Firstly, if you start a book from a dogs perspective, you have my attention. Kudos.

It's been so long since I picked up a crime book that I felt this invested in! Where the Dead Sleep is a well-written, detective mystery novel which had me hooked from the first page.

The story follows deputy Packard as he investigates the murder of Bill Sandersen. Amidst the investigation, suspicions arise not only around Carrie, Bill's wife, but also around Sherri, his ex-wife and Carrie's sister (I know, this case is getting messy, isn't it!?).

Deputy Packard's journey unfolds against a backdrop of complexity and personal struggles. While delving into the murder of Bill Sandersen, he confronts a series of intertwined dilemmas. Following his aspirations to become Sheriff, he juggles his private life as a gay man within the realm of his public law enforcement career. All whilst trying to also solve his own brother's mysterious disappearance. This man is a legend.

It wasn't until after reading it that I realised this is book number 2 in the series, but, as I had no idea, that shows how readable it is as a stand-alone. However, I need to get the first book in the series as I loved this one so much.

Character development is a key aspect for me, and this one did not disappoint! I loved Ben Packard, and found myself fully invested in his work and life. Complex characters, filled with complex mysteries and twists. So, Where the Dead Sleep, welcome to the 5-star club!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
I read "And There He Kept Her" by Joshua Moehling & that was one of my favorite books of 2022 so I was super excited to see his follow up, "Where The Dead Sleep" available to review.
This book was a great follow up. It was very engrossing & the mystery was interesting & surprising.
I love how there was alot of unanswered questions for the next book in the series.

Joshua Moehling is quickly solidifying his place as the new must read author in the world of crime drama! In his follow up to the debut of the Ben Packard series we continue to follow Deputy Packard after being appointed acting Sheriff through the case of Bill Sandersen who was shot during a suspected home invasion. While investigating he must navigate the world of politics after announcing his candidacy for Sheriff as an openly gay man. The story takes you through the twists and turns of family history and complex relationships to a surprising conclusion while simultaneously exploring Packard’s own personal history and the case of his missing brother from 29 years prior. It sets you up for the next book in the series and leaves you needing the answers that Ben himself is trying to uncover.

Moehling does a fantastic job developing the characters in his book and drawing you into their storyline. The plot was strong and well done, it draws your attention and keeps you invested in what is happening. Very well written! All in all I see the start of a great series that I look forward to reading more of.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen for the advance copy.

This is the second novel in the detective Ben Packard series. I hadn’t read the first. I think it would have been better to read it in order, but I understood what was happening even so. I’ll read the first and look forward to the third.

In Where the Dead Sleep, acting sheriff Packard is called to what appears to be a home invasion with the dead body of Bill Sandersen. Bill spent most his life drinking and gambling, but he doesn’t appear to have any enemies who would want him dead. As Packard investigates the case, there are missed shots and more dead bodies that further complicate his ability to unravel the clues and solve the mystery.

This is well done. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy of this novel, which RELEASES AUGUST 15, 2023.

"Where the Dead Sleep" by Joshua Moehling is a gripping and atmospheric mystery novel that delves into the dark secrets of a small town where danger lurks around every corner. With its intriguing premise and skillful storytelling, Moehling takes readers on a thrilling journey as a young deputy unravels a complex web of secrets and uncovers the truth behind a shocking murder.

The story unfolds when Deputy Ben Packard responds to a gruesome scene—a home invasion that leaves Bill Sandersen dead in his bed. As Packard investigates, he finds himself entangled in a web of conflicting stories and unclear motives. With a long list of suspects, including the business partner, the ex-wife, the current wife, and high-stakes poker buddies, Packard must navigate the maze of clues and hidden connections to expose the truth.

Joshua Moehling's writing vividly captures the atmosphere of the small town, immersing readers in a sense of mystery and unease. His attention to detail and descriptive prose paint a haunting picture of the town and its secrets, heightening the suspense and keeping readers engaged throughout.

The character development in "Where the Dead Sleep" is a strength of the novel. Deputy Ben Packard is a relatable and compelling protagonist, driven by his determination to uncover the truth, even as he faces personal and professional challenges. The supporting cast of suspects and townsfolk adds complexity and depth to the story, with each character hiding their own motives and secrets.

Moehling crafts a tightly woven plot that keeps readers guessing until the final reveal. The pacing is brisk, with well-timed twists and turns that escalate the tension and maintain the momentum of the investigation. The author's skill in building suspense and maintaining a sense of mystery makes for an engaging and satisfying reading experience.

While the novel adheres to certain conventions of the mystery and crime genre, Moehling's ability to create multidimensional characters and interweave various storylines sets the book apart. Additionally, the exploration of themes such as identity, the cost of pursuing justice, and the consequences of unearthing buried secrets adds depth and complexity to the narrative.

In conclusion, "Where the Dead Sleep" is a captivating and atmospheric mystery that showcases Joshua Moehling's talent for crafting suspenseful narratives. With its compelling characters, intricate plot, and exploration of themes, this book is highly recommended for fans of crime fiction and those who enjoy delving into a small-town mystery where the truth is as elusive as the secrets buried in the shadows.

This is the second book in the series. It doesnt matter if you havent read the first one. I very much connected to Bills character and will definately be going back to read #1. There he kept her.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the second in this wonderful police procedural series by Joshua Moehling - 5 stars!

Acting Sheriff Ben Packard is called to the scene of an early morning shooting of Bill Sandersen in his bed. There are plenty of suspects, because Bill left a trail of broken hearts and debts in his wake. That's not the only thing happening in Sandy Lake, Minnesota. There's a shooting while Ben is investigating and it appears that he was the target. Then the beloved sheriff dies and Ben must decide if he should run for office or not.

This was a fabulous follow up to And There He Kept Her and I can't wait for the next book in this series, but feel free to read this as a stand-alone if you must! It's a tightly written police procedural, full of wonderful characters, and the small town feel adds to the story. I was kept guessing until the end, which leads into promises of a third book - sign me up for that one, please! A great series to put on your list!

Where the Dead Sleep is the story of Detective Ben Packard's search for Bill Sandersen's murderer. There are a host of possible suspects, including Sandersen's ex-wife & current wife, sisters Sherrie and Carrie, and his best friend, Roger. But each time Packard thinks he has a lead, that quickly dissolves into another dead end.

The book was more plot-driven than action-driven, so it was a slow read for me since I prefer more action. Moehling did a good job of keeping the reader guessing and waited until the end to connect the dots. Where the Dead Sleep is the second book in Moehling's Ben Packard series; however, having not read the first book, And There He Kept Her, I didn't feel as if I had missed anything. The single thread that connects the two is Packard's missing brother, Nick, which will be why I read book 3. I want to know if Packard finds Nick's body and discovers how Nick ended up dead in the first place.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a review.

Started at 8:22pm and now its 2 in the morning, I could not put it down!!! 💀💀💀

Ben Packard is once again back with a murder case that's rather tricky. There are many suspects yet nothing concrete. A lot of bouncing around is expected but more so in this case given the messy histories and relationships between the parties involved.

I want to pivot back to about the first book, where we see Moehling lay down a very solid start for our dear MC with a gripping case. I'm assuming we're well familiar with the events in the first book so it's not a spoiler to mention that And There He Kept Her had kept me on my toes as they race against the clock to solve the case, what with his niece's life on the line and the urgency to find her before her insulin depletes, as well as no attempt to keep the antagonist's identity a secret from readers.

However in this book I have to commend the author for switching things up already. You really couldn't begin to guess, with the unknown motives, secrets and the he said/she saids. The twists were unexpected and not few either, and a little cheeky bait and switch was used by the author to really get us scratching our heads back at square one just as you think you're beginning to piece out the puzzle.

