Beneath a Broken Sky: A Novel

Ben Packard #4

by Joshua Moehling

From award-nominated and USA Today bestselling author Joshua Moehling comes a tense, atmospheric thriller about one detective's search for a mysterious killer in the chaos following a deadly storm…

Detective Ben Packard has put down roots in the small town of Sandy Lake. A difficult thing to do; it's a hot, miserable summer, and a tornado has swept through causing irreparable damage. Trees are felled, homes destroyed, and people are desperate. Worse, the storm has also blown in a group of storm chasers with something to hide.

Then a woman is killed in her home. The mother of a gay boy and unpopular among the locals for the hell she recently raised at school when the administration refused to punish a group of students who were bullying her son, there's almost too many suspects to count. 

But to Packard, the case hits close to home. And when someone from his past shows up on his doorstep out of the blue, he realizes he'll have to confront the reality of navigating life as a gay man in a small town bent on tradition, no matter the cost.

The heat suffocates. The violence simmers. Before the summer is out, someone else will die.

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Thriller, Crime, LGBT, Audiobook

327 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2026

Reviews

[Dutchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has to be the best installment yet in the Ben Packard series!

Ben is investigating yet another murder in Sandy Lake. For such a small town, it sure does see a lot of crime. Along with the investigation, we delve further into Ben’s personal life.

There were a few things that stopped me from rating this five stars. There was a POV that I just didn’t like. Ben is so written so well that it’s a tough act to follow with other characters. Ben’s POV had so much depth and dealt both with personal and the mystery, whereas the second POV was just more a plot advancement. I would always find myself putting the book down during those chapters. Secondly, it felt like there was a subplot, too many. How everything tied together was done perfectly, but the cartel item could’ve been left out for sure. I would’ve preferred more Symphony. These are all just personal preferences; other readers might have found these things perfectly fine, but it’s just what hindered me from giving it five stars. What really drives these books is more character driven along with a unique investigation what makes it hard to put down. They are all resolved and more realistic than OTT.

Now let’s talk about that ending! I need to know how that all panned out! I guess I’ll just have to wait for the next book. There is a next book, right?!

This could possibly be read as a standalone as a lot of the previous installments are mentioned, but not with any spoilers. However, I believe you’ll miss out on knowing who Ben is and what he’s been through if you don’t start from the beginning. And Ben is a great character!

This is definitely a series that I can highly recommend. I’m not big into reading series; I think I’ve read maybe two or three that I’ve stuck with, and this is definitely one of them.

4.5 Stars

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

[annes_mesmerizing_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the past few years I’ve been coming back to two mystery authors. One of them is A. C. Rosen and the other one is Joshua Moehling. It’s not because their series are particularly thrilling. In fact, it’s the opposite. Their books move at a slower pace, but I don’t mind because their characters feel so incredibly human. Add, in the Ben Packard series, how timely each installment feels and I just can’t stop hoping for a new book.

Beneath a Broken Sky, the fourth installment in the series, is about the aftermath of a massive storm. About undocumented workers. About Ben’s past, and at the ways that past shapes his love life. And yes, of course, there are murders too.

I already want to read the next book. Joshua, how could you leave me hanging like that? With that ending? I didn’t want to stop there.

So I loved this one. Again!

If you enjoy mystery novels but love stories about humanity even more, then I urge you to read the Ben Packard series.

Thank you, Poisone Pen Press and NetGalley, for this amazing ARC!

Follow me on Instagram

[Sandra Hoover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Ben Packard is navigating life as a gay man in small town Sandy Lake, Minnesota, having moved there following the death of his partner, Marcus. After devastating tornadoes rip through town, nefarious storm chasers descend upon the town with trees to cut, roofs to repair, and yards to clean up. Tempers smolder as the brutal summer heat blankets the explosive atmosphere already dense from the smoke from brush fires. And now, a woman who recently confronted the school board about the bullying of her gay son is found dead from the hands of an intruder. Suddenly, the facade of a serene, safe small-town cracks, torn apart and divided by whispers, finger pointing and the emergence of dark secrets. As Ben begins a murder investigation, a ghost from his past appears hurling accusations and stirring up old memories he thought he'd buried.

Author Joshua Moehing has raised the bar on the Ben Packard series with Beneath A Broken Sky. He systematically rips apart the idealistic guise of a safe, peaceful town where everyone is welcome, safe, and treated equally. The murder is especially disturbing to Ben as it hits close to home with homophonic undertones nourished by an undercurrent of malevolence, social bias, bigotry and abuse. The symbolism between the devastation of storm damaged property, destruction of the perfect smalltown persona, and the collision of Ben's personal and professional life both past and present are masterfully delivered by the author. I love getting additional insight into Ben's personal life, having the band aid ripped off and watching as he maneuvers his new circumstances with events occurring that are beyond his control.

