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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Ben Packard is back! I read Joshua Moehling's first two books back-to-back and now I don't know how I will ever wait for the third book. The ending of this one!! The ending! I thought the first books was smartly written, but this one was even more so. I don't want to talk about the mystery in case I give away important clues that lead to a spoiler, so.. just read these books.
The second book featuring sheriff Ben Packard, and it surely was a thrill ride again! Now, my favorite detective will always be Ann Cleeves' Vera for sure, but Packard might just take second place. He is intelligent, kind and hands-on and I can only imagine him as being really cute as well.
After featuring the incredible Emmett Burr in the first book, we are now confronted with a very dysfunctional family in small town Sandy Lake, and all their secrets come above water after the dead of Bill, a car salesman who married both sisters - not at the same time mind you. Ben Packard has a lot to do, as he also needs to secure his position as sheriff, and still has to solve the disappearance of his brother. If anything, I wish this thread would have been explored further, as we now have to wait for the third installment to get more info on what really happened. I can't wait !
I strongly recommend this book if you like procedurals that take place in a small town location, a quiet pace where the emphasis is more on character building rather than fast paced car chases. Absolutely worth it !
A sincere than you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
After featuring the incredible Emmett Burr in the first book, we are now confronted with a very dysfunctional family in small town Sandy Lake, and all their secrets come above water after the dead of Bill, a car salesman who married both sisters - not at the same time mind you. Ben Packard has a lot to do, as he also needs to secure his position as sheriff, and still has to solve the disappearance of his brother. If anything, I wish this thread would have been explored further, as we now have to wait for the third installment to get more info on what really happened. I can't wait !
I strongly recommend this book if you like procedurals that take place in a small town location, a quiet pace where the emphasis is more on character building rather than fast paced car chases. Absolutely worth it !
A sincere than you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Joshua Moehling (favorite author) returns following his smashing debut, where he wowed us with And There He Kept Her (5 stars) with the introduction of the popular intriguing hunky Deputy Ben Packard #1 and a cast of unforgettable characters.
The author returns with Ben Packard #2, WHERE THE DEAD SLEEP (5 stars)— a complex action-packed crime thriller with scandalous small-town secrets, a wealthy family, murder, and more in the rural lakeside town of Sandy Lake, Minnesota—leaving readers salivating for #3 and more Ben!
I love this series!
After a long summer, Deputy Ben Packard is back, tying up loose ends from the Emmett Burr case (from book #1). He is the acting Sheriff for Stan Shaw (currently elected sheriff of Sandy Lake County), who has cancer.
Ben (gay) is finally getting some action with a hot drummer, Brad, and hopes for a leisurely morning. However, it gets cut short when he is called in on a murder case—a dead body. The victim is William (Bill) Sandersen, husband of Carolyn (Carrie). Second marriage-two years. She has twins- grown children from her first marriage.
The case is not straightforward. William was shot twice while in bed, and his wife claims she was in the other bedroom since her husband has sleep apnea. Bill worked at Sandy Lake Auto. He also liked to frequent casinos.
His wife is the CEO of Gherlick Family Trust. She is the one with the money in the family. William (Bill) had gone out to meet his friend, Roger Freeman, a man he was to go in the chicken wing business with.
However, Ben soon discovers Bill has a thing for the sisters, as he was previously married to Carolyn's sister, Sherri. He divorced her to marry Carolyn. Carolyn dated him back in high school.
But Carrie and Bill liked to party and blow money at the casinos. The mom cut off the money, so I guess he decided to marry for more money, but Carolyn does not readily hand out the money. The girls had over a million dollars each, but that was before Sherri and Bill gambled it all away.
Is Carolyn smarter than her sister? And why did the perp murder Bill and not Carolyn?
Suspects:
The business partner, Roger
The ex-wife, alcoholic, Sherri.
The wife, Carolyn.
The high-stakes poker buddies.
Or someone else?
In the middle of the investigation, a tragedy occurs. Ben is left holding the bag and must make some big decisions. Should he run for Sheriff? He likes being a detective and not sitting behind a desk dealing with politics.
However, Marilyn, Stan's wife, is backing him and many others. If he does not run, it is Barney Fife Deputy Shepherd (which is pretty much worthless except for gossip).
Then another murder and the plot thickens, plus a mysterious hummingbird pin and a letter.
Packard soon discovers there is a hidden dark multi-generational history to Sandy Lake. Bad blood and old secrets run deep. And someone will do anything to keep it hidden. Before the book ends, someone is shooting at Packard. Is he getting too close to the darkness of Sandy Lake?
Moehling serves up another excellent suspense crime novel that will keep you riveted. There is action and suspense around every corner in this multi-layered mystery crime thriller—readers, if you loved Ben Packard #1, you will devour #2.
