Okay, I am thinking I should have read the author's other book first? Because it seems like everyone else says this is part of a series?! Yet, there is no series indicator in the title or description? Can we get serious about properly marketing/clarifying standalone books in an interconnected series? *screams in Virgo*

Anyway, I think the author is simply not for me. The pacing was all over the place, scenes jumped so abruptly from one to another, and though you expect a thriller to be fast-paced, this was too much. It stressed me out, and it wasn't just the story that stressed me out. It was the exposition, the storytelling, the pace, the tone of the book. It was the writing. The plot was enjoyable enough but my brain could not follow the writing that well. I think I'm the outlier here because everyone else adored it, but that's okay.

This is the second book in this series, I haven't read the first and had no trouble following along. Although, after finishing I would like to go back and read BK 1.

I enjoyed Packard as our main character, he is smart and determined to solve the case. And I can't wait to dive deeper into his life and learn more about him. The case Packard works on in this book is especially twisty and turny. When a man is murdered in his bed the prime suspect is not only his wife but her two sisters as well, and I loved watching Packard put all the puzzle pieces together. I also loved how it ended, and am really excited to continue this series and see where it all is going to go from here.

A mystery and suspense novel meets crime procedural. The second in the “Ben Packard” series (and what doesn’t seem will be the last), this story follows Deputy/interim Sheriff Ben investigating the home invasion murder of a popular local known to get himself in trouble. With plenty of suspects…ranging from shady gambling connections to his wife or her sister (aka his ex-wife…yes, that’s some additional drama), Packard has his work cut out for him to find the suspect in time.
As the investigation continues in the tiny Minnesota town, some are set to make sure their secrets remain just that.
I liked this and hope Joshua Moehling will continue the series. Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This is out now.

4 stars

Bill Sandersen is shot twice in his bed in the quiet Minnesota town of Sandy Lake. While Bill was well-liked within the town (despite having bad debt and a trail of broken hearts following him) it was clear someone had sinister motives. When Deputy Ben Packard questions those close to Bill, everyone has a story but none with a clear motive. So, who did it? Was it the business partner? The ex-wife? The current wife (who is also the ex-wife's sister)? Or someone with an ulterior motive?

This was my first Moehling book and definitely won't be my last! While I have heard of And There He Kept Her, I didn't make the connection that these were a part of the same series until about halfway through the book. It didn't take away from the story though and this book could definitely be read as a stand-alone.

This story was so captivating and thrilling, that I felt like I was living in the town and investigating this murder alongside Packard. Where the Dead Sleep was very fast-paced and easy to read, I devoured it in a couple of sittings. The unpredictability of the story also made you keep guessing who did it the whole way, with many twists and turns, you'll be on the edge of your seat. This one also ends with a pretty big cliffhanger and sets it up nicely for the next book.

I would recommend this to anyone who is after an intense page-turner, with a plot that will keep you guessing right up to the very end.

Thank you to Netgalley and Poison Pen Press for sending me an ARC to read and review. I really enjoyed this one!

Title: A Riveting Dive into the Dark: "Where the Dead Sleep" by Joshua Moehling

Rating: ★★★★☆

Joshua Moehling's "Where the Dead Sleep" is a compelling and atmospheric journey into the heart of a small town plagued by a haunting mystery. With its evocative prose and well-crafted characters, the novel successfully captures the essence of a gripping supernatural thriller.

The story revolves around the enigmatic disappearance of a young woman, and Moehling skillfully weaves together multiple perspectives, creating a narrative tapestry that adds depth and complexity to the plot. The characters, each with their own secrets and vulnerabilities, contribute to the atmospheric tension that permeates the pages.

Moehling's descriptive prowess shines in his portrayal of the town and its eerie surroundings. The setting becomes a character in itself, contributing to the overall sense of foreboding that keeps readers engaged. The author's ability to build and sustain an atmosphere of suspense is commendable, making "Where the Dead Sleep" a page-turner from start to finish.

The pacing is well-managed, with the narrative unfolding at a steady rhythm that allows for tension to build gradually. The author skillfully balances plot twists and revelations, keeping readers guessing about the true nature of the mystery until the very end. The supernatural elements are seamlessly integrated into the story, adding an extra layer of intrigue without overshadowing the human drama at the core of the novel.

