I found a lot of this book to lean towards the cliche. It felt like reading the novelization of a procedural crime drama at time, with heavy-handed descriptions. I like the small-town setting, but that's about it for this one.

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

Fast paced with an incredibly gripping plot. I really enjoyed this authors writing style, so much so that I'll definitely be picking up a copy of And There He Kept Her

“Where the Dead Sleep” by Joshua Moehling is the second of Ben Packard series. I really like the main character and the learning more of his backstory. The plot of this book wasn’t as exciting or thrilling as his first. It seemed more like a character study than a mystery. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

My favorite genre is murder mystery so I was delighted to have the chance to read Where the Dead Sleep. It is the second book in a new series by Joshua Moehling. Ben Packard is the acting sheriff in Sandy Lake County Minnesota. He is still acclimating himself to his new home though he spent summers there as a kid. The locals are also trying to figure Ben out and put a label on him.

When a local good-time fellow is murdered during a home invasion Ben has his first case as acting sheriff. The case is complicated by secrets, lying and even political infighting. Ben, too, has his own secrets, some of which are slowly revealed. Ben does eventually solve the murder case but things are not settled at the end of the book which gives the reader a cliff hanger and the desire for the third book in the series.

Moehling does a great job developing the characters, plotting the pace, depicting a police procedural, plus leaving the reader anxious for more. This is definitely a series I plan to follow and will go back and read the first book. However, Where the Dead Sleep is strong enough to read as a stand-alone but I wouldn’t want to miss a minute of this new-to-me series!

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen.

I read the first book in this series last summer and was intrigued by Packard and the small town of Sandy Lake. But Where the Dead Sleep left me feeling a little disappointed. The first novel was faster paced than this book. It felt like there was a lot of filler dialogue that could have been taken out. I also feel like Packard was more one dimensional here and not as interesting as a main character as he was in the first novel. It’s redeeming quality is the mystery surrounding Packard’s brother and I will read the next one to find out what happened to him!

***Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.***

I loved Joshua Moehling’s first novel and was thrilled to get my hands on this second one in the Sheriff Ben Packard series. Moehling’s writing style is smooth and very readable which makes for a very pleasant bibliophile experience. This was definitely a different setting and overall feeling from his first novel, but very enjoyable. I already can’t wait for his third novel to continue the adventures of Packard and his three-legged dog Frank.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Where the Dead Sleep.

I enjoyed the first book in the series and I was pleased NetGalley granted my request to read the second.

Acting Sheriff Ben Packard is back, investigating the death of a car salesman with an unsavory background. At the same time, his mentor and friend succumbs to a long illness, and his friends urge him to run for sheriff.

This is my type of book; a straight forward police procedural where Ben interviews witnesses and suspects, checking alibis and digging deep into their pasts and what they might be hiding.

There were a couple of things Ben was slow on the uptake about, the text message the victim received from a lover but was hidden under the name of his BFF, not discovering the widow was one of three sisters until nearly midway through the book.

I wasn't a fan of Ben Packard in the first book; he was aloof and standoffish, but he's growing on me now.

I think it's because he is finally adapting to his new hometown, with friends he can trust and a renewed urgency in discovering the truth behind his older brother's death.

I look forward to the next book because I'm curious about his brother's cold case and how Packard will adapt with having his incompetent former deputy as sheriff.

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.

Great small town crime/detective story. A man turns up dead, shot in his room in the middle of the night. It turns out this man had love affairs with 2 sisters that have lots of bad blood between them. The more the detective digs into the possible motives for this murder the more twists and turns he finds between small town characters. If you enjoy small town murder mysteries with strong character personalities which a detective that also has some trauma and secrets then this book is for you! I thought it was well written and it was on the lighter side- not too graphic or bloody, I could read it at night and not get freaked out!

An excellent character-driven, small-town police procedural.

The crime in this book is nothing jaw-dropping or honestly one I’ll remember awhile from now, but the story is told so well and acting sheriff Ben Packard is a main character I hope we get more of moving forward!