Beneath A Broken Sky is a highly atmospheric, tension laden, tautly written thriller that I could not put down - my favorite of the series! While this book can most certainly be read as a standalone, the background and character development that begins in book one and continues throughout enhances the enjoyment of reading subsequent books including this one. Highly recommended to fans of tense psychological thrillers with an imperfect yet moral hero with a lot of heart.

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for a complimentary arc of this title for review. Opinions expressed are my own. My favorite of the series to date!!

[Donne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been excited to catch up with Ben and the rest of the gang in Sandy Lake. This was another really good installment of murder and mayhem in small-town Minnesota after a storm that brought in a boatload of opportunists looking to take advantage of resident who are just trying to recover from a tornado along with poor air quality from Canadian fires.

The book summary introduces the two primary storylines: one of the Sandy Lake residents, Connie, who was murdered in her home while her hubby and kids were down at their dock playing and the other is the appearance of Symphony, the sister of Ben’s former lover, Marcus, who was killed in the line of duty before the first installment. It was Marcus’s death that brought Ben back to Sandy Lake years earlier.

Most of the story has Ben and the rest of the Sandy Lake police department investigating the murder of Connie. Then more dead bodies start showing up and Ben and new detective, Reynolds, start to connect the murders and begin looking at the out-of-town contractors who showed up after the storm to pick up some quick jobs.

Then there is Symphony who, apparently, was absolutely clueless that her brother Marcus was gay and doesn’t want to accept that Marcus left everything to Ben when he died. Furthermore, Symphony and Marcus weren’t really that close and had been estranged ever since she went to prison 11yrs ago. Ben is determined to help her not only get back on her feet, now that she is out on parole, but he also wants her to get to know the Marcus that she never knew; the Marcus that he loved.

The continuing character development of Ben was well done as well as for a few other characters like Reynolds and Symphony. Love Jill!!! She is such a badass momma bear. The pacing was steady to fast, especially in the end where there were some scary and intense scenes. The storylines were interesting and the writing on par for the series. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.1 that I will be rounding down to a 4star review. I want to thank NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #PoisonedPenPress #BeneathaBrokenSky

[STEPH · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t really know how to feel about this book. I love Ben and I embrace his sexuality, but this just did not live up to the first book. I felt out of place with this one.

What went wrong for me? The lack of intensity, I guess. I wasn’t interested in the investigations, there wasn’t much emotional pull from the crime itself, and the villain wasn’t scary or resourceful. There was so much going on with Ben’s personal life that it felt forced, even though his preference is a major factor in the series.

There’s something missing that I can’t quite put my finger on. Someone from Ben’s past made an appearance, which I felt was completely unnecessary and didn’t bring any significance to the plot—maybe it was meant for dramatic effect? I don’t know.

Overall, I think I’m done with the series for now.

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The more I learn about Deputy Ben Packard the more I like him. He is a tough guy with a heart of gold. He has had to deal with so much in his life, and he just keeps on going. Being a gay man in a small town is hard enough, he also has to deal with being known as the gay cop in town. I love his attitude, determination and strength.

A violent storm hits Sandy Lake, destroying homes and lives in its aftermath. Storm chasers hit town and tensions are high. Once the storm passes, the air quality deteriorates rapidly with the smoke from the wildfires in Canada. If this isn’t enough, a woman is brutally murdered in her home.

Ben has his hands full all around, on top of all this his past comes back into his present life. He feels like he is abandoning his 3 legged dog Frank by being away working so much.

It is a dark and violent case, at the same time emotional. I would want Ben in my side if I was in trouble. This is book 4, and I feel you need to read these books in order to completely understand Ben and his life.

Thanks so much to Poisoned Pen Press on NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read.

[Tara (on hiatus while my husband recovers from surgery) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Special thank you to Mandy from Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for providing an advance ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

"Beneath a Broken Sky" by Joshua Moehling remains an outstanding addition to what is quickly becoming one of my favourite police procedural series. Every time I revisit Sandy Lake, I am reminded why Detective Ben Packard is such a compelling and genuinely human character. This latest installment raises the stakes both emotionally and atmospherically.

Set against the intense aftermath of a devastating tornado, the novel radiates heat, tension, and unease. Moehling’s skillful writing effectively captures the oppressive humidity and simmering unrest of a small Minnesota town trying to rebuild amid chaos. The introduction of secretive storm chasers adds an undercurrent of suspicion, but it is the murder of a contentious local mother that truly drives the story forward. The victim’s passionate advocacy for her bullied gay son makes the case complex and painfully relevant, with numerous motives hidden among the townspeople.

What continues to set this series apart is the emotional depth Moehling brings to Ben Packard. This case hits close to home, and as someone from Ben’s past resurfaces, we see him confront personal truths about identity, belonging, and what it means to live openly in a traditional small-town community. The balance between procedural investigation and personal reflection is handled deftly. Nothing feels forced; every thread—emotional and investigative—fits together with clear purpose.

