, sheriff’s deputy Ben Packard is a friend of the family of one of the missing teens and is put in charge of the investigation.
I don’t want to give to much away but I thought it was an interesting read. I liked the different perspectives of the characters and I was fully invested in the deputy finding the missing teens.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
October 12, 2024
3.25⭐
Genre ~ crime
Series ~ Ben Packard #1
Publication date ~ June 14, 2022
Page Count ~ 324
Audio length ~ 9 hours 28 minutes
Narrator ~ Linda Jones
POV ~ dual 3rd
Featuring ~ debut, police procedural, missing teens, drugs, r@pe, torture, abuse, dark
Ben, our police detective, is searching for missing teens, Jesse & Jenny.
It's more geared towards police procedural as there isn't really a mystery of whodunnit or where it's taking place as we have that information all along. And the where is not a great place to be. It's pretty dark and disturbing.
This was a pretty good debut if you can get past the horrible things happening to Jenny. I liked Ben well enough, he was about the only likable character, and his detective skills were great, so I'll probably give the next book a try sometime.
I was able to listen to a copy as well and I thought the narrator did a great job, but why was it not a man since both POV's were from men?
*Thanks to the author, Poisoned Pen and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
Genre ~ crime
Series ~ Ben Packard #1
Publication date ~ June 14, 2022
Page Count ~ 324
Audio length ~ 9 hours 28 minutes
Narrator ~ Linda Jones
POV ~ dual 3rd
Featuring ~ debut, police procedural, missing teens, drugs, r@pe, torture, abuse, dark
Ben, our police detective, is searching for missing teens, Jesse & Jenny.
It's more geared towards police procedural as there isn't really a mystery of whodunnit or where it's taking place as we have that information all along. And the where is not a great place to be. It's pretty dark and disturbing.
This was a pretty good debut if you can get past the horrible things happening to Jenny. I liked Ben well enough, he was about the only likable character, and his detective skills were great, so I'll probably give the next book a try sometime.
I was able to listen to a copy as well and I thought the narrator did a great job, but why was it not a man since both POV's were from men?
*Thanks to the author, Poisoned Pen and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
October 3, 2022
DNF
~ Quick Summary ~
Told from 2 POVs:
- Packard, a sheriff, is working on a case of 2 missing teenagers.
- Emmett takes one of the teenagers captive who is a type 1 diabetic and time is running out.
~ Pick this up if you enjoy/don’t mind the following ~
🧑🤝🧑 2 Perspectives/POVs: The sheriff and the kidnapper so you know what’s happening
❌ Less mystery due to the 2 POVs
🕵️♂️ Sheriff investigating a case
🐢 Slow burn
📕Dark
🏠 Small town setting
~ What I Enjoyed ~
I enjoy the sheriff’s logic in figuring out what happened to the missing kids.
~ What I didn’t enjoy ~
I DNF’ed this one because there wasn’t enough mystery, cliff-hangers, or excitement, thanks to Emmet’s perspective we know what happened to the two teenagers. I’ve read a few reviews that confirmed similar things where we know what’s happening and there aren’t really any shocking reveals or twists.
There’s some mystery with the sheriff’s past but it hasn’t piqued my interest.
~ Quick Summary ~
Told from 2 POVs:
- Packard, a sheriff, is working on a case of 2 missing teenagers.
- Emmett takes one of the teenagers captive who is a type 1 diabetic and time is running out.
~ Pick this up if you enjoy/don’t mind the following ~
🧑🤝🧑 2 Perspectives/POVs: The sheriff and the kidnapper so you know what’s happening
❌ Less mystery due to the 2 POVs
🕵️♂️ Sheriff investigating a case
🐢 Slow burn
📕Dark
🏠 Small town setting
~ What I Enjoyed ~
I enjoy the sheriff’s logic in figuring out what happened to the missing kids.
~ What I didn’t enjoy ~
I DNF’ed this one because there wasn’t enough mystery, cliff-hangers, or excitement, thanks to Emmet’s perspective we know what happened to the two teenagers. I’ve read a few reviews that confirmed similar things where we know what’s happening and there aren’t really any shocking reveals or twists.
There’s some mystery with the sheriff’s past but it hasn’t piqued my interest.
