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Ben Packard #2
Where the Dead Sleep
A small town's dark secrets turn deadly...
When an early morning call brings Deputy Ben Packard to the scene of a home invasion, he finds Bill Sandersen shot in his bed. Bill was a well-liked local who chased easy money his whole life, leaving bad debts and broken hearts in his wake. Everyone Packard talks to has a story about Bill, but no one has a clear motive for wanting him dead. The business partner. The ex-wife. The current wife. The high-stakes poker buddies. Any of them—or none of them—could be guilty.
As the investigation begins, tragedy strikes the Sheriff's department, forcing Packard to make a difficult choice about his future: step down as acting Sheriff and pursue the quiet life he came to Sandy Lake in search of, or subject himself to the scrutiny of an election for the full-time role of Sheriff, a job he's not sure he wants.
There's a hidden history to Sandy Lake that Packard, ever the outsider, can't see. Bad blood and old secrets run deep. But an attempt on Packard's life means he's getting uncomfortably close to the dangerous legacy of the quiet Minnesota town. And someone will do anything to keep it hidden.
When an early morning call brings Deputy Ben Packard to the scene of a home invasion, he finds Bill Sandersen shot in his bed. Bill was a well-liked local who chased easy money his whole life, leaving bad debts and broken hearts in his wake. Everyone Packard talks to has a story about Bill, but no one has a clear motive for wanting him dead. The business partner. The ex-wife. The current wife. The high-stakes poker buddies. Any of them—or none of them—could be guilty.
As the investigation begins, tragedy strikes the Sheriff's department, forcing Packard to make a difficult choice about his future: step down as acting Sheriff and pursue the quiet life he came to Sandy Lake in search of, or subject himself to the scrutiny of an election for the full-time role of Sheriff, a job he's not sure he wants.
There's a hidden history to Sandy Lake that Packard, ever the outsider, can't see. Bad blood and old secrets run deep. But an attempt on Packard's life means he's getting uncomfortably close to the dangerous legacy of the quiet Minnesota town. And someone will do anything to keep it hidden.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 4, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,020 reviews
August 17, 2023
Police procedural crime novel in a small Minnesota town. My first book by Joshua Moehling and certainly not my last.
I've heard high praise for Ben Packard #1 but have not read it. I really wanted to and tried to squeeze it in before this one, but the library god said I have to wait 4 weeks. No fear, this follow-up did not disappoint and can easily be read on its own.
Where the Dead Sleep follows Deputy Packard's investigation of Bill Sandersen's death. Bill was shot dead in his bed. For a small town, there are plenty of suspects! Poker buddies, business partners, wife, or ex-wife (they are sisters too, yikes!).
As much as I enjoyed the multi-layer mystery, I found Ben’s character and personal life even more interesting. Ben's a very likable guy. His missing brother. His three-legged corgi. I like to root for the underdog and Deputy Ben is a gay officer who is running for sheriff in this little town! And BAM, a cliffhanger.... I can't wait for the next one. Luckily, the library god will make book one available to me soon.🙌📚
It is an interesting choice to have a female narrator for a male lead character although I thought Linda Jones did a fantastic job with her performance.
Thank you Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for this ALC.
Published Aug 15, 2023!
I've heard high praise for Ben Packard #1 but have not read it. I really wanted to and tried to squeeze it in before this one, but the library god said I have to wait 4 weeks. No fear, this follow-up did not disappoint and can easily be read on its own.
Where the Dead Sleep follows Deputy Packard's investigation of Bill Sandersen's death. Bill was shot dead in his bed. For a small town, there are plenty of suspects! Poker buddies, business partners, wife, or ex-wife (they are sisters too, yikes!).
As much as I enjoyed the multi-layer mystery, I found Ben’s character and personal life even more interesting. Ben's a very likable guy. His missing brother. His three-legged corgi. I like to root for the underdog and Deputy Ben is a gay officer who is running for sheriff in this little town! And BAM, a cliffhanger.... I can't wait for the next one. Luckily, the library god will make book one available to me soon.🙌📚
It is an interesting choice to have a female narrator for a male lead character although I thought Linda Jones did a fantastic job with her performance.
Thank you Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for this ALC.
Published Aug 15, 2023!
April 15, 2023
4.5🌟
Acting Sheriff Ben Packard is becoming one of my all-time favorite characters! Only book two of this newish series and I’m hooked! I want more!
Bill Sandersen was found shot to death in his home. A burglary gone wrong? Maybe. Or… could his wife Carrie be the guilty party? Hold on though, we have one more possible suspect!
His ex-wife Sherri. (Who also happens to be sisters with Carrie). And is also somewhat involved with Bill. Well, what a heaping mess this is! Sheriff Ben…you have your work cut out for you!
In his spare time, and with the help of his friends and family, Ben is also running a campaign for the full-time position of Sheriff. And while he’s at it, perhaps solve the mystery behind his brother's disappearance. Yes sir! The good Sheriff indeed has a lot on his plate.
I would have devoured this book quickly if that pesky thing called work hadn’t gotten in the way!🙄 Sheriff Ben's character was so real you could easily imagine running into him at the local country store.
This book can easily read as a stand alone, but his previous book And There He Kept Her was so deliciously dark I highly recommend starting there!
I cannot wait for the next installment of this new favorite series!
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press.
Acting Sheriff Ben Packard is becoming one of my all-time favorite characters! Only book two of this newish series and I’m hooked! I want more!
Bill Sandersen was found shot to death in his home. A burglary gone wrong? Maybe. Or… could his wife Carrie be the guilty party? Hold on though, we have one more possible suspect!
His ex-wife Sherri. (Who also happens to be sisters with Carrie). And is also somewhat involved with Bill. Well, what a heaping mess this is! Sheriff Ben…you have your work cut out for you!
In his spare time, and with the help of his friends and family, Ben is also running a campaign for the full-time position of Sheriff. And while he’s at it, perhaps solve the mystery behind his brother's disappearance. Yes sir! The good Sheriff indeed has a lot on his plate.
I would have devoured this book quickly if that pesky thing called work hadn’t gotten in the way!🙄 Sheriff Ben's character was so real you could easily imagine running into him at the local country store.
This book can easily read as a stand alone, but his previous book And There He Kept Her was so deliciously dark I highly recommend starting there!
I cannot wait for the next installment of this new favorite series!
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press.
August 15, 2023
Acting Sherriff Ben Packard of Sandy Lake, Minnesota, has his hands full solving the murder of a man who was shot to death in his own bed as well as running for the position of Sheriff after a tragedy leaves the position vacant.
Bill Sanderson’s death is surrounded by a cloud of lies, deception, and family secrets. Bill had gambling debts, was investing in a business venture with a friend, and his personal life was complicated, to say the least, and Ben discovers in the course of the investigation. Who wanted him dead and why? Was it a burglary gone wrong or was the motivation more personal? The narrative follows Ben as he tries to unravel small-town secrets and find the killer all the while trying to navigate the internal politics within his department and people who would rather see him fail at his job.
Joshua Moehling’s Where the Dead Sleep is a well-paced and tightly plotted police procedural. The author does a wonderful job of setting the scene with the small-town secrets, an interesting cast of characters and quite a few surprises along the way. Though not entirely unpredictable, I enjoyed the build-up to the finale. This is the second book in the author’s Ben Packard series. As in And There He Kept Her, I really enjoyed the procedural aspect and liked how the protagonist’s character arc is being developed. In fact, I enjoyed this installment more than the first book in the series. I look forward to the next book in the series, especially for the unraveling of a decades-old mystery from Ben’s past.
Though this book is the second in a series, it would work well as a standalone.
I paired my reading with the audiobooks narrated by Linda Jones, who has done a decent job of voicing most of the characters. I do think, however, the narrator was trying a bit too hard while voicing the Indian character. But I guess that’s more of a personal observation and overall, I did enjoy listening to the audiobook.
Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the digital review copy and to Dreamscape Media for the ALC.
All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
Bill Sanderson’s death is surrounded by a cloud of lies, deception, and family secrets. Bill had gambling debts, was investing in a business venture with a friend, and his personal life was complicated, to say the least, and Ben discovers in the course of the investigation. Who wanted him dead and why? Was it a burglary gone wrong or was the motivation more personal? The narrative follows Ben as he tries to unravel small-town secrets and find the killer all the while trying to navigate the internal politics within his department and people who would rather see him fail at his job.
Joshua Moehling’s Where the Dead Sleep is a well-paced and tightly plotted police procedural. The author does a wonderful job of setting the scene with the small-town secrets, an interesting cast of characters and quite a few surprises along the way. Though not entirely unpredictable, I enjoyed the build-up to the finale. This is the second book in the author’s Ben Packard series. As in And There He Kept Her, I really enjoyed the procedural aspect and liked how the protagonist’s character arc is being developed. In fact, I enjoyed this installment more than the first book in the series. I look forward to the next book in the series, especially for the unraveling of a decades-old mystery from Ben’s past.
Though this book is the second in a series, it would work well as a standalone.