Character development is another strong suit of the book. The protagonists are relatable and flawed, making their struggles and triumphs resonate with readers. The relationships between characters feel authentic, adding emotional depth to the unfolding events. Moehling's ability to create empathetic connections with his characters enhances the overall impact of the story.

While the resolution is satisfying, some readers might find certain aspects of the conclusion to be slightly predictable. However, the journey to that point is so engaging that it doesn't diminish the overall enjoyment of the novel.

In conclusion, "Where the Dead Sleep" is a captivating read for those who enjoy a blend of mystery, suspense, and the supernatural. Joshua Moehling's storytelling prowess and his ability to craft a vivid and atmospheric world make this novel a worthy addition to the genre.

I found this book to be very interesting and intriguing. I would recommend this a friend because this is a book for everyone. I really enjoyed emerging myself into this book and it was just wonderful.

After reading the first book in this series, I wanted to get to book two post haste. Who could resist a book with this as the starting sentence – “The dog was inconsolable.” I’m sure you’ll enjoy Frank, the dog.

Ben Packard is finally showing his personality. He’s finally coming to terms with who he is. I like this about Ben. If you have read And There He Kept Her, you were introduced to Ben and the reasons why he returned back home. You also know about Stan Shaw, the man who put Ben in the position of acting sheriff. In this tale, Ben is dealing with the death of Mr. Sandersen while also trying to figure out the sisters, Sherry and Carrie. The story of the sisters is kind of twisted in itself. You’ll have to read the book to find out why.

There are a whole host of other characters that make this tale what it is, as well as some smaller stories intermixed that make me more than interested to see what Ben finds himself mixed up in next.

I am very thankful I was given the opportunity to read the advance copy of this book. I was not aware it was a part of series when I requested it, so I read it as a standalone book. Deputy Packard is investigating the small-town death of Bill Sandersen. There are so many twists and turns in this book, so it kept me intrigued. I did not predict the outcome or ending.

I love this police procedural crime series and this book was a great installment. It is pace perfect with a well crafted plot. And Sheriff Ben is becoming a favorite of mine.
Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I will stick to my review of the first book by saying these are great if you are looking to start reading thrillers and don't know where to start. The cliffhanger ending is killing me slowly. Also, BEN PACKARD FOR PRESIDENT!

I enjoy this new series. I like how Ben is settling into the community and being able to be more who he is. There is some conflict in the department when Ben decides to run or not and we are left with a bit of a hint at where the next book is going. I look forward to it.

This is the second book featuring the Sheriff. Was a fantastic read and I hope that there will be more! Love this author and he will be on my auto buy list!

4-4.5 stars

Deputy Ben Packard is called to the scene of a murder and finds Bill Sanderson shot in his bed. While Bill was well-liked, he had a penchant for making bad decisions, leaving behind bad debts and an unstable love life. Everyone is a suspect but there are no clear motives.

To make matters worse, the Sheriff’s department experiences a heartbreaking tragedy, and Ben now has to decide if he wants to run for Sheriff, a job he isn’t even convinced he wants. The small town of Sandy Lake has a long history with deep-rooted secrets, and as an outsider, Ben bas only touched the surface. But the closer he gets to the truth, the more his life is in danger.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Ben Packard is a fantastic character and really makes a name for himself amongst the citizens of Sandy Lake. I think this series is off to a great start, but I will note that ai didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first. It was a bit less suspenseful and didn’t grab my attention as much as I’d hoped it would. Nonetheless, it is definitely worth reading!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing a copy of this book to review.*

Where the Dead Sleep
A Ben Packard novel, Book 2
Joshua Moehling, author

Deputy Bed Packard is at it again with solving yet another murder in the cozy town of Sandy Lake, Minnesota. This time his own life may be at risk.

Meanwhile, he has many supporters in Sandy Lake that would like to see him as the Sheriff. Packard really doesn't want the job, but he just may run for the office of Sheriff, though.

The ending of the story leaves with a cliffhanger for the next Ben Packard murder mystery.

I enjoyed this book so much; I've listened to the audio version of the book twice. I received the e-audiobook via Netgalley, the publisher and the author. I thank you. I voluntarily leave this review in exchange for the opportunity to listen to the book.