The pacing is sharp, the atmosphere immersive, and the ending profoundly satisfying. By the time the final pages arrive, the sense of impending tragedy, hinted at from the outset, hits with full impact. I was thoroughly engaged from start to finish.

This series has become a must-read for me, and I eagerly await more from Joshua Moehling—I love Ben’s three-legged Corgi, Frank, and the witty banter between Ben and his partner, Detective Jill Theilen, which adds levity to deeper themes. While the series can be enjoyed out of order, following the characters' development enriches the overall reading experience. Readers gain insight into Ben’s background and the influences shaping him. The mystery remains compelling, but what truly keeps me engaged is Ben’s unwavering dedication to his work, community, and his quiet, persistent quest for where he truly belongs—

[Brenda ~The Sisters~Book Witch · Rating 2 out of 5]

Detective Ben Packard is navigating life as a gay man in a small town that’s pretty set in its traditional ways, and a lot of the story focuses on his personal life. Now, I’ve only read the first book in the series, so maybe if I had more of his history, this would have landed differently. But for me, it ended up overshadowing the crime a bit. I just wasn’t all that interested in the personal side of things, and it slowed the pacing down.

There are a few twists and turns, but the plot started to feel overly convoluted, carrying more weight than it needed to. Instead of pulling me in, it kind of had the opposite effect. This definitely wasn’t one of those “just one more chapter” reads for me, and I found myself not really wanting to pick it up again.

There’s also a lot of time spent talking through the murders and working out the details of the case. And maybe this is just me, but I like trying to piece things together myself while I’m reading. Here, it felt like the story was doing a lot of the explaining, instead of letting the reader play detective along the way.

In the end, this one just didn’t quite hook me, though readers who enjoy a slower, more methodical mystery might find more to appreciate here.

This was a Witches Words buddy read with Debra, Carolyn and Dorie.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley

[Ten Cats Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early thoughts: The style doesn't feel natural to me, with all the peppy snappy dialogue holding up a fun house mirror to ... wide spread damage and loss?

Feeling: Yeah, it's odd.

I’m curious about: Not much. Mysteries need something special to make me love them!

"“I don’t get to do whatever I want.” She looked like she wanted to jab a finger between his eyes. “I’m a felon with a mental illness. That money won’t get me off parole. It won’t erase what I did to my baby or cure my cancer. I’m rebuilding my life my way. I don’t want that money.”" p273

Final thoughts: To begin with,
I deeply appreciate this author for showing his mentally ill characters so much compassion. But I promise you... she would've taken the money. If for no other reason than maintaining treatment for mental illness is obscenely expensive. So good job, author, but also... stop moralizing our disenfranchisement.


What worked:
💜 Shameless queer representation is always for me, honestly!
🎢 I find pace as a fiction element to be tricky. I can tell when an author has labored carefully over their form, because it shows up in the pace. Either it's smooth, or it's not. I like how the story unfolds here. The pace is break-neck, but the focus is tight. The descents into no-brake-zones feel planned and keep the story moving.

What didn’t:
😵 I’m absolutely sick to death of the miniature female lead women’s fiction trope. According to CDC/NCHS data, and like a bunch of math, 90% of women in the U.S. are taller than 5'0". When aliens catalog our cultural remains in a million years, they’re going to think human women were somehow more susceptible than men to the effects of gravity. And also, all of this would be impressive no matter how tall she is: "She was barely five feet tall out of her boots, but inside that small package was a spring under tension always ready to explode. He’d lost count of how many Ironmans she’d completed. She was trained in grappling and defensive tactics." p

Who this is for: fans of fast pace and beautiful queer rep. A solid mystery here.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5

Content Notes:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Severe storm, natural disaster, widespread property damage and loss, journalistic erosion, tiny women trope, murder, grievous wounding,

[Julie (JuJu) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5/5

This is the fourth Ben Packard book, and somehow I managed to skip books two and three. I adore Moehling’s writing, so I’m not sure how I let those slip by.

Thanks to the author and publisher for the #giftedARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Ben Packard works as a detective in the tight-knit Minnesota town of Sandy Lake, where blending in is never easy. As a gay man in a place that doesn’t always open its arms, this case lands a little too close for comfort.

A tornado just tore through town, leaving behind shattered homes, toppled trees, and the wild confusion that follows disaster. Then, as if things weren’t chaotic enough, a woman is found murdered in her home. At first, the trail is ice-cold.

As Ben digs deeper, the list of suspects multiplies. Storm chasers swarm the town, and some seem more interested in secrets than storms. The victim’s family even brought one into their home, which instantly set off my thriller senses. Add in the victim’s gay son and a prom-night scandal that has everyone talking, and the plot thickens.

I’m hooked on this series, and while I managed to get by after skipping two books, I definitely sensed the gaps. You can dive into this one on its own, but if you’re already invested, treat yourself and read them in order.

