Joshua Moehling is a thriller genius. The way he weaves a storyline is absolute perfection! Book 3 in the series has you loving Packard even more than before...if that's even possible! Cannot wait for the next edition.

This series has quickly become a favorite of mine. Ben Packard is not only a good cop but also a better friend. He is determined in his investigations and this determination is also reflected in his personal life. Ben is looking into the disappearance of his older brother, who went missing when Ben was a young boy. He uses the same determination he applies to his cases to investigate what happened to his brother. I am always pleased with the books in the Ben Packard series. The details always surprise me, and by the end of each book, I find myself a bigger fan of Ben Packard. I am eagerly awaiting the next entry in the series.

Great story! I loved the character development. The story flowed nicely and was a fun read. This is only the 2nd book I have read by this author but I will look for more. 3 stars

I hadn’t realized this book was part of a series before I started reading. While there are constant references to the previous books, it’s not hard to follow the story of this book.
The synopsis of the story promised a thrilling mystery of finding out what happened to the brother of Detective Packard who had disappeared at the age of 17. However, 99% of the book had nothing to do with this story. Which was frustrating because THAT is what I wanted to read about. By the time the story picks up this storyline again I had completely forgotten about it.

However, if one doesn’t go in looking for that storyline, the mystery that is uncovered and solved in this book is intriguing. It has everything from shootings to missing persons to a detective who is a hero but not a lot of people seem to love.

That should’ve made this book atleast a four stars for me but sadly it didn’t, by the end I just wanted it to be over. I didn’t connect with any of the characters, there were a lot of unnecessary details (in my opinion).

I’m giving this a very generous 3 stars.

Thankyou NetGalley for this free ARC book for my honest review

A Long Time Gone
Ben Packard series, Book 3
Joshua Moehling, author

While I enjoyed parts of the storyline, especially the parts when Packard was investigating his older brother's death; the investigation of the Louise's death was dry and often times boring. The opening and the ending were especially good. Unfortunately, the bulk of the storyline was the investigation Packard completed on Louise's death while he was supposedly on administrative leave. That part is not realistic, as that would not be allowed in an actual investigation.

I was looking forward to this third novel from Moehling, but I was disappointed, as this one was not as good as his first two novels. I am hopeful that Moehling's next book will be better, and his plot and storyline will draw the reader in more. I know he can do it. The book would have been so much better if the author had stuck to Packard discovering the answers he needed regarding the death of his brother thirty years prior and the effects the death had had on him and his family.

I received an advanced reader copy via Netgalley, the publisher and the author. The opinions I write are my own. Thank you for the ARC.

Another fabulous edition to the series. I’m so glad the family mystery was tied up in 3 volumes and wasn’t dragged out any longer. The light hearted banter between Ben and others made this mystery quite realistic and enjoyable. I’d read more by this author, no hesitations.

Thank you netgalley for the ARC of the book. I enjoyed the story and the character development. I was engaged from the very beginning. As a fan of horror/thrillers, I loved this story. The mystery and intrigue was there and I found myself staying up late to finish chapters. This is a book that's great for the upcoming fall season. I have read more of this authors work and this is the best.

When I first met Ben Packard in 2022, I said he was one of my favorite characters of all time. And then I reiterated this fact in 2023. And now I will again in 2024. He is unflappable. His humor is spot on. He is so endearing and relatable. And this is coming from someone who cannot stand police procedural thrillers. This book, and Ben Packard, are that good, that I have had no choice but to change my stubborn ways lol.

I fell in love with Joshua Moehling’s writing with And There He Kept Her, and it has gotten better with each book. A Long Time Gone has to be my favorite of the trilogy so far (please write more).

On top of crafting one of the best characters, I felt a Midwest kinship with Moehling himself, because he featured winter as its own character in this book. After some pretty tame winters in southeastern Wisconsin, it was like a breath of fresh stabby winter air to read about something so familiar and nostalgic: the bitter cold and the snow. This book truly made me crave winter. I could envision stepping outside, seeing my breath in the air, inhaling it in like a cold glass of ice water. Reading this book was like coming home to the Wisconsin winters that shaped me.