Good pace and tight plotting abound in this second in the Ben Packard series. The writing is assured and smooth, at times downright poetic. There's a good mystery here: namely, who killed the enigmatic Ben Sanderson? But the best part of the series is the uniqueness of the main character. Can't think of many gay lawmen written with such authenticity in crime fiction beyond Jonathan Kellerman's Milo Sturgis. The adventures of Ben Packard are fantastic!

I Absolutely loved this book , it brought back memories as to why I loved the first book ,and this one is just as good or even better then the first one, the characters themselves has grown so much from the last book , and the town is still holding back on its secrets but slowly letting them out , and while there's twist and turns at every point , the story itself is unpredictable, because every time I thought I guessed something or knew something, it turned out I was wrong .

I loved this book.. Ben Packard is the acting sheriff in a small town in Northern MN, Sandy Lake. He is called upon to investigate the murder of a man in his home the morning after Labor Day. Bill's wife was home, heard a gunshot, and found Bill's body in bed. I liked the detailed description of each clue in the investigation and the author bringing the reader along through Packard's thought processes. (Even so, it didn't help me predict the perp). I was right there when Sheriff Packard examined the facts, and the background of several suspects finding leads to the murder and theft - and still didn't figure it out!.
This book was a good family drama, with a lot of tension, and gradual build up to the climax. The characters were well described and complex yet believable - typical of small town familiarity (where everybody knows your name). I thought the ending was unpredictable and the little plot twist was just perfect. I did not realize that it was the second book in a series but it could be read as a stand-alone. However, now I have to go back and find the first book!
Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advance ARC of Where the Dead Sleep. the opinions expressed in this review are my own. I rate this book 4.5 stars.

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sheriff Ben Packard is the towns temporary sheriff. This is book 2 and I can’t wait to continue reading more. Following along and trying to solve the murder of Bill where everyone has motive to lie.. Bill had been married to sisters helping to bleed their money dry. His big plan to make money ended up in his death. An excellent read that I highly recommend.

This is the second book in a series, and I don't think it is necessary to read the first book in order to follow this one. However, I enjoyed this book so much that I immediately bought the first book and am looking forward to the next one.

The main character is Deputy Ben Packard, who works in the small town of Sandy Lake, Minnesota. His family visited the town each winter when he was young, and his brother had disappeared there when they were kids. He was believed to have fallen through the ice and drowned, but his body was never found. Ben is still troubled by his brother's disappearance.

Ben is woken up early one morning by a call to a home invasion. When he gets there, he discovers that Bill Sandersen, a local businessman, was shot dead in his bed by a group of masked men. His wife was not harmed. The more Ben investigates, the more people he adds to the list of those who would have reason to wish Bill Sandersen harm.

Bill had hurt a lot of people financially and in other ways. For example, he had married two sisters, who hated each other even before they met Bill. When Ben went to interview the divorced sister, he met a third relative - one with dementia, who made a shocking statement.

Ben is also reluctantly running for the position of sheriff since the other man running is unsuitable for the job. He also works in the police department, and if Ben loses, his life will become very uncomfortable.

I received an e-arc from publisher Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley and voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

I loved the first in this series and the second one was just as good. Police procedurals are my jam and now that we know Ben Packard’s backstory we are able to dive right into this one, which finds Detective Ben Packard called to the scene of a home invasion, where Bill Sandersen has been shot in his bed. He was a well-liked local who went after the easy money his whole life, which unfortunately left bad debts and unhappy women in his wake, making it hard for Packard to solve this one. Basically everyone he talks to could have a motive, but they all proclaim innocence. The current wife, the ex-wife, friends, acquaintances, poker buddies, you name it. But there is a dark side to this small town that Packard is not aware of, and then an attempt on his life tells him he’s getting close to the killer….

Like the first book this one kept my attention the entire time. I love Packard’s character and I really enjoyed the case and how Packard was able to solve it. You don’t need to read the first one to follow along here, but I do recommend it as it was such a great read. I loved how this one ended and I cannot wait for the next book! The audio for this was excellent also, and I absolutely recommend reading it this way if you can.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and Macmillan Audio for the copies to review.