This book is moody, tense, and brimming with that small-town vibe where secrets simmer just beneath the surface. The moment I can, I’ll be hunting down the two books I missed to fill in the blanks!

[Louis Muñoz · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4. I've been meaning to read this author for a few years now. I ended up getting a digital ARC of this book ahead of its publication, so figured I would start with this book, not realizing till after I started reading that this is not a stand-alone but actually the fourth in a series. It worked out well; yes, there were certain spoilers regarding outcomes of previous cases worked by the main character, Ben Packard, as well as about things that had happened to him before, but nothing that I think most readers would mind finding out about.

Regarding the book itself, this was a solid read and kept me engaged right from the start. The mysteries - one central one, but several additional ones - were well-plotted and executed, and the author interwove various threads quite well, I felt. One example is a side story involving a seasonal worker named Charlie, who figures prominently throughout, and I wondered how what was happening with him was going to connect with the main story. Let's just say the connections played out interestingly and convincingly.

One of the reasons I was drawn to this author was the book having a gay main character working to solve crimes in rural Minnesota, and I was not disappointed. The MC had depth and flaws and was (mostly) believable and relatable, and I'm looking forward to going to the first three books in the series and hoping the author continues the series past this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publishers for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

[ᒪᗴᗩᕼ]

DNF AT 37%.
This felt like it was trying too hard to be relevant and forgot about being a murder mystery. I was bored. The first book is the only good one, in my opinion.

[mtrics · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thought I had this book figured out right from the first few pages—I had previously read another novel with a motive that could have fit. By 40% of the novel, I was convinced of my theory: every detail fit so neatly. I should have known better than to doubt how twisty this series's mysteries can be!

This one is definitely a return to form for the series. While the first book blew me away when I first read it (I love a good howcatchem, where you know who the killer is and how they did it, but follow how they're stopped; they're so rare!), I wasn't a fan of the second, and the third made me quite worried (admittedly, half of it was just how unlucky that release timing was 😬). This new opus has a lot of heart and poignant themes. I was completely taken by the mystery, enjoyed seeing old favorites from Sandy Lake around, and grew attached to the new cast, though of course, I knew no one was safe. Some of those deaths got me misty-eyed! Thankfully, the concerns that grew in me during the last book were also laid to rest.

Ben Packard's arc is the throughline stitching all the books together, and he's really coming into his own. While he's charming right from book one, I've been enjoying seeing him grow a spine: he had me laughing out loud in the last book with his comebacks ("That's not like me at all!"), and in this one, I appreciated him finally standing up for himself and his (queer) community, as well as coming out of his shell. A clear progress from all the derogatory innuendos he'd just let slide in the first couple of books.

I appreciate Joshua Moehling's commitment to realism. I believe it's hard to write fiction extrapolating from our real-life contemporary setting and dodging the related *gestures broadly* minefield, while keeping it entertaining; avoiding tropes, clichés, or cinematic twists without substance. My personal preference would be for the books to stay away from mentioning real-life events (George Floyd's murder, COVID, Canadian wildfires), because now we've walked into a really sticky situation. I'm worried about the next books possibly dealing with the ICE raids & subsequent citizen assassinations in Minneapolis; all while decrying "why can't we all get along?", a statement sure to alienate most politically-inclined readers, no matter where they stand on the """issue""". But I also understand the author's choice: after all, what's the point of building up such a strong sense of setting, of writing such a love letter to Minnesota, if you can't draw from its well of history? So now I can only send the author an agnostic prayer and wish him good luck with *gestures broadly* all of that.

I've said since the first book that I also admire Joshua Moehling's writing; it has only gotten more evocative throughout the series while still avoiding the pitfall of becoming flowery. It's always no-nonsense prose in service of the plot. My favorite kind 😁. No matter the detours the story takes, I always trust it'll all be tied together in a satisfying manner by the end. And the ending! This one had me choking on my tongue!

I saw the author signed with his publisher for two more books in the series, plus one unrelated standalone. I'm so looking forward to them, I really can't wait! I hold this series near and dear to my heart, and I'm so glad I'll have the opportunity to read more very soon!

[Kurryreads (Kerry) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTSSkVVRu/

[Kim Novak (The Reading Rx) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I say how much I love this series? Ben Packard is one of my favorite crime-solving characters of all time. He is just so full of humanity and reflection on the world he is living in. He gets people on a whole other level.

I also feel this a Joshua Moehling's best delivery of the crime mystery. While I was able to pick out pieces and parts of the "who", the interconnectedness and the why kept me guessing until the very end. The incorporation of current events and vibes in Minnesota was executed with care and added the social commentary needed for this story. I am anxious to read the next installment in this wonderful series!