I loved how layered A Long Time Gone was. It wasn’t twisty and turney like some thrillers try to be, because it didn’t need to be. It was multifaceted, intelligent, intriguing and realistic. There was often empathy and viewpoints interwoven that made me appreciate the book on a deeper level.

I feel like I’m rambling here. The point is, you need to meet Ben Packard to experience him yourself. I love these books so much. All the pressure, Joshua Moehling, please keep writing.

Ben Packard is back! For fans of 'And There He Kept Her' and 'Where The Dead Sleep', you're going to love the third instalment in the series. With the return of some old much loved characters (and 3 legged companions!) we also meet some new favourites! As with all of Joshua Moehling's books, I could not put this one down and was hooked from the first chapter. Highly recommend this one, and hope to see a book 4 in the series in the not too distant future! 5 stars.

The story opens with a deputy involved courthouse shooting. Finding himself placed on administrative leave, Ben Packard restlessly seeks ways to pass the time. New information emerges regarding his long-missing brother, offering a potential breakthrough in a decades-old family mystery. As Ben pursues leads connected to his brother, he also uncovers evidence linked to a suspicious death. These intertwined plot lines gradually lead Ben towards personal growth and closure.

Despite a promising premise, the pacing was sluggish, and the final revelations proved underwhelming. While the banter between Ben and supporting characters provided occasional humor, I wish it had been more frequent. Unfortunately, the plot's direction and the identities of those involved became predictable sooner than expected. The multiple narratives, while interconnected, often overshadowed the main storyline. Overall, the slow burn fell short of expectations.

Completely unbeknownst to me prior to my reading, this is the third book in a series and my review (and ignorance in the matter) is based off of the assumption it was a standalone.

The story follows Ben Packard, a deputy whose life has been shaped by the unresolved disappearance of his older brother. Decades later, Packard, currently on leave due to a shooting investigation, receives new information suggesting his brother's body may be found. As he investigates, Packard also uncovers a suspicious death connected to his brother’s case, facing obstacles from allies and adversaries alike. Through a harsh, unforgiving winter, Packard is determined to catch a killer and finally uncover the truth about his brother’s fate.
Unfortunately, this book felt lackluster. It packed three stories into one, overshadowing the main narrative. Despite the initially intriguing plot, the story dragged, and the final revelation was disappointing. The slow pace, combined with too many side characters, made the book difficult to follow. Predictability set in halfway, with the plot’s trajectory and the culprits becoming apparent. Ultimately, the book felt like a slow burn rather than a fast-paced thriller. Although the third installment in the Ben Packard series, it can be read as a standalone.
Thank you @netgalley and @poisonedpenpress for providing this Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

I love this series. I love the setting and the locals and I love the main character as he deals with his sexuality in a mature way . This author is an auto buy for me because he crafts a well told story with vivid characters and masterful plot in an interesting and intelligent way
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

𝐎𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝.

Ben Packard is one of my favorite fictional characters, and in this third installment, we see him at his most vulnerable. While Ben is licking his wounds after losing the election for sheriff, he's involved in a shooting that places him on administrative leave. He gets restless with too much time on his hands, but for the first time in years, new information about his long-missing brother has surfaced that may finally lead him to a body.

As he begins to investigate this case that is so close to him, he becomes involved in a separate case involving a suspicious death. The two cases don't appear to be related, but as he starts to dig, he is met with such fierce resistance that he knows he's on to something. And Ben Packard has never backed down from a fight.

The character building has been absolutely phenomenal, and with each new installment, I grow closer to Ben despite how closely he guards his heart. There was a lot of quiet emotion in this book that I wasn't expecting, and the author explored the flaws that come with nostalgia beautifully--do we remember the past the way it really was, or do we remember the way that we wish it were?

Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC. At the time this review was written, this title was slated to publish February 4, 2025.

Great series. Came across the first and devoured it, Read the second immediately. Saw the third and requested at lightning speed. I usually avoid series because I hate the wait between but these characters got me. Great plot and pacing. Characters you can care about. I look forward to the next one. I have definitely been recommending the series. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy and congratulations to the author.

We’re back in Sandy Lake with Deputy Ben Packard, adjusting to the results of the County Sheriff’s election, and dealing with the aftermath of Stan Shaw’s posthumous confession about the investigation into the 30-year-old disappearance of Nick Packard. This third book in the Ben Packard series may be my favorite! Moehling’s storytelling is stellar; blending (mostly) by-the-book detective work, heartfelt family and small town drama, with dry humor that will knock your sarcastic socks off. (Pam’s dick jokes are the best.) The latest case Packard finds himself involved in is a doozy, leading him all over Minnesota, back to his Minneapolis stomping grounds where familiar faces and the ghosts of his past stir up old longings. What I really love about this series is how there is one investigation that leads to so much more being uncovered. There are always surprises and nothing is ever boring or formulaic. Did I mention it’s also super gay?

#ALongTimeGone #NetGalley
Compelling.
It is a compelling crime thriller that delves into the unresolved trauma of the past and the relentless pursuit of justice. The story follows Ben Packard, who has been haunted for decades by the mysterious disappearance of his older brother. As a young boy, Ben watched his brother walk out the back door of their grandparents' house into the cold night, never to be seen again.Now, years later, Ben Packard is a deputy on leave, with too much time on his hands and a mind fixated on the past. A recent shooting has placed him under investigation, leaving him isolated from department resources. In the midst of his personal and professional turmoil, new information about his brother’s disappearance surfaces, hinting at the possibility of finding his body. Determined to finally uncover the truth, Packard embarks on a mission that quickly becomes more complicated than he anticipated.As he digs deeper into the mystery of his brother’s fate, Packard stumbles upon a separate suspicious death. A tenuous connection between the two cases emerges, and as he pushes forward, he encounters resistance from those around him—both friends and foes—who would prefer that the past remain buried. With the winter bearing down, Packard’s quest becomes a race against time and the elements, leading him to risk everything in his pursuit of a killer and the truth about his brother.
A fab read.
Go for it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for giving me an advance copy.

Another phenomenal novel by Joshua Moehling, *A Long Time Gone* brings back Ben Packard, still grappling with the unresolved mysteries surrounding his brother’s disappearance and processing the turbulent aftermath of the election. Just when life seems to offer a moment of reprieve, a sudden shooting leaves Packard with too much time and an overwhelming need to escape his own thoughts.

Moehling masterfully weaves a fast-paced and twisted narrative, exploring the dark intersections of money, politics, greed, and family. His ability to craft characters with whom readers form deep, emotional connections is unparalleled. Each page pulls you deeper into their lives, leaving you eagerly anticipating the next twist.

This is a must-read for anyone who loves suspenseful, character-driven stories that keep you hooked until the very last page.

I can’t wait to see what Joshua and Ben do next!!

I was super excited to dive into book 3 of the Detective Ben Packard series. This one was more of a slow burn, but I loved the story and the mystery. I loved the way it all came together in the end. What I also love about this series is I really enjoy the characters. It’s more than just a thriller/mystery. I highly suggest you read the first two books prior to diving into this one. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press & NetGalley for the ARC!

This was fantastic. I really enjoyed reading it and didn’t want to put it down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

In this third book of the series, we carry on with Ben Packard in his quest to discover what happened to his brother when he went missing 30 years ago. Working in a courthouse for security, Ben is working the day a shooter comes in and starts shooting. Ben takes him down, but has so many questions about why and who he was really after.
Thank you to Poison Pen and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opion.
I look forward to book four from Joshua Moehling!