This is the third book in the Ben Packard mysteries. This series follows former Twin Cities police officer, Ben Packard as he navigates small town politics and investigates prior family secrets and the disappearance of his older brother when he was a child. You don’t have to read the previous novels, but I recommend that you do. There is a self-contained mystery in each one as well as developments regarding his brother’s cold case as an overall story arc across the series. Plus this is my favorite mystery series of recent years.

This installment finds Ben demoted to court security after the events of the previous book. Things quickly take a turn for the worse when circumstances leading to an officer involved shooting leave Ben temporarily off duty with time on his hands. Ben decides to use this time to delve deeper into his brother’s cold case, and insinuate himself into a suspicious death that was earlier dismissed as an accident that occurred in his childhood home.

I started off feeling so sorry for poor Ben who is clearly miserable in his new court security position or “checking ladies’ purses” as several others called it, not to mention the misery of the rest of the department trying to keep up with their duties without his extra hands. His mother comes for a visit and gives him an assist both on the case and personally. She was a hoot. I loved her and how she read him like a book, especially regarding Kyle or rather “tall, dark and handsome.”

I really enjoyed the mystery in this one and the resolution of the story behind the disappearance of his brother went into a totally different direction than I expected, which I found surprising in a good way. I love it when that happens. Can’t recommend this series enough to mystery readers.

Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a copy provided for an honest review.

Wow, the Ben Packard story just keeps getting better and better! A Long Time Gone is the 3rd installment of this wonderful series featuring Ben Packard, a rural Minnesota sheriff's deputy, and his mission to be a good lawman, maintain his sense of self, and discover what really happened to his older brother who disappeared just as Ben was entering adolescence. While you would "have" to read the previous two books to enjoy this one (there is a crime that is uncovered and solved start to finish), reading the previous installments will help you to understand who Ben is as a person and his story within his community better.

As a detective, Ben is both sharp and introspective. Joshua Moehling is brilliant in capturing the shades of gray they lie between and within right and wrong. The book contains a lot of social and political commentary through how the characters internally reflect, speak, and interact with each other. But it is not preachy commentary, just thoughts and reflections that we as everyday Americans have ourselves. Just an overall wonderful book where the characters feel like friends and family. We meet Ben's mom for the first time in person, and she is an absolute hoot. Love, love, love this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Having lost the election for Sheriff, Deputy Ben Packard is stuck on courthouse security. Boring until it isn't, Ben finds himself on administrative leave near the start of the story, and with time on his hands, he starts to look more closely into the decades-old disappearance of his older brother. When that investigation hits a wall, he finds himself at loose ends without work to distract him. Enter Ben's mother, who comes for visit, and meeting her was one of the many highlights of this book because she is quite a character and had me laughing more than once. Peripherally related to his mother's visit, Ben stumbles across a suspicious death with a tenuous connection to his family and convinces the Sheriff to let him look into it even though he is still on leave. Saying more might give too much away, so suffice it to say that Packard's intellect and courage will both be needed to get to the bottom of this complex case. Ben is a richly drawn character, noble but not perfect. This is definitely a favorite series; Moehling does an excellent job of building tension and suspense, interspersed with humor. The pacing is spot on, and the plot alternates between Ben's two investigations with ease. Although I've read the earlier books in the series and recommend doing so before starting this one, it is because they are all great books, not because I don't think this one works as a standalone!

Thanks to NetGalley & Poisoned Pen Press for the chance to read this book.

Everything about this book was great, it captured my attention from the beginning and had it the whole time, finished in one sitting and it was a pretty fast paced read, a lot of things going on to keep you entertained. I'll have to go back and read the whole series now, so I can be all up to date when the next one comes out.

You are immersed In Ben Packard's life as he struggles to always do right in his life. Ben lost his older brother when he was a young child. He was always searching for answers. In A Long Time Gone, he gets those answers. We also see his mom and her interaction in his life. Never count out older people! The ups and downs in Bens life, romantically, work related and family makes this another fantastic read. Thank you for the advanced copy. I freely share my honest thoughts and opinions. #ALongTImeGone #BenPackard #JoshuaMoehling #PoisendPenPress #NetGalley

Book three continues where book two left off, and it carries the ongoing plotlines nicely. You get a bit of a refresher regarding the events of the first two books, woven into the narrative of this one in a way that makes perfect sense without it coming across like a "previously on" recap. On top of the main case featured in this book, Packard is finally able to investigate what happened to his brother Nick thirty years ago, and boy, have I been waiting for that plotline! Everything is written so well, and it's all there for you to make the case right alongside him. There's a great balance of action and investigative police work, and I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next.