As a book, it is a mystery at its core, I would say it was satisfactory. I did feel it was quite lengthy but I'll admit I'm the impatient sort. The procedurals here were kept consistent throughout. I really do feel Packard takes what he does very seriously.

The subplots were great, focusing on the many facets of Ben Packard's identity as a (semi-out?) gay detective with a gloomy past in a conservative town. There's his uncertainty of his feelings regarding the upcoming elections tangling with the expectations from the people around him, the ice-cold case from his childhood, and even the suggestion of romance for our (very competent, very attractive and most importantly very single💅🏻💅🏻) main man here (Yes the last bit is rather important to me, as someone who grew up on those Josh Lanyon mysteries🤭🤭. I know this isn't suppose to be a romance but I'll take what I can get, which is gratifying all the same, ha!! But there IS potential and I'm confident it won't go to waste!😏).

You can tell the author has big plans for this series with the build up of information, people of interests (both recurring and hidden) that is going to span a complete series.
Consistency is key, and again, a very good follow up by Moehling to cement his skill as a writer and storyteller. I can only wonder where the 3rd book is going to explore but I'll be eagerly waiting all the same.

(Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in x-change for an honest review)


Also what do you mean his dick is "Well reviewed"??? You cant just say that and not provide the details SIR!!! This is unacceptable🤬😡🤬I demand compensation in future books 🙄🙄😤😤

It's a solid book, with good storytelling, good characters, and good setting. The denouement works, but the falling action seemed a little too "next week in Sandy Lake . . ."

I love this author and I love this series. I love that it takes place in northern Minnesota where I went to high school. I love that the main character is a gay outsider. I love how creative the plots get (the first book features a couple of high schoolers who break into an old man’s home to steal his meds and have broken into a truly horrific choice). But mostly I love how well Moehling writes. When so many mystery authors just phone it in, he writes like a writer. There is so much good description. There are so many interesting analogies and ways of phrasing things. It’s just well made.

There were things I didn’t care for as much in this book as the last but I don’t care. I’m committed to these characters and this story. I’m a ride or die reader of Joshua Moehling because I just plain enjoy what he does. I can’t wait till the third book and it had better not be the last in the series.

I read a digital advance copy of this book via NetGalley.

Where the Dead Sleep by Joshua Moehling

Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Pace: 4/5
Suspense: 5/5
Overall Enjoyment: 5/5

This is the second book I have read from Moehling and was absolutely not disappointed in either.

Bill Sanderson is dead after a home invasion and it is up to acting sheriff Deputy Ben Packard to sort through the mess. Sanderson has left a lot of people high and dry including lovers, and those he owed Money to. He also married his ex wife’s sister after taking her for all she had so obviously those two may want him dead. Yet no one seems to have a motive for killing him. Or do they? Packard handles the investigation by talking to those who hated Bill as well as following up on leads. Packard is also running for sheriff once his boss dies which adds more drama and complication to his life.

This is a great police procedural that that has an amazing ability to keep the reader engrossed while trying to figure out who in the world killed Sanderson. The plot was great and the pace seemed to get better with each chapter. The author leaves little bread crumbs for the reader although you are not able to predict the outcome. The ending is freaking explosive. I could not stop reading until I finished it. This is one of the best books with twists and turns that I have read.

Release date August 15 2023

Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review

I thought this book would be hard to review, because I’m not a big fan of mysteries. And to be honest, it took me a little while to get hooked on the story, perhaps, because I just was expecting not to like it.

But surprisingly, I enjoyed it. I like Joshua Moehling’s writing style, it’s quick and easy and flows from page to page.

I think what I liked the most was that when I thought I was finished,, when the main character had finally figured out “whodunnit,” I realized I had more to go! I was set up for the next book, and I’m actually looking forward to reading it. It harkens back to a mystery that started 29 years ago, is related to our main character’s brother, and will hopefully be solved in the next book!

I really enjoyed Where the Dead Sleep: the mystery was easy to follow, but there was enough of a plot twist that it wasn’t black-and-white and a disappointment when I got to the end.

A solid, straightforward detective procedural with a very compelling lead character in Ben Packard, and an interesting, well-constructed cast of supporting characters. Second in a series, this book reads very easily as a standalone work, but having finished it I'm definitely going back to read the first book, and I'll be eagerly awaiting future installments. If you've enjoyed Walt Longmire, Joe Pickett, or any permutation of Leaphorn and Chee, I think you're going to like Ben Packard. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this ARC!

First of all, I want to thank the author and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Where the dead sleep by Joshua Moehling is coming out on August 15, 2023.

This book is #2 in a series but can also be read as a standalone book. This is a quick read and a page turner for sure. This book/series is great for anyone who loves mysteries and loves a great main character. Ben Packard leaves you wanting more.

This book was for sure super entertaining and keeps you wanting more. Looking forward to book #3!!

#wherethedeadsleep #NetGalley

“I wondered how long it would take you to figure it out,” said the voice from the shadows.

This is a set in a small town full of secrets Bill Sanderson was shot to death in his home. It quickly seems like everyone is a suspect. Deputy Ben Packard is thrust into the investigation as acting sheriff, something he initially doesn't want to do. Ben is gay, something which he thinks will always keep him from being fully welcomed in the town.

The mystery in this book was solid but what I really enjoyed were the well written characters, especially the acting sheriff. Almost everyone in this story has a strong personality and even more important, a motive to kill Bill.

I found out after finishing this book that this is the second in the series but I never felt like I was missing anything.

Thank you netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for giving me an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to love this book, but it was a book that was more of the middle of the road. This was my very first book by Josh Moehing. I really liked the writing but I do with that it grabbed my attention a little bit better.

A great sequel and continuation of Ben Packard's story. I really like Joshua Moehling's storytelling and the feel-good nature of Packard's detective work. I'm giving this one 4/5 stars because the family relationships across the generations was a bit confusing. I think I got it all sorted out in my head in the end, but it did take me out of the story a bit when I kept thinking "whose son is that, whose parent, whose mistress, etc".

I read the first in this series, And There He Kept Her, not knowing what to expect. That was a completely absorbing thriller and I ended up really liking Ben Packard, the acting Sheriff. This story is more of a mystery than a thriller, but no less readable. This story is still set in Sandy Lake Minnesota but involves a shooting. A local man has been shot in a home invasion. The man also happens to be a total jerk, so the list of suspects is high. He married his ex-wife's sister and blows through money gained from questionable means for starters. Ben is a great character. He has many layers, one of which is he happens to be gay and also hopes to be elected sheriff. This is just one of many facets to this guy, though. I loved finding out more about him and the ending left just enough to make me hope for a third in this series. Just read it! If you want a really good police procedural or just a darn good book, you can't miss with this one!

Ben Packard is back and better than ever! He is not a character that you will soon forget. He has stuck with me since the first book in the series. I was beyond excited when I found out it was going to be a series and I was able to dive into Ben's life again! Boy did we dive right back in and I loved every second. There is a new case, life changes, and surprises along the way.

There has been a murder, Bill was shot in his home while his wife hid ought of sight. Who is behind it and why? Everyone is a suspect in this dysfunctional family. But the question of the hour is who would want Bill dead and why. The more pieces Ben uncovers the more confusing the entire investigation becomes. He is also being persuaded to run for sheriff or have a moron for a boss. No one wants that!

I devoured this book. Joshua Moehling does not disappoint and of course he left the ending as a cliffhanger. Which I am interpreting as a third book is on the horizon. Let's face it, I need to read it tomorrow. The characters make this book for me and the plot is juicy and thick. I loved every second and if you have not read this series, do yourself a favor and buy it. Thank you to Joshua Moehling and Poisoned Pen Press for my gifted copy of this fast-paced, completely enticing read.