March 17, 2022
Ahh, the dreaded 3-star review. I find these middle-of-the-road reads to be the hardest for writing reviews. There was nothing inherently wrong with this book, but it just lacked pizzazz.
I will say that the book is 50/50 police procedural and thriller, and I'm generally not a huge fan of police procedurals, but I don't even think that clouded my judgment here - there is just something missing in the overall effect. Ben Packard is the new sheriff in the small town of Sandy Lake. Unbeknownst to many in the town, he has a previous connection to Sandy Lake - his brother's disappearance years ago, which has never been solved. His first big case as sheriff though, is two missing teens, one of which just happens to be his cousin’s daughter. The closer he gets to the truth though, the darker the path and the more blurred the lines become between "villain" and "hero."
First of all, the title really gives it all away. There is no real twist and no question as to what happened and who the bad guy was. Hard and fast rule - if you're going to give away the whodunnit right away, the rest of the plot had better wow me. It didn't. Also, the "darkness" was a bit much for me. Emmett and Carl's characters and actions were over-the-top vile. I think Moehling was going for disturbing, but it was just disgusting. I liked Packard's character, but why tease the reader with his brother's unsolved disappearance and then never tie it in to the story in any way. I'm assuming it's because this is going to be a series, but I think opportunities were missed big time. I did enjoy the chapters about the dogs, and thank goodness, no animals were killed in the making of this story. Always a plus.
Simply put, if you are looking for a thriller, this is not it; if you are looking for an unputdownable, wild ride, this is not it either. I realize this is a debut work, and I wouldn't rule out reading another one of Moehling's books, as I think he has the writing chops - this one just didn't work for me though.
I will say that the book is 50/50 police procedural and thriller, and I'm generally not a huge fan of police procedurals, but I don't even think that clouded my judgment here - there is just something missing in the overall effect. Ben Packard is the new sheriff in the small town of Sandy Lake. Unbeknownst to many in the town, he has a previous connection to Sandy Lake - his brother's disappearance years ago, which has never been solved. His first big case as sheriff though, is two missing teens, one of which just happens to be his cousin’s daughter. The closer he gets to the truth though, the darker the path and the more blurred the lines become between "villain" and "hero."
First of all, the title really gives it all away. There is no real twist and no question as to what happened and who the bad guy was. Hard and fast rule - if you're going to give away the whodunnit right away, the rest of the plot had better wow me. It didn't. Also, the "darkness" was a bit much for me. Emmett and Carl's characters and actions were over-the-top vile. I think Moehling was going for disturbing, but it was just disgusting. I liked Packard's character, but why tease the reader with his brother's unsolved disappearance and then never tie it in to the story in any way. I'm assuming it's because this is going to be a series, but I think opportunities were missed big time. I did enjoy the chapters about the dogs, and thank goodness, no animals were killed in the making of this story. Always a plus.
Simply put, if you are looking for a thriller, this is not it; if you are looking for an unputdownable, wild ride, this is not it either. I realize this is a debut work, and I wouldn't rule out reading another one of Moehling's books, as I think he has the writing chops - this one just didn't work for me though.
June 8, 2022
A fine example of a story that flowed from the beginning to the end with well developed characters and a believable premise that didn't have to grasp for straws to tell a story. It was easy to read and understandable as we met characters whose life was hard and sad.
Definitely recommend this one for its well written content and Joshua Moehling's ability to make his characters so real.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for a story that held my attention from its inception to the end. This book is available to all on June 14,2022.
Jan and I had differences of opinions on this one. I think my mood effected my feelings and made this story one that I liked.
Definitely recommend this one for its well written content and Joshua Moehling's ability to make his characters so real.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for a story that held my attention from its inception to the end. This book is available to all on June 14,2022.
Jan and I had differences of opinions on this one. I think my mood effected my feelings and made this story one that I liked.
April 12, 2022
I just powered through Joshua Moehling’s AND THERE HE KEPT HER. Wow, what a great thriller and even better protagonist, Ben Packard! This debut (I can’t even believe it’s a debut) focuses on Ben Packard’s investigation in a rural Minnesota town. The investigation involves two missing teenagers and evolves into an unforgettable journey. Ben Packard is a gay police officer, acting as Sheriff as the current one is in recovery. Ben’s journey as a police officer and gay man is highlighted so expertly in this thriller and the mystery just had me at the edge of my seat. I hope the author continues with Ben Packard and makes it a series, because he may be my favorite protagonist of 2022.