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

[sniksnak · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the sweltering heat of a Minnesota summer, thick wildfire smoke suffocates the air as Sandy Lake battles to recover from the devastation wrought by a tornado.
Detective Ben Packard finds himself entangled in a murder investigation involving a mother who fiercely defended her bullied son. This case stirs suspicion and forces Ben to confront his identity as a gay man in a traditionally conservative community. As someone from his past resurfaces, reopening the wound of his late partner Marcus’ death, Ben must grapple with these challenges.
The book creates a tense and oppressive atmosphere, gradually building toward inevitable violence. Beneath the surface, an underlying unease and simmering tension permeate the narrative that kept me in a state of suspense.
**I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with the opportunity to read this gifted ebook in exchange for an honest review.
#ARC #NetGalley
#BeneathABrokenSky

[Gareth Jones-Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic read

[Aaron Todd Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

tt: @theaarontodd | ig: @aarontoddreads

📖 Aaron Reads | Book Review

Beneath a Broken Sky x Joshua Moehling
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Do I Recommend? Yes, but I’d recommend starting with book one

Release Date: May 26, 2026
Format: Ebook
ARC: NetGalley / Publisher

⭐ Star Rating: 4.5/5
🔪 AT Intensity Rating: 2.5/5
📄 Page Count: 336

Quick Plot Points:
🌪️ Small-town storm damage
🔎 Murder investigation
🏳️‍🌈 Queer identity + community tension
🚔 Character-driven detective series
🌀 Secrets, suspects, and personal stakes

One-Sentence Take:
I jumped into this series at book four because the publisher sent me a digital ARC, and instead of feeling lost, it made me want to go back and read the first three immediately.

Review:
I really enjoyed this one, even though I have not read the first three books, which 100% impacted my experience. This can be read as a standalone, but I definitely felt like I was missing some of the emotional history behind Ben and the larger character dynamics. There was one plot that was completely dependent on context from a previous book.

That being said, it actually made me want to go back and read the rest of the series. Ben is such a compelling character, and I loved how his personal life carried just as much weight as the murder investigation.

The mystery was layered, tense, and super readable, with the storm damage adding this bleak feeling of dread to the whole town. I did think there was maybe one subplot too many, and one POV didn’t hit quite as hard, but it still came together really well.

Overall, this was a strong, character-driven police procedural with real emotional stakes. As a gay man, I’m mostly excited that a character like Ben exists. I’m obviously a huge thriller fan, police procedural being one of my favorite sub genres, and it’s really cool to see myself the romantic/ emotional aspects of this type of story.

Thank you, Joshua Moehling for creating Ben and for a gay character where the focus isn’t solely on the challenges of being queer. It was nice watching Ben navigate normal relationship dynamics, like any other character in any other thriller would.

And the ending??? I need another book ASAP!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars
Ben Packard is a gay detective and is a sheriff's deputy in Sandy Lake, a small town in Minnesota. When a destructive storm rips through the town, it does extensive damage to trees and homes in the area, including Ben's house. It also leads to a group of storm chasers coming to town to remove fallen trees and repair roofs, but they bring some trouble along with them. While literally picking up the pieces in his home, Ben is working on a case in which a woman is killed in her home.

The book alternates between Ben working the case, a few things going on in Ben's personal life, and conflicts between the travelling workers. Maybe because I've not read the prior books, but I was most interested in the case, although I did like getting to know Ben. The book is very atmospheric due to the aftermath of the storm damage, and the mood is often gloomy. The case is fully resolved, but a huge cliffhanger, reminiscent of a daytime drama, in Ben's personal life happens at the very end. I definitely want to find out what happens next, In the meantime, I want to go back and read the prior books in the series that I've missed.

I received a copy of this book from Poisoned Pen Press, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

[Christina Faris (books_by_the_bottle) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Joshua Moehling, Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC!

Ben Packard is trying to settle into life in Sandy Lake, but the town is reeling after a tornado wrecks havoc during a brutal summer heatwave. When a local woman is murdered—a woman facing controversy for defending her bullied son— everyone is a suspect. As Packard investigates, the case quicks turns personal, especially when someone from his past suddenly returns…

Ben Packard is my biggest book crush, even if he will never love me back quite the same way - lol! He’s one of my favorite characters and I was pumped to get an early copy of this one! (Also, my Barnes & Noble pre-order came early so I could add this beauty to my shelves!) I found this book to be a little different from the previous ones in the series. Ben has settled and found his footing, and that almost made his pace a little different here - it felt like coming home, if that makes sense. I absolutely loved taking this part of the journey with Ben, as he has a home, friends and love interest (or two!) The case also became deeply personal, as Ben related so much to it. Add in a surprise person from his past and I just wanted to give him a hug. The ending, though, made me chuckle - what’s my boy going to do?! And how am I going to wait for the next book to find out? Lol!
I truly love this character and this series so much - Ben is such a likeable character and he has grown so much too. Did I mention there’s also a dog?