4.5 stars

**I received an ARC copy from Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and comments contained within are my own.**

#alongtimegone by @jmoehling is the third installment of the Ben Packard series and it is SOOOOO good. I enjoyed it more than "And There He Kept Her" (haven't read #2 yet). I love these characters - Ben is terrific. It's an excellent police procedural as well, with many plot twists. The writing is good, well-plotted and lots of commentary about life, and people. Keep 'em coming!

"There were rumors about them in some quarters, but people who gossip aren't the ones who show up when needed."

P. S. Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC.

Ben Packard is back with all the small-town mystery we've come to know him for, and some roiling family secrets to boot. Our favourite deputy finds himself with a lot of time on his hands and a lot of swirling, good-for-nothing thoughts to distract himself from, and it leads him down professional and personal paths with twists he (and I, as the reader), didn't see coming. Packard, as always, goes in swinging and takes us with him as he searches for the answers to questions that have remained buried for too long.

This is another wonderful instalment in the Ben Packard series by Moehling. Coming back to these characters we know and love (Thielen is, as always, a joy) and meeting new ones (keep an eye out for Ben's mother in particular) feels like coming home. We get some resolutions in this book to questions that have been bubbling away for the whole series, which feel satisfying yet still gripping as they unfold before our eyes.

I really really like Ben Packard! This series is fresh, and the characters are nuanced. I listen to the first 2 and read this one on kindle. I have to say that the audio versions are really worth it if you can get your hands (or ears) on it.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 (rounding up)

• suspenseful police procedural
• captivating story
• intense conclusion

I just love Packard. He is such an easy-to-root-for protagonist. He's gentle yet badass. This is a whodunnit, but I also loved how we got to see his personal life as well. The new characters are so interesting! This is the third book in the series, and I recommend reading them in order. I'm so excited for more Packard in the future!

🗣 Thank you to netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read and review this book via gifted eARC! All opinions are honest and my own.

A Long Time Gone by Joshua Moehling is a gripping, atmospheric mystery that explores the dark shadows of the past. Deputy Ben Packard, haunted by his brother’s mysterious disappearance decades earlier, is forced to confront long-buried secrets when new leads surface. As he investigates a suspicious death that may be connected to his brother’s case, Packard faces resistance from those who want him to stop digging. With a tense, wintery setting and a complex protagonist, Moehling crafts a suspenseful tale about family, loss, and the dangerous pursuit of truth. Fans of slow-burn mysteries will find this a compelling and rewarding read.

The story of Ben Packard continues with the third installment of the series. Ben finds himself at a low point in his career when a shooting places him on a leave. Until that is resolved Ben finds himself focused on examining the new information he received about his brothers disappearance that has haunted him for many years. While he is chasing down the clues from the past he stumbles upon a new murder and finds himself left without department support or resources. As we know from the other books in the series, Packard never gives up and does what it takes to insure that the truth is revealed and justice is served regardless of the cost to him personally.

I love this series. It is well written and delivers a well thought out plot from beginning to end. This story was definitely more of a personal nature this time since it examined the disappearance of Packards brother but it showed other facets of his character beside being a deputy but as a son and a brother. The character growth is well written and some new characters were introduced including Ben’s quirky mother. I hope she makes an appearance in the next book. Until then I will be waiting anxiously to see what is in store for Ben Packard.

4.5 ⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange doe an honest review.

A great novel about Ben’s journey to find a killer and what happened to his older brother. A thrilling story, while a bit slow at some points, had good twists and an easy flow.

When I received this book I realized it was the third book in a series so I went back and read the first two before starting this one. You can definitely read this as a stand alone, I just wanted the full picture of who Deputy Packard was and I’m glad I did.

Over these three books I have watched him grow and evolve from everything he has been through and survived. I really enjoyed all three, this one most of all. I am glad that in this one we finally found out what happened to his brother that went missing when they were children.

There is just something so endearing about Ben that you just want to keep following along and watching him solve crimes while navigating life. I don’t know if the author has any intention of continuing any more books with Ben, but I certainly hope so. I do plan to go look for any additional books he may have out since I really enjoy his writing style.

I am really loving the time I’ve been spending catching up with my fave characters and series. This is one of my 2025 reading goals and so far, it’s been going really well. It’s been a while (Jan2023) since I caught up with Ben and the gang in Sandy Lake. They’re all back for this third installment that picks up about six weeks after the last one where Ben lost the election for Sheriff and his nemesis, Dep. Howard Shepard, is now Sheriff. Howard was a pretty worthless deputy and now appears to be just as useless as the Sheriff.

