Thank you to Netgalley for the early copy of And There He Kept Her. I was very intrigued going into this book. The premise sounded like exactly what I like in a thriller. However, for me it was soooo slow. I had a hard time wanting to return back into the story after setting it down. I really believe this has a lot of potential. I would have preferred more suspense. This book is getting a lot of high ratings so maybe I am the problem!

This is the first book I've read by this author, but I will absolutely be checking out his other work! This was an entertaining and creepy thriller.

I loved the POVs that also included that of the killers as well. It gave the story a much more eerie feeling.

A small-town crime novel with some tropes, some darkness, and enough intrigue to see through to the conclusion. It wasn't anything shocking or compelling, necessarily, but Officer Packard was likable, and getting the villain's insights throughout the narrative was well-executed. Not necessarily something I'd go out of my way to recommend but it's good enough if you like the genre to power through. 3.25 stars

Dark and disturbing thriller. Part of a series and it didn’t grab me enough to rush for the rest of the series but a good read all the same. Characters were realistic, storyline made sense.

This book was such a creepy but amazing read. I loved the plot and found myself unable to put it down.

What did I just read? If you are looking for a twisty thriller, this book is for you. It is not to be missed. I was on the edge of my seat and could not stop reading it. I recommend this one.
Many thanks to the author, Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

In the vast realm of mystery thrillers, Joshua Moehling's "And There He Kept Her" emerges not merely as a narrative but as an enthralling odyssey into the labyrinth of secrets, suspense, and the enigmatic facets of human nature. From the opening pages, I found myself ensnared in a web of unpredictability, a journey that transcended the boundaries of a conventional mystery.

The plot unfolds with the intrusion of two teenagers into what appears to be a typical house by a remote lake, seeking nothing more than prescription drugs. However, what transpires is a riveting tale where the roles of victim, abuser, and protector intertwine in a dance of moral ambiguity. Emmett Burr, the seemingly helpless old man, unravels layers of a past steeped in secrecy, guarding his truths with unwavering determination.

As former police officer Ben Packard delves into the investigation, the narrative acquires a personal hue. Drawn back to the small Minnesota town of Sandy Lake, Packard's journey becomes a poignant quest for redemption and truth. Moehling skillfully navigates the delicate balance between character intricacies and the relentless ticking of the suspense clock, creating an atmosphere where every revelation feels both earned and shattering.

The narrative progression is relentless, prompting introspection on the profound question of how well one truly knows another. This book, with its relentless pace and piercing insights into the human soul, transcends the realm of a conventional thriller. It's a psychological exploration that resonates long after the final page is turned.

Personally, having delved into countless mystery thrillers, this one stands out. It's not just about solving a puzzle; it's about unraveling the intricacies of our own assumptions and challenging the boundaries of empathy and morality. Moehling, with his deft narrative hand, constructs a tale that lingers in the mind—a testament to the true nature of evil, concealed beneath layers of deceit and revelation.

If you seek a mystery that transcends predictability and demands a reevaluation of your own perceptions, "And There He Kept Her" is a thrilling page-turner that promises an exhilarating and introspective reading experience.

Really liked Ben Packard, a different kind of Sheriff, this was a fast paced Mystery that had several layers with a satisfying end

This book introduced Ben Packard, a gay police officer from Minneapolis, who switched to a job in Sandy Lake MN, after his boyfriend is killed while on duty. He takes over for the sheriff who has cancer. Ben has mixed memories of Sandy Lake where his family spent summers in a cabin on the lake, where his brother Nick took out a boat and disappeared - neither the boat nor his body have been found. His divorced cousin Susan owns a restaurant, and has a teenage daughter, Jenny.
The book begins with Jenny and her boyfriend, Jesse, breaking into a remote house, where the owner discovers them, shoots Jesse and puts Jenny into a pink room in the basement.
Ben's job becomes a search for the missing teens, and along the way, he discovers the dark side of Sandy Lake.
In spite of the graphic violence, I found the book compelling. The story and the characters were well developed and the plot was believable, although dark and intense. The author developed the mind set of the villain, his history, and his manipulations to allow the reader to understand why he acted the way he did without excusing his behavior. We are also introduced to several citizens of Sandy Lake with various issues, and certainly to be developed in future books in this series. I have read the second book in this series, and was happy to meet Ben Packard again. Each book can be read as a stand alone, and Ben is the MC in both.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and the opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Jesse and Jenny head out to Emmet’s home to find some oxy. Jesse ends up dead and Jenny is abducted. Good writing; but boring story. I was NOT thrilled. The villain was a caricature and there was no twist nor big reveal.

Book one of a series that is a complete story in and of itself? Thank you, Joshua Moehling!

And There He Kept Her is a thriller with plenty of action, a lot of character building, and a small town where you just know we're going to meet some people. Also in small-towns? Prescription drugs are in demand...and that's how the book begins...

Jesse and Jenny are two teens who break into a home on a remote lake to steal prescription meds they heard the owner had. But the owner, Emmett, is not going to let some kids rob him again. Nor does he want anyone to find out what's in his basement. And so the fun begins.

Ben is the new deputy, returned to his hometown after a personal tragedy. He's on the case while still trying to keep his own secrets close.

This was a page-turner, much of the time. Moments might drag on for a bit, but it's all worth it, since those are the moments that complete the picture of Sandy Lake.

My thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This one took me a while to get into but when I did, I couldn’t put it down! This wasn’t a whodunit, this was a how will they figure it out. I’m ready for the next book bc the author left it with a question I need the answer to.

An interesting read, the tone of mystery and suspense was well balanced and it contained all the twists and turns I could hope for!

I didn't realize this was the second book in the series but I really enjoyed it. The plot was great and pace was perfect. It's a little bit mystery, a little thriller, a little suspense, even a small love story sprinkled in, everything I wanted. It kept me interested and the characters were very likeable, especially Ben Packard. The setting was great and I could picture everything about this small town it was set in. The ending was unexpected and now I really want to read the first one Where the Dead Sleep since it was referenced in this book. I will definitely read this author again, they did a great job.

Two kids break into a home searching for Oxy. One ends up dead, the other abducted. The rest of the story is the sheriff trying to solve the mystery. Slowly solve the mystery.

The story moved way to slowly for what is supposed to be a thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The main character is a dream! I cannot wait for the next in this series.
After the loss of his boyfriend, Ben moves to quiet town Sandy Lake - the town his family vacationed at the family lake house. Until the disappearance, assumed dead, of his older brother, Nick.
Ben assumes the role of Sherriff, a temporary role likely to become permanent as the Sheriff battles colon cancer.
Two teenagers are caught entering Emmett Burr's house - he kills one, keeps the other. Desperate attempt to hide years of secrets, Emmett keeps a low profile.
Ben struggles to find any clues - until they start leading to the very wealthy, well known local family.
Loved the representation, living as a gay man in the police, hiding his sexuality and personal life.

Trigger Warnings: Drug use/abuse, alcohol use/abuse, mentions of rape/sexual assault, kidnapping, mention of animal death, mention of animal abuse

A cold rainy night, a couple of teenagers, and what was supposed to be a simple burglary. Events however take a dark and sinister turn when the homeowner decides to protect himself and his secrets. He's kept things hidden for over 20 years and he isn't about to let things become known now.

Such starts the well-written and riveting And There He Kept Her by Joshua Moehling.

And There He Kept Her is the kind of novel that can be referred to as a reverse police procedural. In it, we the reader know who the bad guy is already and we get to follow along with the police as they piece the clues together. We see the wrong turns they take and the wrong paths they go down as they figure everything out.

And even though we the reader know who the villain is ahead of time, it's still very satisfying when the police catch up with them.

Anyone reading And There He Kept Her will likely recognize it as what will hopefully be the first in a series. Not only are we introduced to Deputy Ben Packard, but we are also introduced to an array of colorful characters that inhabit the small town of Sandy Lake. There are also tantalizing hints of darker secrets from Packard's past in the tiny town.

Moehling has done very well with And There He Kept Her, especially considering this is his debut novel. Not just in writing a book that I found incredibly difficult to put down but in setting up what could be a very entertaining series. I personally am looking forward to more from this author.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Not usually a huge fan of thriller series but this one gripped me the blurb, and the story had me hooked despite its disturbing core!

Sheriff Deputy Ben Packard has to lead an investigation into the disappearance of two teenagers who go missing in Sandy Lake in Minnesota - with one the teenagers being the daughter of the sheriffs cousin.

The 2 teenagers go missing when they try to break in to the home of Emmett Burr, a senior citizen, to steal his prescription drugs however they are not prepared for Emmett to be armed and waiting to take them on.

Omg what a book, had me jumping at any unexpected noise but a very well written book.

Excellent book. It was a thriller, but not really a keep you guessing type. You knew what was going on the whole time. Super easy read, with great characters.
Thanks to netgalkey, the publisher and author for the chance to read this advanced copy.

Thank you for the opportunity to preview And There He. Kept Her.
Sold mystery about a small town with plenty of secrets and missing people.
When two teenagers break into a House to steal drugs they get more than they bargained for. The next day they are missing and the police chief Ben Packard knows he is racing against time to find them.
But small towns hide the truth and Ben is determined to find the teens and while seeking the truth for himself and his family
Good plot. 3.5 stars