Joshua Moehling’s A Long Time Gone is the kind of book that sticks with you. It finally answers a long-lost question, and it doesn’t rely on crazy twists or over-the-top drama to keep you hooked. The story is smart, intriguing, and feels real from start to finish.

What really stands out is how it brings in different viewpoints and moments of genuine empathy. It makes you connect with the characters on a deeper level. This is one of those books that proves you don’t need flashy plot twists to tell an unforgettable story.

I was fortunate enough to get my hands on an early copy of this one which is book 3 in this author’s series which includes the main character, Ben Packard. Book one, And There He Kept Her, and book two, Where the Dead Sleep. I practically devoured A Long Time Gone in a couple of days, but another book got in the way.
Book two found Ben on admin leave and here in book three he is back on duty, just not at his regular job, which really irked Ben, especially since … well, you have to read book two to know that part. In book three, Ben finds himself involved in a situation at the courthouse that leads him down a road he wasn’t expecting to follow, but it woke up the detective part of his personality so down the road he went. This road led him down some meandering paths, which led him back to the main road.
The thing about Ben is he asks questions, and he keeps asking questions until he gets the answers he knows exist. Some of his questions irk other folks, even those who are purportedly his superiors. They just don’t like him looking too hard at things.
Ben still maintains his friendship with Thielen … they have such a dry banter sort of relationship as partners. It’s quite entertaining to read them bantering back and forth.
While I still think book one is the best in this series, book three is a close runner-up. I found myself chuckling at some of the scenes, some of the dialog the author used throughout this one. I am enjoying the fact that the author is starting to show his personality, his humor, his voice in this series. Oh, and Ben’s mom? You need to ‘meet’ her! She’s one of those moms who doesn’t hold back and tells Ben like it is, even when it comes to relationships. In this one, Ben also finds himself discovering some truths, some that he was not expecting. I can only imagine what Ben will get involved with next.

Joshua Moehling is an author that, as he keeps writing, it just gets better and better. I fell in love with his writing with his first book in this series, And There He Kept Her, where we were first introduced to Ben Packard. Moehling's form of story telling, makes you want to read anything he has to write and I find myself gravitating to looking for his next book, only to be disappointed in the fact that he writes only one a year, but am always recommending to people when given the chance. Though the books should be read in order and the events from the previous books are talked about in this one, you don't have to read them in order to read this book, but it owuld make it easier to understand some of things talked about. I highly recommend, not only this book, but the whole series. 4.5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free copy of A Long Time Gone by Joshua Moehling in exchange for my honest review.

I love Ben Packard! I love this series! I love this author! I look forward to reading the next installment in the series as soon as I digest the one, I just devoured. The book is fast paced, the characters are all spot on, this book has two different investigations going on, and it seems like everyone in town is involved in one of them. I will not go into much detail, but if you have not read this series you need to!

Ben has lost the election for sheriff. He has been placed on courthouse duty, checking people's bags, and making sure they are not bringing in weapons. When a particularly hateful man is trying to screw over his neighbor in a property dispute. All hell breaks loose, and Ben has to use his gun before anyone else dies. The new sheriff is delighted to put him on leave until he is cleared. As we know, Ben cannot sit still. He is out and about when he stumbles onto an old accident that happened at his grandparents' house. The lady that bought it from them has died and it does not look like she took a tumble. Her death is bringing back memories from the night Ben's brother, Nick, went missing. These two investigations keep Ben going at all times of the day and night. Until the end brings clarity, my jaw drops to the ground, and tears begin to well.

Joshua Moehling has done it again. He has written a twisted thriller that keeps on giving. While also tapping into Ben's soul. I cannot wait and hope there is a fourth installment to this series. I do not know what I would do with myself if I do not find out how Ben's love life turns out. With the help of his mom of course. Frank the pupperoni needs a second dad! Thank you to Joshua Moehling and Poisoned Pen Press for my gifted copy of this sensational read.

childhood-trauma, cold-case, corgi, counselling, due-diligence, embezzlement, family-drama, family-dynamics, family-history, investigations, law-enforcement, LGBT, lies, local-politics, megalomaniac, Minnesota, missing, murders, officer-involved-shooting, procedural, read, secrets, siblings, small-town, snow-season, suspense, thriller, unpleasant-boss, unpleasant-suspect, unputdownable*****

Ben's brother disappeared some years ago and that colored his life and those of the whole family including some of the problems now. There was definitely sloppy policework done then just like there was several months ago when the woman living in what had been their family home died in an apparent fall down a flight of stairs. The mystery was fast in pace and the characters well developed. The read was an excellent fit for me as I followed the breadcrumbs along with the sheriff's misassigned deputy through the complex tale of corruption and embezzlement as well as murder.
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected manuscript file from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
Avail Feb 04, 2025 #aLongTimeGone by Joshua Moehling #BenPackardBk3 #NetGalley @PoisonedPenPress @sbkslibrary @LibraryThing @BookBub @Goodreads

A Long Time Gone picks up where the last book Where the Dead Sleep left off. Ben Packard is in search for more clues about his brother Nick's disappeance 30 years ago. With little to go on and a case file with nothing but blank papers and a letter and a hand drawn map left from the previous Sheriff Stan. Since losing the election Packard is now a Deputy working in the courthouse. When there is an active shooter Deputy Packard doesn't waste anytime handling the situation. Now on leave pending an investigation Deputy Packard seems to having no problem finding things to occupy his time when he starts down a rabbit hole of solving a murder that everyone thinks was an accidental death. A long Time Gone has all the things a great book should have. I laughed, I cried, and wanted more when I finally finished the book. I loved that some of the old characters were back and that we got to meet new characters. I can't wait to see what Joshua Moehling has in store for us in his next book!

This was a fast-paced mystery that blended a humanistic and personal story with not one, but two murders. All the parts were well balanced.

This was the third in a series and works well as a standalone, although I'm sure reading the first two would add to the story. I did not, and it was ok.

There were many characters and red herrings that created strong suspense and kept me turning the pages.

Ultimately, the mystery itself was fairly trite, and I guessed the suspect pretty quickly. It was still interesting and engaging, with likable characters and a satisfying resolution.

Thank you to NetGalley, Joshua Moehling, and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced copy for review.

This might be the best book in the Ben Packard series! Ben uncovers new information about his older brother's disappearance. Will he find the truth he has been looking for since he was a kid? All while being on leave from the sheriff's department and investigating a suspicious death, everyone else assumes is an accident. So much going on in this book, so much to keep you turning the pages.

I love Ben Packard. I can only hope this series keeps going and going. Based on the ending, I could see it happening. Fingers crossed.

The writing is so immersive, I get sucked into the story right from the start. Ben is such a charming character and I’m emotionally invested in him at this point. The plot here was a little convoluted but the explanation gets broken down into something easily digestible. Living with someone who suffers from post-combat PTSD makes me extra critical of such storylines, so that was just a personal bit that I didn’t love but I don’t fault the book for that.

It’s winter in Sandy Lake, Minnesota and Deputy Ben Packard has been demoted to working security at the courthouse in this third book of the series. Despite being a popular and effective acting sheriff, Ben lost the subsequent election to a candidate championed by powerful businessman and county commissioner Jim Wolf. The new sheriff is weak and ineffective and determined to make life as difficult as possible for Ben. Unfortunately, Ben’s day is just about to get worse when he is involved in a shooting at the courthouse. Stood down while the shooting is investigated, he suddenly finds himself with a lot of time on his hands.

When he was twelve Ben’s older brother Nick disappeared one wintery night and was presumed drowned in the lake, but now new evidence has come to light suggesting his body is buried elsewhere. As the ground is too hard and icy for an exhumation to begin until the spring thaw, Ben decides to spend his time taking a look at Nick’s case to try to discover what happened that night he vanished.

A nostalgic visit to his grandparents’ empty old house also rings alarm bells for Ben when he sees evidence suggesting that Louise, the elderly woman who bought the house from them, did not die from an accidental fall down the cellar stairs as reported at the time. Suddenly, Ben has his hands full with two cold case investigations and no one associated with either is happy about it. However, Ben is a dogged and determined detective and gradually uncovers a complex web of secrets and conspiracy that will reach into the town’s upper echelons.

Initially the plot builds gradually, setting the scene and the players for the two cases Ben is investigating, but then the tension really ramps up to become intense and gripping. Joshua Moehling writes a captivating tale and as a gay protagonist, Ben is a terrific character; smart and intuitive as well as warm and caring with a quirky sense of humour. Frank, his fearless three-legged corgi is delightful and Ben’s mother, who comes to visit him, is a spirited breath of fresh air (although Ben is relieved when she goes back home).

The multilayered crime that Ben eventually uncovers from his second look at Louise’s death is unexpected but so well developed as to be believable. Ben also eventually learns the truth about how his brother Nick died, not only bringing his family closure but also giving him new insights into Nick and all that he could have been. Despite this being the third episode in the series, it also works well as a stand-alone.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ERC of this enjoyable series. I liked having two different storylines to follow. I was definitely surprised how both of them played out, and that was a good thing!

It was great to be back with Ben Packard and his latest adventure in Sandy Lake! As Ben adjusts to post-election life, new evidence is uncovered in his search for his brother who went missing 30 years ago.. In the process of investigating his brother’s disappearance, Packard uncovers a new mystery regarding the death of a beloved elderly resident, which takes him on a wild goose chase to get to the bottom of Sandy Lake’s latest scandal.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC of A Long Time Gone. I’m not sure if this was the end of a trilogy, but I was pleased to finally get some closure with Deputy Packard!

This is the third entry in the Ben Packard series and it’s a good one! Takes place in Northern Minnesota and it may have some cross-appeal for William Kent Krueger fans.

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for the gifted digital ARC!

Every book in the Ben Packard series just gets better and better. I absolutely love Packard as a protagonist and I love how twisty every novel has been. This one was definitely no exception and the storyline, despite being incredibly nuanced, was sooo well-handled.

I don't want to get too into the details because I don't want to spoil anything, but I absolutely love this series and hope it continues!

A Long Time Gone pub date is February 4, 2025.

I love Ben Packard! I have been so excited to read this & getting the ARC felt like a dream come true. Getting to read about a gay main character (especially a cop) is really nice, & I love the development of the other characters as well. I look forward to reading about even the smaller ones, like the saucy character that Ben got his dog from & the receptionist from the precinct. I liked that this book tied up a lot of loose ends beautifully, it really felt perfect. If I had to give any feedback for a HOPEFULLY fourth installment, I’d love a more “exciting” case like from the first book. Something about the stakes on that one just felt particularly high vs this one where no one but Ben felt there was even a case. I loved meeting his family, especially the mom who I really related to. Maybe I’m a bit of a hippie too!

I hope hope hope there’s another book to come next year, I love this writer & these characters. Thank you netgalley & the publisher for giving me this ARC!

As someone who's not particularly fond of book series, it says a lot that I anxiously await the next Ben Packard novel every year! He is one of the best protagonists and he just keeps getting better!

A Long Time Gone continues Ben's story with a focal point on his missing brother. This storyline has developed throughout the last two books and it was nice to see it get some more attention in the third installment. Of course, Ben is also up to his neck in work drama and another case that raises red flags for Ben though it was ruled an accident.

I liked that we got to know Ben a bit more this book. We absolutely learn so much more about his family and his past and his mother becomes a more prominent character. I also liked that we got a bit more of his love and personal life and hope that can build more in the next book.

I didn't find this book quite as exciting as the other stories but it did flow well with the story and set the stage for another book. I like that each novel is so different but still carries the story forward. I would recommend reading these books in order and not reading this as a standalone - Moehling is good about reminding readers of key details, but you really need the full backstory in order to appreciate a lot of the nuance.

Looking forward to learning more about Packard and already anxiously awaiting book 4! Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the copy!

Ben Packard was just a boy when his older brother disappeared. Ben watched him walk out the back door of their grandparents' house and into the cold night.

His brother was never seen again.

Decades later, Deputy Packard finds himself with too much time on his hands. A shooting has him on leave and under investigation, and for the first time in years, new information about his brother has surfaced that may lead them to the location of a body.

The midwinter ground is frozen solid. Worse, Packard is cut off from department resources. As he strikes out to finally uncover the truth behind his brother's disappearance, he stumbles on a separate, suspicious death. A tenuous connection exists between the two cases, and as Packard starts to dig, he meets fierce resistance from friends and foes alike who want him to stand down.

The winter is long and cold. By the end of it, Packard will risk everything to catch a killer and reveal the shocking truth about his brother.

This is the third book in the Ben Packard series. I did not read the first two books in the series. I am excited to read them because I really enjoyed this one. This book can be read as a standalone.

There are two mysteries in this one. And the first mystery, Ben's brother Nick snuck outside in the middle of the night at his grandparents house while they were asleep. Ben saw his brother leave and he was never found. Ben is trying to solve this mystery and find out what happened to his brother. Then in the other mystery is that Louise was found dead from falling down the steps. Was this a murder or an accident. This mystery is very involved and I thought it was complexed but I did enjoy it.

This started out with a slow burn but there were things that happened during the book that kept me very intrigued. I kept guessing and guessing who was involved in these crimes and I was wrong every time.

I really love Ben and his mother. His mother was extremely funny and amusing. There are some unlikable characters too. There was a dog in the story named, Lady Gaga Pinot Grigio Margaret Ann String Cheese Reid. What a Name! That is one long name, Haha!
I thought this one was a little dark, gripping and thought provoking.

I want to thank Netgalley, Poisoned Pen Press for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Gripping, tense, well thought out, and captivating! I was over the moon to be back in the world of Ben Packard! I have adored and rooted for him since reading the first book in this amazing series, And There He Kept Her! I also love Joshua Moehling's writing, the plots, the characters, and the settings in his Ben Packard's series. Plus, the atmosphere, tension, sense of dread, twists, and revelations in every book in this series are so well done.

Ben Packard's brother Nick has been A Long Time Gone and his family has never had closure. Ben was a child when his teenage brother disappeared, and Nick's disappearance has always weighed on him. Now that he has time on his hands after a shooting, he can investigate the information which has come in concerning his brother. Looking into his brother's disappearance and possible location of his body, Packard finds himself drawn into the case of a suspicious death!

This book has two captivating mysteries involving the disappearance of Ben's brother Nick and that of the suspicious death of Louise and the circumstances surrounding her death. I found myself fully invested in both mysteries and enjoyed the twists, turns, and shocking revelations.

I enjoyed both mysteries in this book. I also loved Ben's mother who comes to town and provides some laughs and support. She was such a great character, and fingers crossed we will see more of her in future books! Ben Packard is such a great character. He is strong, intelligent, vulnerable, brave, witty and I love reading his thoughts.


If you have not read this series, what are you waiting for? As this is the third book in the series, it will be easy to go back and read the previous books. I enjoy the mixing of mystery, police procedural, personal storylines, and character development in Moehling's Ben Packard series.

Wow! What a phenomenal written book and story line! This was my first book from this author (until I paused and picked up the others) and WOW. I was missing out! I started to read a few chapters and realized this was part of a series of books and had to read those first, hence why it took me an extra month or 2 to finally create this review! This book was well written and could have been a stand alone, but wanted to know the details prior! I love how the answers to the secrets/ mysteries were now solved and explained!

I will be reading more from this author very soon! 5+ stars!

Thank you Joshua Moehling and NetGalley for allowing me to read this amazing book!

Release: Feb 3
Publisher: poisoned pen press
 
Rating:  4.5/5 ★ 
 

In A Long Time Gone, Joshua Moehling delivers a gripping, suspense-filled story that pulls you right into the thick of small-town drama. The plot is full of twists and surprises, creating a sense of constant tension that makes it nearly impossible to put down. Each character is layered and real, dealing with personal struggles and moral complexities that make them feel so human. The small-town setting only adds to the suspense, with a close-knit community atmosphere that feels both comforting and claustrophobic. Moehling skillfully keeps up the pace, drawing you through each scene without any extra fluff. This is a novel that doesn’t just entertain but also makes you think long after the last page.
 

A Long Time Gone is a compelling mystery that masterfully weaves together elements of suspense and emotional depth. The story follows the protagonist, who is drawn back into a past filled with secrets and unresolved traumas when a body is discovered in his small town. As he grapples with the implications of this discovery, the narrative unfolds in a way that keeps readers engaged and guessing. 

Joshua Moehling excels in creating an atmospheric setting that enhances the tension throughout the book. The characters are well-crafted, each with their own complexities and motivations that add layers to the plot. The protagonist's journey of self-discovery and the confrontation of his past are particularly poignant, making the story resonate on a deeper level. 
The pacing is spot-on, with the right balance of intrigue and character development. Moehling skillfully builds suspense, leading to a satisfying climax that ties together the various threads of the story. 

A Long Time Gone is an engrossing read that will appeal to fans of mystery and psychological thrillers. It offers a rich exploration of how the past shapes our present and the lengths one will go to uncover the truth. This book is a must-read for anyone looking for a gripping story that combines mystery with emotional resonance. 

LOL moments:

 "You need to unclench your butt and let your root Chakra breathe"

"Lady Gaga Pinot Grigio Margaret Ann String Cheese Reid. Wait, that's the name of one dog?"
 
Favorite Quote: 
 
"Sometimes the past isn’t something we can escape; it’s something we must confront to move forward."