What do you think?
Rate this book
Beneath a Broken Sky: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 26 May 26From 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.
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.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 26, 2026
8134 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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
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
February 10, 2026
Great read! I thoroughly enjoyed this and the way it was written. The protagonist was excellent, had depth and warmth. The plot was good and kept my attention throughout, it flowed really well - a real page turner. I will definitely be reading more of this author’s work.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for my gifted copy!
“The way to get through this disaster and the one after that and the one after that was to ask for help and share resources and grieve what had been lost. A bridge, a riverbank, so many trees. A long time from now, when the people of Sandy Lake told stories about the summer of the storm, he hoped it was with a sense of awe at their strength and resilience, and he hoped the stories came from a place of comfort, and not some dark, unimaginable future that made them long for the past.”
The warmth of returning to Sandy Lake, of reading Joshua Moehling’s words, of spending time with Ben Packard again, is one of my favorite experiences. Moehling has something special going on with this world he’s crafted. It’s unfortunate that I’ve never been to Minnesota, but it feels familiar. Like home. Because of how well Moehling writes. Because of how he reminds me of how much I love the deep winters and suffocating summers of the Midwest.
I’ve spent four (and a half) books with Ben Packard. Four years so far, and it feels like watching him grow. You know when you start a series, and you meet these characters that you can tell are special. You finished the series, you’ve grown with the characters, and you go back for a rewatch. You realize how much the actors also grew with their characters. You see the actors settle into who they’re playing, and they become more fully developed. You see more and more unique traits shine through. That’s how it feels over these past four years with Ben Packard. His humor gets even more unhinged and funny, and his character fleshes out more and more. I truly mean it when I say he is one of my favorite characters of all time.
Beneath a Broken Sky was emotional. It took me back to last summer when taking a walk outside was suffocating because of the smoke from Canadian wildfires. The simmering anxiety, the tight chest, the exhaustion, the worry for Mother Nature. I could feel that same worry and fear in this book, and the plot reaffirms this. Disturbing murders, a cast of villains, with brilliant social commentary.
I think this is the darkest Packard book yet, and I loved it. It has a haze about it, a darkness that pulls you in, and it was beautiful. I was emotional finishing it, because I didn’t want it to end.
“The way to get through this disaster and the one after that and the one after that was to ask for help and share resources and grieve what had been lost. A bridge, a riverbank, so many trees. A long time from now, when the people of Sandy Lake told stories about the summer of the storm, he hoped it was with a sense of awe at their strength and resilience, and he hoped the stories came from a place of comfort, and not some dark, unimaginable future that made them long for the past.”
The warmth of returning to Sandy Lake, of reading Joshua Moehling’s words, of spending time with Ben Packard again, is one of my favorite experiences. Moehling has something special going on with this world he’s crafted. It’s unfortunate that I’ve never been to Minnesota, but it feels familiar. Like home. Because of how well Moehling writes. Because of how he reminds me of how much I love the deep winters and suffocating summers of the Midwest.
I’ve spent four (and a half) books with Ben Packard. Four years so far, and it feels like watching him grow. You know when you start a series, and you meet these characters that you can tell are special. You finished the series, you’ve grown with the characters, and you go back for a rewatch. You realize how much the actors also grew with their characters. You see the actors settle into who they’re playing, and they become more fully developed. You see more and more unique traits shine through. That’s how it feels over these past four years with Ben Packard. His humor gets even more unhinged and funny, and his character fleshes out more and more. I truly mean it when I say he is one of my favorite characters of all time.
Beneath a Broken Sky was emotional. It took me back to last summer when taking a walk outside was suffocating because of the smoke from Canadian wildfires. The simmering anxiety, the tight chest, the exhaustion, the worry for Mother Nature. I could feel that same worry and fear in this book, and the plot reaffirms this. Disturbing murders, a cast of villains, with brilliant social commentary.
I think this is the darkest Packard book yet, and I loved it. It has a haze about it, a darkness that pulls you in, and it was beautiful. I was emotional finishing it, because I didn’t want it to end.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When I saw that Netgalley was offering this book for review, I pounced on it. I have read several other books in the Ben Packard series and loved them. Thus, I anticipated that this one would be good as well. I think that Joshua Moehling keeps getting better, and this book did not disappoint. The pacing, character development, and vivid descriptions were similar to those in his previous books, keeping the book lively and fast-moving.