I paired my reading with the audiobooks narrated by Linda Jones, who has done a decent job of voicing most of the characters. I do think, however, the narrator was trying a bit too hard while voicing the Indian character. But I guess that’s more of a personal observation and overall, I did enjoy listening to the audiobook.
Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the digital review copy and to Dreamscape Media for the ALC.
All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
July 29, 2023
Sheriff Ben Packard is back (woohoo!!!!!) in another gripping and hard to put down book which takes place in a small town in Minnesota with big secrets. This is the second book in a fabulous and exciting new series featuring acting sheriff Ben Packard and it does not disappoint. This can be read as a stand-alone but do yourself a favor and read the first book, And There He Kept Her. You will be happy you did!
Deputy Ben Packard received an early morning phone call that brought him to a crime scene where Bill Sandersen was found dead in his bed after being shot. Thus begins an investigation that will have Packard wading through family secrets, lies, deception and a slew of suspects.
Packard also must make a tough decision in this book- to step down as acting sheriff or enter the election to become the next sheriff. Moehling did a great job showing Packard's reasons for stepping down and his concerns about running. I could feel Packard weighing his options while I read.
This was a riveting book, and I was lucky enough to have the audiobook as well which made for an immersive reading experience. I thought the narrator did a fantastic job and put me right there in the action working the investigation along with Packard.
Like the first book in the series, this was a well written, well thought out, perfectly paced police procedural that kept me engaged and turning the pages. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
#wherethedeadsleep #NetGalley #JoshuaMoehling #PoisonedPenPress #DreamscapeMedia
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, 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
Deputy Ben Packard received an early morning phone call that brought him to a crime scene where Bill Sandersen was found dead in his bed after being shot. Thus begins an investigation that will have Packard wading through family secrets, lies, deception and a slew of suspects.
Packard also must make a tough decision in this book- to step down as acting sheriff or enter the election to become the next sheriff. Moehling did a great job showing Packard's reasons for stepping down and his concerns about running. I could feel Packard weighing his options while I read.
This was a riveting book, and I was lucky enough to have the audiobook as well which made for an immersive reading experience. I thought the narrator did a fantastic job and put me right there in the action working the investigation along with Packard.
Like the first book in the series, this was a well written, well thought out, perfectly paced police procedural that kept me engaged and turning the pages. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
#wherethedeadsleep #NetGalley #JoshuaMoehling #PoisonedPenPress #DreamscapeMedia
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, 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
August 4, 2023
I’m a big fan of police procedurals and Where the Dead Sleep is a well done one. It’s the second in the Ben Packard series. But I hadn’t read the first and it worked fine as a stand-alone. Although, as much as I enjoyed this, I’ll probably try to go back and read the first.
Ben Packard has been the acting sheriff for over a year now, as the sheriff is dealing with cancer. On a rare day off, he’s called to investigate the murder of a man shot in his bed. And boy, does this man have a history. He’s the ex-husband of one sister and the current husband of another. He’s also a known gambler and has stolen from his business partner.
Ben is soon not only dealing with the investigation but needs to make a decision about whether to run for sheriff. As a gay man in a red -state-small-town, he’s not sure if he’s up for the scrutiny. Moehling has done a good job of creating not just Ben, but all the characters.
The story moved at a steady pace, the storyline was nice and taut. It flips between various POVs, but mostly Ben’s. I was engaged from beginning to end. The ending was well thought out and believable. This is definitely a series I will keep up with.
My thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advance copy of this book.
Ben Packard has been the acting sheriff for over a year now, as the sheriff is dealing with cancer. On a rare day off, he’s called to investigate the murder of a man shot in his bed. And boy, does this man have a history. He’s the ex-husband of one sister and the current husband of another. He’s also a known gambler and has stolen from his business partner.
Ben is soon not only dealing with the investigation but needs to make a decision about whether to run for sheriff. As a gay man in a red -state-small-town, he’s not sure if he’s up for the scrutiny. Moehling has done a good job of creating not just Ben, but all the characters.
The story moved at a steady pace, the storyline was nice and taut. It flips between various POVs, but mostly Ben’s. I was engaged from beginning to end. The ending was well thought out and believable. This is definitely a series I will keep up with.
My thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advance copy of this book.
August 9, 2023
In a small rural town, dark secrets turn deadly
Ben Packard is back in the second instalment in the series. After he suffers the tragic loss of his lover Marcus in Minneapolis, Packard returns to Sandy Lake, Minnesota; also, he has another reason why he returned.
Over the Labour Day weekend, Bill Sandersen is shot and murdered in his bed. Amidst the investigation, suspicions arise around Carrie. Bill's current wife is the CEO of the Gherlick Family Trust. Her father, Jack, started it thirty years ago. And Sherri, his ex-wife, who are the Gherlick sisters who both deeply disdain one another—that goes back to their childhoods. Their family has deep roots in Sandy Lake, MN. That goes back three decades. Both sisters will go to great lengths to ruin each other's happiness. After all, she married her sister's husband. That shows you her character. Their family has deep dark family secrets which run deep and cut deep.
Moehling crafts an atmospheric, tightly woven plot. The pacing is a slow burn picking up steam at 50% of the book, with well-timed twists and turns. The escalating tension between the two sisters adds to the suspense and maintains a sense of mystery, which was an engaging and satisfying reading experience for me.
I found this a gripping police procedural that delves into the rural town's dark secrets and possible corruption within the county government board, adding to its intriguing premise.
Sherri is genuinely convinced that her sister was involved in Bill's murder. She knows what her sister is capable of, but Carrie doesn't let the town see her true self; she has everyone fooled.
I found Deputy Ben Packard a relatable and compelling protagonist: his ethical code and determination to solve the murder that happened to Bill Sandersen. Readers will find this thrilling journey as Packard unravels a complex web of lies and secrets as he navigates through a long list of suspects, determined to find out who this killer is.
Combining plenty of unlikeable characters and a long list of suspects and mysteries adds to the story's complexity and depth. There were twists and surprising reveals I didn't see coming; that kept me immersed. I wanted to find out what happened. I was furiously swiping the pages late into the night. Not until the stunning final reveal. That had me rooting for Packard. I enjoyed sleuthing out the killer and unravelling the murder and mysteries.
I highly recommend this book to fans of police procedurals and those who enjoy delving into small-town with added mystery where the truth is as elusive as the secrets buried in the shadows.
I want to thank NetGalley and Poison Pen Press for providing me with the ARC of Where the Dead Sleep in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I can't wait till the next installment of the Ben Packard series is released. I would love to be auto-approved for the third book in the series.
Ben Packard is back in the second instalment in the series. After he suffers the tragic loss of his lover Marcus in Minneapolis, Packard returns to Sandy Lake, Minnesota; also, he has another reason why he returned.
Over the Labour Day weekend, Bill Sandersen is shot and murdered in his bed. Amidst the investigation, suspicions arise around Carrie. Bill's current wife is the CEO of the Gherlick Family Trust. Her father, Jack, started it thirty years ago. And Sherri, his ex-wife, who are the Gherlick sisters who both deeply disdain one another—that goes back to their childhoods. Their family has deep roots in Sandy Lake, MN. That goes back three decades. Both sisters will go to great lengths to ruin each other's happiness. After all, she married her sister's husband. That shows you her character. Their family has deep dark family secrets which run deep and cut deep.
Moehling crafts an atmospheric, tightly woven plot. The pacing is a slow burn picking up steam at 50% of the book, with well-timed twists and turns. The escalating tension between the two sisters adds to the suspense and maintains a sense of mystery, which was an engaging and satisfying reading experience for me.
I found this a gripping police procedural that delves into the rural town's dark secrets and possible corruption within the county government board, adding to its intriguing premise.
Sherri is genuinely convinced that her sister was involved in Bill's murder. She knows what her sister is capable of, but Carrie doesn't let the town see her true self; she has everyone fooled.
I found Deputy Ben Packard a relatable and compelling protagonist: his ethical code and determination to solve the murder that happened to Bill Sandersen. Readers will find this thrilling journey as Packard unravels a complex web of lies and secrets as he navigates through a long list of suspects, determined to find out who this killer is.
Combining plenty of unlikeable characters and a long list of suspects and mysteries adds to the story's complexity and depth. There were twists and surprising reveals I didn't see coming; that kept me immersed. I wanted to find out what happened. I was furiously swiping the pages late into the night. Not until the stunning final reveal. That had me rooting for Packard. I enjoyed sleuthing out the killer and unravelling the murder and mysteries.
I highly recommend this book to fans of police procedurals and those who enjoy delving into small-town with added mystery where the truth is as elusive as the secrets buried in the shadows.
I want to thank NetGalley and Poison Pen Press for providing me with the ARC of Where the Dead Sleep in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I can't wait till the next installment of the Ben Packard series is released. I would love to be auto-approved for the third book in the series.
August 13, 2023
Ben Packard for Sheriff!
Ben Packard continues the job of acting Sheriff of Sandy Lake, Minnesota in the second book in this series. It can be read as a stand alone, but best enjoyed if read in order. When Bill Sandersen is found shot dead in his bed over Labor Day weekend, Packard is called in to investigate. Bill was a prominent figure in town, as he married to two of the Gherlick daughters, Carrie and Sherri. Their father founded Gherlick Bank and Trust, and they are considered a well-respected family in the area. However, their father committed suicide many years ago and their mother has dementia. The estranged sisters are keeping many family secrets spanning generations. Who killed Bill Sandersen ?