“Beneath a Broken Sky” releases May 26, 2026. This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joshua Moehling's Beneath a Broken Sky is set in Broken Sky, Minnesota. It feels almost like a Southern crime story. It maintains its George Floyd "police as bigoted killers" Midwestern identity by shifting the hate to gays and illegals. A woman is killed while her husband and sons are out on their boat. This eliminates the husband as the prime suspect. Deputy Ben Packard is faced with the next most likely possibility- the aftermath of a hate crime directed at the family's gay son. When that avenue fails, the influx of cash only transient businessmen trying to benefit from recent storm damage suggests other possibilities. The tree removal and roofing crews are frequently made up of illegals. As Packard continues his search for the killer, more deaths and violence that might be related surface. What starts out as a simple plot becomes complex. Packard and another gay officer are the heroes in this book, but Packard's other relationships enable this book to transcend the current trend of beefing up the role of a token gay officer. Packard cares about his coworker who is on maternity leave. He meets his dead boyfriend's sister and helps her to come to terms with the realization that her brother was gay. Perhaps his toughest conversation is with a college student and former roofing crew member; the young man went from hazing the murdered woman's son and helping to bury a child to providing Packard with crime solving information. Moehling shows a mystery writer can create an intelligent plot that still delivers suspense and violence.

[Quanisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely worth the wait!! Can’t wait for the next book!! 😭😭😭

[Hot Mess Book Lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Beneath a Broken Sky" is nothing short of fantastic. Moehling’s characters are superb and developed with incredible depth; I found myself deeply invested in the entire cast. The wit and banter are top-notch, providing a perfect balance to the tension. While I was a little disappointed not to see Mama Packard this time around, it just gives me an excuse to revisit Homicide for the Holidays. Moehling definitely has a way of making Sandy Lake feel like a real place you could visit (for better or worse). He has a true knack for layering a mystery within a mystery, and his ability to weave in meaningful representation while keeping every detail relevant is impressive. I cannot wait to see where Packard and the rest of the Sandy Lake crew head next!

[Cara Elizabeth | justanotherbookishgal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have loved so much every Ben Packard book I’ve read, so it hurts me to give this 3 stars. However, for me, 3 stars means there were some good moments. Just not a lot stood out to me.

This one leans more into Ben and his relationship too, which I didn’t mind. Probably the more enjoyable parts actually. I just wish the plot as a whole had been more interesting. The first half of the book truly felt like it moved at a glacial pace. Usually with these books I’m flying through them. But it took me so long to get to the 50% mark. Unfortunately I didn’t care too much about the murders and what happened or how it all connected. The pace sped up for the last 25% or so which helped. All in all, this one felt different than the previous books in the series and it unfortunately didn’t work as well for me.

[Leah M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rounded to 4.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had initially discovered this wonderful series through a NetGalley ARC, and have been a huge fan since the very first book. Book one was gripping and beautifully told, and I loved the idea of a queer detective who left Minneapolis for the shores of Sandy Lake, Minnesota in the wake of a tragedy. He already had ties to Sandy Lake through family vacations, and navigates the politics and prejudices of small-town living. So it was a given that I was going to read this one, even if I didn’t quite get to it before the publication date.

The first thing I noticed was how much the atmosphere contributed to the story. Dealing with the aftermath of serious damage from a severe storm, Sandy Lake is also facing an especially hot summer, and smoke from Canadian wildfires affects the air quality. The descriptions of the oppressive heat, smoky haze, and storm damage all made this so easy to visualize that the weather practically jumped off the page. I found myself fanning myself while reading, even though I was in an air-conditioned house. Unless you’ve experienced a catastrophic weather event, it can be hard to imagine what goes through your mind during a hurricane, tornado, derecho, or typhoon. But the impact can last long beyond the storm itself—downed trees and power lines, damage to homes and cars, and it often takes a lot of work to repair damages.

In this story, we discover that Packard is not immune to the effects of the storm. He’s got a gaping hole in his roof and massive water damage to the home he has been slowly restoring in his free time. Instead, we see how the case got in the way of Packard’s home, and he’s limited in which parts of the home he is able to use. Additionally, he bounces around quite a bit and winds up having to board his dog, Frank, who has become one of my favorite characters, along with Packard himself. A three-legged Corgi that Packard rescued, I loved that he isn’t just a side mention—he’s mentioned in many scenes and Moehling truly captured not only the responsibility that a pet involves, he also perfectly captured the bond that exists between a human and their dog.

There are a lot of moving parts in the story, and I was able to focus and process them easily while reading the ebook, but I’m not sure I would have been able to follow the complexities of the plot, the many twists and turns, and the various subplots that arose.
Aside from the recent homophobic vandalism directed towards a teenager, the murder of his mother in their own home, and Packard working to solve all these mysteries with limited assistance from the sheriff. In addition to that, elements from Packard’s past in Minneapolis come up, one of whom was a major surprise. I really enjoyed seeing how things unfolded with the various people Packard surrounds himself with—Thielen, a coworker who has become a close friend; a cop that he worked with in Minneapolis; and the potential romance that has been building for quite some time with Kyle, a local brewer.

