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3.92 AVERAGE

lindsaynk_reads's profile picture

lindsaynk_reads's review

3.0

I did enjoy this book a lot, but it just wasn't my usual. This could be because I'm in a reading slump (which does affect my reviews) or because I'm a serious mood reader - but it just didn't hit me right.

There are several twists and turns with an extremely likeable character. The ending was great, but the book is overall slow. It was *almost* a DNF for me.

Please don't let my review deter you from what you like and find interesting. I am only one person.

Thank you, Publisher & NetGalley for the eARC!
chellreads's profile picture

chellreads's review

3.0

*big thanks to netgalley for providing me with an arc of this book*

I'll be honest, it did take me a hot minute to finish this book. It wasn't super wow-ing for me, it had a strong storyline with strong connections/leads but the actual reveal honestly wasn't crazy to me. I don't know what else to say about it tbh LOL it was good, and I would recommend it but I would also say don't go into it with high hopes? idk maybe i'll come back to this and have more thoughts formed but for now, that's all i've got.
piperhath's profile picture

piperhath's review

4.0
adventurous challenging mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

4 stars 
 
Bill Sandersen is shot twice in his bed in the quiet Minnesota town of Sandy Lake. While Bill was well-liked within the town (despite having bad debt and a trail of broken hearts following him) it was clear someone had sinister motives. When Deputy Ben Packard questions those close to Bill, everyone has a story but none with a clear motive. So, who did it? Was it the business partner? The ex-wife? The current wife (who is also the ex-wife's sister)? Or someone with an ulterior motive? 
 
This was my first Moehling book and definitely won't be my last! While I have heard of And There He Kept Her, I didn't make the connection that these were a part of the same series until about halfway through the book. It didn't take away from the story though and this book could definitely be read as a stand-alone. 
 
This story was so captivating and thrilling, that I felt like I was living in the town and investigating this murder alongside Packard. Where the Dead Sleep was very fast-paced and easy to read, I devoured it in a couple of sittings. The unpredictability of the story also made you keep guessing who did it the whole way, with many twists and turns, you'll be on the edge of your seat. This one also ends with a pretty big cliffhanger and sets it up nicely for the next book. 
 
I would recommend this to anyone who is after an intense page-turner, with a plot that will keep you guessing right up to the very end. 
 
Thank you to Netgalley and Poison Pen Press for sending me an ARC to read and review. I really enjoyed this one! 

reader1657's review

5.0

I think I liked this one even more than the first one! Joshua Moehling -- you left us with quite a cliff hanger! I'm very excited to see how this story continues. Lots of interesting characters and sub-plots to be continued.

alana99's review

4.0
mysterious reflective 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: Yes
scott_thelibrarian's profile picture

scott_thelibrarian's review

5.0

Everyone needs to get on the Joshua Moehling train ASAP! I read the first book, And There He Kept Her, and moved directly into the second book. It has been a very long time since I have found a detective psychological thriller that has truly surprised and entertained me like the Ben Packard series. And the fact that I get to read about a gay detective makes the story that much more fun for me! Packard has become one of my favorite characters of all time. I would love to have him on my side because he will do anything for those he cares about.

This story begins a few months after the events of the first book. You have Packard still adjusting to being interim sheriff while the currently elected sheriff undergoes cancer treatments; however, when an unexpected death hits the police department, Packard is forced to come to terms with the fact that he might be the best option and choice for the empty sheriff spot. He is thrust even deeper into the political side of being sheriff and soon realizes that he has big foes to go up against if he wants to keep the police department operating efficiently and effectively. On top of all of this, he has to deal with the murder of a man who not only has a troubled romantic history but also shady dealings throughout the town. With the suspect pool growing and the impending sheriff's election getting closer, Packard has a lot to juggle, but our man is up for the job. He just has to keep himself alive to be able to do it.

Moehling has gained himself a devoted fan. He will now be an auto-read author for me. If you are looking for a psychological detective story with a lot of heart and thrills, this is the series for you. I highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for a chance to early review this story in exchange for an honest review.
kerasalwaysreading's profile picture

kerasalwaysreading's review

4.0

While this is the second in a series, of which I don’t read the first book, I will absolutely be awaiting the next book!!

Packard is the interim sheriff in town, but he has always enjoyed just being a detective. When the murder of a man in his bed comes across his desk, it takes Sheriff Packard through a twisting maze of possible murderers.

Bill led a simple life on paper, but having been married to a party animal, divorcing her only to marry her sister, a woman completely opposite to his previous wife, there is a lot of animosity there.

I enjoyed the investigation at the center of this book, and also the side stories happening in the meantime. I found myself compelled by Packard’s character and immediately found myself rooting for the man.

This book also gives glimpses into the previous book, which I will be reading for sure, and hints at what is to come in the next book. I personally cannot wait for more.
drubyy's profile picture

drubyy's review

4.0
adventurous mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

katekate_reads_'s review

3.0

I really like the character of Ben Packard but other than that, Where the Dead Sleep fell a little flat for me. This one won’t stick with me and I think the mystery was very forgettable. Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley and Libro.fm for the free ebook and audiobook.

bloodiedmuggle's review

4.5
mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

The second installment in this series may be better than the first. I loved the twists in this, you're never quite sure where to point the finger in this murder investigation. The subplots were equally interesting,
especially with the Sheriff election, I wasn't sure at all which way that was going to go and was both disappointed and intrigued by the results
. I raced through this book and cannot wait for the next, especially
since it looks like Packard is finally going to tackle his brother's disappearance
.