Packard also must decide whether to run for Sherriff of Sandy Lake. Weighing heavily on his mind is whether people will vote for a gay man to run their conservative town.
However, when he finds himself the target of gunfire, it becomes personal. Is someone after Packard? After all, his brother went missing all those years ago, and someone in this town knows something.
Where the Dead Sleep is a perfectly paced police procedural, however I didn’t find the mystery in this book as riveting as the first. I was able to mostly guess the twists in this one early on. Moehling has created a fantastic character in Ben Packard and he is the reason I would keep reading more books in this series. It does end on a cliffhanger, so we will get to see more of him!
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Linda Jones. She does a fantastic job voicing all of the characters.
3.5/5 stars rounded up
Expected publication date: 8/15/23
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC of Where the Dead Sleep in exchange for an honest review.
Ben Packard continues the job of acting Sheriff of Sandy Lake, Minnesota in the second book in this series. It can be read as a stand alone, but best enjoyed if read in order. When Bill Sandersen is found shot dead in his bed over Labor Day weekend, Packard is called in to investigate. Bill was a prominent figure in town, as he married to two of the Gherlick daughters, Carrie and Sherri. Their father founded Gherlick Bank and Trust, and they are considered a well-respected family in the area. However, their father committed suicide many years ago and their mother has dementia. The estranged sisters are keeping many family secrets spanning generations. Who killed Bill Sandersen ?
Packard also must decide whether to run for Sherriff of Sandy Lake. Weighing heavily on his mind is whether people will vote for a gay man to run their conservative town.
However, when he finds himself the target of gunfire, it becomes personal. Is someone after Packard? After all, his brother went missing all those years ago, and someone in this town knows something.
Where the Dead Sleep is a perfectly paced police procedural, however I didn’t find the mystery in this book as riveting as the first. I was able to mostly guess the twists in this one early on. Moehling has created a fantastic character in Ben Packard and he is the reason I would keep reading more books in this series. It does end on a cliffhanger, so we will get to see more of him!
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Linda Jones. She does a fantastic job voicing all of the characters.
3.5/5 stars rounded up
Expected publication date: 8/15/23
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC of Where the Dead Sleep in exchange for an honest review.
June 16, 2023
One of my favorite new series. Fans of police procedurals will love the investigative details, small town vibes and complex characters, especially acting-Sheriff Ben Packard who must juggle traditional expectations of his very public job with his personal life as a private gay man. He both defines and re-defines what it means to be a hero.
September 3, 2025
That ending almost knocked me out of my chair with all the shocking revelations.
August 12, 2023
3.5 stars
Sandy Lake holds secret, deep ones and so do many of its residents. Deputy Ben Packard, a man who returned to Sandy Creek because he wanted a quiet life, will not be able to achieve that as he get a call from the Sanderson home that there was a break in. Sadly, there was also a dead body, Bill Sanderson who has a list of people that might want him dead, a business partner, and ex and current wife, (both of them sisters..oh my!) an his poker playing "buddies" included.
As Ben investigates and crosses each one off his list. Packard also faces the idea of running again for Deputy or should he step down and welcome the calm life he seeks?
Having read Mr Moehling's former book in this new series, I was anxious to see where Ben Packard was headed and the trouble that seemed to follow in his path.
Definitely a fine police procedural where the author kept us in suspense as he carefully pulled the ends together to give us a fine story.
Thank you to Joshua Moehling, Poinsoned Pen Press, Net Galley and Dreamscape Media, narrated by Linda Jones who kindly sent me this audio book to listen to.
Sandy Lake holds secret, deep ones and so do many of its residents. Deputy Ben Packard, a man who returned to Sandy Creek because he wanted a quiet life, will not be able to achieve that as he get a call from the Sanderson home that there was a break in. Sadly, there was also a dead body, Bill Sanderson who has a list of people that might want him dead, a business partner, and ex and current wife, (both of them sisters..oh my!) an his poker playing "buddies" included.
As Ben investigates and crosses each one off his list. Packard also faces the idea of running again for Deputy or should he step down and welcome the calm life he seeks?
Having read Mr Moehling's former book in this new series, I was anxious to see where Ben Packard was headed and the trouble that seemed to follow in his path.
Definitely a fine police procedural where the author kept us in suspense as he carefully pulled the ends together to give us a fine story.
Thank you to Joshua Moehling, Poinsoned Pen Press, Net Galley and Dreamscape Media, narrated by Linda Jones who kindly sent me this audio book to listen to.
January 30, 2023
There are more and more fantastic mystery books with gay detectives. Andy Mills (Lavender House) and Scott Jericho (Killing Jericho), for example. And Joshua Moehling created the wonderful Ben Packard.
Where the Dead Sleep is the second installment in the Ben Packard series, but I hadn’t read the first book when I dove into Where the Dead Sleep. I immediately found out that it’s also easily readable as a stand-alone. I really got invested in the mystery, but the highlight of the book is Ben Packard himself. Amiable and private, Ben is a man I desperately want to know better. He is a very layered character, and Joshua threw some snippets around about Ben’s past that immediately made me want to start reading And There He Kept Her, the first book in this series.
And, of course, I’m also going to pick up the third book because, despite the solved mystery, there is still so much to learn about Ben. I’m ready to pull off his next layer!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to read mysteries but, above all, wants to connect to a main character even more.
I received an ARC from Poisoned Pen Press (Sourcebooks) and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Where the Dead Sleep is the second installment in the Ben Packard series, but I hadn’t read the first book when I dove into Where the Dead Sleep. I immediately found out that it’s also easily readable as a stand-alone. I really got invested in the mystery, but the highlight of the book is Ben Packard himself. Amiable and private, Ben is a man I desperately want to know better. He is a very layered character, and Joshua threw some snippets around about Ben’s past that immediately made me want to start reading And There He Kept Her, the first book in this series.
And, of course, I’m also going to pick up the third book because, despite the solved mystery, there is still so much to learn about Ben. I’m ready to pull off his next layer!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to read mysteries but, above all, wants to connect to a main character even more.
I received an ARC from Poisoned Pen Press (Sourcebooks) and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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August 19, 2023
3.75 Stars
*Can be read as a standalone.*
Deputy Ben Packard is currently investigating the homicide of Bill Sandersen. Bill was found dead in his bed, with two gunshot wounds. Could Bill's death have been the result of a dispute over money or was there something more nefarious at play? As a well-known gambler, it's possible that he was involved in some unsavory business dealings.
Although this crime novel had a slower pace, the author managed to capture and maintain the reader's interest throughout. Would recommend.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Joshua Moehling, and Dreamscape Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
*Can be read as a standalone.*
Deputy Ben Packard is currently investigating the homicide of Bill Sandersen. Bill was found dead in his bed, with two gunshot wounds. Could Bill's death have been the result of a dispute over money or was there something more nefarious at play? As a well-known gambler, it's possible that he was involved in some unsavory business dealings.
Although this crime novel had a slower pace, the author managed to capture and maintain the reader's interest throughout. Would recommend.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Joshua Moehling, and Dreamscape Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
April 29, 2023
How excited was I to get the second installment featuring acting Sheriff Ben Packard. This person!!!!
We catch up with Packard again in the midst of solving another crime in a small town in the Midwest. Bill has been killed but who did it and why?(every time they said who killed bill, I thought of the "Kill Bill" movie) This book reads like following an actual crime scene. You have the forensics and then the detective work and the author just writes it brilliantly, it feels like you are watching a dateline to see how it all comes together. There are red herrings but ultimately the forensics and detective work figure it out. Along with that storyline you also have the plot of Packard running for Sheriff, While I didn't like the politics of it, I thought it was an integral part of Packard's journey that ran alongside the main storyline/mystery. The author left Packard's story line open enough that I have a sneaky suspicion we will have a book three and I can't wait!!!. I hate to compare authors as all works are different, but this series is feeling like Karin Slaughter's Grant County Series and I'm all in.
I do feel like the first book was more gritty and darker than this one, but that's ok because each one had a different feel and worked for me as a reader
Thanks so much to Netgalley, the publisher and author for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
PS please let me read the third when it comes out
We catch up with Packard again in the midst of solving another crime in a small town in the Midwest. Bill has been killed but who did it and why?(every time they said who killed bill, I thought of the "Kill Bill" movie) This book reads like following an actual crime scene. You have the forensics and then the detective work and the author just writes it brilliantly, it feels like you are watching a dateline to see how it all comes together. There are red herrings but ultimately the forensics and detective work figure it out. Along with that storyline you also have the plot of Packard running for Sheriff, While I didn't like the politics of it, I thought it was an integral part of Packard's journey that ran alongside the main storyline/mystery. The author left Packard's story line open enough that I have a sneaky suspicion we will have a book three and I can't wait!!!. I hate to compare authors as all works are different, but this series is feeling like Karin Slaughter's Grant County Series and I'm all in.