For me, the middle part of the novel moved a little slowly, probably to accommodate all the new characters present in the story. In addition, there are a lot of characters who are new to the story—all the storm damage has attracted various construction crews to the area, including roofers and a tree cutting crew. They do play a major role in the story and how everything works out, but it did leave the cast of characters feeling a bit overcrowded. However, I really enjoyed Darla’s banter with Packard, and the use of humor in the story was wonderful. I especially liked Packard’s interaction with a suspect in the homophobic vandalism case. As an openly gay man in a small-town, he typically lets things roll off his back, but there’s one scene where a character gets under Packard’s skin. I couldn’t help but chuckle at his closing words to the suspect:

“‘The next time you feel like bullying a f****t [homophobic slur], you come and see me. I’ll beat your ass,’ Packard said, leaning in close enough that he could smell the peppermint flavor of Darrel’s chew and his bad breath behind it. ‘Don’t believe me? F**k around and find out. I dare you.’”

The humor added a bit of levity to the serious events occurring in Sandy Lake, and chapters were told from Packard’s perspective, but also that of a transient alcoholic worker on a roof crew named Charlie. I thought both perspectives were done really well. Charlie really does embody someone with advanced alcoholism with his thoughts and behaviors, and I always love seeing Packard’s chapters. Charlie also provides as much background as he knows or uncovers about the other men on the crew.

Overall, this was an outstanding addition to the series, even if it was a touch slow in the middle section. It dealt with some difficult topics, like homophobia, immigration, small town-politics, and addiction, along with the checkered pasts of some of the transient workers. This gave the feeling that everyone had a secret to hide, including people in the town. Charlie’s chapters give us insight into the crew, even if it was difficult to figure out who was really responsible for the murder. There were some plot twists that I saw coming, but for the most part I found myself relatively surprised and genuinely excited to see what would happen next. An atmospheric read, this was done really well, even if it was a bit unevenly paced and a little crowded with characters. It still made me thrilled to step into the world of Sandy Lake again, and I’m already eagerly anticipating the next book.

Bottom line: A great addition to the series, this one is chock full of subplots and suspicious characters, with a little humor to lighten the heavy mood of the mystery.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Joshua Moehling for the physical copy in exchange for my honest review.

📝 Summary

After a deadly tornado tears through Sandy Lake, Detective Ben Packard is pulled into a murder investigation during a summer already heavy with heat, damage, tension, and fear. When a woman connected to a painful local conflict is killed in her home, Packard has no shortage of suspects. As the case unfolds, he is also forced to face pieces of his own life, his past, and what it means to build a future in a town that does not always make room for people who are different.

💭 My Review

I absolutely loved Beneath a Broken Sky.

This was a five star read for me, and honestly, I am fully sold on Joshua Moehling now. I have fallen for this series, I love Ben Packard, and I already know I need to go back and read the other books because this one completely pulled me in.

One thing I really appreciated is how easy it was to become invested in the story. The writing is so smooth, atmospheric, and gripping without trying too hard. The storm damage, the suffocating summer heat, the small town tension, and the murder investigation all worked together to create this heavy, unsettled feeling that stayed with me the whole time.

Ben Packard is such a strong character. I loved following him as a detective, but I also loved the personal layers woven into the story. His life, his past, and the reality of being a gay man in a small town added so much emotional weight without ever taking away from the mystery. It made the book feel richer and more grounded.

The case itself kept me hooked. There were plenty of suspects, messy local dynamics, secrets, resentment, and that constant feeling that everyone knew more than they were saying. I love a mystery where the town feels just as important as the crime, and Sandy Lake definitely had that energy.

What really worked for me was the balance between the investigation and the character work. The book was tense and suspenseful, but it also had heart. I cared about Ben. I cared about what he was uncovering. I cared about the people affected by the violence and the choices being made around them.

Joshua Moehling’s writing just works for me. It feels sharp, emotional, easy to fall into, and hard to put down. This is the kind of mystery series that makes me want to start from the beginning and fully live in the world for a while.

✅ Would I Recommend It?

Absolutely. If you enjoy atmospheric small town mysteries, strong detective characters, emotional depth, and stories with tension simmering under every page, I would definitely recommend this one. I loved it, and I cannot wait to read more from this aut

[LindaPf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Ben Packard #4 and may there be many more. Ben is still a deputy, but his status as an investigator has risen, since the political misfit who beat him in the sheriff’s election is swamped with the administrative minutiae of staying sheriff. Ben had been the likable acting sheriff of Sandy Lake County in Minnesota, an otherwise sleepy place with underlying mysteries. He’s a gay man, but that’s his private business (which we do learn more about in this installment). Frank, his adorable 3-legged Corgi and pre-rinser of dishes, returns as well, but unfortunately is under the care of a dog sitter for the better part of the story.

