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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Thank you netgalley for allowing to have an audio version of Where The Dead Sleep by Joshua Moehling, this book was rather interesting. There was so much going on in this story and it all played off one another as well which made you wonder what was going to happening and how it was all going to play out. Then that ending, it made me wonder if we are going to get more. And honestly I would not mind it one bit.
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for the copy of this book!
I really enjoyed And There He Kept her - it was so spooky and a really well-paced thriller. Where the Dead Sleep is Ben Packard Book 2, so I was very excited to read it, but unfortunately, it's just very slow. DNF @ 20%.
I really enjoyed And There He Kept her - it was so spooky and a really well-paced thriller. Where the Dead Sleep is Ben Packard Book 2, so I was very excited to read it, but unfortunately, it's just very slow. DNF @ 20%.
mysterious
medium-paced
The second book about the gay cop in rural Minnesota, Packard, sees him dealing with a dysfunctional and wealthy family. Lies, narcissism, and murders. The ending leaves Packard poised to deal with his own family secrets while dealing with what will surely be a hostile work environment. Quite the page turner, as was the first book.
mysterious
medium-paced
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I went into this book blind—didn’t even realize it was part of a series. But I’m hooked, and will read every future installment of the Ben Packard series as they’re released.
Packard is the sheriff everyone should be so lucky to have. He’s fair, he works hard, he has morals, and he lives by a deep ethical code. But he also thinks outside the box and makes impossible case connections that others don’t.
I thought this book did a great job of leaving clues hanging around that may or may not be relevant, leaving me to mull them over for many chapters at a time—but also didn’t leave loose ends except one big plot point from Packard’s past that’s sure to be continued in the next book (and a little plot point that could be relevant in the future but didn’t feel unfinished).
Overall, great read. I was very engaged with the characters and the mystery as it evolved, and really enjoyed both the author’s writing style and the audiobook narration.
Packard is the sheriff everyone should be so lucky to have. He’s fair, he works hard, he has morals, and he lives by a deep ethical code. But he also thinks outside the box and makes impossible case connections that others don’t.
I thought this book did a great job of leaving clues hanging around that may or may not be relevant, leaving me to mull them over for many chapters at a time—but also didn’t leave loose ends except one big plot point from Packard’s past that’s sure to be continued in the next book (and a little plot point that could be relevant in the future but didn’t feel unfinished).
Overall, great read. I was very engaged with the characters and the mystery as it evolved, and really enjoyed both the author’s writing style and the audiobook narration.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Okay, I am thinking I should have read the author's other book first? Because it seems like everyone else says this is part of a series (Sandy Lake mystery apparently)?! Yet, there is no series indicator in the title or description? Can we get serious about properly marketing/clarifying standalone books in an interconnected series? *screams in Virgo*
Anyway, I think the author is simply not for me. The pacing was all over the place, scenes jumped so abruptly from one to another, and though you expect a thriller to be fast-paced, this was too frenetic. It stressed me out, and it wasn't just the story which is understandable in a thriller/mystery. It was the exposition, the storytelling, the pace, the tone, the stilted sentences, pretty much everything in the way the book was written.
I appreciate that we have a gay man in charge but I think I also just don't vibe with cops, so maybe that's my problem lol. The plot was enticing enough with this small town murder mystery that I did finish to stay for the final reveal, but my brain could not follow the writing that well. I think I'm the outlier here because everyone else adored it, and that's okay. Joshua has his audience, but it's just not me. I'm sorry, I tried!
Anyway, I think the author is simply not for me. The pacing was all over the place, scenes jumped so abruptly from one to another, and though you expect a thriller to be fast-paced, this was too frenetic. It stressed me out, and it wasn't just the story which is understandable in a thriller/mystery. It was the exposition, the storytelling, the pace, the tone, the stilted sentences, pretty much everything in the way the book was written.
I appreciate that we have a gay man in charge but I think I also just don't vibe with cops, so maybe that's my problem lol. The plot was enticing enough with this small town murder mystery that I did finish to stay for the final reveal, but my brain could not follow the writing that well. I think I'm the outlier here because everyone else adored it, and that's okay. Joshua has his audience, but it's just not me. I'm sorry, I tried!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder
Thank you to Libra.fm, Simon Audio, Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC/ALC!
Deputy Ben Packard is back, still acting as sheriff while his beloved mentor is nearing the end of his life. An early morning call leads Packard to Bill Sanderson shot dead in his bed. His wife, his ex-wife, business partner and poker buddies all have interesting things to say about Bill. Packard can’t determine if any of them are telling the truth or if none of them is. Meanwhile, an attempt on his life lets him know he’s getting dangerously close to the truth. While deep in the trenches of this crime, Packard is also forced to decide if he wants to step down from his position as acting sheriff or run in the upcoming election.
When I read Joshua Moehling’s previous book, And There He Kept Her, I was immediately drawn into the crime at the center of the book and more so, the character of Ben Packard. A gay police officer in a small, old fashioned town, Packard kept his personal life close to the vest. But in getting to know him - the simple life he lives with his beloved three-legged dog, his dedication to serving the people he has sworn to protect and now, the secret from his past - I may a bit in love with this character! Can you say “book boyfriend”?! LOL All of Packard’s fabulous qualities aside, the mystery at the center of this book kept me guessing - I couldn’t figure out who was responsible for killing Bill but it all came together brilliantly. And left on a bit of a cliffhanger, I hope there is going to be more Ben Packard in the very near future! On audio, Linda Jones perfectly brought these characters to life! On audio, Linda Jones perfectly brought these characters to life!
This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)
Deputy Ben Packard is back, still acting as sheriff while his beloved mentor is nearing the end of his life. An early morning call leads Packard to Bill Sanderson shot dead in his bed. His wife, his ex-wife, business partner and poker buddies all have interesting things to say about Bill. Packard can’t determine if any of them are telling the truth or if none of them is. Meanwhile, an attempt on his life lets him know he’s getting dangerously close to the truth. While deep in the trenches of this crime, Packard is also forced to decide if he wants to step down from his position as acting sheriff or run in the upcoming election.
When I read Joshua Moehling’s previous book, And There He Kept Her, I was immediately drawn into the crime at the center of the book and more so, the character of Ben Packard. A gay police officer in a small, old fashioned town, Packard kept his personal life close to the vest. But in getting to know him - the simple life he lives with his beloved three-legged dog, his dedication to serving the people he has sworn to protect and now, the secret from his past - I may a bit in love with this character! Can you say “book boyfriend”?! LOL All of Packard’s fabulous qualities aside, the mystery at the center of this book kept me guessing - I couldn’t figure out who was responsible for killing Bill but it all came together brilliantly. And left on a bit of a cliffhanger, I hope there is going to be more Ben Packard in the very near future! On audio, Linda Jones perfectly brought these characters to life! On audio, Linda Jones perfectly brought these characters to life!
This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)