I do feel like the first book was more gritty and darker than this one, but that's ok because each one had a different feel and worked for me as a reader
Thanks so much to Netgalley, the publisher and author for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
PS please let me read the third when it comes out
August 18, 2023
I fell in love with Ben Packard in Moehling’s debut novel, And There He Kept Her so I was super excited to learn that the character not only would return but there would be an entire book series on him!
The story takes off soon after And There He Kept Her ends. Deputy Ben Packard receives an early morning call notifying him that there was a home invasion. When Ben arrives on the scene he learns that Bill Sanderson was found murdered in his bed. Bill was well known for his partying and gambling lifestyle but after interviewing everyone in Bill’s life, Ben cannot find any clear motivation for anyone to want to harm him.
But as the investigation deepens, a threat is made to Packard’s life and it becomes clear that someone wants him to stop digging into the town's dark secrets.
A propulsive crime thriller/police procedural with a dark mystery at its core. Filled with complex characters and an engrossing plot, Where The Dead Sleep is a fast paced and highly entertaining read. I absolutely can not wait for book 3!
I listened to the audiobook version which is narrated by the fantastic Linda Jones (she also narrated And There He Kept Her). If you decide to read this one, I highly recommend this format!
Where The Dead Sleep by Joshua Moehling will be available on August 15. Many thanks to Libro FM, Poisoned Pen Press, and Dreamscape Media for the gifted audiobook!
The story takes off soon after And There He Kept Her ends. Deputy Ben Packard receives an early morning call notifying him that there was a home invasion. When Ben arrives on the scene he learns that Bill Sanderson was found murdered in his bed. Bill was well known for his partying and gambling lifestyle but after interviewing everyone in Bill’s life, Ben cannot find any clear motivation for anyone to want to harm him.
But as the investigation deepens, a threat is made to Packard’s life and it becomes clear that someone wants him to stop digging into the town's dark secrets.
A propulsive crime thriller/police procedural with a dark mystery at its core. Filled with complex characters and an engrossing plot, Where The Dead Sleep is a fast paced and highly entertaining read. I absolutely can not wait for book 3!
I listened to the audiobook version which is narrated by the fantastic Linda Jones (she also narrated And There He Kept Her). If you decide to read this one, I highly recommend this format!
Where The Dead Sleep by Joshua Moehling will be available on August 15. Many thanks to Libro FM, Poisoned Pen Press, and Dreamscape Media for the gifted audiobook!
July 5, 2023
Joshua Moehling's Ben Packard series has become such a highlight for me to read; starting with his debut novel, And There He Kept Her and now his upcoming novel WHERE THE DEAD SLEEP. In this sequel, we get more into Ben's personal life (which I absolutely loved) and his navigation through the mysterious town of Sandy Lake, Minnesota. Ben is a good looking, gay, deputy in Sandy Lake and just coming off the crimes from book 1 when he gets a call about a home invasion that ended in murder. As the investigation begins, Ben is faced with brutal consequences that may force him to step down. The series behind Sandy Lake continue to grow deeper and more sinister, but Ben is destined to figure out what is hiding beneath the surface.
WHERE THE DEAD SLEEP continues Ben's journey and I am so grateful we get to enjoy it. Ben Packard was my favorite protagonist of 2022 and he continues to be one of my favorite characters ever. I truly hope that Joshua Moehling continues this series because it's now become required reading for me!
WHERE THE DEAD SLEEP continues Ben's journey and I am so grateful we get to enjoy it. Ben Packard was my favorite protagonist of 2022 and he continues to be one of my favorite characters ever. I truly hope that Joshua Moehling continues this series because it's now become required reading for me!
July 28, 2023
Where The Dead Sleep is the second book in the Ben Packard series by American author, Joshua Moehling. Two deaths in Sandy Lake in early September keep Acting Sheriff Ben Packard busy in entirely different ways. Sheriff Stan Shaw, the man who appointed him, has finally succumbed to cancer, and the chair of the board of county commissioners informs Ben that his position will be up for election in November.
While many in the town expect he will put himself forward as a candidate, campaigning as the new, gay guy, kowtowing to the commissioners for funds if he wins, and being at the whim of the voters at the end of each term, doesn’t appeal; he’d prefer detective work to paperwork; bureaucracy and personnel. But the pressure from colleagues and friends, including Stan’s widow, intensifies when their worst-ever deputy, a lazy man whose only encyclopaedic knowledge is town gossip, throws his hat in the ring.
The shooting of Bill Sanderson keeps Ben and his team well occupied: within hours he realises he has a case involving two sisters, a family fortune, a shared husband and an angry best friend. He’s also trying to discover what the victim did with the twenty thousand dollars he withdrew from a joint account.
He gets to do plenty of detective work, but despite potential suspects having alibis that are shaky, vague or non-existent, there’s nothing solid enough to pin down any of them. But as bits of information slowly filter in, Ben is quite convinced that the widow knows a lot more than she’s telling. A narrow miss at an expensive lake residence has Ben wondering if the bullet might have been intended for him. And then there’s another murder…
Sequels can be hit or miss, but Moehling is on a winner here: this one is tightly plotted, includes money and gambling and theft and infidelity, and has enough red herrings and distractions to keep the reader guessing right up to the dramatic climax. Ben Packard is a complex and appealing character, a diligent cop who acts with integrity while trying to keep his sexual preferences and a certain traumatic family incident under the town’s radar.
Moehling again gives the reader plenty of support characters with good intentions tempered with very human flaws, and a couple of really nasty characters whose attitude will chill to the bone. Mentions made of the case in the series debut will count as spoilers for first-time readers of Moehling’s work.
There is a generous dose of humour, some of it quite dark, both in the dialogue and the people and situations Ben has to sort out. The final pages will intrigue the reader into eager anticipation of the third book, on which, it is fervently hoped, Moehling is hard at work. Addictive crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Poisoned Pen
While many in the town expect he will put himself forward as a candidate, campaigning as the new, gay guy, kowtowing to the commissioners for funds if he wins, and being at the whim of the voters at the end of each term, doesn’t appeal; he’d prefer detective work to paperwork; bureaucracy and personnel. But the pressure from colleagues and friends, including Stan’s widow, intensifies when their worst-ever deputy, a lazy man whose only encyclopaedic knowledge is town gossip, throws his hat in the ring.
The shooting of Bill Sanderson keeps Ben and his team well occupied: within hours he realises he has a case involving two sisters, a family fortune, a shared husband and an angry best friend. He’s also trying to discover what the victim did with the twenty thousand dollars he withdrew from a joint account.
He gets to do plenty of detective work, but despite potential suspects having alibis that are shaky, vague or non-existent, there’s nothing solid enough to pin down any of them. But as bits of information slowly filter in, Ben is quite convinced that the widow knows a lot more than she’s telling. A narrow miss at an expensive lake residence has Ben wondering if the bullet might have been intended for him. And then there’s another murder…
Sequels can be hit or miss, but Moehling is on a winner here: this one is tightly plotted, includes money and gambling and theft and infidelity, and has enough red herrings and distractions to keep the reader guessing right up to the dramatic climax. Ben Packard is a complex and appealing character, a diligent cop who acts with integrity while trying to keep his sexual preferences and a certain traumatic family incident under the town’s radar.
Moehling again gives the reader plenty of support characters with good intentions tempered with very human flaws, and a couple of really nasty characters whose attitude will chill to the bone. Mentions made of the case in the series debut will count as spoilers for first-time readers of Moehling’s work.
There is a generous dose of humour, some of it quite dark, both in the dialogue and the people and situations Ben has to sort out. The final pages will intrigue the reader into eager anticipation of the third book, on which, it is fervently hoped, Moehling is hard at work. Addictive crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Poisoned Pen
October 13, 2024
A fine police procedural. RTC
What to expect:
~ dual 3rd person POV
~ small town Minnesota setting
~ sisters who’ve shared the same husband 🤨
~ lots of chatter about Ben being gay
~ references to suicide in the past
Narration notes:
I think this would have benefited from having 2 narrators since we have the POV of a male and a female.
What to expect:
~ dual 3rd person POV
~ small town Minnesota setting
~ sisters who’ve shared the same husband 🤨
~ lots of chatter about Ben being gay
~ references to suicide in the past
Narration notes:
I think this would have benefited from having 2 narrators since we have the POV of a male and a female.
August 14, 2023
This is the second novel in the Ben Packard series by Joshua Moehling. I haven't read the first one, but this one was good enough to lead me to read many of the reviews of the first book in this series and it seems to be very popular. So, I may have to read that one too, even though I believe that this can be read as a standalone.
There are police procedural books that begin with immediately revealing the answer to the murder and then follow with how the murder was solved. Think Columbo. Another kind begins with a crime and then takes a winding road, along with the investigators, to keep you guessing, amp up the suspense factor, and then find out who the murderer is. Where the Dead Sleep falls into the second category.
We learn a lot about the main character, Ben Packard, who spent many of his summers with his grandparents in Sandy Lake, MN, where he is now the acting-sheriff. He is an easy character to like and will surely take this series far. There are plenty of other characters and red herrings in this story to constantly keep the reader on their toes also.