The book summary basically just introduces the different storylines with one being Ben’s continued search for his brother, Nick, who disappeared 33 years ago. This has actually been an underlying theme throughout the series. However, Ben now finds himself with a lot of spare time; Ben shot and killed an active shooter and is on administrative leave. Ben finally opens the box that the former Sheriff, Stan Shaw, left for Ben before Stan died a few months ago. The box was supposed to be the file on the original investigation of Nick’s disappearance. However, all Ben finds is a letter from Stan saying he found a man who apparently had info on Nick’s disappearance and Stan traded the file for the info the man had. This leads Ben to try and find the man based on the few clues that Stan did provide.

There is also another storyline that Ben and his mother, Pam (love Pam!), kind of stumble onto some suspicious findings and info while visiting an old family home and reminiscing of the time Nick disappeared. This leads Ben to begin to suspect that the woman, who owned the house after Ben’s family, did not die from an accident but was murdered and that the initial investigation (by Howard Shepard) was either a lousy and half-@$$ed investigation or possibly a cover up. It’s this storyline that kind of leads Ben down this rabbit hole of another humungous cover up of a multimillion-dollar fraud case.

It’s deep into the second half that all the different parts of Ben’s investigation start to merge and the repercussions are massive and wide spreading with intense and scary scenes for Ben and the gang. The end of the Nate storyline was emotional (at least for me). This is a telltale sign that I have become emotionally invested in the characters. For a character driven reader like me, this makes for a wonderful read.

The continued characterization of Ben along with some of the Sandy Lake crew was well done. I really hope we see more of Pam in future installments; she’s such a great character! The pacing was steady and the storyline very interesting. While there was a lot going on, Moehling managed it very well and the writing was well done. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.4 that I will be rounding down to a 4star review. I want to thank NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #PoisonedPenPress #ALongTimeGone

A fun, fast, thrilling, police procedural. Plenty of suspense. This is actually book 3 in the series but works well as a standalone.

Ben, the main character, is trying to solve his brothers murder. Not able to access his department's resources- as he is on administrative leave for discharging his gun. I also loved the LGBTQ+ representation.

If you like suspenseful series with a strong main character, this is definitely for you. I absolutely love authors like Karin Slaughter and Pat Cornwell- and this book fit right in these lines for me.

Thank you@poisonedpen and @netgalley for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review .

Joshua Moehling (favorite author) returns with his popular Ben Packard series, following And There He Kept Her #1, and Where the Dead Sleep #2, with his most emotional and BEST yet—the one fans have been waiting for, A LONG TIME GONE #3.

The title, 'A LONG TIME GONE,' hints at the long-standing mystery of Ben's brother's disappearance, which is finally revisited in this installment.

Ben Packard, who lost his older brother, Nick, decades ago when he left on his snowmobile and never returned, is about to embark on a deeply emotional journey. Finally, he will get the closure and answers he has longed for. It's a poignant moment —a journey that will resonate with readers profoundly in addition to the other riveting cases.

About...

We return to Sandy Lake, Minnesota, , where the book opens with a gripping sequence of events. Shepard (Barney Fife) won the election (last book), and Ben happens to be at the courthouse when a shooting occurs. Now, he is on leave due to the investigation, adding a layer of suspense to the story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats, eager to unravel the mysteries.

Thirty years earlier, Nick Packard snuck out of his grandparents' house two nights after Christmas and never came home. Ben was twelve and the last family member to see his brother alive. He wanted to go with his brother, but Nick would not allow it, and he said he was meeting a friend.

Divers found the sled three days later in open water near the ice's edge. The previous year, Packard had searched NIck's file and found it was missing from the cold case storage.

It wasn't until Stan Shaw died and gave Packard the box that he realized his former boss had connected him to the boy who disappeared all those years ago. He gathers more information in the letter with an apology and a map. Could it be his brother? Everything is very mysterious.

Since it was January in the middle of the winter and snow, they would have to wait until April or later for the thaw.

In the meantime, Packard's mom, a character full of sass and wit, shows up (and Lordy, that woman is a hoot). She is every gay guy's dream mom, always ready to play matchmaker between her son and Kyle (the bartender). Her presence adds a touch of humor to the story and provides a much-needed break from the intense plot, leaving the readers thoroughly entertained.

The plot thickens as Ben and his mom head to their grandparents' former house while she is in town—only to discover the owner's mysterious death. As the bodies pile up, the case becomes increasingly complex, adding intrigue to the narrative.

Little does he know how the two cases will connect. Then, there is more action, and Ben is caught in the crossfire. Someone wants to keep him quiet the closer he gets to the truth about this case. Someone is hiding deadly secrets much more significant than you can imagine. Follow the money.

