Everybody lies, even as the truth churns through their mind.

I love an eerie small-town narrative, rich with furtive behavior and morally ambiguous characters. And it’s in these places where that saying, you never really know your neighbours, comes to roaring to life.

Ben is a detective turned acting sheriff who has moved to a small town after a tragedy upends his sense of equilibrium.

When he is called to the scene of a brutal home invasion, at first glance it appears that the well-liked local lying in a pool of blood was killed by a stranger. As Ben and his peers begin investigating, turns out the list of people with motive is a mile long.

The business partner. The wife. The ex-wife. The poker buddy. The best friend.

With plenty of small-town machinations playing out in tandem to the mystery at hand, this was an absorbing page turner with a marvelous cast of characters. To say more would be to spoil the fun…

Good story with a thrilling plot, and interesting characters. A new author to me I found this to be an engrossing read. Will recommend this page turner to friends!!

First time author to me. This was a very interesting book. Alot of twists and turning. Its amazing book.

Great job Joshua.

There are a lot of secrets in Sandy Lake,Minnesota, as Deputy Sheriff Ben Packard finds out when Bill Sanderson is murdered. Sanderson lived, to put it nicely, a complicated romantic life but not to the point of murder. Except he was murdered. As Ben is working the case and serving as active Sheriff, his predecessor succumbs to cancer, leaving Ben to decide whether he wants to run for the office. You'd think that it wouldn't be a big thing these days to be LGBTQI but it can be so Ben's struggling a bit. He's a good well rounded character, Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I missed the first novel but this is a fine standalone that's got me looking forward the next one.

I admire Moehling's portrayal of Ben Packard, acting sheriff of a small town in Minnesota. He took the job as acting sheriff, because the man who hired him was dying, and asked him to take over. But Ben much prefers working as a deputy, and solving cases, to attending meetings and serving as sheriff. He doesn’t intend to run, and thinks his status as a gay man would prevent him from winning, anyway.
However, the murder case Ben is working on features a family so evil that it doesn’t seem credible. It's hard to believe what they seem to be capable of.
I also didn't realize that this was book two in a series. That would explain the very abrupt ending, and the way one attempted murder was left unsolved.

Deputy Ben Packard is called to a murder scene. Someone shot Bill Sanderson in his bed. Ben has lots of questions but few answers. While investigating Ben learns some long ago hidden family secrets about Bill and both his current and ex wife, and some secrets of his own family. Strong lead character.
I read the first book also and really love this series; and hate it too. Love the stories and the characters and the twists and the hints at the end for the next story; and hate the hints at the end because now I have to wait for the next one.

Ben Packard is BAAAAAACK!! 😍 Packard is one of my favorite book characters! I just love reading and learning more about him! Where the Dead Sleep is a sequel to And There He Kept Her, but I think could definitely be read as a stand-alone! But also highly recommend both of them! This one is out next Tuesday, August 15th! Thank you Poisoned pen press for my advanced copy!

Joshua Moehling nails it again with Where the Dead Sleep and I cannot get the 3rd book in this series fast enough!!

I loved And There He Kept Her and was so excited to be back to Sandy Lake with acting Sheriff Ben Packard. After a local was found shot to death in his bed, we follow Sheriff Packard as he chats with the townspeople to piece together what may have happened. As if that isn't enough on his plate, Ben learns that a special election will be held for a new Sheriff. But Ben doesn't really want the job, does he?
While the heart of this story is a murder mystery, @jmoehling does such a fantastic job bringing the town of Sandy Lake to life. This is what I like best about these books - the murder mystery is just one layer, we also dive into Ben's life as well as the people of Sandy Lake as a whole. Just like most small towns, Sandy Lake has it's share of secrets and I look forward to learning more of those secrets from this dynamic small town cast. (That's me being hopeful that there will be another book in this series😁🤞🏻)

Thank you to @netgalley @poisonedpenpress @dreamscape_media and @librofm for the gifted copy of this book.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press & @netgalley for my #gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review!


𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
I was a huge fan of Moehling’s first book in the Ben Packard series- And There He Kept Her- and was so excited to receive a copy of his newest installment in the series. In this thrilling sequel to And There He Kept Her we are given more information and background into Ben’s personal life, and his determination to uncover the truth and the secrets surrounding the sinister and murderous events that are happening in the little town of Sandy Lake, where Packard serves as deputy. This is such a fun police procedural series, and Ben Packard is an awesome character and one of my favorites. I love following Packard’s journey as he uncovers secrets and the truth behind the murder. This one is completely thrilling, engaging, and consists of just the right amount of suspense and twists to keep you fully engaged throughout. I am looking forward to finding out what Ben Packard gets into next!

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞?
If you read Moehling’s first book in the Ben Packard series then you definitely need to read this one! && even if you haven’t read the first book-you should! This series will easily become your next addiction!

𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4/5

WHERE THE DEAD SLEEP was fast-paced, riveting and showed so many more sides to Packard than book one did, with all the same intrigue and mystery I loved in book one. While following the turbulent and whiplash twists of the murders and unexpected shooting, we see some internal battles with Packard that I think deepened his character and rounded him out.

Moehling twists the narrative that the one pulling the trigger is always the villain is this compelling mystery. A must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery and multi-plot stories that blend together in their series perfectly.

The second book in the Ben Packard series, Where the Dead Sleep by Joshua Moehling is a murder mystery set in Sandy Lake, Minnesota. Acting Sherriff Ben Packard is called to a home shooting to find the husband dead and the wife in shock. As he investigates, he discovers the victim is a gambler with debts and his two wives were actually sisters. When his mentor dies, Ben is thrust into a Sherriff election as the murder case gets complicated, with all clues exhausted and a rising body count. The lies of one possible suspect then reveal a divisive family history and multiple people with motives for wanting the victim dead. Although a series, this is a standalone review of an enjoyable police procedural that is a four stars read rating. With thanks to set Poisoned Pen Press and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without inducement.

Ben Packard is probably my favorite detective outside of Will Trent. I was so happy he was back in this novel and that we really got to see more of his personal life. He is a great complex character and I loved delving more into his personality and thoughts.

I appreciated that this novel picked up right where And There he Kept Her left off. There is a murder, an investigation, some shady things and lots of red herrings. All of the suspects are despicable and have issues which made for some interesting reading lol

Since this novel ended as a cliffhanger, I can only assume we will be getting more Packard which just makes my heart happy! Another great one by Moehling! Thank you to @Netgalley for my advance copy!

✦Where the Dead Sleep by Joshua Moehling✦
★★★★★ 5/5 stars!

Pub Date: August 15

✦ Synopsis
Ben Packard, still acting-Sheriff of the rural Minnesota town of Sandy Lake, is back & on a new case. A early morning call during Labor Day weekend finds a man shot in his bed. The business partner, the ex-wife, the current wife, the high-stakes poker buddies - any of them could be guilty. While trying to get to the bottom of this, Ben must juggle his very public job with his personal life, & decide if he wants to subject himself to the scrutiny of an election to keep his job as sheriff or step down into the role of detective.

✦ My Thoughts
I loved And There He Kept Her (a 5☆ read for me in January), so of course I was so excited to get my hands on the sequel! This book has it all - murder, mystery, suspense, small town drama, blackmail. Those who enjoy police procedurals & crime fiction will love the investigative details. I really enjoyed the character development in this one. I was just as invested in the characters as I was the action. The plot twists & red herrings kept me guessing until the very last page! The cliffhanger of an ending left me eager to return to Sandy Lake in a 3rd book for more of Ben Packard’s story.

thanks to Joshua Moehling, Netgalley, & Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read & listen to this ARC! ◡̈

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are entirely my own .

This is a mystery set in a small town complete with twists and surprises. This is my first Joshua Moehling book and I look forward to more books by Joshua. The book follows Ben Packard a detective who arrives at a home invasion to find Bill shot in bed . Ben was well liked in the small town and thus finding a killer proves to be difficult, Twisty , sinister and well written - Where the Dead Sleep is perfect for fans of thrillers set in communities and serving Agatha Christie vibes.

Where the Dead Sleep by Joshua Moehling - The damage Margaret “Narcissist Mother of the Year” inflicted on her daughters and hen-pecked husband John influenced their lives beyond measure. Mary was awkward, Sherri the life of the party and Carrie the brown noser, youngest and most like her mom. These members of the Gherlick family are an integral part of the community of Sandy Lake. Packard is the reticent acting sheriff, stepping into the shoes of his boss, long-time Sheriff Stan. Packard is tasked with solving the murder of Bill, who at one time was married to both Gherlick sisters. It’s a wonderful ride, full of twists and turns. From the Barny Fife type Shepard, the over-the-top Barry Manilow fan Kelly to Frank the dog, it’s an awesome cast of characters that make this a fabulous read!

🔅 Book Review 🔅

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

If you’re a murder mystery, whodunnit fan, I recommend picking up a copy of Where the Dead Sleep.

Brief Synopsis: When an early morning call being Deputy Ben Packard to the scene of a home invasion, he finds Bull Sandersen shot in his bed. There’s a hidden history to Sandy Lake that Packard, an outsider, can’t see. Bad blood and old secrets run deep.

Here’s what you can expect:
🔍 Murder Mystery
🔍 Fast Paced
🔍 Small Town Secrets
🔍 Toxic Family Dynamics
🔍 Plot Twists

I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. It gave off those classic thriller, whodunnit vibes from page one. I love a good investigation book and this was exactly that.

However, are we going to get a Ben Packard book #3? Sign me up!! Because I’m invested and need to know what happens next. The ending sets this up perfectly.