Family drama takes center stage when conniving, shrewd, husband and gambler, Bill Sandersen, is found murdered in his bed. In his investigation, Packard finds many possible perpetrators, with the primary ones being Bill's first and second wives who happen to also be sisters. There is no love lost between the sisters as they constantly accuse each other of killing Bill. But Packard has a hard time pinning down the motive for the murder. Is it money, theft, infidelity, jealousy, or revenge?
The mystery is well laid out and solved. And, there is plenty of fodder for another book in this series' future. It will definitely be on my radar. I would recommend this to readers who love a good crime novel or police procedural type of book.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the digital ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
There are police procedural books that begin with immediately revealing the answer to the murder and then follow with how the murder was solved. Think Columbo. Another kind begins with a crime and then takes a winding road, along with the investigators, to keep you guessing, amp up the suspense factor, and then find out who the murderer is. Where the Dead Sleep falls into the second category.
We learn a lot about the main character, Ben Packard, who spent many of his summers with his grandparents in Sandy Lake, MN, where he is now the acting-sheriff. He is an easy character to like and will surely take this series far. There are plenty of other characters and red herrings in this story to constantly keep the reader on their toes also.
Family drama takes center stage when conniving, shrewd, husband and gambler, Bill Sandersen, is found murdered in his bed. In his investigation, Packard finds many possible perpetrators, with the primary ones being Bill's first and second wives who happen to also be sisters. There is no love lost between the sisters as they constantly accuse each other of killing Bill. But Packard has a hard time pinning down the motive for the murder. Is it money, theft, infidelity, jealousy, or revenge?
The mystery is well laid out and solved. And, there is plenty of fodder for another book in this series' future. It will definitely be on my radar. I would recommend this to readers who love a good crime novel or police procedural type of book.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the digital ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 19, 2024
This is not the first in the series, which puts readers (like me) at a slight disadvantage, who haven’t started with the first, to get the full back story on our main character, Deputy Ben Packard. It doesn’t mean this story won’t have its own flow, but I think we might have benefited better had we had the opportunity to read the first story to know our protagonist a little more intimately before entering this story. (He is unique and fascinating as a Deputy who is also gay.)
So, why did I read and start with this one? Well, it was a donation to my Little Free Library Shed, and I couldn’t resist it.
In this story, Packard is called to a crime scene in which the husband is found dead by the wife. They slept in separate bedrooms because of his snoring.
Packard’s character is a thorough investigator, which makes this a wonderful police procedural. Also, this is a beautiful location setting, which allows Sandy Lake to serve almost like another character in the story. It may look pleasant on the surface, but there is a darkness that feels chilling underneath the surface.
And, then of course, there is Packard. A complex, outsider character that feels real and capable and interesting that cares about the town he is there to protect.
So, why did I read and start with this one? Well, it was a donation to my Little Free Library Shed, and I couldn’t resist it.
In this story, Packard is called to a crime scene in which the husband is found dead by the wife. They slept in separate bedrooms because of his snoring.
Packard’s character is a thorough investigator, which makes this a wonderful police procedural. Also, this is a beautiful location setting, which allows Sandy Lake to serve almost like another character in the story. It may look pleasant on the surface, but there is a darkness that feels chilling underneath the surface.
And, then of course, there is Packard. A complex, outsider character that feels real and capable and interesting that cares about the town he is there to protect.
March 10, 2025
OMG!! I can’t wait to read the next book!! 😳 Loved it! Review to come!
July 14, 2023
It was actually this book that first appealed to me for this series. Being the weirdo that I am about starting the series from the beginning, I read the first installment recently so that I wouldn’t feel like I missed anything when I read this one. Sooo glad that I did because I would have missed stuff. JMHO.
The book summary pretty much lays out the primary storyline about the death of a local resident, Bill Sandersen, who was killed in his bed during a suspected robbery, while his wife slept upstairs. There is also a secondary storyline of Ben, who’s been the acting Sherriff since the previous one was diagnosed with cancer. The Sherriff dies pretty early in the story and the city council decides to put the Sherriff’s position on the ballot in the next election that is a few weeks away. Now, Ben, who doesn’t want the job and definitely doesn’t want to campaign for it, has to decide to either let one of the two idiot candidates who are running for the job win and screw up the department or throw his hat in the ring and suck it up that he is going to be labeled as “the gay guy from out of town”. A town that is VERY red and conservative.
Most of the story revolves around the investigation of Bill’s death. The investigation reveals a lot of dirt on Bill and his life and shenanigans. Bill is not a good guy and there are a lot of potential suspects. Early in the story, there is an attempt on Ben’s life, and, at first, Ben suspects that it’s related to the investigation because Ben has ruffled a lot of feathers and asked a lot of people a lot of questions. Ben has developed a valid reputation as a good investigator in the short time he’s been in town, and someone is getting nervous.
It's well into the second half that Ben discovers new info on Bill, which provides more leads to investigate and the second half has Ben zeroing in on the killer. The end of the investigation was a bit of a mess and while I was a little off on the killer, I had the motive right. I HATED the end of the other storyline, but I guess Moehling had to do that for dramatic effect. That and add to the lead in for the next installment.
Part of me wanted to end the series right there, but curiosity got the better of me. I’m just certain that Moehling had a reason for doing what he did to Ben. I am reminded of something that appealed to me in the first book and now we’re finally getting to see that now and most likely in the next installment. For me, when picking up a story about someone who “returns home” after a long absence (usually decades), I can almost always be certain that there is no good to come from coming home after so long away.
While I understand that these ARC’s from NetGalley are uncorrected versions of the story and that it’s likely there will be grammatical errors in the story, I typically won’t comment on a smattering of errors in the book. Things like that don’t bother me that much. However, what does bother me are glaring errors that make it harder for me to understand whole scenes of the story, to the point that I have to go back and reread something because of poor sentence structure or grammatical errors.
One of the issues that I noticed pretty early in this story is the poor transition from one speaker to another. The quoted writing was poorly written and often the change in speakers was either not clearly identified or not identified at all. The writer/publishers need to go through the whole book and clear up and properly identify those transitions from one speaker to another.
Other than that, I enjoyed the story. Fortunately, it didn’t take away too much from the story, it just took me a little longer to read the book and irritated me a little, especially late at night. I want to thank NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #PoisonedPenPress #WhereTheDeadSleep
The book summary pretty much lays out the primary storyline about the death of a local resident, Bill Sandersen, who was killed in his bed during a suspected robbery, while his wife slept upstairs. There is also a secondary storyline of Ben, who’s been the acting Sherriff since the previous one was diagnosed with cancer. The Sherriff dies pretty early in the story and the city council decides to put the Sherriff’s position on the ballot in the next election that is a few weeks away. Now, Ben, who doesn’t want the job and definitely doesn’t want to campaign for it, has to decide to either let one of the two idiot candidates who are running for the job win and screw up the department or throw his hat in the ring and suck it up that he is going to be labeled as “the gay guy from out of town”. A town that is VERY red and conservative.
Most of the story revolves around the investigation of Bill’s death. The investigation reveals a lot of dirt on Bill and his life and shenanigans. Bill is not a good guy and there are a lot of potential suspects. Early in the story, there is an attempt on Ben’s life, and, at first, Ben suspects that it’s related to the investigation because Ben has ruffled a lot of feathers and asked a lot of people a lot of questions. Ben has developed a valid reputation as a good investigator in the short time he’s been in town, and someone is getting nervous.
It's well into the second half that Ben discovers new info on Bill, which provides more leads to investigate and the second half has Ben zeroing in on the killer. The end of the investigation was a bit of a mess and while I was a little off on the killer, I had the motive right. I HATED the end of the other storyline, but I guess Moehling had to do that for dramatic effect. That and add to the lead in for the next installment.
Part of me wanted to end the series right there, but curiosity got the better of me. I’m just certain that Moehling had a reason for doing what he did to Ben. I am reminded of something that appealed to me in the first book and now we’re finally getting to see that now and most likely in the next installment. For me, when picking up a story about someone who “returns home” after a long absence (usually decades), I can almost always be certain that there is no good to come from coming home after so long away.
While I understand that these ARC’s from NetGalley are uncorrected versions of the story and that it’s likely there will be grammatical errors in the story, I typically won’t comment on a smattering of errors in the book. Things like that don’t bother me that much. However, what does bother me are glaring errors that make it harder for me to understand whole scenes of the story, to the point that I have to go back and reread something because of poor sentence structure or grammatical errors.
One of the issues that I noticed pretty early in this story is the poor transition from one speaker to another. The quoted writing was poorly written and often the change in speakers was either not clearly identified or not identified at all. The writer/publishers need to go through the whole book and clear up and properly identify those transitions from one speaker to another.
Other than that, I enjoyed the story. Fortunately, it didn’t take away too much from the story, it just took me a little longer to read the book and irritated me a little, especially late at night. I want to thank NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #PoisonedPenPress #WhereTheDeadSleep
April 7, 2024
WHERE THE DEAD SLEEP [2023] By Joshua Moehling
My Review 4.0 Stars Out Of 5.0
This second novel featuring the author’s leading character from 2022’s “And There He Kept Her” is designated Book 2 of 2: Ben Packard. It was released last summer and is an “Editor’s Pick” on Amazon in “Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense”. It garnered praise from both noted published authors and book critics. The book was rated 4.4 out of 5 (relatively small sample of 416 Global Ratings) but averaged a solid 4.0 from nearly 3,000 readers on Goodreads.
