Deputy Ben Packard is back! Given the amount of set up that was introduced in book two I thought for sure book three would be all about Ben's brother, Nick. For me the story started off slow and the first half of the book is mostly the building of a case in a death the department has already deemed solved. It took me a while to get invested in this separate case as I went in with the assumption we would be looking for anything related to Nick's disappearance. Several of the town characters were very unlikable and this also hindered my interest in the new case. This is genius writing on Joshua Moehling's part as I got caught up in my extreme dislike of these characters instead of paying attention to the details and solving the crime, so I was quite surprised by who did it when everything came together. Very clever! Packard's mom was a pure delight and her comments and actions made me laugh. There is a lot for Packard to overcome in this story, both personally and professionally, and he does so with grace and intelligence. I have really enjoyed this series. I can't quite decide from the book's ending if there will be a fourth book. If there is, I'll be ready to take on new cases with Ben!

Linda Jones narrates the audiobook. I have come to know her as the voice of Ben Packard's universe. She does a great job bringing all the characters to life.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the LRC in exchange for my honest review.

Ben Packard is on leave. He shot a man at the courthouse where he was working security. The man had a gun and tried to kill another man. But that doesn't necessarily matter to Ben. He can't help thinking about what happened. And he's having nightmares that he's the shooter and he's killing people he knows. He can't be on leave. He can't sit still. So he decides to look into the disappearance of brother 20 years ago and ends up embroiled in a more recent murder mystery.

This was my first Joshua Moehling book and it will not be my last. I love Ben Packard. He's complicated and real. He is so well-written. I loved his mother and his partner. I thought this story was excellent and the plot twist and the who-done-it were all surprises to me. If you like murder mysteries and complicated, real characters, you will definitely love this book.

I liked that simple writing style that avoided overdrescribing almost everything. A downside to this is that I found the characters and plot kind of basic.

🎧

As a child, Ben Packard was the last person to see his older brother alive. For decades, the family believed that the brother died in a frozen lake despite finding no body to bury. But new evidence has come to light. While on leave for an extended period, Packard has a lot of time on his hands to solve the cold case and an ongoing case he stumbles onto.

I wasn’t sure how engaged I would be with a male detective series, but I feel like Ben Packard as a character is such a breath of fresh air. You can definitely say he is no womanizer.

I found the mystery of Ben’s brother compelling, so I was pleasantly surprised at how there are two cases Packard works on at the same time. I feel like the pursuit of the truth in both cases made the book stronger instead of feeling like the two cases were competing for my attention.

I loved Ben’s relationship with his family, but I felt like the narrative of “I’m not that type of cop” was a bit heavy handed. I didn’t get the chance to read the whole series, so I wasn’t sure if I was missing context from the previous works. I did have a firm grip on the plot without reading the whole series though, so anyone could jump in without feeling confused.

I could be convinced to go back and reread the books in the series I missed for sure.

I read this in the audiobook format and the narrator had a really expressive voice that conveyed emotion in a meaningful way.

I received this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media!

5-Star Read!

A Long Time Gone by Joshua Moehling
Book 3 in the Ben Packard Series

For readers who love:
• Police procedurals & crime fiction
• A consistently excellent series
• Complex, well-developed characters
• LGBTQ+ representation
• A sharp, likable detective
• Small-town meddling moms
• A three-legged corgi named Frank

Ben Packard is back, and I couldn’t be happier to return to Sandy Lake. This third book picks up right where the last left off, weaving together a gripping mystery with all the small-town drama that makes this series so compelling.

Ben remains one of my favorite characters to follow—his dry humor, sharp instincts, and straightforward approach to his job make him such an easy protagonist to root for. I also loved meeting some new faces in this one, especially his mom. And Frank, the three-legged corgi, continues to be the real MVP.

It’s rare for a crime thriller to feel comforting, but there’s something about this series that just works. The mystery kept me hooked, and the resolution was incredibly satisfying. That said, I really hope there’s more to come.

Also, if you’re an audiobook fan, this series is top-tier. Linda Jones is the perfect narrator, and I’ve loved every second of listening.