May 9, 2022
I found this to be suspenseful enough.
Two teenagers break into the home of an older man with a bunch of health problems, many of them compounded by Emmet’s heavy drinking and terrible diet. He’s sickly, but he can still make terrible decisions.
There is more than one horrible human being in this novel, and I feel like the author tried to downplay the nightmarish behavior of what these people did. With Emmet, he’s in ill health physically and mentally, but he’s not a complete sociopath in that he sort of gets why his behavior is evil.
In terms of pacing, this novel works. Yes, the teenagers made a bad decision, but their punishment far outweighed the crime. I like the acting sheriff Ben Packard, who came to this small town to get away from bad memories. I also liked his interactions with reliable cops and a lazy cop.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel, which RELEASES JUNE 14, 2022.
Two teenagers break into the home of an older man with a bunch of health problems, many of them compounded by Emmet’s heavy drinking and terrible diet. He’s sickly, but he can still make terrible decisions.
There is more than one horrible human being in this novel, and I feel like the author tried to downplay the nightmarish behavior of what these people did. With Emmet, he’s in ill health physically and mentally, but he’s not a complete sociopath in that he sort of gets why his behavior is evil.
In terms of pacing, this novel works. Yes, the teenagers made a bad decision, but their punishment far outweighed the crime. I like the acting sheriff Ben Packard, who came to this small town to get away from bad memories. I also liked his interactions with reliable cops and a lazy cop.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel, which RELEASES JUNE 14, 2022.
September 22, 2023
In the middle of the night, Jesse Crawford and Jenny Wheeler break into a lone house on the outskirts of town. In search of prescription drugs, what should have been an easy in and out job quickly turns into a nightmare. For Emmett Burr is not sleeping like they hoped. He’s awake and aware that they’re in his basement.
Emmett, however, is anything but the weak and incompetent old man they think he must be. No, he has plenty of dark secrets he’s been hiding for nearly two decades. Secrets that will now put the two teens in serious danger. After all, Emmett can’t let his dirty business escape his basement now.
When Jenny’s mother calls in that her daughter is missing, Detective Ben Packard takes the reins of the investigation. Running from his own personal loss eighteen months ago, he chose Sandy Lake because of his own family history there. But he’s been living a half life the entire time. With secrets he wants to keep hidden, Ben has neglected to grow close to anyone in town. Now that he’s leading the search for Jenny and Jesse, though, the secrets he’s aimed to keep buried are surely guaranteed to come to light.
As the investigation ramps up and the dark history of Sandy Lake threatens to rear its ugly head, Ben will need to be on his A game. One by one, he runs the leads down. Where could the two teens be? Did they run away from home? Or is their fate decidedly more nightmarish?
Well, despite all the fanfare And There He Kept Her has received on Goodreads, I was thoroughly underwhelmed. While it has an original and enticing premise, once I got into the storyline, I was left disappointed. Told from dual POVs of the homeowner and the cop searching for the missing teens, it felt like one POV too many. After all, by covering both, there weren’t any secrets to be found so there was no mystery and zero twists. All that was really left to be discovered was how the teens were found and if their captors would be caught. Altogether anticlimactic, if I do say so myself.
But that wasn’t the worst of this one for me. Emmett Burr was the kind of character I have trouble stomaching. Evil in an uninteresting way, it felt like his darkness was almost just for shock value. I mean, he was introduced as “the fat, naked man standing above them with…an oxygen mask over his mouth,” so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. But beyond the gross imagery, I had a hard time feeling anything for him or his entirely over-the-top behavior.
I did enjoy getting to know Ben Packard, but so much was left unsaid. Yes, I know this is just book one in a series, but I felt like there were a multitude of missed opportunities with him that the author neglected to fill in. Perhaps he will grow into a more likeable character with the entrance of a love interest in the next book, but I wouldn’t hold my breath, if I were you.
Oddly, however, I did find myself wrapped up by the climax and conclusion. Despite the topic matter, much of this book is a (very) slow burn through and through, but the last third or so kept me on my toes and had me reading as fast as possible to see how it all ended. Like I said before, though, there were no big twists, but it did, nevertheless, keep my attention.
Ultimately, I’m wondering if my dislike for this book says more about me than about the book. Obviously, the dark and rather gut-wrenching characteristics left me discomfited. While not quite as graphic as a Karin Slaughter book, it was bad enough in its own right. Just have a look at my trigger warning, if you must. You should also probably take my rather low rating with a gigantic grain of salt. And maybe check out more reviews, because I can’t, in good conscience, recommend this one. Rating of 2 stars.
Trigger warning: breaking and entering, gunshot death, shooting death of a bear, cancer, kidnapping, forced captivity, chronic pain, drug use, fatal stabbing, homophobia, mention of: death of a pet, drug dealing, fatal car accident, suicide, rape
Emmett, however, is anything but the weak and incompetent old man they think he must be. No, he has plenty of dark secrets he’s been hiding for nearly two decades. Secrets that will now put the two teens in serious danger. After all, Emmett can’t let his dirty business escape his basement now.
When Jenny’s mother calls in that her daughter is missing, Detective Ben Packard takes the reins of the investigation. Running from his own personal loss eighteen months ago, he chose Sandy Lake because of his own family history there. But he’s been living a half life the entire time. With secrets he wants to keep hidden, Ben has neglected to grow close to anyone in town. Now that he’s leading the search for Jenny and Jesse, though, the secrets he’s aimed to keep buried are surely guaranteed to come to light.
As the investigation ramps up and the dark history of Sandy Lake threatens to rear its ugly head, Ben will need to be on his A game. One by one, he runs the leads down. Where could the two teens be? Did they run away from home? Or is their fate decidedly more nightmarish?
Well, despite all the fanfare And There He Kept Her has received on Goodreads, I was thoroughly underwhelmed. While it has an original and enticing premise, once I got into the storyline, I was left disappointed. Told from dual POVs of the homeowner and the cop searching for the missing teens, it felt like one POV too many. After all, by covering both, there weren’t any secrets to be found so there was no mystery and zero twists. All that was really left to be discovered was how the teens were found and if their captors would be caught. Altogether anticlimactic, if I do say so myself.
But that wasn’t the worst of this one for me. Emmett Burr was the kind of character I have trouble stomaching. Evil in an uninteresting way, it felt like his darkness was almost just for shock value. I mean, he was introduced as “the fat, naked man standing above them with…an oxygen mask over his mouth,” so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. But beyond the gross imagery, I had a hard time feeling anything for him or his entirely over-the-top behavior.
I did enjoy getting to know Ben Packard, but so much was left unsaid. Yes, I know this is just book one in a series, but I felt like there were a multitude of missed opportunities with him that the author neglected to fill in. Perhaps he will grow into a more likeable character with the entrance of a love interest in the next book, but I wouldn’t hold my breath, if I were you.
Oddly, however, I did find myself wrapped up by the climax and conclusion. Despite the topic matter, much of this book is a (very) slow burn through and through, but the last third or so kept me on my toes and had me reading as fast as possible to see how it all ended. Like I said before, though, there were no big twists, but it did, nevertheless, keep my attention.
Ultimately, I’m wondering if my dislike for this book says more about me than about the book. Obviously, the dark and rather gut-wrenching characteristics left me discomfited. While not quite as graphic as a Karin Slaughter book, it was bad enough in its own right. Just have a look at my trigger warning, if you must. You should also probably take my rather low rating with a gigantic grain of salt. And maybe check out more reviews, because I can’t, in good conscience, recommend this one. Rating of 2 stars.
Trigger warning: breaking and entering, gunshot death, shooting death of a bear, cancer, kidnapping, forced captivity, chronic pain, drug use, fatal stabbing, homophobia, mention of: death of a pet, drug dealing, fatal car accident, suicide, rape
March 12, 2024
And There He Kept Her by Joshua Moehling is the first book in the Ben Packard series and what a great start it is. This was an entertaining, gripping, dark and disturbing story. Although this was not an on the edge of my seat read it was well paced and it most definitely held my attention to the last page. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next book in the series. Recommended.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review.