I like how this author writes, and I was really impressed by his inaugural novel which introduced his leading man, the smart, handsome, and witty Deputy Ben Packard. The author initially had reservations about the reception of a gay man in a gritty police procedural and originally the gay character had a bit part and was on the sidelines. I found it inspirational that Moehling ultimately revised the novel with a bold, confident style and placed his gay deputy Ben Packard at the helm of the story and as the leading character. It was also interesting that the genre designation(s) for Moehling’s first book featuring Ben were all focused on the sexuality of the cop. This may have drawn the attention of a number of similarly oriented readers, which is fortuitous of course, but I happened to read it because of the praise it had received as a dark riveting crime suspense thriller.
Conversely, “Where the Dead Sleep” sports an appropriate genre designation of police procedural (and the rather vague “Murder Thriller”). Acting Sheriff Ben Packard is about ready to have a “head-scratching” Rubik’s Cube kind of complex mystery to tackle in his quiet small Minnesota town. The “teaser” description tells us readers that Ben is called out one morning to the scene of a home invasion which left the man of the house dead, one Bill Sanderson.
The spouse Carrie heard one shot? Or did she? The couple slept in separate bedrooms (ostensibly due to hubby’s C-Pap Machine). R-i-g-h-t. Bill was Carrie’s childhood sweetheart, but that was before he married her wild sister Terri. Their mother Barbara was a manipulative malignant narcissist who likely drove their father, John, philandering rich Bank President to commit suicide. He had gifted a beautiful, bejeweled Hummingbird necklace to Sarah the woman he loved. She had reportedly been wearing the distinctive necklace following John’s suicide and before her own fatal car “accident”. How was Margaret John’s widow photographed wearing the necklace at gala events?
This novel is one the reader has to pace themselves to avoid missing clues to the identity of the killer. Moehling proves he is no “one trick pony” with this second book in which he doles out a complex, meticulously plotted, and devilishly clever whodunit. Where in the Dickens is Hercule Poirot when you need him?
The novel shines as an outright superlative police procedural. Ben is a by-the-book guy who chases down every lead regardless of how large or small. It is with a bit of chagrin that I admit I did not come close to figuring it all out. The second murder was somewhat of a surprise. How can so many psychopaths live in the same quiet community you would wonder. By the conclusion of the novel, you are a bit miffed that you did not consider the obvious but congratulate yourself on calling those suicides and accidents as murders that were staged to fool the investigators,
The novel feels character-driven at times and the reader gets to know some of the citizens of the town. Ben’s been Acting Sheriff due to his mentor’s illness, and when the Sheriff dies Ben must question whether he should campaign for the position.
“Where the Dead Sleep” is a junior outing that should make fans happy and reassure the author that he has the talent and narrative writing skills to hammer out a doggone twisty whodunit. Speaking of “dog---” I loved Ben having a loving three-legged (handicapped) dog and how they make each happy.
The one thing that I was not really on board with was the denouement at the very end. It is a mixed bag. It portends bad intentions levied at Ben when the new sheriff is sworn in and the need for our protagonist Ben to deal with an unknown and powerful foe. There was an attempt on Ben’s life during the investigation of the suspicious death of Bill Sanderson. The identity of the sniper was never pinned down. Finally, Ben has the alleged location of his missing brother’s body but with the entire case file gone. It is obvious that the author is setting the stage for the next installment in the series, but it felt to me almost like a well-dressed cliffhanger.
Finally, really an excellent whodunit underscored by perhaps a superior police procedural, wonderful character development, and a proud volume to stand beside “And There He Kept Her”.
REALLY ENTERTAINING SECOND INSTALLMENT TO THE LIFE AND TIMES OF DEPUTY BEN PACKARD IN SMALL TOWN MINNESOTA
My Review 4.0 Stars Out Of 5.0
This second novel featuring the author’s leading character from 2022’s “And There He Kept Her” is designated Book 2 of 2: Ben Packard. It was released last summer and is an “Editor’s Pick” on Amazon in “Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense”. It garnered praise from both noted published authors and book critics. The book was rated 4.4 out of 5 (relatively small sample of 416 Global Ratings) but averaged a solid 4.0 from nearly 3,000 readers on Goodreads.
I like how this author writes, and I was really impressed by his inaugural novel which introduced his leading man, the smart, handsome, and witty Deputy Ben Packard. The author initially had reservations about the reception of a gay man in a gritty police procedural and originally the gay character had a bit part and was on the sidelines. I found it inspirational that Moehling ultimately revised the novel with a bold, confident style and placed his gay deputy Ben Packard at the helm of the story and as the leading character. It was also interesting that the genre designation(s) for Moehling’s first book featuring Ben were all focused on the sexuality of the cop. This may have drawn the attention of a number of similarly oriented readers, which is fortuitous of course, but I happened to read it because of the praise it had received as a dark riveting crime suspense thriller.
Conversely, “Where the Dead Sleep” sports an appropriate genre designation of police procedural (and the rather vague “Murder Thriller”). Acting Sheriff Ben Packard is about ready to have a “head-scratching” Rubik’s Cube kind of complex mystery to tackle in his quiet small Minnesota town. The “teaser” description tells us readers that Ben is called out one morning to the scene of a home invasion which left the man of the house dead, one Bill Sanderson.
The spouse Carrie heard one shot? Or did she? The couple slept in separate bedrooms (ostensibly due to hubby’s C-Pap Machine). R-i-g-h-t. Bill was Carrie’s childhood sweetheart, but that was before he married her wild sister Terri. Their mother Barbara was a manipulative malignant narcissist who likely drove their father, John, philandering rich Bank President to commit suicide. He had gifted a beautiful, bejeweled Hummingbird necklace to Sarah the woman he loved. She had reportedly been wearing the distinctive necklace following John’s suicide and before her own fatal car “accident”. How was Margaret John’s widow photographed wearing the necklace at gala events?
This novel is one the reader has to pace themselves to avoid missing clues to the identity of the killer. Moehling proves he is no “one trick pony” with this second book in which he doles out a complex, meticulously plotted, and devilishly clever whodunit. Where in the Dickens is Hercule Poirot when you need him?
The novel shines as an outright superlative police procedural. Ben is a by-the-book guy who chases down every lead regardless of how large or small. It is with a bit of chagrin that I admit I did not come close to figuring it all out. The second murder was somewhat of a surprise. How can so many psychopaths live in the same quiet community you would wonder. By the conclusion of the novel, you are a bit miffed that you did not consider the obvious but congratulate yourself on calling those suicides and accidents as murders that were staged to fool the investigators,
The novel feels character-driven at times and the reader gets to know some of the citizens of the town. Ben’s been Acting Sheriff due to his mentor’s illness, and when the Sheriff dies Ben must question whether he should campaign for the position.
“Where the Dead Sleep” is a junior outing that should make fans happy and reassure the author that he has the talent and narrative writing skills to hammer out a doggone twisty whodunit. Speaking of “dog---” I loved Ben having a loving three-legged (handicapped) dog and how they make each happy.
The one thing that I was not really on board with was the denouement at the very end. It is a mixed bag. It portends bad intentions levied at Ben when the new sheriff is sworn in and the need for our protagonist Ben to deal with an unknown and powerful foe. There was an attempt on Ben’s life during the investigation of the suspicious death of Bill Sanderson. The identity of the sniper was never pinned down. Finally, Ben has the alleged location of his missing brother’s body but with the entire case file gone. It is obvious that the author is setting the stage for the next installment in the series, but it felt to me almost like a well-dressed cliffhanger.
Finally, really an excellent whodunit underscored by perhaps a superior police procedural, wonderful character development, and a proud volume to stand beside “And There He Kept Her”.
REALLY ENTERTAINING SECOND INSTALLMENT TO THE LIFE AND TIMES OF DEPUTY BEN PACKARD IN SMALL TOWN MINNESOTA
January 18, 2025
Damn damn damn! This was such a brilliant small town procedural! And the end… 😯
Apparently I liked this book I read 15 days ago and yet can't remember ANYTHING about it to actually right a meaningful review. Take that for what it is... I'm still leaving my 4 star review.
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Apparently I liked this book I read 15 days ago and yet can't remember ANYTHING about it to actually right a meaningful review. Take that for what it is... I'm still leaving my 4 star review.
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January 30, 2024
Audio - 5 Stars
Story - 4.5 Stars
Story - 4.5 Stars
July 26, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️
When a call brings Deputy Ben Packard to a home invasion, he finds Bill Sanderson shot in bed. Bill is a well known local and everyone has a story about him but no one has a clear motive to want him dead. Packard has a choice to either step away from the job or run for Sheriff amidst tragedy in the department while the small lake town’s secrets turn deadly.