The story focuses on the murder of Ashley Turner, a young mother of two boys, Jake and Noah, and the wife of Tom. The family had just finished lunch, and Tom and the boys went wakeboarding on the lake while Ashley cleaned up the lunch things. It was then that an intruder broke into her house and killed her at knifepoint.
The author described scenes from the story with thoughtfulness and vivid detail. For example, his description of Ashley’s body on the kitchen floor was superb, making the reader feel as if he/she was right there. The author also used foreshadowing in his prologue, depicting most of the events that happened in the story. As the story unfolds, the reader sees the context for each of these events.
A shady roofing company from out of state, the bullying of Noah at school for being gay, and a philandering husband all figure into the story. As the story progresses, we discover that the people in Shady Lake are not at all as they seem. Themes of loyalty, acceptance, illegal immigration, bullying, and abuse are part of the fabric of the story.
The weather and other environmental issues played a big part in this story. Shady Lake, Minnesota, had just experienced a severe storm where roofs were lost and trees felled. There were fires in Canada that compromised the air quality, making it difficult to breathe. Devastation was everywhere in this little town, and people were attempting to rebuild what they could. Packard’s house was partially destroyed as well.
Finally, Ben Packard is gay, a fact that I learned from the first book that I read in this series. He has difficulty “fitting in” in this small, close-knit community and must prove himself to be a worthy sheriff. One of the ways that he does this is by befriending Noah, Ashley’s older son, who is gay.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me to read and comment on this wonderful book.
The story focuses on the murder of Ashley Turner, a young mother of two boys, Jake and Noah, and the wife of Tom. The family had just finished lunch, and Tom and the boys went wakeboarding on the lake while Ashley cleaned up the lunch things. It was then that an intruder broke into her house and killed her at knifepoint.
The author described scenes from the story with thoughtfulness and vivid detail. For example, his description of Ashley’s body on the kitchen floor was superb, making the reader feel as if he/she was right there. The author also used foreshadowing in his prologue, depicting most of the events that happened in the story. As the story unfolds, the reader sees the context for each of these events.
A shady roofing company from out of state, the bullying of Noah at school for being gay, and a philandering husband all figure into the story. As the story progresses, we discover that the people in Shady Lake are not at all as they seem. Themes of loyalty, acceptance, illegal immigration, bullying, and abuse are part of the fabric of the story.
The weather and other environmental issues played a big part in this story. Shady Lake, Minnesota, had just experienced a severe storm where roofs were lost and trees felled. There were fires in Canada that compromised the air quality, making it difficult to breathe. Devastation was everywhere in this little town, and people were attempting to rebuild what they could. Packard’s house was partially destroyed as well.
Finally, Ben Packard is gay, a fact that I learned from the first book that I read in this series. He has difficulty “fitting in” in this small, close-knit community and must prove himself to be a worthy sheriff. One of the ways that he does this is by befriending Noah, Ashley’s older son, who is gay.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me to read and comment on this wonderful book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"Beneath a Broken Sky" by Joshua Moehling is another outstanding installment in what has quickly become one of my all-time favorite series. Each time I return to Sandy Lake, I’m reminded of why Detective Ben Packard is such a compelling and deeply human character. This latest entry raises the stakes both emotionally and atmospherically.
Set against the sweltering aftermath of a devastating tornado, the novel radiates heat, tension, and unease. Moehling’s writing effectively captures the suffocating humidity and simmering unrest of a small town struggling to rebuild. The arrival of secretive storm chasers adds an undercurrent of suspicion, but it is the murder of a controversial local mother that truly ignites the story. The victim’s fierce advocacy for her bullied son makes the case layered and painfully relevant, with no shortage of motives among the townspeople.
What continues to set this series apart is the emotional depth Moehling brings to Ben Packard. This case strikes 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 reckoning is masterfully executed. Nothing feels forced; every thread—emotional and investigative—tightens with purpose.
The pacing is taut, the atmosphere immersive, and the payoff deeply satisfying. By the time the final pages turn, the sense of looming tragedy promised from the start lands with full impact. I was completely invested from beginning to end.
This series has become a must-read for me, and I eagerly look forward to more from Joshua Moehling—and especially more of Ben Packard’s story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Set against the sweltering aftermath of a devastating tornado, the novel radiates heat, tension, and unease. Moehling’s writing effectively captures the suffocating humidity and simmering unrest of a small town struggling to rebuild. The arrival of secretive storm chasers adds an undercurrent of suspicion, but it is the murder of a controversial local mother that truly ignites the story. The victim’s fierce advocacy for her bullied son makes the case layered and painfully relevant, with no shortage of motives among the townspeople.