In addition to the mystery, danger, and double murders, there is the upcoming election to stress over, and as we were introduced in Ben Packard #1, there is the cold case mystery of Ben's older brother, Kyle. There is new evidence, and it ends on a cliffhanger. We can only hope #3 comes soon!
WHERE THE DEAD SLEEP is a killer whodunit crime thriller! Based loosely on a Minnesota true crime and switched out with a victim that might have made enemies or people who wanted to kill him.
Ben is a fantastic character and has grown since the last book, where he tried to outrun his past. In WHERE THE DEAD SLEEP, he takes center stage, claims his identity, and does the right thing, even when it's not in his own best interest, all while trying to solve a murder, dodge bullets, and uncover the truth of what happened to his missing brother years ago. He is getting anything but a quiet, laid-back sleep town and no hiding out here.
You will be turning the pages into the wee hours of the morning! A massive fan of the author, Joshua Moehling, from his debut; he is a rock star, and if you enjoy small-town funny, larger-than-life characters, riveting suspense crime thrillers, and superb writing blended with dark humor with a highly relatable, smart, leading man—the Ben Packard series is for you.
WHERE THE DEAD SLEEP is for fans of authors: Lisa Gardner, Karin Slaughter, Heather Gudenkauf, Karen Katchur, Allen Eskens, C.J. Box, and William Kent Krueger.
Joshua and Ben are here to stay! Bingeworthy and prime for the big or small screen. Top Thrillers of 2023!
MOVIE CAST: Now, if there is a movie or TV series, My vote for BEN PACKARD is the hunky, CHANNING TATUM! I pictured him when reading, whether straight or gay, who does not LOVE looking at this man in a cop uniform (or nothing at all). I concur with Lisa Gardner; Ben is my new favorite deputy!
AUDIOBOOK: I read the e-book and listened to the audiobook narrated by Linda Jones for a superb performance for all voices! An engaging listening experience. By the way, you must get the hardcover copy. Look at the cover - STUNNING! Sign up for Joshua's newsletter (website) to get all the latest details.
Special thanks to Mandy at Poisoned Pen Press for an ARC and the author for an autographed hardcover copy with swag. Also, thanks to Dreamscape Media for an ALC via NetGalley.
Check out my #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A with Joshua with AND THERE HE KEPT HER, where we go behind the scenes of the book & the author!
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDColins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Pub Date: Aug 15, 2023
Aug 2023 Must-Read Books
Top Books of 2023
The author returns with Ben Packard #2, WHERE THE DEAD SLEEP (5 stars)— a complex action-packed crime thriller with scandalous small-town secrets, a wealthy family, murder, and more in the rural lakeside town of Sandy Lake, Minnesota—leaving readers salivating for #3 and more Ben!
I love this series!
After a long summer, Deputy Ben Packard is back, tying up loose ends from the Emmett Burr case (from book #1). He is the acting Sheriff for Stan Shaw (currently elected sheriff of Sandy Lake County), who has cancer.
Ben (gay) is finally getting some action with a hot drummer, Brad, and hopes for a leisurely morning. However, it gets cut short when he is called in on a murder case—a dead body. The victim is William (Bill) Sandersen, husband of Carolyn (Carrie). Second marriage-two years. She has twins- grown children from her first marriage.
The case is not straightforward. William was shot twice while in bed, and his wife claims she was in the other bedroom since her husband has sleep apnea. Bill worked at Sandy Lake Auto. He also liked to frequent casinos.
His wife is the CEO of Gherlick Family Trust. She is the one with the money in the family. William (Bill) had gone out to meet his friend, Roger Freeman, a man he was to go in the chicken wing business with.
However, Ben soon discovers Bill has a thing for the sisters, as he was previously married to Carolyn's sister, Sherri. He divorced her to marry Carolyn. Carolyn dated him back in high school.
But Carrie and Bill liked to party and blow money at the casinos. The mom cut off the money, so I guess he decided to marry for more money, but Carolyn does not readily hand out the money. The girls had over a million dollars each, but that was before Sherri and Bill gambled it all away.
Is Carolyn smarter than her sister? And why did the perp murder Bill and not Carolyn?
Suspects:
The business partner, Roger
The ex-wife, alcoholic, Sherri.
The wife, Carolyn.
The high-stakes poker buddies.
Or someone else?
In the middle of the investigation, a tragedy occurs. Ben is left holding the bag and must make some big decisions. Should he run for Sheriff? He likes being a detective and not sitting behind a desk dealing with politics.
However, Marilyn, Stan's wife, is backing him and many others. If he does not run, it is Barney Fife Deputy Shepherd (which is pretty much worthless except for gossip).
Then another murder and the plot thickens, plus a mysterious hummingbird pin and a letter.
