Genre: Crime Fiction/Mystery
Series Information: Connected standalone that follows the same main characters investigating new cases.

It is well written, suspenseful, and a good mystery with a believable plot. Not plot holes or open bunny trails.

An author I will continue to read.

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.

Sheriff Ben is my new favorite character! This is the second book of the series but I did not read the first and was a great stand alone. I will be going back to read the first one.

Where the Dead Sleep by @jmoehling is now out in paperback!

This is the second book in the Ben Packard series by Joshua Moehling. In this book, Bill Sandersen is found murdered in his bed. Packard, the acting sheriff, begins his investigation and discovers the complicated past and many secrets of the Sandersen sisters/the Gherlick family.

This book had me up late at night and desperate to know the ending! The writing is descriptive and intriguing, and everything flows smoothly. There are no loose ends, besides the intentional cliffhangers (!). I am now dying to know what happens in Book 3!

Thank you to @netgalley and @poisonedpenpress for sending me this book. If anyone is looking for a chilling and thrilling mystery, pick up one of @jmoehling’s books!

It’s captivating and suspenseful, this small-town mystery weaves a web of intrigue, drawing you into the dark secrets of Sandy Lake. Deputy Ben Packard's journey unfolds with twists and turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat.

Okay I loved the first book and was soooooo excited to read the 2nd. And believe me it was worth it.
This mystery kept me entertained from page 1 to the end. His characters are great. I am ready for a third book.
Thanks!!

Book 2 of the police procedural series starring Acting Sheriff Ben Packard, “Where the Dead Sleep” will leave you wanting more.

Joshua Moehling does an excellent job of keeping readers invested in the story throughout.

I can’t wait for the next book in the series and would recommend it to anyone that’s a fan of police procedurals for sure.

Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Joshua Moehling for selecting me to read this advanced copy.

I enjoyed everything about Where the Dead Sleep by Moehling.. But the cliffhanger ending just left me anxious for the next book in the series to come out.

I really enjoyed this and now feel extra dumb for not already reading And There He Kept Her. Suffice it to say, this works quite well as a standalone if you've not read the first book in the Ben Packard series.

Love Ben as a character and love the small town Minnesota setting with all of the gossip and intrigue you'd expect -- the dead guy married his ex-wife's SISTER?!?

Excited to see what happens next for Packard!

My first mistake was not realizing this was a series, but that was okay. I struggled to get through this book, and I had trouble connecting with the characters. The premise was good, but I did not find myself engaged, or caring what was going to happen. I do think that some of this could have been eliminated if I had read the first book, but this was just not for me.

4 out of 5
Where the Dead Sleep is the second installment in the Ben Packard series. The story follows Deputy Ben Packard, who is called to investigate a home invasion that resulted in the murder of Bill Sandersen. As Packard digs deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of secrets and lies involving Bill’s family, friends, and enemies. During this investigation, Packard is also dealing with his own personal issues: his missing brother, his uncertain future, and his complicated love life.

As mentioned, this is the second book in the series and while it could be read as a stand alone, I highly recommend reading the first book, “And There He Kept Her.”

Overall, this book was well written and perfectly paced for this reader. I appreciate that the ending left things open for the next book, I am curious to see where Ben ends up next!

Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press, the author, and Net Galley for the ARC.

I had not read the first novel in this series before reading Where the Dead Sleep. This was able to be read as a standalone. That being said, I would definitely like the read the first to get more background on Ben's character. Ben has been the stand-in sheriff while the current sheriff is suffering from cancer. Ben is called to a murder where Bill Sandersen has been shot. There are many layers to this man's life, including being currently married to his ex-wife's sister!! This was very enjoyable and you can't help but just love Ben's character. I will definitely be looking for more from Joshua Moehling in the future.

I wanted to like this book a bit more since I loved the first book but it didn't work out for me. I just couldn't get into the story.

I hadn't read the first in this series, however, they can be read on their own. I did really enjoy the pace of this novel, as well as how the author layered all the ideas and plotlines throughout. I really enjoyed this book overall and read it very quickly for me!