Unfortunately I didn’t get attached to the MC of the story and it certainly took me far too long to get through the book. At no point was I invested in what was happening or why. Maybe I should have read the first book but it didn’t feel like you needed to read the first one to be able to understand what was happening in this one. It did not work for me but that doesn’t mean it won’t work for you.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a copy of an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
When a call brings Deputy Ben Packard to a home invasion, he finds Bill Sanderson shot in bed. Bill is a well known local and everyone has a story about him but no one has a clear motive to want him dead. Packard has a choice to either step away from the job or run for Sheriff amidst tragedy in the department while the small lake town’s secrets turn deadly.
Unfortunately I didn’t get attached to the MC of the story and it certainly took me far too long to get through the book. At no point was I invested in what was happening or why. Maybe I should have read the first book but it didn’t feel like you needed to read the first one to be able to understand what was happening in this one. It did not work for me but that doesn’t mean it won’t work for you.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a copy of an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 25, 2025
With his boss on extended medical leave, Deputy Ben Packard has been Acting Sheriff for nearly a year. An early morning call sends him out to investigate a murder. Carolyn Wallbach called the police. She found her husband William Sanderson dead in his bed from a gunshot. Details of Mr. Sanderson's life make an interesting story. Carolyn is his second wife. His first wife was her sister Sherrilyn. He divorced his first wife when they spent her inheritance, then he moved on to her sister. William Sanderson was a gambler who lost a lot of money at high stakes poker. He also cheated his business partner out of twenty thousand dollars. With secrets and lies coming to light, Ben must determine which suspect is the killer.
This is the second book in the Ben Packard series. It's a solid police procedural with some colorful suspects. Ben is a well-developed character. On top of working this investigation, he must decide if he wants to run for Sheriff in the next election. Ben is hesitant because he is gay. This is a small town, and he doesn't want his personal life splashed across the newspapers.
I thought the story was well paced with intriguing characters. There were a couple of surprises and lots of lies uncovered. I had a hard time putting this book down and am looking forward to the next book in the series. My rating: 4 Stars.
This is the second book in the Ben Packard series. It's a solid police procedural with some colorful suspects. Ben is a well-developed character. On top of working this investigation, he must decide if he wants to run for Sheriff in the next election. Ben is hesitant because he is gay. This is a small town, and he doesn't want his personal life splashed across the newspapers.
I thought the story was well paced with intriguing characters. There were a couple of surprises and lots of lies uncovered. I had a hard time putting this book down and am looking forward to the next book in the series. My rating: 4 Stars.
August 31, 2023
Ben Packard is back, and the small town of Sandy Lake is on edge once again, when Bill Sandersen is found shot to death in his bed.
After a life spent chasing money and breaking hearts, it’s less a matter of finding a suspect than somehow narrowing down the crowd to determine who finally snapped; and when it comes to poking around in ancient small-town secrets, Packard is more than qualified.
The second in a series is where I really decide if I am going to follow it or not – and luckily for me, Joshua Moehling has taken a promising debut, and solidified its promise with a follow-up that is not only a great book, but a very promising sign of the series to come. It’s such a balancing act with procedurals – you have to have a book that stands on its own, but that moves the longer-running elements ahead too. Preferably there’s enough momentum to be interesting, but without either going too far or not far enough; with the one you end up with a series that throws too much at the reader in each instalment, while the other way ends up losing steam and becoming repetitive and slow. Where the Dead Sleep, though, absolutely nails the balance; Packard is settling into his new life here, even as a new mystery promises to keep him using his detection skills to their utmost.
That balance works in other areas of the book, too. Events are exciting and the mystery compelling, but still felt like they could be taking place in the real world. Packard and the people of Sandy Lake that we’re getting to know are great characters; they make me look forward to getting to read the next in the series. And while Where the Dead Sleep wraps up into a book that could stand alone by the end, there’s some hints there that future books will be very interesting indeed. I’ll be here for it, and in the meantime will be recommending these books to every procedural fan I know.
After a life spent chasing money and breaking hearts, it’s less a matter of finding a suspect than somehow narrowing down the crowd to determine who finally snapped; and when it comes to poking around in ancient small-town secrets, Packard is more than qualified.
The second in a series is where I really decide if I am going to follow it or not – and luckily for me, Joshua Moehling has taken a promising debut, and solidified its promise with a follow-up that is not only a great book, but a very promising sign of the series to come. It’s such a balancing act with procedurals – you have to have a book that stands on its own, but that moves the longer-running elements ahead too. Preferably there’s enough momentum to be interesting, but without either going too far or not far enough; with the one you end up with a series that throws too much at the reader in each instalment, while the other way ends up losing steam and becoming repetitive and slow. Where the Dead Sleep, though, absolutely nails the balance; Packard is settling into his new life here, even as a new mystery promises to keep him using his detection skills to their utmost.
That balance works in other areas of the book, too. Events are exciting and the mystery compelling, but still felt like they could be taking place in the real world. Packard and the people of Sandy Lake that we’re getting to know are great characters; they make me look forward to getting to read the next in the series. And while Where the Dead Sleep wraps up into a book that could stand alone by the end, there’s some hints there that future books will be very interesting indeed. I’ll be here for it, and in the meantime will be recommending these books to every procedural fan I know.
May 11, 2023
The second book featuring sheriff Ben Packard, and it surely was a thrill ride again! Now, my favorite detective will always be Ann Cleeves' Vera for sure, but Packard might just take second place. He is intelligent, kind and hands-on and I can only imagine him as being really cute as well.
After featuring the incredible Emmett Burr in the first book, we are now confronted with a very dysfunctional family in small town Sandy Lake, and all their secrets come above water after the dead of Bill, a car salesman who married both sisters - not at the same time mind you. Ben Packard has a lot to do, as he also needs to secure his position as sheriff, and still has to solve the disappearance of his brother. If anything, I wish this thread would have been explored further, as we now have to wait for the third installment to get more info on what really happened. I can't wait !
I strongly recommend this book if you like procedurals that take place in a small town location, a quiet pace where the emphasis is more on character building rather than fast paced car chases. Absolutely worth it !
A sincere than you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
After featuring the incredible Emmett Burr in the first book, we are now confronted with a very dysfunctional family in small town Sandy Lake, and all their secrets come above water after the dead of Bill, a car salesman who married both sisters - not at the same time mind you. Ben Packard has a lot to do, as he also needs to secure his position as sheriff, and still has to solve the disappearance of his brother. If anything, I wish this thread would have been explored further, as we now have to wait for the third installment to get more info on what really happened. I can't wait !
I strongly recommend this book if you like procedurals that take place in a small town location, a quiet pace where the emphasis is more on character building rather than fast paced car chases. Absolutely worth it !
A sincere than you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 6, 2023
Ben Packard returns to the tense atmosphere of Sandy Lake as the town grapples with the shocking murder of Bill Sandersen. The hunt for the killer becomes a task of narrowing down suspects within a crowd of secrets and strained emotions. Packard’s familiarity with digging into small-town enigmas serves him well. This book is the second installment of a series, and although I have not yet read the first book, I definitely will add it to my TBR after reading this!
This book captures the essence of a police procedural that remains engaging while staying grounded in realism. Packard’s evolution and his dynamic with Sandy Lake’s inhabitants create a strong foundation for future installments. This book succeeds in delivering an exciting mystery that stands alone, yet teases intriguing prospects for what’s to come. As a procedural enthusiast, I’ll eagerly await the next book and will gladly recommend this series to fellow fans.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!
This book captures the essence of a police procedural that remains engaging while staying grounded in realism. Packard’s evolution and his dynamic with Sandy Lake’s inhabitants create a strong foundation for future installments. This book succeeds in delivering an exciting mystery that stands alone, yet teases intriguing prospects for what’s to come. As a procedural enthusiast, I’ll eagerly await the next book and will gladly recommend this series to fellow fans.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!
January 29, 2025
Joshua Moehling (favorite author) returns following his smashing debut, where he wowed us with And There He Kept Her (5 stars) with the introduction of the popular intriguing hunky Deputy Ben Packard #1 and a cast of unforgettable characters.
The author returns with Ben Packard #2, WHERE THE DEAD SLEEP (5 stars)— a complex action-packed crime thriller with scandalous small-town secrets, a wealthy family, murder, and more in the rural lakeside town of Sandy Lake, Minnesota—leaving readers salivating for #3 and more Ben!
I love this series!
After a long summer, Deputy Ben Packard is back, tying up loose ends from the Emmett Burr case (from book #1). He is the acting Sheriff for Stan Shaw (currently elected sheriff of Sandy Lake County), who has cancer.
Ben (gay) is finally getting some action with a hot drummer, Brad, and hopes for a leisurely morning. However, it gets cut short when he is called in on a murder case—a dead body. The victim is William (Bill) Sandersen, husband of Carolyn (Carrie). Second marriage-two years. She has twins- grown children from her first marriage.
The case is not straightforward. William was shot twice while in bed, and his wife claims she was in the other bedroom since her husband has sleep apnea. Bill worked at Sandy Lake Auto. He also liked to frequent casinos.
His wife is the CEO of Gherlick Family Trust. She is the one with the money in the family. William (Bill) had gone out to meet his friend, Roger Freeman, a man he was to go in the chicken wing business with.