June 17, 2022
And There He Kept Her is the well-crafted, debut thriller of author Joshua Moehling. I was struck by the originality of the story as I started reading - one that puts readers in the head of the villain with his identity revealed from the beginning. This isn't just another dark, gritty, graphic suspense thriller. Readers are summoned to ride shotgun from beginning to end, meaning they are privy to all the dirty deeds, secrets and intentions of everyone involved. So what's left? A chilling, complex plot line that tackles issues like mental illness, teen drug use, sexual abuse and orientation, and kidnapping - all rolled up into a disturbing, shocking thriller.
This story unfolds through the police investigation of acting Sheriff Ben Packer who has returned to his ancestral roots after the murder of his partner. Many residents of the small town of Sandy Lake, Minn., don't remember the boy who left, but small town gossip runs rampant so keeping his private life private is out of the question. He figures they'll accept him and his sexual orientation or they won't. Either way, he's back with no plans of leaving. When Ben's cousin's daughter Jenny is identified as one of two missing teenagers, Ben promises his cousin he'll find her. What he can't promise is if she'll be alive or dead.
Jesse takes girlfriend Jenny along for the ride when he breaks into old man Emmet Burr's basement with the goal of stealing prescription drugs. He's been assured that the broken down, morbidly obese, elderly man will be out like a light for the night. A bomb wouldn't wake him. However, when Jenny joins Jesse in the basement just before the upstairs basement door swings open, it's old man Emmett staring down the barrel of a gun with the intruders in his sights. Definitely, a change in plans. Readers follow events through the dual points of view of Emmett and Sheriff Packard. Emmett has decades old secrets buried in the basement that he'll do anything to keep hidden. All he wants is to be left alone, and yet through no doing of his own, he's forced to deal with these kids. Again, the fact that as readers we are aware of everything happening turns this thriller into an atypical police procedural of sorts as Sheriff Packard works the case. An evil, intense atmospheric vibe sets a frantic pace as authorities deal with the lack of clues in a race against time to find the teenagers before it's too late. During this time, as readers spend more time with Burr, the line between good and evil gets a bit blurry. Is he a villain? Victim? Abuser? Protector? Readers will be charged with considering his many deeds, combing through the evidence and rendering a verdict themselves.
And There He Kept Her is a chilling, creepy thriller with ominous vibes. The author does an outstanding job of muddying the line between villain and victim in an attempt to build empathy for Emmett. The character development in this story is excellent as the story proceeds and more background information surfaces. Moehling handles social issues such as teen drug, sexual and senior abuse with the respect and attention they deserve. And There He Kept Her is a dark, dark read and an exceptional debut novel. I believe the author has potentially laid the groundwork for a series featuring Sheriff Ben Packard. I, for one, would love to see where his story goes. Highly recommended to fans of suspense thrillers.
*Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for an arc of this book.
**Review published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine
***Reviewed at Cross My Heart Reviews
This story unfolds through the police investigation of acting Sheriff Ben Packer who has returned to his ancestral roots after the murder of his partner. Many residents of the small town of Sandy Lake, Minn., don't remember the boy who left, but small town gossip runs rampant so keeping his private life private is out of the question. He figures they'll accept him and his sexual orientation or they won't. Either way, he's back with no plans of leaving. When Ben's cousin's daughter Jenny is identified as one of two missing teenagers, Ben promises his cousin he'll find her. What he can't promise is if she'll be alive or dead.
Jesse takes girlfriend Jenny along for the ride when he breaks into old man Emmet Burr's basement with the goal of stealing prescription drugs. He's been assured that the broken down, morbidly obese, elderly man will be out like a light for the night. A bomb wouldn't wake him. However, when Jenny joins Jesse in the basement just before the upstairs basement door swings open, it's old man Emmett staring down the barrel of a gun with the intruders in his sights. Definitely, a change in plans. Readers follow events through the dual points of view of Emmett and Sheriff Packard. Emmett has decades old secrets buried in the basement that he'll do anything to keep hidden. All he wants is to be left alone, and yet through no doing of his own, he's forced to deal with these kids. Again, the fact that as readers we are aware of everything happening turns this thriller into an atypical police procedural of sorts as Sheriff Packard works the case. An evil, intense atmospheric vibe sets a frantic pace as authorities deal with the lack of clues in a race against time to find the teenagers before it's too late. During this time, as readers spend more time with Burr, the line between good and evil gets a bit blurry. Is he a villain? Victim? Abuser? Protector? Readers will be charged with considering his many deeds, combing through the evidence and rendering a verdict themselves.
And There He Kept Her is a chilling, creepy thriller with ominous vibes. The author does an outstanding job of muddying the line between villain and victim in an attempt to build empathy for Emmett. The character development in this story is excellent as the story proceeds and more background information surfaces. Moehling handles social issues such as teen drug, sexual and senior abuse with the respect and attention they deserve. And There He Kept Her is a dark, dark read and an exceptional debut novel. I believe the author has potentially laid the groundwork for a series featuring Sheriff Ben Packard. I, for one, would love to see where his story goes. Highly recommended to fans of suspense thrillers.
*Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for an arc of this book.
**Review published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine
***Reviewed at Cross My Heart Reviews
February 16, 2022
I could not put this down, it was beautifully written and intensely addictive.
I'm a sucker for chilly small town narratives and this one is excellent - the scene setting is superb and the story, not a whodunit but a race against time to stop yet more loss, is cleverly plotted and full of deeply drawn characters of the morally ambiguous kind.
The hero of our story, acting Sheriff Packard, is an engaging character who is relatable and focused, dealing with loss of his own in more than one way. He also manages to avoid all cliche which is a huge plus for this reader and I believe he'll be appearing in future novels which made me very happy.
The group dynamic and community vibe is enthralling and the author is cleverly insightful making you feel sympathy for both the good and the evil in this literary thriller, you occasionally have to shake yourself and remember who you should be rooting for.
Overall truly excellent. Likely to be one of my books of the year.
I'm a sucker for chilly small town narratives and this one is excellent - the scene setting is superb and the story, not a whodunit but a race against time to stop yet more loss, is cleverly plotted and full of deeply drawn characters of the morally ambiguous kind.
The hero of our story, acting Sheriff Packard, is an engaging character who is relatable and focused, dealing with loss of his own in more than one way. He also manages to avoid all cliche which is a huge plus for this reader and I believe he'll be appearing in future novels which made me very happy.
The group dynamic and community vibe is enthralling and the author is cleverly insightful making you feel sympathy for both the good and the evil in this literary thriller, you occasionally have to shake yourself and remember who you should be rooting for.
Overall truly excellent. Likely to be one of my books of the year.
May 12, 2022
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Joshua Moehling, and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
New to the work of Joshua Moehling, I thought that this book would make for an interesting read. I was pleasantly surprised as to how smoothly things went, with a dark thriller that carried me through to the final page and left me wanting more. Moehling does well to paint a sinister picture with this story and has me wondering if I ought to return to explore more of his work in the months to come.
When two teens target a house in a remote community, they are hoping to score something to help with their drug high. Little do they know what awaits them there, or that the proprietor has a plan of his own. Wanting to keep the past hidden, Emmett Burr will stop at nothing to silence the teens and keep the past cemented there.
Ben Packard hopes a fresh start in Sandy Lake, Minnesota will help his demeanour. Working as a sheriff’s deputy, Packard hopes to bring security to the community and rewrite his own personal narrative. Leading the investigation to to the two missing teens, Packard is prepared to pull out all the stops and show how effective he can be. With few clues and leads drying up faster than he can process them, Packard will have to rely on his gut and intuition, which is anything but stellar.
As the story reaches its climax, those involved show how a spine-chilling tale can truly grip everyone. A mystery and thriller like no other, Moehling shows that he has what it takes to stand next to others in the genre and make himself known. Easily the best thriller I have read in a while by an author worth of more attention.
Joshua Moehling may not have been on my radar before, but this novel has surely made me take note. I enjoyed the perspexctive he offers throughout and the dedication to the genre exhibited in the story. An eerie tale with some strong character development, Moehling taps into the inner soul of both character and reader, offering a story that will make people take note and want to know more.
While it would be easy to focus all my attention on Ben Packard, I found that there were a handful of great characters who emerged throughout the reading experience. There is a little backstory involved, as well as some great development, all of which feeds into the larger =narrative to keep the story moving, Moehling does well to proponent the reader with something worth their time, without bemoaning too much of the personal lives of the characters involved. I am eager to see how he addresses his characters in other publications, as I was left feeling as though it was a unique approach to much of what I have read lately.