From here, toward the end of the book, we circle back to the search for his brother and the mystery. Ben follows many leads and flies to Europe for the first time to gather more information (no spoilers here), but what he learns shocks him and changes everything. A tragedy. Two families. Things he did not know about his brother and those associated with him.

How different would his life have been if he had someone to guide him to live without shame or secrets? Packard will risk everything to catch a killer and reveal the shocking truth about his brother.

My thoughts...

I'd follow Deputy Ben Packard anywhere. Bring on #4! 🎬Please, a TV series or movie! I want a front-row seat.

Ben is my hero, a fabulous, smart, and courageous gay cop. (This sets him apart from the normal series, making him a stand-out character). I love this series! (all 5 stars). I have read them all, and Joshua is one of my favorite authors.

Razor-sharp! Moehling impressively juggles multi-narratives, skillfully blending humor, suspense, action, murder, crime, cop procedural, mystery, and family dynamics with a literary flare— and a stellar cast of characters you are fully invested in. Ben Packard is one of my favorite characters, and the author showcases all his sides, making him highly relatable. You root for him until the end.

I adore Ben's mom, full of sass and wit, plus all the supporting characters. I cannot wait to see what adventure Ben is involved in next.

The atmosphere adds to the story and intensity amid the harsh Minnesota winter. Deputy Packard is an intelligent and courageous gay cop (plus he is HOT), or so I imagine him to be. We also get to catch up with some fun characters (and some bad ones) from past books, which is always a good time.

While this novel can be read as a standalone, why miss out on all the fun and background? Read all three books so you will become a fan for life. I highly recommend the author and series!

Joshua is a master storyteller, and I am a huge fan. Top Books of 2025 and favorite series. Josh, congratulations on being a full-time author! I knew you would be a star since your debut.

Recs...

A LONG TIME GONE and the series is for avid fans of the author—and if you enjoy authors: Lisa Gardner, Lisa Unger, Heather Gudenkauf, Allen Eskens, Karin Slaughter, Mary Kubica, Alice Feeney, John McMahon, Carter Wilson, Christina McDonald, John Fram, and William Kent Krueger— this series is for you with Moehling's signature style.

An Elevator Ride with the Author...

QA INTERVIEW: I am delighted to feature Joshua for my Feb
#AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A where we go behind the book, the series, and up close and personal with this talented SUPERSTAR. Check out my blog on the pub date (Feb 4), or sign up for my newsletter to be delivered to your inbox. It is going to be fun!

Special thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I also ordered the hardcover copy and cannot wait to see who narrates the audiobook.

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Pub Date: Feb 4, 2025
Feb 2025 Must-Read Books
Featured #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A
Top Books & series of 2025

My Reviews:
And There He Kept Her #1,
Where the Dead Sleep #2

Elevator Ride Interviews:
And There He Kept Her #1,
A Long Time Gone #3

Ben Packard is a deputy on leave. He is waiting for his case to be reviewed after he fired his gun in court. He is bored and starts looking into a closed case that doesn't sit well with him. He also finds out that his missing brother's case may finally come to an end when new information comes to light.

I loved the multiple stories, the shady characters, the gay representation and the sad stories that come from the bigotry and hate that the LGBTQIA community encounters every day.

Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this delightful read!

i new i would be a bit more emotionally drawn to this one. i cannot imagine having a death of a sibling. then a suspicious one. then one you might have ew inffo over and need to solve. no! horrid. and then that drive or decision making becomes something new alltogehter.
would you stop? could you? and in this case will you be forced to?
danger and intrigue was all around in this one. the twist was superb. novels had an era of just doing twist for twist sake. almost to outdo other authors at the time. but when done right, when it fits perfectly like this one... bravo.
i felt so much for our main character. i was worrried at first as ive not had th pleasure of reading the others in the series. but it worked perfectly. and the author does and did a great job of telling me enough of his story and fleshing him out to make me care about him from the very start. hes such a strong yet fragile individual and the kicks seems to keep coming for the poor man. the bodies certainly do.
a brilliant book. and i shall seek out the others.
this author seems to know his craft well. the words, the storyline and the flow just hit a new level. it was talent in these words it truly was. every point hit. every chapter worthy of needing to read the next. brillaint.

A Long Time Gone is the follow up to Where the Dead Sleep that I was hoping for. Where the Dead Sleep was a really satisfying read but left enough questions unanswered that I needed another book. A Long Time Gone delivered. Ben Packard is one of my favourite protagonists. It was really gratifying to learn more about who Packard is. His current case and personal life become intertwined, and I loved seeing how everything threaded together by the end. Established fans and new readers will enjoy A Long Time Gone.