Dare I say this might be my favorite of the series? Hard to choose when they’ve all been 5-star reads, but this one really delivered.

Huge thanks to @netgalley, @poisonedpenpress, @dreamscape, and @jmoehling for the chance to read and listen to this ARC!

I did not read the first 2 books of this series. Maybe if I had, I would have liked this book more. I wasn’t really interested in the plot that consumed most of this book. While the narrator of this book was ok, I think that they should have chosen a male narrator for this male protagonist. 3.5 stars

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publisher.

I didn't know this was the third in a series. While I'd prefer to have read the others first, I don't believe it took away from this book. Ben Packard is a likeable character who is devoted to his career and to find out what happened to his brother Nick who went missing 33 years ago. Ben finally gets the closure he's been searching for.

Thank you Dreamscape Media & Joshua Moehling for this read!

I was lucky enough to get both the ebook and audiobook of this so I alternated between the two.

I haven't read the other books in this series but I felt like I was able to join in with this book without being left too far behind. I do feel the others would obviously give better pictures of the characters and world but I still enjoyed this book as a standalone!

The plot was good and I was intrigued about the unsolved case and how everything was connected! I feel the character building was good and I felt part of the team trying to find the answers.

The narration was well done and really bought this story to life!

Despite being a bit slow in some places the pace was fast enough to keep you hooked from the start. Overall an enjoyable read and I would definitely pick this series up from book 1 to get the full effect but you can still pick this up fine as a standalone.

Sheriff’s deputy, Ben Packard, is on leave after a fatal shooting when new information comes to light about his older brother’s long-ago disappearance. With time on his hands, Ben begins investigating what may have happened to his brother and also discovers the suspicious death of an elderly woman living in his family’s former lake home. Ben makes a compelling protagonist, and Moehling creates an entertaining supporting cast of family members and coworkers who help at various points in the investigation. Both mysteries take surprising twists and reach satisfying conclusions. I should note this is the third book in the Ben Packard series, and though I haven’t read the previous books, I had no trouble jumping into this one. However, I enjoyed it enough that I plan to go back to read the earlier books.

With this book, you are getting two stories for the price of one. When Ben Packard was a little boy, his brother disappeared, never to be found. His disappearance has haunted Ben and his family for years. Fast forward to present day, Ben serves on the police force as a deputy. Involved in a shooting, he is put on leave during which time he comes across some evidence that leads him to look into the disappearance of his brother many years ago. While investigating at the old family house, he stumbles onto a clue regarding a different case. Despite being cut off from police resources, Ben sets out to track down the clues to find a killer as well as answers about his brother's disappearance.

I did find the story to be a little slow at times, with bursts of excitement here and there, but if you as a reader find the same, keep going! When things start to unfold, they do so fast and furiously and it get pretty exciting! Additionally, the presence of Ben's mother in the book was great. Their interactions together were priceless, and her character made me laugh!

While this book can be a standalone book, it is the third book in a series, so if you are a reader who likes to read a series from start to finish, be sure to grab the other two books first. I have not read the first two myself but would like to now go back and read them.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media for the ARC of this audiobook. It was a pleasure to listen to and review.

This is my fault, but I had a tough time getting into this one because it is part of a series and I wasn't aware (I wish this was more clear on Netgalley). There came to a point where there was a whole second crime being investigated, and I was entirely lost with that was going on.

Not for me, but I think fans of police procedurals will enjoy it.

3.5 stars rounded up!

I went into this audiobook not having read any previous books. I do think that it is something that can be done, but I do think it would be helpful to get some backstory on Packerd and some things that are mentioned in the book.

The story itself was a decent procedural thriller. It felt like a slow burn for me, trying to get into the storyline. It did not grab my attention immediately, but I am glad I stuck around. The ending was great, I am glad he got some closure.

The narrator was great, I always enjoy her readings. I listened at 1.75x.

A Long Time Gone by Joshua Moehling is a gripping and emotionally intense audiobook that combines mystery, suspense, and a deep personal journey. The story follows Ben Packard, a deputy haunted by the disappearance of his older brother years ago. As new leads emerge about his brother’s fate, Packard is forced to confront the past while navigating a complex investigation into another suspicious death. With his career on hold due to a recent shooting, he has the time and determination to uncover the truth—no matter the cost.