The key to a great story is pulling the reader in from the opening pages. I was hooked before things got too far along and could not get enough. The narrative clipped along and left me fully engaged by the first few chapters, though I was able to steer my way through the plot with some ease. Great characters, developed effectively, kept me on track and the twists came just as I needed them. I am eager to see what else is out there by Joshua Moehling and how this compares to it. Hoping others will discover and devour this book as well, allowing the conversation to grow swiftly.
Kudos, Mr. Moehling, for a great piece. I am pleased to have stumbled upon it and cannot wait for more!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
New to the work of Joshua Moehling, I thought that this book would make for an interesting read. I was pleasantly surprised as to how smoothly things went, with a dark thriller that carried me through to the final page and left me wanting more. Moehling does well to paint a sinister picture with this story and has me wondering if I ought to return to explore more of his work in the months to come.
When two teens target a house in a remote community, they are hoping to score something to help with their drug high. Little do they know what awaits them there, or that the proprietor has a plan of his own. Wanting to keep the past hidden, Emmett Burr will stop at nothing to silence the teens and keep the past cemented there.
Ben Packard hopes a fresh start in Sandy Lake, Minnesota will help his demeanour. Working as a sheriff’s deputy, Packard hopes to bring security to the community and rewrite his own personal narrative. Leading the investigation to to the two missing teens, Packard is prepared to pull out all the stops and show how effective he can be. With few clues and leads drying up faster than he can process them, Packard will have to rely on his gut and intuition, which is anything but stellar.
As the story reaches its climax, those involved show how a spine-chilling tale can truly grip everyone. A mystery and thriller like no other, Moehling shows that he has what it takes to stand next to others in the genre and make himself known. Easily the best thriller I have read in a while by an author worth of more attention.
Joshua Moehling may not have been on my radar before, but this novel has surely made me take note. I enjoyed the perspexctive he offers throughout and the dedication to the genre exhibited in the story. An eerie tale with some strong character development, Moehling taps into the inner soul of both character and reader, offering a story that will make people take note and want to know more.
While it would be easy to focus all my attention on Ben Packard, I found that there were a handful of great characters who emerged throughout the reading experience. There is a little backstory involved, as well as some great development, all of which feeds into the larger =narrative to keep the story moving, Moehling does well to proponent the reader with something worth their time, without bemoaning too much of the personal lives of the characters involved. I am eager to see how he addresses his characters in other publications, as I was left feeling as though it was a unique approach to much of what I have read lately.
The key to a great story is pulling the reader in from the opening pages. I was hooked before things got too far along and could not get enough. The narrative clipped along and left me fully engaged by the first few chapters, though I was able to steer my way through the plot with some ease. Great characters, developed effectively, kept me on track and the twists came just as I needed them. I am eager to see what else is out there by Joshua Moehling and how this compares to it. Hoping others will discover and devour this book as well, allowing the conversation to grow swiftly.
Kudos, Mr. Moehling, for a great piece. I am pleased to have stumbled upon it and cannot wait for more!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
July 17, 2022
Before picking this up, you should know this is more a character-driven, police procedural than a thriller. As the story begins, you know the who, the what, and the why. From there you're just watching the plot move from point A to point B. This was not riveting material.
Ben Packard was a compelling character as a gay sheriff of a small town with gossipy women. But there really wasn't much to work with here. I would be interested to read a second installment with his character, as long as the next one includes more thrills and twists.
Emmitt's POVs were fascinating. Viewing the world through his warped, demented lens was actually interesting - although I could've done without the details of him observing the naked body of the underaged girl he held captive. Too bad we didn't get many of his POV chapters.
This was just meh for me. Nothing to dislike, but nothing to love. If just one twist were added or something was withheld from the reader to offer the smallest amount of suspense, then this could easily be catapulted to a 5-star read.
The audio narrator was spot on, especially for Emmitt's voice. Cheers!
Ben Packard was a compelling character as a gay sheriff of a small town with gossipy women. But there really wasn't much to work with here. I would be interested to read a second installment with his character, as long as the next one includes more thrills and twists.
Emmitt's POVs were fascinating. Viewing the world through his warped, demented lens was actually interesting - although I could've done without the details of him observing the naked body of the underaged girl he held captive. Too bad we didn't get many of his POV chapters.
This was just meh for me. Nothing to dislike, but nothing to love. If just one twist were added or something was withheld from the reader to offer the smallest amount of suspense, then this could easily be catapulted to a 5-star read.
The audio narrator was spot on, especially for Emmitt's voice. Cheers!
February 21, 2022
I’m definitely in the minority with my 2 star rating but this story fell flat for me and I could not connect with any of the characters. DNF at 30%. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my review.
October 3, 2022
This book was like an expansion of a decently written Law and Order SVU episode. No real mystery, some back story so you know the cops are real people and a tidy ending with minimal collateral damage.
February 23, 2022
Is there something wrong with me when I say that I enjoyed this dark, gritty thriller? Did I mention dark?? Every minute I had available I was trying to fit in as much as I could and hated to put it down.
Two teenagers break into a desolate home in hopes of scoring some rx drugs. Things take a quick turn for the worst when we realize very quickly that the homeowner isn't just a bedridden old man in the least. We then switch gears to acting Sherriff Packard who is trying to hunt down the missing teens.
We switch POV's between the homeowner and the Sheriff which I thought was done really well and enhanced the story to see both point of views. While this isn't as much of a mystery to figure out who and why it is something that captivated my attention to figure out how it would unfold.
I'm hoping there is another book coming with Sheriff Packard, I really enjoyed his storyline and think there could be more of his life explored in a future novel.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read an advanced copy. I can't wait to read more from this author.
Two teenagers break into a desolate home in hopes of scoring some rx drugs. Things take a quick turn for the worst when we realize very quickly that the homeowner isn't just a bedridden old man in the least. We then switch gears to acting Sherriff Packard who is trying to hunt down the missing teens.
We switch POV's between the homeowner and the Sheriff which I thought was done really well and enhanced the story to see both point of views. While this isn't as much of a mystery to figure out who and why it is something that captivated my attention to figure out how it would unfold.
I'm hoping there is another book coming with Sheriff Packard, I really enjoyed his storyline and think there could be more of his life explored in a future novel.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read an advanced copy. I can't wait to read more from this author.
March 2, 2022
Well well, Emmett Burr, you are quite a character !
At first glance, Emmett is a typical serial killer, living in a dilapidated house , with little to no hygiene and even less empathy towards other humans. In his basement, he has build a pink room with a sturdy lock. But that was a long time ago, and now he is crippled by back- and jointpains, haunted by the women he killed all those decades ago. And then, just like a butterfly entering a back kitchen door, there is Jenny who is trying to rob him from his oxy. Suddenly, Emmett is forced to make some hard decisions that will affect both of them.
Now, who would have thought that such a villain could be so well crafted that as a reader you can loath him, but also feel some pity, some understanding, and I even found myself rooting for him at a certain point. Kudos to the author for that!
A second character is deputy sheriff Packard, a nice and capable policeman, but with a mystery in his past that still needs to be solved. What a relief from the usual grumpy old sheriff in town. Trying to solve at least part of the things that happened in his past will certainly be the basis for the next installment of Sandy Lake. I'm looking forward to it !
Thank you to NetGalley, Poisened Pen Press and the author for an advance copy.
At first glance, Emmett is a typical serial killer, living in a dilapidated house , with little to no hygiene and even less empathy towards other humans. In his basement, he has build a pink room with a sturdy lock. But that was a long time ago, and now he is crippled by back- and jointpains, haunted by the women he killed all those decades ago. And then, just like a butterfly entering a back kitchen door, there is Jenny who is trying to rob him from his oxy. Suddenly, Emmett is forced to make some hard decisions that will affect both of them.
Now, who would have thought that such a villain could be so well crafted that as a reader you can loath him, but also feel some pity, some understanding, and I even found myself rooting for him at a certain point. Kudos to the author for that!
A second character is deputy sheriff Packard, a nice and capable policeman, but with a mystery in his past that still needs to be solved. What a relief from the usual grumpy old sheriff in town. Trying to solve at least part of the things that happened in his past will certainly be the basis for the next installment of Sandy Lake. I'm looking forward to it !
Thank you to NetGalley, Poisened Pen Press and the author for an advance copy.
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