"Sometimes taking a risk was the only option."

"A death under mysterious circumstances. An empty bank account. A missing employee. These were not coincidences."

Ben Packard couldn't help himself. Though on administrative leave after a shooting incident at the courthouse, the clues to a death in his old house, the last place he saw his brother Nick alive over 30 years ago, had him investigating a closed case classified as accidental.

So begins the extraordinary 3rd, and I hope far from the final book, in the Ben Packard mystery series, A Long Time Gone. Since book 1, genius author Joshua Moehling, has intricately crafted, not just detailed suspenseful mysteries, but a beloved grab your heart character in Ben Packard.

Ben's been demoted to Deputy from Sheriff after losing the election in his small conservative town. He knew a gay sheriff would be a hard win this time around. But he's distracted, not only with a suspicious death, but with new leads to what happened to his brother the night he disappeared. There has been hints in the previous 2 books, but when the truth is revealed, it's one of the most heartbreaking moments I have experienced in literature.

I am so grateful that voice actress Linda Jones is once again our guide for the author's masterful storytelling. She knows Ben and relays his pain with raw emotion.

If you have read or listened to the previous books this story is essential. If this is a new series for you, enjoy bingeing the life of this gentle giant and his 3 legged Corgi, Frank. I just hope it's not a long time gone before my next Ben Packard fix.

Book 1. And There He Kept Her
Book 2. Where The Dead Sleep
Book 3. A Long Time Gone

I received a free copy of this book/ audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair & honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was a book #3 in a series but it did not throw me off at all. It was very good and it was great as a stand alone. Reading this book does make me want to go back and read #1 and #2 though! Super happy I was able get this because it will go down as a favorite of mine!

★★★★★ 5 star review!
𝑨 𝑳𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑮𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒃𝒚 𝑱𝒐𝒔𝒉𝒖𝒂 𝑴𝒐𝒆𝒉𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈
Book 3 of the Ben Packard Series

✦ 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 :
-police procedurals + crime fiction
-3rd book in a 5☆ series
-well developed characters
-LGBTQ+ rep
-witty, likable MC
-meddling moms
-3 legged corgi named frank 🐶

✦ 𝐌𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 :
There’s a new sheriff in town, but it isn’t Ben Packard. I absolutely loved returning to Sandy Lake, Minnesota. This third installment picks up right where the 2nd left off, with the perfect combination of mystery & small town drama.

Ben Packard is one of my most favorite main characters to read about. He is so easy to root for. I love his dry humor & his honest, straightforward approach to his police work. We get introduced to some interesting characters too - I loved his mom & of course Frank the 3 legged corgi!

You wouldn’t expect for the end of a crime thriller to give you the warm & fuzzies, but there’s just something about Ben Packard & Sandy Lake that just feels comforting. I loved the way this story came together. Although the ending was very satisfying, I really hope we get another book!

I have to mention - these are some of my favorite crime thriller audiobooks. Linda Jones is the perfect narrator for these stories, I loved listening to every one of them.

Dare I say 𝑨 𝑳𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑮𝒐𝒏𝒆 may be my favorite of the series? Granted, all them were 5 stars, but still!

Thanks to @netgalley, @poisonedpenpress, @dreamscape & @jmoehling for the opportunity to read + listen to this arc!

I didn’t dislike this book but I wasn’t crazy about it either. I just felt like the multiple separate crimes being investigated made the story choppy and they didn’t blend together well. I was engaged enough in the story to finish, but not so engaged that I really cared what happened as it went on. I do like Packard as a character and the writing/narration was good, but the story itself just didn’t really do much for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

This was such an interesting story. I love the detective and both cases that were being worked. The ending had me in tears I can't imagine waiting that long to finally find out what happened to your sibling. This was a great detective book and I highly recommend it.

I was intrigued by the premise—a haunted past, a missing brother, and a detective forced to confront old demons—but unfortunately, *A Long Time Gone* doesn’t live up to its potential. While Joshua Mowhling sets up an atmospheric winter backdrop and hints at a complex web of secrets, the story drags along more than it thrills. Deputy Packard’s internal struggles and the connection between the past disappearance and a new suspicious death feel underdeveloped, making it hard to fully invest in his journey. The pacing is uneven, with too many slow, meandering moments that dilute the tension rather than building it. Ultimately, despite its promising concept, the novel falls short of delivering a tightly woven, engaging mystery. Two stars for a story that might have been better executed.