Moehling weaves a compelling narrative that keeps listeners on edge, skillfully blending the suspense of a cold case with the emotional weight of Packard’s personal stakes. The frozen, desolate winter setting mirrors the isolation and tension Packard faces as he digs deeper into both cases, meeting resistance at every turn. His determination to bring closure to his brother’s disappearance, while unraveling a dark secret, makes for a captivating and heart-pounding experience.

With well-developed characters and a plot full of twists, A Long Time Gone is a must-listen for fans of atmospheric mysteries and thrillers. The audiobook brings the story to life, offering an emotional and suspenseful ride that will leave listeners thinking long after the final track.

I thoroughly enjoyed this!
I’m guilty of not reading the first two books in this series but didn’t find it a problem and enjoyed this so much I’d go back and read the rest.
I loved the lead detective, the side characters and the plot while wasn’t fast paced there was still plenty going on to keep me engaged.
I also really liked the narrater, can’t wait for more!

When I picked this up, intrigued by the description, I didn’t realise I was starting mid series. A Long Time Gone features a standalone mystery as well as a story of familial loss picked up from previous books. I found myself quickly immersed in the drama and suspense of both storyline’s. While I thoroughly enjoyed and easily followed the storyline as a standalone, I look forward to picking up the first two books in the series, and hope there is more to come!

The author did a skilful job of weaving together the main storyline and the mystery of Packards missing brother, creating a sense of drama and intrigue. Packard’s intelligent and enigmatic character adds a light and cosy thread that balances the emotional impact of the darker elements of these cases.

I’m excited to stumble across this new to me series, and would recommend for anyone looking for an engaging and immersive mystery/thriller.

Thank you Dreamscape Media for a copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

I'm a big fan of the Ben Packard series, so I've been anxiously awaiting A Long Time Gone, the third installment. I'm happy to say it completely sucked me in! I'm pretty sure I listened to the entire thing in a day. We've all been waiting with bated breath for the mystery of Ben Packard’s missing brother to be solved, and we've finally got some answers! The way Moehling weaves Ben's foundational, traumatic mystery with the new one in this book is masterful. It’s like peeling back layers of a complicated puzzle, with twist after well-placed twist making you question everything.

I'm not sure if Moehling is going to continue this series or not, but I will come back for every single installment he decides to write. I love everything about this series. Highly recommend it for anyone who loves a good thriller with a personal twist!

Third installment in a great series by Joshua Moehling. Unfortunately, it has been my least favorite so far. I have wanted to know what happened to Ben’s brother, so the move in that direction was very satisfying. I don’t know why, but a lot of the action in the other cases involved dragged on. I kind of lost interest in the middle. I put it aside and read another book. I came back to this one to finish. It didn’t hold my interest for quite as long as the first two, but the beginning and end were solid.

Joshua Moehling is back with his third book, Long Time Gone, and it’s another outstanding addition to his collection. This time, we get to know Ben Packard on an even deeper level. His persistence and resilience are on full display as he continues his search for answers, no matter the obstacles that stand in his way. Moehling does a brilliant job of developing Ben’s character, making his journey both thrilling and deeply emotional. The novel is full of suspense, and the twists keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s a perfect blend of mystery and heart, and Moehling once again proves his talent for creating complex, compelling stories. If you’re a fan of character-driven thrillers, Long Time Gone is a must-read.

A Long Time Gone is the third book in the Ben Packard series by American author, Joshua Moehling. The audio version is narrated by Linda Jones. 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 audio copy provided by NetGalley and Dreamscape Media

Thanks to #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for the book #ALongTimeGone by #JoshuaMoehling. This third book on the Ben Packard series has me enthralled and I could not put it down. I absolutely loved it! Ben has received some new information into his missing brother’s case and sets off to find answers. This case seems to enter-twine with another case he is working in and leads down a dangerous road. An he find what happened to his brother and put his and his families suffering to rest?