What continues to set this series apart is the emotional depth Moehling brings to Ben Packard. This case strikes 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 reckoning is masterfully executed. Nothing feels forced; every thread—emotional and investigative—tightens with purpose.
The pacing is taut, the atmosphere immersive, and the payoff deeply satisfying. By the time the final pages turn, the sense of looming tragedy promised from the start lands with full impact. I was completely invested from beginning to end.
This series has become a must-read for me, and I eagerly look forward to more from Joshua Moehling—and especially more of Ben Packard’s story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
𝐈𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞, 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐭𝐚, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬.
The fourth installment in this beloved series finds Detective Ben Packard trying to keep his footing in Sandy Lake as the town buckles under a miserable summer and the devastation left behind by a tornado. Homes are gone, nerves are frayed, and even the storm chasers who drift into town feel like another kind of threat. When a woman is murdered in her home, the community’s simmering tensions boil over, especially given her recent fight with the school over the bullying of her gay son. The case is urgent, messy, and dangerous, and Ben can feel from the start that this one is going to cut deep. If that's not enough, a visitor connected to a deeply personal past loss shows up unexpectedly, and Ben finds himself revisiting a past he thought was long buried.
What makes this book so powerful is how personal everything feels. Packard isn’t just solving a murder; he’s carrying the weight of a world that can be isolating, along with the constant effort of building a life as a gay man in a place that doesn’t always make room for him. The writing has such tenderness and intensity that I felt every quiet moment as much as the big ones. The atmosphere he created has the aftermath of the storm as symbolism for almost everything Ben is facing. The heat is suffocating, violence is simmering, and the emotional pressure keeps tightening until it’s almost unbearable.
I honestly didn't want this book to end. Ben Packard has become one of those characters I genuinely care about, the kind you root for with your whole chest. Watching him navigate grief, fear, loyalty, resilience, and hope hit me harder than I expected. This book was heartbreaking and beautiful in the way it honors both the mystery and the humanity at its center. So many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for this stunning early copy that publishes May 26, 2026.
The fourth installment in this beloved series finds Detective Ben Packard trying to keep his footing in Sandy Lake as the town buckles under a miserable summer and the devastation left behind by a tornado. Homes are gone, nerves are frayed, and even the storm chasers who drift into town feel like another kind of threat. When a woman is murdered in her home, the community’s simmering tensions boil over, especially given her recent fight with the school over the bullying of her gay son. The case is urgent, messy, and dangerous, and Ben can feel from the start that this one is going to cut deep. If that's not enough, a visitor connected to a deeply personal past loss shows up unexpectedly, and Ben finds himself revisiting a past he thought was long buried.
What makes this book so powerful is how personal everything feels. Packard isn’t just solving a murder; he’s carrying the weight of a world that can be isolating, along with the constant effort of building a life as a gay man in a place that doesn’t always make room for him. The writing has such tenderness and intensity that I felt every quiet moment as much as the big ones. The atmosphere he created has the aftermath of the storm as symbolism for almost everything Ben is facing. The heat is suffocating, violence is simmering, and the emotional pressure keeps tightening until it’s almost unbearable.
I honestly didn't want this book to end. Ben Packard has become one of those characters I genuinely care about, the kind you root for with your whole chest. Watching him navigate grief, fear, loyalty, resilience, and hope hit me harder than I expected. This book was heartbreaking and beautiful in the way it honors both the mystery and the humanity at its center. So many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for this stunning early copy that publishes May 26, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am biased because I adore Ben Packard. I have from the first book and continue to with this book. Packard is in his element solving a murder and still being in complete chaos in his personal life. I love how Packard is slowly opening himself up to his found family. I could have done with several more scenes with Thielen. She doesn’t let Packard off the hook for one second. I also think the person from Packard’s past finally allowed him to address a few things that he hadn’t been ready to address. The mystery was weaved together smartly and by the time all the pieces came together, I was cheering the conclusion. The last few pages though… could have knocked me over . Write faster Joshua Moehling. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced copy of this book.
Beneath a Broken Sky is the fourth book in the Ben Packard series and is just as good as the rest of the series.
The story is told from both Ben Packard and Charlie’s perspectives. Packard is a very lovable character. I really loved the character of Symphony and her connection to Marcus. Even though we never got to meet Marcus, he was a big part of Packard’s story, so having that connection resurface through her felt meaningful.
As for the actual investigation, it was a really interesting story that I thoroughly enjoyed. It held my attention the whole way through and balanced the police work well with the character dynamics.