Ben Packard lost the election for sheriff to his nemesis - the well-connected but lazy and clueless Shepherd - who demotes Packard to courthouse security. Packard must step in when a courthouse visitor brandishes a weapon, and now a long-time resident is dead at the hands of Packard. Never mind that, in doing his job, he saved the life of a town VIP. Now Packard is on leave so he decides to look into his brother’s disappearance. Plus, his mother, Pam, comes to see him. When they visit the house Packard’s grandfather built, there’s police tape up. The elderly woman who used to live in the house is dead from a freak accident. Or was it? Why didn’t Packard even know about this seemingly open-and-shut case? It was Shephard’s of course. Something about the stairs leading to the basement doesn’t sit right with Packard. But he cannot officially re-open and investigate this case…
Nor can he find out why that old man planned to open fire in the courthouse. I was almost as frustrated as Packard! There are a lot of story lines packed into this audiobook, which definitely keeps things interesting. More realistic too, because who has the luxury of working on only one thing at a time? I am already looking forward to the next installment (#4) in this terrific series!
My thanks to the author, publisher, Dreamscape Media, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #ALongTimeGone for review purposes.

A family mystery that has been looming over Ben for over thirty years, when he was a kid, his teenage brother disappeared and they never had closure nor did they find out what happened to him. Then, while on court duty, a man attempted to shoot another, so Ben reacted as trained and shot him before he could hurt anyone. The police department placed Ben on leave while they investigated the shooting. While on leave, he starts following leads that he recently received on his brother's case and he finds out a friend of the family had passed away, however, the friend of the family's death was suspicious, so Ben decides to investigate both.
I loved the mystery, the interconnectedness of everything, and the assembly of the pieces. This was a police procedural type of book, it's well-written and it keeps your attention!
They gave me the audiobook to listen to and review! The narrator brought the story to life with the tone and the voice fit the story! This was a great way to spend an afternoon enjoying the mystery as it unfolds and seeing how all the pieces fit together!
The story is a great mixture of family drama and mystery! It's engrossing grabs your attention, keeps you engaged, and piques your curiosity!
Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen and review this one!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!

This was my first from this author, and it was a nice mystery thriller type detective story. While it wasnt my personal favorite style, i did enjoy piecing it together and how the layout of the investigation and conversations was.

I would definitely read another from this author.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a chance to listen to this novel and provide my view.

This was my first read of this author and I was impressed. Usually with a series I find you need to be invested in some of the characters, you want to know about their lives enough to keep reading. It’s a hard task blending that whilst also allowing readers to jump in to the third novel in a series and have similar connections to the characters.

The story surrounds a young detective, recently demoted from chief who is now working court security. A fairly mundane role until one day a man pulls out a gun in an attempt to shoot his opponent, fatally injuring others instead and facing his own timely demise at the hands of Packard. Whilst on leave, he utilises his time trying to figure out what exactly happened to his brother all those years ago. Whilst in the midst of this he stumbles across more and more crimes which are all intertwined. There were plenty of characters, lots of progression and movement without being too much to be confusing. The balance of his personal and profession life was well done I felt. I truly wasn’t sure where the story was going to lead but I enjoyed the journey. The overall ending of his brother’s story was frustrating to me, in some parts it felt a little simplistic and twee but it did fit the narrative of the character.

As an audiobook I enjoyed the narrator. As an American story, although a British voice it lend itself well to the telling. I personally am a fan of the British narrators over American ones.

Overall I enjoyed this book and would definitely listen to future instalments. If you enjoy a sort of police based crime story you may enjoy this one.

Another excellent entry in Joshua Moehling’s Ben Packard series. A Long Time Gone finds Ben demoted to court house officer checking women’s purses and briefcases, when he is forced to shoot an elderly man who starts shooting. While on paid leave during the shooting investigation Ben investigates his older brother’s disappearance that occurred when Ben was 12.
Fast paced, witty, and a thoroughly satisfying mystery.
I highly recommend this excellent series for all mystery readers.

3.5 Stars – A Solid but Conventional Thriller

I went into this book with high expectations based on the hype and glowing reviews, but I have to admit I was a bit underwhelmed. That’s not to say it was a bad book—far from it. The plot was well-constructed, the pacing kept me engaged, and the ending wrapped things up neatly. However, as a police procedural thriller, it was very familiar, and nothing about it truly stood out as exceptional.

The snowy, small-town setting adds to the atmospheric tension, and the intertwining of past and present crimes creates an engaging narrative. While much of the story followed a well-worn path, it did have a nice twist that added some intrigue. If you enjoy solid, traditional crime thrillers, this one delivers. Just don’t expect it to break new ground.

Thank you, NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Poisoned Pen Press, for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

A Long Time Gone is the third book in the Ben Packard, mysteries by Josh Moehling, when the book begins, Ben Packard is working security at the courthouse, where a man has taken Councilman wolf to court over property wolf claims is his. When it doesn’t go the homeowner‘s way he pulls out. a gun and Ben is force to shoot him when he don’t comply with Ben’s orders. due to the shooting, Ben is put on administrative suspension and decides to take this time to look into his brother‘s case when he learns the previous sheriff and his mentor has left the map to where his brother is buried he shares the news on a zoom call with his family and this is how his mom winds up in Sandy Lake. when his mom gets nostalgic and wants to visit the new owners of his grandpa‘s Lakeside cabin, it begins another mystery that some at first called an accident, but when Ben is finished, a whole nest of crime will be uncovered and at the same time, he will solve a lot of his own problems. The case will also bring Ben to his old stompping grounds, and he will reunite with an old friend. this encounter will teach him in order to have a good friend. Sometimes you have to be one, but his traveling doesn’t stop there before. The story ends Ben Packard like a fish out of water will go international, but the trip will bring some hometown truths that may help solve Nick‘s murder.. I love these books and it just seems like they just get better and better. I really hope Ben and the “beer guy“ get together soon and I also love that despite the new sheriffs distain for Ben it almost seems as if he has a grudging respect for him and his intelligence when it comes to policing. I love these books and cannot wait for the next one… OMG love these freaking books! Of course, I listen to the audio with narration by Linda Jones, who has a stellar voice for this type of book. She always does so well can’t wait to hear the next addition.#NetGalley,#DreamscapeMedia,#TheBlindReviewer, #JoshMoehling,#TheBenPackardMysteries, #ALongTimeGone,

I love this whole series but this one, the third book in the series, is my favorite. Ben Packard is a wonderful, multilayered protagonist with a slightly inappropriate (and hilarious) mother. All of the characters are well developed except perhaps Lady Gaga Pinot Grigio Margaret Ann String Cheese Reid. But she is a dog so I’ll give the author some leeway on that one.

The narration was as wonderful on this audiobook as the two previous titles. I found myself sitting in my vehicle waiting until the end of the chapter more than once.

This could be read as a standalone as the author does give plenty of backstory, but the first two were so good! Do yourself a favor and read them in order. There is a long standing mystery solved in this title that we’ve been wondering about since book one.

I hope the author continues this series for a very long time. I will be waiting patiently for book four.

3.5 stars. I don't think I would have read this if I realized it was third in a series, since I usually like to start from the beginning, and I did feel like I was missing some back story here. But overall, you can understand this story without having read the previous books. Pretty good mystery here--I liked that it was based on a recent Minnesota fraud scandal, as I enjoy ripped-from-the-headlines stories, especially if they're local. Ben Packard wasn't a hugely compelling character to me, but again--I might feel differently if I'd known him for two books already, and I did start to get a better sense of him towards the end as the storyline about his missing brother wrapped up. I may go back and read the earlier books and see if I can connect with the series better that way.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc,
I didn’t realize it was book 3 in a series, I was going to listen to it anyway as it could be read as a standalone, when it got to gay men I stopped listening, I have no issues with gay people I just did not feel like listening about gay men! So I did not finish! I didn’t listen long enough to give the best review so I’m rating 3 stars!

This read like a cozy mystery, even though there was death and attempted murder, the tone of the book helped digest those details. I haven’t read the previous books, and this can be read as a standalone which was cool, but I’ll definitely check out books 1&2 now.

Joshua Moehling (favorite author) returns with his popular Ben Packard series, following And There He Kept Her #1, and Where the Dead Sleep #2, with his most emotional and BEST yet—the one fans have been waiting for, A LONG TIME GONE #3.

The title, 'A LONG TIME GONE,' hints at the long-standing mystery of Ben's brother's disappearance, which is finally revisited in this installment.

Ben Packard, who lost his older brother, Nick, decades ago when he left on his snowmobile and never returned, is about to embark on a deeply emotional journey. Finally, he will get the closure and answers he has longed for. It's a poignant moment —a journey that will resonate with readers profoundly in addition to the other riveting cases.

