I went into this book blind—didn’t even realize it was part of a series. But I’m hooked, and will read every future installment of the Ben Packard series as they’re released.

Packard is the sheriff everyone should be so lucky to have. He’s fair, he works hard, he has morals, and he lives by a deep ethical code. But he also thinks outside the box and makes impossible case connections that others don’t.

I thought this book did a great job of leaving clues hanging around that may or may not be relevant, leaving me to mull them over for many chapters at a time—but also didn’t leave loose ends except one big plot point from Packard’s past that’s sure to be continued in the next book (and a little plot point that could be relevant in the future but didn’t feel unfinished).

Overall, great read. I was very engaged with the characters and the mystery as it evolved, and really enjoyed both the author’s writing style and the audiobook narration.

A police procedural/ thriller, this is the second book in the Ben Packard series. I read the first book And There He Kept Her and loved it. This one, not so much.

Although Ben Packard is still a lovable protagonist, the case that he had to solve in this book didn’t interest me that much. Book 1 was darker and more interesting. While here, I guessed who the killer was early on. I didn’t hold on to the new characters in this book, I wasn’t rooting for anyone. And then when the time came for the killer to be revealed, the end part of the novel felt repetitive.

The last part of the book included a conversation with the author. He said that he spent several years writing Book 1, while he wrote this book in a shorter amount of time. It definitely showed because for me, Book 1 was more polished and was a page-turner.

But still, I think I’d give Book 3 a chance. I like Ben Packard. He may not be the best investigator around, but he’s smart and has pretty solid morals going for him.

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Acting Sheriff Ben Packard of Sandy Lake, Minnesota, finds himself with a challenging dual role: solving the murder of a man shot to death in his own bed while simultaneously running for the position of Sheriff, left vacant by a tragic event.

The death of Bill Sanderson shrouds itself in a web of falsehoods, deceit, and closely guarded family secrets.

We follow Ben as he endeavours to unearth the concealed truths of a small town, track down the killer, and grapple with the internal politics within his department.

This book unfolds as a well-paced and intricately plotted police procedural. The author skillfully paints the backdrop of the narrative with the enigmatic small-town secrets, an engaging ensemble of characters, and a series of surprises that punctuate the journey.

While this book stands alone effectively, I highly recommend starting with the author’s previous work, “And There He Kept Her,” a deliciously dark tale. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I don't know why it took me so long to read this book! This was my first Ben Packard mystery and I'm so excited to read more. This police procedural had me hooked from page one and I was so invested in reading on to find out what happened. I will be bumping this author up on my list and will definitely be reading his new book as soon as it releases.

Where the Dead Sleep by Joshua Moehling is gripping, and hard hitting from the first paragraph. It centered you squarely in Acting Sheriff Ben Packard’s life, and bed.

Ben Packard, has returned to the small Minnesota town of Sandy Lake as a Detective on the police force. A position he liked very much until Sheriff Stan Shaw became ill. Ben was placed in charge.

Then a home invasion murder occurs which involves one of Ben’s friends, and an important person in town. Suspects abound. Are all his friends complicit or is this the hand of an outsider?

As this is the second book in a series, and I hadn’t read the first, I had to get up to speed on the characters and their surroundings. It was not difficult, however, and this book could stand alone. Sheriff Ben Packard was a well-rounded character, and Moehling didn’t shy away from allowing us to see the sexual side of Ben, as well as the caring side.

I was looking forward to seeing how Joshua Moehling handled a gay Sheriff, and how the other characters in the book responded to his office. There was no special treatment given to Sheriff Packard regarding his orientation. He was gay…boom…move on.

Thank you for an honest portrayal. There were a few times I would have liked to have read book one, but the fact that I hadn’t did not ruin the enjoyment of this mystery. Am I being cryptic?

Yes, and all I can tell you is Sheriff Ben Packard is not afraid of conflict or using his gun. Because I live in a small town, I know these characters as if they were my own family. The infighting of this small town is familiar. Moehling did a scarily fantastic job with his cast of characters.