Packard soon discovers there is a hidden dark multi-generational history to Sandy Lake. Bad blood and old secrets run deep. And someone will do anything to keep it hidden. Before the book ends, someone is shooting at Packard. Is he getting too close to the darkness of Sandy Lake?
Moehling serves up another excellent suspense crime novel that will keep you riveted. There is action and suspense around every corner in this multi-layered mystery crime thriller—readers, if you loved Ben Packard #1, you will devour #2.
In addition to the mystery, danger, and double murders, there is the upcoming election to stress over, and as we were introduced in Ben Packard #1, there is the cold case mystery of Ben's older brother, Kyle. There is new evidence, and it ends on a cliffhanger. We can only hope #3 comes soon!
WHERE THE DEAD SLEEP is a killer whodunit crime thriller! Based loosely on a Minnesota true crime and switched out with a victim that might have made enemies or people who wanted to kill him.
Ben is a fantastic character and has grown since the last book, where he tried to outrun his past. In WHERE THE DEAD SLEEP, he takes center stage, claims his identity, and does the right thing, even when it's not in his own best interest, all while trying to solve a murder, dodge bullets, and uncover the truth of what happened to his missing brother years ago. He is getting anything but a quiet, laid-back sleep town and no hiding out here.
You will be turning the pages into the wee hours of the morning! A massive fan of the author, Joshua Moehling, from his debut; he is a rock star, and if you enjoy small-town funny, larger-than-life characters, riveting suspense crime thrillers, and superb writing blended with dark humor with a highly relatable, smart, leading man—the Ben Packard series is for you.
WHERE THE DEAD SLEEP is for fans of authors: Lisa Gardner, Karin Slaughter, Heather Gudenkauf, Karen Katchur, Allen Eskens, C.J. Box, and William Kent Krueger.
Joshua and Ben are here to stay! Bingeworthy and prime for the big or small screen. Top Thrillers of 2023!
MOVIE CAST: Now, if there is a movie or TV series, My vote for BEN PACKARD is the hunky, CHANNING TATUM! I pictured him when reading, whether straight or gay, who does not LOVE looking at this man in a cop uniform (or nothing at all). I concur with Lisa Gardner; Ben is my new favorite deputy!
AUDIOBOOK: I read the e-book and listened to the audiobook narrated by Linda Jones for a superb performance for all voices! An engaging listening experience. By the way, you must get the hardcover copy. Look at the cover - STUNNING! Sign up for Joshua's newsletter (website) to get all the latest details.
Special thanks to Mandy at Poisoned Pen Press for an ARC and the author for an autographed hardcover copy with swag. Also, thanks to Dreamscape Media for an ALC via NetGalley.
Check out my #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A with Joshua with AND THERE HE KEPT HER, where we go behind the scenes of the book & the author!
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDColins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Pub Date: Aug 15, 2023
Aug 2023 Must-Read Books
Top Books of 2023
The book opens with a scene that will be familiar to anyone who has ever been to a small-town fair - volunteer fire department fundraiser, or local carnival, or mini-county-fair. Made me immediately feel as though I knew the town.
There are several twists to the several murders that occur, and we get to know a lot more about the people in the town in the course of the book. Some of the twists depend on Acting Sheriff Ben Packard being new-ish to the town, so that he doesn't already know all the relationships between families. On the other hand, there are also several references to events in the previous book, the first in the series, where we first meet Packard and the town of Sandy Lake. Toward the end, some of the outcomes aren't quire what I expected, but they set up some personnel issues that I am sure will be a feature in the next book. The ending of the book gives us a hint of the first dead body in the next book in the series. I appreciate NetGalley providing me with an eARC of this book, and I"m already looking forward to reading the next!
There are several twists to the several murders that occur, and we get to know a lot more about the people in the town in the course of the book. Some of the twists depend on Acting Sheriff Ben Packard being new-ish to the town, so that he doesn't already know all the relationships between families. On the other hand, there are also several references to events in the previous book, the first in the series, where we first meet Packard and the town of Sandy Lake. Toward the end, some of the outcomes aren't quire what I expected, but they set up some personnel issues that I am sure will be a feature in the next book. The ending of the book gives us a hint of the first dead body in the next book in the series. I appreciate NetGalley providing me with an eARC of this book, and I"m already looking forward to reading the next!
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I didn’t read the first, but this worked as a standalone mystery and I will read more in the series. The characters are complex, but the focus is on the mystery and the process of unraveling some threads and reweaving them. The author does a great job with the setting - the use of detail is precise and revealing about urban/rural divide
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
so boring. i tried so hard to get into this book, i couldn’t, i finally gave up. i hate DNF-ing a book, i try to avoid it at all cost.