A review by booksthrilljessica
A Long Time Gone by Joshua Moehling

3.0

After surviving a high stakes shooting, former detective Ben Packard is forced to confront the ghosts of his past. While on leave, he uncovers new information about a cold case that has haunted him since childhood. The disappearance of his own brother, who he was the last to see. Determined to finally find closure, Ben dives back into the case. But the question lingers, how far is he willing to go for the truth?

I did find some of the humor around characters’ sexual orientation a bit jarring. It felt more harmful than helpful to the story. While I appreciated the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters, at times it seemed like the jokes came at their expense rather than adding depth or representation.

I also found myself wishing for a dual timeline that explored the immediate aftermath of Ben’s brother’s disappearance and how the family and town responded. And perhaps a deeper look at the suspect which would have led to a more powerful twist. Still, if you're a fan of character driven mysteries, this one might be right up your alley.

*Thank you to Joshua Moehling, Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the audio copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.