However, Ben soon discovers Bill has a thing for the sisters, as he was previously married to Carolyn's sister, Sherri. He divorced her to marry Carolyn. Carolyn dated him back in high school.
But Carrie and Bill liked to party and blow money at the casinos. The mom cut off the money, so I guess he decided to marry for more money, but Carolyn does not readily hand out the money. The girls had over a million dollars each, but that was before Sherri and Bill gambled it all away.
Is Carolyn smarter than her sister? And why did the perp murder Bill and not Carolyn?
Suspects:
The business partner, Roger
The ex-wife, alcoholic, Sherri.
The wife, Carolyn.
The high-stakes poker buddies.
Or someone else?
In the middle of the investigation, a tragedy occurs. Ben is left holding the bag and must make some big decisions. Should he run for Sheriff? He likes being a detective and not sitting behind a desk dealing with politics.
However, Marilyn, Stan's wife, is backing him and many others. If he does not run, it is Barney Fife Deputy Shepherd (which is pretty much worthless except for gossip).
Then another murder and the plot thickens, plus a mysterious hummingbird pin and a letter.
Packard soon discovers there is a hidden dark multi-generational history to Sandy Lake. Bad blood and old secrets run deep. And someone will do anything to keep it hidden. Before the book ends, someone is shooting at Packard. Is he getting too close to the darkness of Sandy Lake?
Moehling serves up another excellent suspense crime novel that will keep you riveted. There is action and suspense around every corner in this multi-layered mystery crime thriller—readers, if you loved Ben Packard #1, you will devour #2.
In addition to the mystery, danger, and double murders, there is the upcoming election to stress over, and as we were introduced in Ben Packard #1, there is the cold case mystery of Ben's older brother, Kyle. There is new evidence, and it ends on a cliffhanger. We can only hope #3 comes soon!
WHERE THE DEAD SLEEP is a killer whodunit crime thriller! Based loosely on a Minnesota true crime and switched out with a victim that might have made enemies or people who wanted to kill him.
Ben is a fantastic character and has grown since the last book, where he tried to outrun his past. In WHERE THE DEAD SLEEP, he takes center stage, claims his identity, and does the right thing, even when it's not in his own best interest, all while trying to solve a murder, dodge bullets, and uncover the truth of what happened to his missing brother years ago. He is getting anything but a quiet, laid-back sleep town and no hiding out here.
You will be turning the pages into the wee hours of the morning! A massive fan of the author, Joshua Moehling, from his debut; he is a rock star, and if you enjoy small-town funny, larger-than-life characters, riveting suspense crime thrillers, and superb writing blended with dark humor with a highly relatable, smart, leading man—the Ben Packard series is for you.
WHERE THE DEAD SLEEP is for fans of authors: Lisa Gardner, Karin Slaughter, Heather Gudenkauf, Karen Katchur, Allen Eskens, C.J. Box, and William Kent Krueger.
Joshua and Ben are here to stay! Bingeworthy and prime for the big or small screen. Top Thrillers of 2023!
MOVIE CAST: Now, if there is a movie or TV series, My vote for BEN PACKARD is the hunky, CHANNING TATUM! I pictured him when reading, whether straight or gay, who does not LOVE looking at this man in a cop uniform (or nothing at all). I concur with Lisa Gardner; Ben is my new favorite deputy!
AUDIOBOOK: I read the e-book and listened to the audiobook narrated by Linda Jones for a superb performance for all voices! An engaging listening experience. By the way, you must get the hardcover copy. Look at the cover - STUNNING! Sign up for Joshua's newsletter (website) to get all the latest details.
Special thanks to Mandy at Poisoned Pen Press for an ARC and the author for an autographed hardcover copy with swag. Also, thanks to Dreamscape Media for an ALC via NetGalley.
Check out my #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A with Joshua with AND THERE HE KEPT HER, where we go behind the scenes of the book & the author!
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDColins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Pub Date: Aug 15, 2023
Aug 2023 Must-Read Books
Top Books of 2023
The author returns with Ben Packard #2, WHERE THE DEAD SLEEP (5 stars)— a complex action-packed crime thriller with scandalous small-town secrets, a wealthy family, murder, and more in the rural lakeside town of Sandy Lake, Minnesota—leaving readers salivating for #3 and more Ben!
I love this series!
After a long summer, Deputy Ben Packard is back, tying up loose ends from the Emmett Burr case (from book #1). He is the acting Sheriff for Stan Shaw (currently elected sheriff of Sandy Lake County), who has cancer.
Ben (gay) is finally getting some action with a hot drummer, Brad, and hopes for a leisurely morning. However, it gets cut short when he is called in on a murder case—a dead body. The victim is William (Bill) Sandersen, husband of Carolyn (Carrie). Second marriage-two years. She has twins- grown children from her first marriage.
The case is not straightforward. William was shot twice while in bed, and his wife claims she was in the other bedroom since her husband has sleep apnea. Bill worked at Sandy Lake Auto. He also liked to frequent casinos.
His wife is the CEO of Gherlick Family Trust. She is the one with the money in the family. William (Bill) had gone out to meet his friend, Roger Freeman, a man he was to go in the chicken wing business with.
However, Ben soon discovers Bill has a thing for the sisters, as he was previously married to Carolyn's sister, Sherri. He divorced her to marry Carolyn. Carolyn dated him back in high school.
But Carrie and Bill liked to party and blow money at the casinos. The mom cut off the money, so I guess he decided to marry for more money, but Carolyn does not readily hand out the money. The girls had over a million dollars each, but that was before Sherri and Bill gambled it all away.
Is Carolyn smarter than her sister? And why did the perp murder Bill and not Carolyn?
Suspects:
The business partner, Roger
The ex-wife, alcoholic, Sherri.
The wife, Carolyn.
The high-stakes poker buddies.
Or someone else?
In the middle of the investigation, a tragedy occurs. Ben is left holding the bag and must make some big decisions. Should he run for Sheriff? He likes being a detective and not sitting behind a desk dealing with politics.
However, Marilyn, Stan's wife, is backing him and many others. If he does not run, it is Barney Fife Deputy Shepherd (which is pretty much worthless except for gossip).
Then another murder and the plot thickens, plus a mysterious hummingbird pin and a letter.
Packard soon discovers there is a hidden dark multi-generational history to Sandy Lake. Bad blood and old secrets run deep. And someone will do anything to keep it hidden. Before the book ends, someone is shooting at Packard. Is he getting too close to the darkness of Sandy Lake?
Moehling serves up another excellent suspense crime novel that will keep you riveted. There is action and suspense around every corner in this multi-layered mystery crime thriller—readers, if you loved Ben Packard #1, you will devour #2.
In addition to the mystery, danger, and double murders, there is the upcoming election to stress over, and as we were introduced in Ben Packard #1, there is the cold case mystery of Ben's older brother, Kyle. There is new evidence, and it ends on a cliffhanger. We can only hope #3 comes soon!
WHERE THE DEAD SLEEP is a killer whodunit crime thriller! Based loosely on a Minnesota true crime and switched out with a victim that might have made enemies or people who wanted to kill him.
Ben is a fantastic character and has grown since the last book, where he tried to outrun his past. In WHERE THE DEAD SLEEP, he takes center stage, claims his identity, and does the right thing, even when it's not in his own best interest, all while trying to solve a murder, dodge bullets, and uncover the truth of what happened to his missing brother years ago. He is getting anything but a quiet, laid-back sleep town and no hiding out here.
You will be turning the pages into the wee hours of the morning! A massive fan of the author, Joshua Moehling, from his debut; he is a rock star, and if you enjoy small-town funny, larger-than-life characters, riveting suspense crime thrillers, and superb writing blended with dark humor with a highly relatable, smart, leading man—the Ben Packard series is for you.
WHERE THE DEAD SLEEP is for fans of authors: Lisa Gardner, Karin Slaughter, Heather Gudenkauf, Karen Katchur, Allen Eskens, C.J. Box, and William Kent Krueger.
Joshua and Ben are here to stay! Bingeworthy and prime for the big or small screen. Top Thrillers of 2023!
MOVIE CAST: Now, if there is a movie or TV series, My vote for BEN PACKARD is the hunky, CHANNING TATUM! I pictured him when reading, whether straight or gay, who does not LOVE looking at this man in a cop uniform (or nothing at all). I concur with Lisa Gardner; Ben is my new favorite deputy!
AUDIOBOOK: I read the e-book and listened to the audiobook narrated by Linda Jones for a superb performance for all voices! An engaging listening experience. By the way, you must get the hardcover copy. Look at the cover - STUNNING! Sign up for Joshua's newsletter (website) to get all the latest details.
Special thanks to Mandy at Poisoned Pen Press for an ARC and the author for an autographed hardcover copy with swag. Also, thanks to Dreamscape Media for an ALC via NetGalley.
Check out my #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A with Joshua with AND THERE HE KEPT HER, where we go behind the scenes of the book & the author!
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDColins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Pub Date: Aug 15, 2023
Aug 2023 Must-Read Books
Top Books of 2023
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