Bill Sanderson is found shot dead in his home. There are plenty of leads as to who may have wanted him dead: His wife says she didn’t hear anything other than a single gun shot. His ex-wife, who also happens to be his current wife’s sister and maybe not so much of an ex after all. His prospective business partner, who found their joint account much lighter right before Bill’s murder. The more Ben leans into the local gossip, the more he starts to suspect those closest to Bill had something to do with his death.

Again, nothing twisty or totally shocking, but just very well-written. I enjoy solving crime through the eyes of Sheriff Packard! I did not read the first book in the series and didn’t feel like I was missing any key info, but will definitely go back to read just to get more from these characters and this author.

Thank you so much to the publishers and to netgalley for my early read in exchange for my honest review.

Bill Sandersen is mysteriously found dead in his home. His wife finds him and calls the police. Ben Packard, as acting sheriff, must get to the bottom of what happened and find out who killed Bill. Bill was obviously well known and liked by many of which Packard ends up questioning. But who's lying? Who's telling the truth? With many suspects on his list, Packard is led down a long and weaving path leading to the shocking conclusion.

This is the second book in the Ben Packard series, and I would highly recommend reading this after And There He Kept Her as there are a couple spoilers in Where The Dead Sleep. I really enjoyed this one and loved that there were twists in it.

4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. Joshua Modeling is quickly becoming an automatic read for me! I love that the setting was as much of a character as the people. If you have ever lived in a small town where nobody leaves this will hit home!

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC!

Publication date: 8/15/2023

This is my second read of Josh’s, the first being And There He Kept Her, which is actually book one of this series!! I would recommend reading that first!

The cover artwork drew me into both books! What can I say I’m a sucker for a good cover. If you like a good suspenseful thriller with good twists, I would give this one a try!!

I really love Packard and will continue to read this series. This mystery was a lot less interesting to me than the first book. I don’t tend to enjoy follow the money type crimes and that’s what this was. I look forward to the next bool after that ending!

Unfortunately I have tried twice to get into this book and after 30% I have decided to DNF

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the chance to read this book

Acting Sheriff deputy Ben Packard is called to an early morning shooting. Bill, a well-liked man has been shot. Ben was always chasing easy money and always up to something. Another fun thing about Bill, his ex-wife, and current wife are sisters and he’d gotten in over his head with some high-stakes poker. With so many suspects, will Ben be able to figure out who killed Bill? Will other secrets be revealed?

This book was really hard to get into, but the writing was good. I did find it overly descriptive but that’s not bad if that’s what you are looking for. This is a small-town police procedural, and it is done well. I didn’t love but I didn’t hate this book - it was a solid middle of the road read for me. I will read more from this author in the future. I also appreciated that the male main character was gay and lived in a small town. It was written very realistically, and I appreciated that.

If you are looking for a solid small town police procedural, then I hope you check this one out August 15th!

Thank you to Poised Pen Press and Netgalley @netgalley for this e-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

I overall liked this book. It had me hooked in some spots and dragged out in others. Would definitely read from this author again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC!

Publication date: 8/15/2023

This is book two of Detective Ben Packard’s story, but can be read as a stand alone.

I loved the inclusion of a queer MC! Ben is gay and acting sheriff in a small town in rural US. He moved to Sandy Lakes for peace and for a personal reason others are not privy to.

There is quite a bit of a slow start. It took ten chapters for me to really get invested, but it is definitely worth it!

Once it got going, it really got going! From there the book was a series of twists and turns, most of which I did not see coming!

The concept of the story is very unique in the way it plays out! I have read books with individual plots similar to this, but not all of them combined, which was cool!

I also really enjoyed the subplot of the race for sheriff! The added conflict that it brought to the table helped develop Ben’s very likable character.

This is very much like a police procedural. There was a lot of description of evidence and the investigation. I enjoyed that there was more of the case than Ben’s personal life!

I think if you are looking for a thriller that is like a non-romance slow burn, then this is the one for you!

The ending is a perfect setup for the next book! I will definitely be going back to read the first book!

OOOO this was such a good whodunit! I love the fact that we think as a reader we're stepping into one thing, but then it's completely different! I was hooked and it was fast-paced as heck which I am a huge fan of! The writing is so well done that it suck you in immediately!

Would recommend for sure anyone who loves a good cop suspense!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley!