Sheriff Ben Packard returns in A Long Time Gone, the third book in this series, and Packard, having lost the last election for sheriff, is now a deputy assigned to court security. When Packard is involved in a shooting in the courthouse, he’s placed on admin leave, but soon becomes enmeshed in a murder investigation that gets murkier by the minute. He also receives some cryptic information concerning the disappearance of his long lost brother which may finally give him some closure. This is a standard police procedural, but the plot’s a little confusing, involving a lot of characters and an equal number of threads which slows the book down somewhat. Otherwise, it’s a rather vanilla read with a few loose ends tied up. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Joshua Moehling’s “A Long Time Gone” is a haunting and atmospheric mystery that delves deep into the complexities of family, memory, and grief. Set against the stark, icy backdrop of a Minnesota winter, this novel is the third installment in the Ben Packard series.

The story follows Deputy Ben Packard, a smart and courageous gay cop, as he embarks on a mission to uncover the truth about his brother’s disappearance. The narrative is set in the small, tight-knit community of Sandy Lake, where the cold winter mirrors the chilling secrets buried within the town.

Ben Packard is a deeply compelling protagonist whose personal quest for answers drives the narrative. His determination to find out what happened to his brother is both heartbreaking and inspiring. The supporting characters, from the wary townsfolk to the enigmatic figures Packard encounters, are well-drawn and add layers of intrigue to the story.

“A Long Time Gone” explores themes of loss, redemption, and the enduring impact of the past. The novel delves into the emotional toll of unresolved grief and the lengths to which people will go to uncover the truth.

Moehling’s writing is both lyrical and precise, with a keen eye for detail that brings the harsh winter landscape and the characters’ inner turmoil to life. The pacing is expertly managed, with moments of high tension balanced by quieter, reflective passages. The dialogue is natural and authentic.

“A Long Time Gone” is a powerful and evocative mystery that combines a gripping plot with deep emotional resonance. Joshua Moehling has crafted a novel that is both thrilling and thought-provoking, with characters that linger in the mind long after the final page.

man, i was hooked from the book in the series. i love a crime novel and one with a lovable protagonist with baggage is even better. it has the right amount of angst leavened with humor and great dialog between ever evolving characters. an added plus is that the simmering b plot that overarches the series is finally resolved.

A Long Time Gone by Joshua Moehling is a gripping and emotional thriller that delves deep into the past of Deputy Packard, a man haunted by his brother's disappearance. The author weaves a compelling narrative that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat as Packard uncovers new information about his brother's fate. The frozen, desolate setting adds to the tension and creates a palpable atmosphere of isolation and mystery.

The character development is well-crafted, and the complex relationships and conflicts that Packard encounters add depth to the story. The intertwining of personal and professional struggles creates a multi-layered narrative that kept me engaged.

Overall, A Long Time Gone is a well-crafted thriller that seamlessly blends elements of mystery, suspense, and drama.

#alongtimegone #NetGalley @PPPress

A Long Time Gone by J. Moehling, published by PPPress, is the third book in the Ben Packard Series. A crime thriller of its finest. I read the previous books and fell in love with writing and characters.
Ben Packard is a quiet hero in a story that becomes heavy pretty soon, goes deep deep down, gives all the feels.
I recommend this book, 5 stars.

Still in love with the Ben Packard series, the book picks right back up after the events of book 2. Everything seems so mundane another day at work, quickly changes for Ben. The events of that day setting into motion what had been denied for so long, what happened to Nick? Who tried to take Ben out? And the realization that all families are different when faced with unanswered grief after so long. I was very pleased having so many of my questions answered in this book. Cannot wait to see what we get next.

What a wonderful conclusion to the Packard series. I loved getting to learn more about Ben’s life and him growing up. There were a few parts that I had forgotten about from the previous novels that were included and tied up very neatly. I was able to figure out the killer just over half way in. But was completely shocked in a good way to finally learn what really happened to Nick. The mentions of Covid, George Floyd and Bush could have been left out. I don’t feel it added to the story nor will it hold up long term if this series is read years and years down the road. I personally like to read to get away from what’s happening in real life and having these parts included made it hard to keep going in the book. Thankfully they were tiny parts mentioned but enough to drop off a star in my rating. I will be looking for more novels by this author.

Thank you netgalley and publishers for an e copy of this Arc. I really enjoyed reading this fast paced thriller. It is part of a series but it can be read as a stand alone. Loved it.

This was a thrilling read and it was full of twists and turns. This book is part of a series but it can easily be read as a standalone. I enjoyed this one right to the end. I highly recommend this one and I look forward to reading more titles by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of A Long Time Gone.

I've been reading this series from the beginning and I'm happy to say I enjoyed it more than I expected, as well as slowly warming up to Ben Packard.

A Long Time Ago is what I look for in a police procedural; a cop or investigator pounding the pavement, interviewing suspects and witnesses, visiting crime scenes, and gathering clues.

When a shooting forces Ben to go on leave, he decides to devote attention to a case that has haunted him ever since he was a child; the disappearance of his older brother, Nick.

New information inadvertently causes Ben to stumble into a new case that may have a connection to Nick.

I enjoyed the mystery and following along with Ben as he pieced all the clues together, who the major players were, and the reasons behind it.

I liked the introduction of his mom, family, and Thielen had more of a role in this book.

The pacing of the narrative is steady with no serious drags or lags; information is revealed when its warranted and Ben's actions constantly move the story forward.

The only thing that made me pause and push my 'hard to suspend disbelief' meter a little bit more was when the FBI agrees to go with Ben's plan. I can't see a federal agency agreeing to play by the rules of a demoted sheriff of a small town.

I'm glad the mystery surrounding Nick's disappearance was finally resolved and the author didn't drag it out for another book or two. I despise it when authors do that.

I'm warming up to Ben, who I felt was aloof and standoffish in the earlier books; maybe it's because he was desperate for answers to Nick's disappearance.

He's a relatable character; flawed, competent, and compassionate, and I enjoyed following in his footsteps as he solved the case.

I look forward to the next book.

Fabulous book in a fabulous series. Love Ben Packard and hope he gets many more books! Thank you for the chance to read early.

The first book in the Ben Packard series was so good, introducing us to the Deputy Sherriff and his friends and family in a small northern Minnesota town. The second book was wonderful, delving deeper into the background and mind of Ben and his co-workers in the Sherriff's department. This third installment (last one?) is every bit as satisfying as the first two.

We find Ben still grappling with the loss of his older brother many years ago, with no questions answered. And of course, another murder mystery is unfolding in the small town of Sandy Lake. Between his search for clues to an accident that turns out to be a murder, to his ongoing research into his older brother's disappearance at age 17, to his on again/off again love life, this book has something to keep everyone turn pages. There were a few slower, more introspective passages, but for the most part, this was a supremely satisfying novel, wrapping up the murder, the attempt on Packard's life in the last book, the why and how of his brother's disappearance, and maybe even a hopeful future in his romance department.

You won't go wrong spending a few rainy day hours curled up on the couch under a cozy throw with a cup of hot tea and this murder-mystery.

This is the 3rd book in the Ben Pickard series . These books are extremely well written. Love the characters . Great storyline. I really hope this series continues as I loved it.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A constellation of stars for book three of the Ben Packard series!
This series just keeps getting better! I wish there were more. An absolute bingeable series I read this latest in just two sittings. Unputdownable!
This is what makes me so passionate about reading.

Ben is back following the Sheriff’s election. (Notice I’m not telling you if he won or lost - no spoilers for anyone new to the series.)😉

It was just a sentimental visit to the home his grandparents owned when he grew up. A moment of reliving a bittersweet time in his past. Recalling when his brother went missing at sixteen, thought to have drowned though his body was never recovered. Can Ben finally get some straight answers regarding his missing brother?

And on the topic of bodies, Ben learns a retired widow, the most recent owner of this home was found at the bottom of the basement staircase. Written off as a tragic accidental death, Ben is convinced there is more to it… and won’t rest until he gets to the bottom it!

Ben Packard is hands-down one of my favorite book characters! Joshua Moehling created a character with so much human depth, personality and feeling that he absolutely comes to life. But that said, I have to say Ben’s mother stole the show! LOVE HER! I hope she makes an appearance in the next installment.

As with most police procedural novels you get the character’s personal story along-side a crime they’re tasked to solve. Typically one will take the back seat to the other. But not here! Both equally held my attention and by the last page I felt fully satiated in getting both excellent character development and storyline!

One of my new favorite series! (Can you tell?) If you give it a try it will become a favorite of yours too! Can it be read as a stand-alone? Yes. But this series is so amazing I highly recommend starting with the first in the series And There He Kept Her.

I’m so looking forward to book four! Please hurry Joshua!

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press.

So gripping and well-written, definitely an unputdownable read! Moehling is an incredible writing talent. Highly recommend this series! You can't help loving the characters and you can't stop turning the pages.

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.