“Beneath a Broken Sky” is aptly titled. A tornado, or something equally fierce, has destroyed a lot of Sandy Lake, Minnesota. Ben’s slow home remodeling is stopped when his chimney crumbles and puts a hole in the ceiling of one of the rooms he had already finished. There’s lots of tree damage with itinerant, non-licensed, cash-only storm-chasing tree removal and roof repair gangs roaming northern Minnesota. To say this thriller is “atmospheric” is an understatement. The storm aftermath is everywhere and the smoke from Canadian wildfires is literally breathtaking. Moehling titles chapters by the days and their miserable air quality indexes.

Yet again this is a steady police procedural, the central mystery is the murder of Ashley, the mother of a bullied gay teenager, whose home is also storm damaged and whose husband has an airtight alibi.

Ben is also dealing with the ghost of Marcus, his last steady lover, a Metro policeman killed in the line of duty when his estranged sister angrily shows up. His team is still stellar and supportive — Suresh is a highlight who is utilizing AI to summarize local camera footage and locate suspicious vehicles. We also get the intermittent viewpoint of Charlie, a black out drunk with a sketchy past leading a team of migrant roofers who work hard during the day and party hard at night.

Again, I loved this fourth story in the series and I want more of Ben Packard. It’s great to see Ben grow within his community, earn the trust of his constituents, expand his circle of friends, possibly find romance, and prove to be a lawman with integrity. 5 stars!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO None again this time (in fact, no eye colors mentioned at all).
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO The mangy marigolds are probably being decimated by slugs or earwigs.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I’ve been in the mood for a good detective novel, here comes the newest Ben Packard book!

One of the things I like about the books in this series is the balance of the main plot and the details that build out Packard’s character and backstory. I also thought the dual POVs were done well, though if I remember correctly, the author does not always do this in his books. The first book also did this – alternating between Packard’s POV and the killer’s - but it gave more away in the process, which made the mystery element a little less intriguing in that book. In this one, I felt like it enhanced the mystery, giving the reader interesting tidbits that Packard doesn’t know, but not revealing the answers outright.

Weirdly enough, this installment in the series also had a somewhat misleading blurb (the last one did as well) but this time I think it was totally unintentional. Maybe it’s just because I live in tornado alley, but when I hear the words “storm chasers,” I think of meteorologists who go out tornado spotting on severe weather days. I was halfway through the book and getting very confused about when the “storm chasers with something to hide” were going to show up before I realized that they were using it to mean the work crews who show up in the aftermath of a big storm to make money cleaning up and repairing roofs and such. Apparently this is a secondary use of the term. Personally, I’ve never heard it before. I’m aware this is a petty gripe but misleading blurbs are a bit of a pet peeve.

Overall, 4.5 stars rounded up. If you like mystery/thrillers and you’re not reading this series yet, jump on it, it’ll be worth your time.

I received an advance copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Suzette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beneath A Broken Sky by Joshua Moehling is an outstanding continuation of a series that just keeps getting better. From the very first page, I was hooked by the suspense, the warmth of the characters, and the vivid depiction of small-town life.

Ben and his dedicated team of officers are truly the heart of this story. Each member brings their own unique strengths and personality, and together they create a dynamic and believable group that keeps you rooting for them every step of the way. They work tirelessly to solve the crimes plaguing their rural community, and their camaraderie and determination light up every page.

What I love most about this book—and the series as a whole—is that it’s not just about solving crimes. It’s also a heartfelt story of family, community, and romance. The way Moehling weaves in the personal lives of the characters makes you feel deeply invested in them, and the romantic cliffhanger at the end leaves you eager for the next installment.

If you enjoy small-town mysteries filled with heart, suspense, and characters you’ll love like old friends, Beneath A Broken Sky is an absolute must-read.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Storm devastation, murder, wildfire smoke, unexpected guests and more! Detective Ben Packard is back in an atmospheric, action-packed fourth installment in the series. Beneath a Broken Sky is told in alternating POVs which had my brain working hard trying to connect all the dots and solve the crime before Ben and his crew could do so. The storm aftermath details were so vivid and well written that it brought up memories and big feelings for me from the Iowa 2020 derecho. I could easily see and hear the crews of roofers and tree removal services working in Sandy Lake. The oppressive humidity and thick Canadian wildfire smoke adds a layer of irritation that affects everyone in town, and it gave a haunting, eerie feeling to the hunt for a killer. There is a lot going on and Ben Packard keeps his cool and his focus, and eventually solves the murder all while dealing with his own personal growth journey. Hello, I need book five ASAP!

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the DRC in exchange for my honest review.