Once you start this book, you had better clear some time in your schedule to finish it. You will not be able to put this book down until its conclusion.

I kept jumping from suspect to suspect as I tried to solve the mystery. It will hold you in a vice-like grip until the end.

Moehling kept it true to life, which makes the story more relatable, albeit sad. There was a little goodie dropped at the end of the book. All I can say to Mr. Moehling is thank you and hurry with the next book in the series, please. I am hooked!

I absolutely love this new author! I'm a big fan of Sanford and Box and this author is every bit as good - maybe better. His character development and plot lines are great. I couldn't put this book down or the first one. Can't wait to continue reading more about Ben Packard and the other residents of Sandy Lake!

Thank you Joshua Moehling, Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC e-book. This was my first Joshua Moehling book I have read and although this is the second book in the series I read it as a stand alone and felt okay and able to catch up on any back story. With that blurb stated.... Wow just wow!!! this book was great. I love crime novels they are quickly becoming my favorite. Sheriff Ben Packard was my favorite character and I cannot wait to continue reading more. I think I will go back and read the first and (im)patiently wait for the next

I thank Netgalley and the author for allowing me to review this book.

I discovered just at the end of the book that there is a prequel in from this author and will immediately dig in to read it.
I liked the detective very much, I like the faxt that his sexuality is just some part of the plot and the focus is kept on the investigation, making it an interestiing detail and not an overwhelming plot device..
I liked the mistery, could see a bit of the resolution coming but not all of it and the depiction of narcisistic characters is spo on.
I am very excited for the next book and really want to know more about the detective's history.
A very recommended read for any crime lover.

This is the second book from this author featuring Ben Packard and I certainly hope it's not the last.
This was another cracker of a story, a book you will pick up and not put down until you finish.
There are so many moving parts to this book, starting with a murder that may be a robbery gone wrong or something else entirely.
You are constantly wondering who is telling the truth and who is hiding something from the police.
1 enjoyed this as much as I did And He Kept Her There and I cannot wait to see what's next from Joshua Moehling and his wonderful character Ben Packard

Joshua Moehling does it again with Ben Packard. The twists and turns that Ben Packard takes to solve the case drew me in from the beginning.

When small-town acting sheriff Ben Packard gets called to a home invasion, where a homicide has occurred, Packard does not cut corners when working the case and investigates every clue that he discovers. This case isn't an open and closed case either.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the free copy of Where the Dead Sleep by Joshua Moehling in exchange for my review. I cannot wait for the next installment!

I enjoyed And There He Kept Her so requested this audio book, which is the second in the series. The first book you know in the first few chapters who the killer was. In this second book you are guessing and figuring it out with Ben Packard, acting sheriff. I think I like the second book even more and can't wait for the third. The narrator does a stellar job with the characters and I am glad it is the same narrator. Joshua Moehling needs to get that third book out! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This is the second book in this series that I've read and I really enjoy them. They are easy mystery reads, not too gory for a thriller, and the story moves along well and in good timing. It leaves you with a lot of questions until you're toward the end, so you don't have it figured out too quickly ruining the fun of the book. Definitely recommend.

I received a free copy from NetGalley. Second in a series. While it held up on its own, the first case was mentioned often enough that I wish I would have read it first. I'm going back to read it now, as I like the characters, town, author's style.

A gritty, well-written police procedural that had me gripped from the very first page. Our protagonist is Ben Packard, acting sheriff, a relatable, intriguing man who must balance his public-facing job with his private life as a gay man. When someone is murdered, Ben unravels a web of secrets, exposing a long list of suspects that add to the suspense.

This is the second in the series, but I didn’t know that going in, so you can definitely read it as a standalone.

A complex, intelligent, and tightly plotted police procedural that exposes dark secrets in a small, rural town.