Ben Packard is the acting sheriff of Sandy Lake during Sheriff Stan's ongoing battle with colon cancer. Suddenly, Packard finds himself thrust into a murder investigation where everyone is hiding something, along with a special election to become the newly elected sheriff.

With twists, turns, and a litany of liars, Moehling does an excellent job keeping readers on their toes. I was kept guessing until the end! The mystery itself was very believable. I enjoyed seeing the POV of not only Packard, but other characters as well. It really added depth to the narrative and helped build suspense. Moehling did an outstanding job of weaving together a tangled web of intrigue, only to unspool it slowly for the reader. I look forward to the next installment in the Ben Packard saga.

Review of Where The Dead Sleep by Joshua Moehling

And There He Kept Her was one of my favorite books last year, so I was absolutely thrilled to be approved to read this one. I had a digital and audiobook copy, and I mostly listen to the audiobook on this. I finished it in two days and I really enjoyed it overall. I was so excited to have the same main character now acting sheriff Ben Packard back in this one. I love his character and I love the small-town setting. I hope that this author continues to write books with this main character in this town. I have to admit I did like this one slightly less than And There He Kept Her but I wasn’t at all disappointed by this one. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Synopsis:

When an early morning call brings Deputy Ben Packard to the scene of a home invasion, he finds Bill Sandersen shot in his bed. Bill was a well-liked local who chased easy money his whole life, leaving bad debts and broken hearts in his wake. Everyone Packard talks to has a story about Bill, but no one has a clear motive for wanting him dead. The business partner. The ex-wife. The current wife. The high-stakes poker buddies. Any of them―or none of them―could be guilty.
As the investigation begins, tragedy strikes the Sheriff's department, forcing Packard to make a difficult choice about his future: step down as acting Sheriff and pursue the quiet life he came to Sandy Lake in search of, or subject himself to the scrutiny of an election for the full-time role of Sheriff, a job he's not sure he wants.
There's a hidden history to Sandy Lake that Packard, ever the outsider, can't see. Bad blood and old secrets run deep. But an attempt on Packard's life means he's getting uncomfortably close to the dangerous legacy of the quiet Minnesota town. And someone will do anything to keep it hidden.

CONTENT WARNING: homophobia, murder, blood, death, suicide, racism, xenophobia, bullying

When I read the first book in this series, I didn’t know it was going to be a series, but I fell in love with Acting Sheriff Ben Packard and the small town of Sandy Lake. There’s little I love more than reading about a small town full of secrets, and I was thrilled to discover that not only is this a series, but that we haven’t discovered the last of the secrets in Sandy Lake.

In this book, someone shows up shot to death in his bed, with his wife, Carrie, unharmed. When Packard arrives to investigate, he discovers that he’s got his work cut out for him. Bill got along with everyone, but gambled and had trouble staying faithful. There’s no shortage of suspects, but there’s no motives to be found. His ex-wife, Sherri, who happens to be Carrie’s sister, his business partner, the people he played poker with, and even unknown people could be responsible for the murder. But wait, there’s more! There’s a race for sheriff going on, and while Packard would clearly be the best candidate for the job, he isn’t sure he wants to run—the stress of dealing with the job, the fact that he wouldn’t be able to devote all of his time to investigating, and the potential of public scrutiny of his sexuality when it doesn’t have any impact on his ability to do his job are all factors preventing him from throwing his hat in the ring. And on top of all of that, someone makes an attempt on his life during the investigation.

I enjoy Packard’s character. He feels like the kind of guy you’d find in Anytown, America, almost as if you’d run into him in a local gas station while crossing the country. As a realistic character, he’s complex. He’s completely devoted to his job, and he’s trying his best to settle into the town. Despite his prior family ties to the town, he’s not accepted as a local. I enjoyed watching him thaw out the locals and get them to warm to him through his combination of being down-to-earth, honest, and straightforward with them. He also struggles with some elements of internalized homophobia, which are exacerbated living in a small town compared to his years living in a city, combined with the “boys club” environment of the police, where it isn’t as widely accepted to be gay as in other careers.

This is an exciting and engrossing series. The plots are so intriguing and keep me flipping pages waiting for the next unexpected twist, that each time I finish a book I’m ready for the next one to come out immediately. I enjoy the characters, and love how the side characters have their own personalities and don’t feel like they’re just thrown in there as filler. This is one not to miss, and even if you didn’t read the first book, this one works pretty well as a standalone.

Where the Dead Sleep is the second book in the Ben Packard series and like the first book, it is an intense and riveting read. We learn more about Packard in this book as layers are slowly unveiled. While investigating murders, he has to decide if he wants to run for sheriff which is not really something he ever wanted for reasons you will find out about when you read the book. There are a lot of red herrings that will keep you on your toes, and the ending, while satisfying, leaves me anticipating the next book in the series. I am invested in these characters, Frank included, and the small-town vibes and all that comes with that. This has become one of my favorite series.