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

Beneath the snowdrifts of Sandy Lake, Minnesota, lies a web of deceit and a murder that sends Deputy Ben Packard on a hunt for the truth that chills as much as it enthralls. Joshua Moehling's "Where the Dead Sleep" is a masterclass in weaving a suspenseful mystery that keeps you guessing until the very last page.

Packard, a newcomer to the sleepy town, finds himself thrown into the heart of a storm when Bill Sandersen, a local with a past as checkered as a backgammon board, is found dead. As Packard delves deeper, he uncovers a tangled mess of resentments, broken promises, and hidden agendas, making every resident a potential suspect.

Moehling's skill lies in crafting characters that are as flawed as they are fascinating. Packard, haunted by his own past, grapples with his own demons while navigating the treacherous waters of small-town politics and simmering feuds. The supporting cast, from the enigmatic ex-wife to the tight-lipped business partner, are all meticulously drawn, each with their own secrets to bury and motives to conceal.

The mystery itself is a serpentine knot, expertly unraveled by Packard's relentless pursuit of the truth. Red herrings abound, keeping you off balance as you desperately try to piece together the clues. Just when you think you've figured it out, Moehling throws in another twist, leaving you breathless and eager to devour the next chapter.

But "Where the Dead Sleep" is more than just a whodunit. It's a poignant exploration of the scars the past leaves, the weight of guilt and regret, and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets. The novel paints a vivid picture of Sandy Lake, a town where the icy winds blow not just through the streets, but also through the cracks in lives built on shaky foundations.

Moehling's prose is clear and sharp, perfectly capturing the bleak beauty of the Minnesota winter and the simmering tension beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives. He masterfully builds suspense, layering each scene with hints and foreshadowing that keep you glued to the page, desperate to uncover the truth.

"Where the Dead Sleep" is a haunting and suspenseful read, perfect for fans of mysteries that linger long after the final page is turned. It's a story that will leave you questioning your own judgment, wondering who you can trust, and ultimately realizing that sometimes, the dead can hold the key to unlocking the secrets of the living.

So, grab a thermos of hot cocoa, curl up by the fire, and prepare to lose yourself in the icy grip of "Where the Dead Sleep." You won't regret it.

This book was story number 2 in a series, but it can be read as a standalone as well. We follow Ben Packard, the acting sheriff and how he has gotten to where he is today, would be best understood if you read the first book before adventuring into this one....
I do think I enjoyed the first novel better, but isn't that the case with most sequels lately? Still worth the read, Packard is not only trying to solve a murder, but also battling his own thoughts on whether or not to run for sheriff while wondering if someone is after him too... It is slightly easy to guess what will happen from early on in this one, but it is action packed (slower in some parts) & filled with so many layers, you will be intrigued the whole ride.
I am still looking forward to the next adventure. I know after ending on a cliffhanger like that, there just has to be more!!
This is my new favorite police procedural series!
3.5 stars rounded up!
Thank you to #Netgalley & publishers for the arc of this one in exchange for my honest review.

Great book by an author not known to me. Enjoyed the storyline and characters. I would definitely recommend. 4 stars

The book was very fastpaced so I read it in two days, also due to the fact it was really captivating.
I did not read the first book of the series but I did not have the feeling I missed something, although maybe a bit about the boat-shooter, that story keeps it alive and makes you really want to read the next books.
Although I really liked the storyline, I hoped there would be more of OMG-factor while reading the plot but altogether a really nice read.

When there is a murder in a small town, it tends to be a big story. Ben Packard, acting sheriff, is called in to be the lead investigator in the death of Bill Sanderson, who was shot twice in his bed while he was sleeping. His second wife, Carrie, claims to have only heard one shot, but doesn't seem to be giving the full story. It all revolves around a hummingbird pin and $20,000 that Bill withdrew shortly before his death. Things become even more complicated as Ben becomes a target and another death occurs, all while he's balancing the race for sheriff.
Joshua Moehling is a genius when it comes to weaving in clues and deception throughout his novel, and he kept me guessing until the end. It truly was a fun novel and I cannot wait for the third book in the Ben Packard saga. This book kept me on my toes and was an addicting, thrilling read.
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for a copy of this book, all opinions are my own :)