#NetGalley #BeneathABrokenSky
Beneath a Broken Sky is the fourth book in the Ben Packard series and is just as good as the rest of the series.
The story is told from both Ben Packard and Charlie’s perspectives. Packard is a very lovable character. I really loved the character of Symphony and her connection to Marcus. Even though we never got to meet Marcus, he was a big part of Packard’s story, so having that connection resurface through her felt meaningful.
As for the actual investigation, it was a really interesting story that I thoroughly enjoyed. It held my attention the whole way through and balanced the police work well with the character dynamics.
#NetGalley #BeneathABrokenSky
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
I would like to thank edelweiss and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I am a huge fan of this series so I was excited to dive into this. We now follow Ben investigating the murder of a woman while her family was boating. Who could have killed her? She wasn't incredibly well liked after her gay son's car was vandalized so Ben can sympathize with her son. With the air quality control bad after a tornado, there are multiple tree removal and roofing companies vying for business, did they see anything? And what is going on at the motel they all are staying at? Can't wait for the next book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an ARC from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. Book 4 in the Deputy Ben Packard series did not disappoint. In the aftermath of a treacherous storm Packard is searching for a killer and checking out all the evidence trails. Meanwhile, Packard is thinking of his own romantic relationships new and old and the direction he wants to take his life in a small rural town as a gay deputy. I will keep picking up this series. I love the characters that persist from book to book and the new characters too.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There are no words for how much I love this series. Joshua Moehling has absolutely perfected the police procedural thriller.
“Beneath A Broken Sky” kept the Ben Packard series going strong. It was atmospheric and I love how the characters develop stronger each book. The characters are so vivid, you feel like they’re real people. The amount of depth in every novel continues to make these series better and better with each novel.
I had an idea where the story was going, but then I was slapped in the face with a whole bunch of twists, AND THE ENDING! No words. Cannot wait for the next book in the series!
Without question, 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
“Beneath A Broken Sky” kept the Ben Packard series going strong. It was atmospheric and I love how the characters develop stronger each book. The characters are so vivid, you feel like they’re real people. The amount of depth in every novel continues to make these series better and better with each novel.
I had an idea where the story was going, but then I was slapped in the face with a whole bunch of twists, AND THE ENDING! No words. Cannot wait for the next book in the series!
Without question, 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Read
February 4, 2026Beneath a Broken Sky by Joshua Moehling published by PPPress is the fourth book in the Ben Packard Series.
A riveting thriller/ mystery.
I just wanted to take a peek at tthe story, but hours later I read the last sentence and now I'm sitting here and can't wind my head around how the time has flewn by.
Yes, I read the whole book in one single sitting, literally unable to put it down its that good.
I recommend the book and the series that deserves all the stars.
A riveting thriller/ mystery.
I just wanted to take a peek at tthe story, but hours later I read the last sentence and now I'm sitting here and can't wind my head around how the time has flewn by.
Yes, I read the whole book in one single sitting, literally unable to put it down its that good.
I recommend the book and the series that deserves all the stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An advanced copy read from netgalley
This is the 3rd in the Detective Ben Packard series! I haven't read the first 2, but will now!
This is a murder thriller that keeps you guessing! I did catch on to the killer just before it came to light in the story, but I had it totally wrong before that!
Ben is really likeable too and his love life adds in more intriguing drama! ♥️
This is the 3rd in the Detective Ben Packard series! I haven't read the first 2, but will now!
This is a murder thriller that keeps you guessing! I did catch on to the killer just before it came to light in the story, but I had it totally wrong before that!
Ben is really likeable too and his love life adds in more intriguing drama! ♥️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you for the opportunity to preview Beneath A Broken Sky. This is book four of a series. I have not read any of the books by this author.
This put me at a disadvantage and I was lost a few times. The novel centers on a man from Minnesota who has suffered some serious trauma in the past. I’m sure if you read the books in this series you will enjoy this novel.
3 stars
This put me at a disadvantage and I was lost a few times. The novel centers on a man from Minnesota who has suffered some serious trauma in the past. I’m sure if you read the books in this series you will enjoy this novel.
3 stars
February 12, 2026
I am not going to dislike a Ben Packard novel. This is book four and I’m all in. It has all the action and drama you would expect and is a good addition to the series. I was gifted an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley for review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy of Beneath a Broken Sky by Joshua Moehling. Loved the pace of this book. Characters well developed and make me want to read the other books in the series.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews