A Long Time Gone is the third book in the Ben Packard series by American author, Joshua Moehling. Having lost the election for Sheriff of Sandy Lake in the previous November to his ignorant, lazy colleague, Howard Shepard, Deputy Ben Packard is no longer on the detective desk, but relegated to the menial duty of courthouse security. Until, that is, he shoots someone in the line of duty and is on administrative leave pending the BCA investigation and the county attorney’s ruling on a charge.

Armed with the map the late Sheriff Stan Shaw left him, Ben would use the free time to search for his brother Nick’s body, but it’s February so the deep snow prevents that. But when he Zoom-calls his family to reassure them about the shooting, he also reveals the new information about their son/brother’s fate: not drowned in Redwing Lake as first thought.

Despite his protests, his mother Pam insists on travelling from Arizona to help sort Ben out spiritually: ”Her spirituality was an ever -evolving casserole of new age, Wiccan , Native, Buddhist, feminist, sex-positive beliefs that only made sense to her”. After visiting the approximate location, they also call in at what was his grandfather’s house, where the family spent many vacations, and from where Nick went missing some thirty years earlier.

Pam and Ben are shocked to learn that the most recent owner died after falling down the basement stairs months earlier. But a second visit to house has Ben doubting that Louise Larsen died accidentally, and he decides to investigate, much to the dismay of his boss, who was the careless deputy on the case, and his close colleague, Jill, who signed off on the accidental death, and to the extreme irritation of realtor, Jim Wolf, whose plans to pull down and rebuild are suddenly delayed.

The further he looks into it, the more things niggle, and when he stumbles on another body, he begins to realise there’s nothing simple about this case.

Meanwhile, during his mandatory psych eval, the therapist notes Ben’s approach to dealing with his life trauma’s so far and insightfully asks “What are you denying yourself by staying in a constant state of motion, by always moving forward, not slowing down, not looking back?” Talking later to a former colleague, Ben observes: “Dealing with shit on our own is not how things are supposed to work. Staying so busy you don’t have time to feel anything doesn’t help matters either.”

Moehling provides another tightly plotted police procedural with some excellent deductive work, and a twist or two that will keep the pages turning and the reader guessing right up to the final resolution. The dialogue offers plenty of humour, some of it quite dark, and the conclusion to Nick’s story will put a lump in many a throat.

Ben Packard is a complex and appealing character, a diligent cop who acts with integrity, and if they are to say goodbye to him in this third instalment, readers will certainly miss him and his well-intentioned, if humanly-flawed support cast. This is addictive crime fiction and anything further from Joshua Moehling will be a must-read!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press.

Ben Packard is literally one of the best protagonists I’ve ever encountered in a crime fiction series. Joshua Moehling’s third installment, A LONG TIME GONE, is the most personal book in this series and fans of Moehling’s storytelling will want to prioritize this one!

Ben Packard’s brother disappeared when Ben was just a boy, leaving only the memory of him walking out the back door into the cold night and never returning. Now a deputy, Ben is on leave after a shooting and haunted by the resurfacing of new information that might finally lead him to his brother’s body. As he investigates the case, he uncovers a suspicious death that may be connected, facing resistance from all sides as he risks everything to uncover both the truth about his brother and a dangerous killer.

A LONG TIME GONE is a slower-paced novel than Moehling’s previous two releases, but it also goes deeper into the personal life of Ben Packard more than ever before. This series continues to deliver and the ending literally brought tears to my eyes. I’m excited to see where Moehling will go with the continuation of this series!

I was so thankful to be approved for an ARC of the third book in the Ben Packard series by Joshua Moehling. The first book hooked me and I have been enjoying following the rest of Packard's adventures.

This book really stood out to me from the others in the series. Readers gradually got to know Packard through the other two books, but this book did a deep dive into his difficult history surrounding his brother's unsolved disappearance. I did not predict the outcome of this book and it kept me guessing throughout.

Moehling has become a must read author for me and I look forward to reading his next book.

I have loved this book series as a native Minnesotan. This was another good additional, however a little slower then the other two. I loved reading about Ben Packard's personal and career journey. A Long Time Gone, had another great mystery paired with the investigation of his brother's disappearance. I just wished it had a little more action and a faster pace, the first two books I could not put down, and I just did not get that from the 3rd novel. With that I still hope there will be more in the series and will read any other books to come by Joshua Moehling.

A long time gone is a great read. I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it.

Thank you, Netgalley and Poison Pen Publishing.

4.5 stars

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 all he can do is dwell on the past. For the first time in years, new information about his brother has surfaced that may lead them to the location of a body.

My thoughts:
I fell in love with Deputy Ben Packard in the first book. His heartache and pain tug at my heart. The mystery about his brother was such a strong backstory in book 1, so I was anxiously waiting for the full story to come out .

I absolutely loved everything about the series and book 3. The pacing was good. I highly recommend starting with book 1 to get the full vibe of the family mystery. I can hardly wait to see what's next from this author.

This story has amazing dialogue with this being one of my favorites. “I have a parasite feasting on my insides. They tell me it’ll exit through my vagina on its own in a few months.” “Pregnant,” Packard said.” The characters conversations will delight and make you late. My favorite character is Packard’s mom. She is like a tall drink of cool water. The plot of the story is intriguing and interesting as it tries to solve two mysteries. There is action and mayhem as Ben gets closer to the truth. This is a story that I would highly recommend.

Ben Packard is back! Having recently lost the local sheriff election, his former deputy is now in charge and putting Packard in his place. While on duty at the civil courts, he is involved in a fatal shooting. But what else is going on in Sandy Lake? Was it an accidental fall down the basement stairs? Why is the assistant suddenly missing? Can Ben solve this mystery as well as the mystery of his missing brother?

PROS and CONS:
Love Moehling’s writing style - it’s an intricate plot with lots of suspects and links between characters. He is really building a great foundation for a series that I hope continues on! An LGBTQ detective with a past, he is a main character with depth. His mother was also a great side character. Can’t wait for #4!

READ IT?
If you are a fan of this series, or any mystery based in a small town - you’ll love this one!

4 Stars

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I have loved this series since the very beginning. Packard has a soft spot in my heart. I was so excited to get this ARC because I didn’t want to wait any longer to see how the Nick storyline would unfold. I think it was done very well. There were moments of slower pace and moments of faster pace. I’m not typically the biggest fan of third-person narration, but I only found myself thinking about it a couple of times when I was reading.

Overall, a great third book to this trio!

What an amazing read.
It gives you the answers that you have been waiting for.
All 3 books are fantastic and I'm ready for book 4.

A Long Time Gone is the third novel in the Ben Packard series. Although Joshua Moehling writes these novels as a series, each one can also stand alone for readers, who might suddenly pick up this third novel, not realizing it is part of a series. Moehling does a nice job of explaining past events and characters. Readers will not be lost if A Long Time Gone is their first police procedural by Moehling. As with the earlier novels, A Long Time Gone presents a complex plot, which really encompasses three separate plots or events--a courthouse shooting, the suspicious death of an 80 year old woman, and the haunting loss of Ben's older brother, who disappeared 30 years earlier. Author Moehling weaves these plots together into a nicely complex whole.

The characters in A Long Time Gone are well-developed and multi-dimensional. I found myself liking Ben's mom even more, and I enjoyed Jim Wolf's mother too, even though her son is not at all a good person. There is something about motherly love that transcends the lives or behaviors of their sons. There are characters, who display a humanity that lifts A Long Time Gone into a solid police procedural. Each death is not just a painful loss. These are people whose lives did not deserve to end. Moehling does a nice job of making sure that readers feel these losses. The novel seems to pause when Ben begins following clues looking for his brother, who has been missing 30 years, but as I though about Ben's search, I recalled that no one person is solely focused on the events of the moment. The past always intrudes. At the same time what happened to Ben's brother becomes a plot point that is essential to the plot of this third book. I know I will be impatiently waiting for book 4 in this series.

A very big thank you to Poison Pen Press and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC. I did enjoy this novel and I do recommend it.

4 Stars “Long Time Gone” is the third book in the Ben Packard series.
Ben Packard is a standout figure in contemporary detective fiction. He skillfully blends moral integrity with a relatable charm, captivating readers with each new installment. As his character unfolds, it reveals layers that distinguish him from other protagonists.

During his enforced leave, the author portrays Packard in a vulnerable light as he grapples with a serious BCA investigation into a courthouse shooting. Through rich internal monologues, we explore his past and the challenges he faces today. The storyline masterfully intertwines the haunting memories of his brother with a pressing inquiry into a suspicious death, creating a compelling narrative tapestry. As Packard delves deeper into the shadows of a closed case, he uncovers a web of inconsistencies that demand his attention. What begins as an intriguing mystery soon exposes the dark corruption in Sandy Lake, igniting Packard's fierce determination to seek answers and deliver justice. Without sharing too much, once I started turning the pages, I was hooked! I found myself racing against the clock, fully immersed in the story and losing track of time until dawn broke, unveiling the intricate connections!

Packard’s quirky relationship with his mother is one of the most entertaining elements of the narrative. Though her appearances are brief, she infuses the story with warmth and humour, providing welcome moments of levity against the backdrop of more serious themes. Their exchanges are delightful, adding a playful contrast that enhances the overall tone.


The climax—the moment of exposition regarding his brother—unfolds with striking visual detail, delivering an emotional impact akin to a visceral shock. This revelation's subdued yet potent nature reverberates well beyond the narrative's conclusion, imparting a profound sense of catharsis that lingers in the reader's consciousness.


The upcoming release of “Long Time Gone” on February 4, 2025, promises to take us on an even deeper journey. This forthcoming installment builds on the incredible foundation laid by its predecessors. “A Long Time Gone” embodies all the hallmarks of gripping police procedural fiction: rich character development, a vivid sense of place, intricately crafted plots, and complex antagonists. It balances darker themes with refreshing humour and introspection, inviting readers to explore the human experience deeply. If you haven’t started this series yet, I highly recommend you do so—without fear of spoilers.
Thank you,NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press on providing the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Ben Packard is back ! A very close second to my favorite detective ever - Vera of course - and now he is digging for more information about the disappearance of his beloved brother. And he does this while also reviewing a botched murder investigation. It must be said that he has some time on his hands as he is being put on non-active during an internal affairs investigation about a courthouse shooting. Never a dull moment in Packard's life.

I thoroughly enjoyed the glimpses into Ben's childhood and the life of his brother and his friends and I feel a bit sad that this part will probably closed off in the next installments. But I do hope that his mother will be more involved in her son's life, as she really is hilarious.

The only thing that I felt was superfluous was the explanation of the main storyline crime. I don't like it when authors think their readers can't connect the dots themselves. The crime was quite simple and logical and when it came to and end, no further explanation was needed. But then again, those few pages didn't take away any of the enjoyment I had from the rest of the story.

Now of course, a small town like Sandy Lake could ever have only one villain like Emmett Burr (and I would absolutely recommend reading [book:And There He Kept Her|58203099] first), and so I am curious to see if Packard will stay there to deal with small criminal crooks, or if he will be moving to another setting to meet another psycho like Burr. I just can't wait to read the next installment.

A very heartfelt thank you from the bottom of my heart to NetGalley, Poisoned Penn Press and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I read the first book in the series, but not the second, so I may go back and read the one I missed. The characters were well developed and particularly loved Ben’s Mom. There were quite a few different things going on all at once but it all came together nicely in the end with 2 mysteries solved.

3rd in the Ben Packard series. We get to tie up some of the loose ends left dangling in the last book. I really enjoyed this one, they seem to keep getting better. The book is a well-paced and compelling mystery with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. We got to meet Packard’s family, especially his mom – and I loved her! In addition to her just being an interesting character, finding out what she is like and seeing their relationship adds extra dimension to Packard’s character. I will say, though, that I found the blurb misleading: “Packard will risk everything to catch a killer and reveal the shocking truth about his brother” is technically true, but catching the killer and revealing the truth about his brother have nothing to do with each other. There’s no link between the A plot, which is the main mystery the book focuses on, and the B plot, which is finding out the truth about Nick. The blurb makes it seem like they’re related, but they’re not. That’s a minor quibble though, and no reflection on the book itself, which was fantastic. I’m hoping the series continues!

Oh man I adored the characters In this one! I found the writing style to be unique and the plot was so well done. This had every element I love from start to finish. Suspense, mystery and some down to earth human relationship sidelines. This one had me captured from the very start and I was sad when I got to the end. I would love to read more on this character. So well done and very attention grabbing x

Thanks Netgalley for a review copy of this book. This is the third in the series. It picks up where the last one left off. Ben Packard has lost the election to be sheriff and is now on duty at the courthouse. This is not what he signed up for. Early in the book, Ben shoots an armed man in the courthouse and gets put on leave while the BAC decides if he was negligent. Ben now uses this time to search for his lost brother, with help from former Sheriff Shaw, who left him a note after his death. Ben also is curious about a woman who recently died in the house his grandparents owned and where he last saw Nick. This would be a good book for book club. The characters have their struggles but they are not so complex that you get annoyed, and the story is not so convoluted that you will wish the book was done. Get this one and thank me later!

A Long Time Gone is the third book in the Ben Packard series. Ben is a gay deputy living in Minnesota and wrestling with the challenges that come with that. There's a lot going on in this book, an officer-involved shooting at the very beginning, Ben discovering information about his older brother who went missing decades earlier, the murder of a family friend, and despite that, the pacing is really slow. It was a struggle to continue. I really enjoyed the first book in the series, but this one not so much. Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC.

I love this series! The stories, the characters and a new favorite author.

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. - from Amazon

There was a lot going on in this book, I felt like I needed a murder board. I really had to keep track of all the moving parts, thankfully It does come together in the end and makes sense. This is book 3 in the series and I do recommend you start with book 1 because of character development and character introductions. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I look forward to the next book in the series.

The last few chapters made the most impact on me. I wish that kind of writing was in the first 75%. Nevertheless a good story and the answers we were waiting for revealed.