I loved this book. The characters were well written and that plot was insane. So many twists and turns that i never would have saw coming. I enjoyed this so much and highly recommend this to my crime and thriller loving bookish friends

Ben Packard is back investigating a home invasion ending in murder in Sandy Lake, MN. Things aren't as they initially seem, and after someone takes a shot at Packard and escapes by boat across the lake, the questions multiply. Gambling habits, complicated relationships, and small-town politics swirl as Packard works to solve the mystery of who killed Bill. And what about the handsome co-owner of the new mico-brewery in town? Can Packard take a chance on a relationship again? All in good time.

I'm a big fan of Detective Packard. He's sharp and determined with an ambivalence and vulnerability that brings authenticity to his character. The writing is perfectly paced and the cast of small-town players is colorful. The plot has as many layers as Packard's past, and I can't wait for the next novel to discover what secrets have been hidden from him by someone he trusted.

Read this if you enjoy a well-paced, muti-layered mystery thriller with great characters and an LGBTQ MC. If you haven't yet experienced the first Ben Packard novel, And There He Kept Her, go grab a copy to catch up then dive into Where the Dead Sleep. You'll be glad you did!

Ben Packard is back, and the small town of Sandy Lake is on edge once again, when Bill Sandersen is found shot to death in his bed.

After a life spent chasing money and breaking hearts, it’s less a matter of finding a suspect than somehow narrowing down the crowd to determine who finally snapped; and when it comes to poking around in ancient small-town secrets, Packard is more than qualified.

The second in a series is where I really decide if I am going to follow it or not – and luckily for me, Joshua Moehling has taken a promising debut, and solidified its promise with a follow-up that is not only a great book, but a very promising sign of the series to come. It’s such a balancing act with procedurals – you have to have a book that stands on its own, but that moves the longer-running elements ahead too. Preferably there’s enough momentum to be interesting, but without either going too far or not far enough; with the one you end up with a series that throws too much at the reader in each instalment, while the other way ends up losing steam and becoming repetitive and slow. Where the Dead Sleep, though, absolutely nails the balance; Packard is settling into his new life here, even as a new mystery promises to keep him using his detection skills to their utmost.

That balance works in other areas of the book, too. Events are exciting and the mystery compelling, but still felt like they could be taking place in the real world. Packard and the people of Sandy Lake that we’re getting to know are great characters; they make me look forward to getting to read the next in the series. And while Where the Dead Sleep wraps up into a book that could stand alone by the end, there’s some hints there that future books will be very interesting indeed. I’ll be here for it, and in the meantime will be recommending these books to every procedural fan I know.

4-1/2 stars rounded up to 5. I'm so glad acting Sheriff/Deputy Ben Packard is back! The mystery of who shot Bill Sandersen is complicated and at times I found it hard to keep the details straight. The similar names of the wives didn't help. In the end Ben's attention to detail brings the shooter and the truth to light. I found the computer forensic details from Suresh to be fascinating and I would love to see more of this in future investigations. This book is a lot of set up for book 3 in the series, with a lot of foreshadowing and introduction of future villains. I'm not at all upset about it as I like the way Ben's mind works, and I like his relationships and the way he works with other members of the Sheriff's Office. There were several interactions with his coworkers that made me laugh out loud!

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to #netgalley for granting me an ARC on this novel.
While I really enjoyed the book, I really wish I had known there was a first book to this story. You don't necessarily have to read the first one to get into this story, but I think it would have helped to know the protagonist a bit.
This novel has a lot of drama and suspense, I highly recommend it!

This second book featuring Deputy Ben Packard, set again in rural Minnesota, was really engaging (I read 3/4 of it in a day!) and I am really hoping that this series continues. There is a wide variety of things happening in this one- from the murder that Packard is investigating, an unexpected election for sheriff that Packard is reluctant to get involved with, and the dynamics of being a gay cop in a nosy, conservative town. I appreciated the timeline of this investigation and that it takes time to figure out the suspects. If you've read the first in this series, this one feels somewhat less intense. This is a really well written story and a series I'm definitely recommending.