About...

We return to Sandy Lake, Minnesota, , where the book opens with a gripping sequence of events. Shepard (Barney Fife) won the election (last book), and Ben happens to be at the courthouse when a shooting occurs. Now, he is on leave due to the investigation, adding a layer of suspense to the story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats, eager to unravel the mysteries.

Thirty years earlier, Nick Packard snuck out of his grandparents' house two nights after Christmas and never came home. Ben was twelve and the last family member to see his brother alive. He wanted to go with his brother, but Nick would not allow it, and he said he was meeting a friend.

Divers found the sled three days later in open water near the ice's edge. The previous year, Packard had searched NIck's file and found it was missing from the cold case storage.

It wasn't until Stan Shaw died and gave Packard the box that he realized his former boss had connected him to the boy who disappeared all those years ago. He gathers more information in the letter with an apology and a map. Could it be his brother? Everything is very mysterious.

Since it was January in the middle of the winter and snow, they would have to wait until April or later for the thaw.

In the meantime, Packard's mom, a character full of sass and wit, shows up (and Lordy, that woman is a hoot). She is every gay guy's dream mom, always ready to play matchmaker between her son and Kyle (the bartender). Her presence adds a touch of humor to the story and provides a much-needed break from the intense plot, leaving the readers thoroughly entertained.

The plot thickens as Ben and his mom head to their grandparents' former house while she is in town—only to discover the owner's mysterious death. As the bodies pile up, the case becomes increasingly complex, adding intrigue to the narrative.

Little does he know how the two cases will connect. Then, there is more action, and Ben is caught in the crossfire. Someone wants to keep him quiet the closer he gets to the truth about this case. Someone is hiding deadly secrets much more significant than you can imagine. Follow the money.

From here, toward the end of the book, we circle back to the search for his brother and the mystery. Ben follows many leads and flies to Europe for the first time to gather more information (no spoilers here), but what he learns shocks him and changes everything. A tragedy. Two families. Things he did not know about his brother and those associated with him.

How different would his life have been if he had someone to guide him to live without shame or secrets? Packard will risk everything to catch a killer and reveal the shocking truth about his brother.

My thoughts...

I'd follow Deputy Ben Packard anywhere. Bring on #4! 🎬Please, a TV series or movie! I want a front-row seat.

Ben is my hero, a fabulous, smart, and courageous gay cop. (This sets him apart from the normal series, making him a stand-out character). I love this series! (all 5 stars). I have read them all, and Joshua is one of my favorite authors.

Razor-sharp! Moehling impressively juggles multi-narratives, skillfully blending humor, suspense, action, murder, crime, cop procedural, mystery, and family dynamics with a literary flare— and a stellar cast of characters you are fully invested in. Ben Packard is one of my favorite characters, and the author showcases all his sides making him highly relatable. You root for him until the end.

I adore Ben's mom, full of sass and wit, plus all the supporting characters. I cannot wait to see what adventure Ben is involved in next.

The atmosphere adds to the story and intensity amid the harsh Minnesota winter. Deputy Packard is an intelligent and courageous gay cop (plus he is HOT), or so I imagine him to be. We also get to catch up with some fun characters (and some bad ones) from past books, which is always a good time.

While this novel can be read as a standalone, why miss out on all the fun and background? Read all three books so you will become a fan for life. I highly recommend the author and series!

Joshua is a master storyteller, and I am a huge fan. Top Books of 2025 and favorite series. Josh, congratulations on being a full-time author! I knew you would be a star since your debut.

Audiobook...

I read the book and listened to the audiobook narrated by the fabulous Linda Jones for a stellar performance, elevating the novel and bringing the characters to life. Listeners will be hooked from beginning to end.

Recs...

A LONG TIME GONE and the series is for avid fans of the author—and if you enjoy authors: Lisa Gardner, Lisa Unger, Heather Gudenkauf, Allen Eskens, Karin Slaughter, Mary Kubica, Alice Feeney, John McMahon, Carter Wilson, Christina McDonald, John Fram, and William Kent Krueger— this series is for you with Moehling's signature style.

Interview...

Check out my fun QA INTERVIEW: I am delighted to feature Joshua for my Feb #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A, where we go behind the book and the series and up close and personal with this talented SUPERSTAR.

Special thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for a digital ARC via NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Pub Date: Feb 4, 2025
Feb 2025 Must-Read Books
Featured #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A
Top Books & series of 2025

My Reviews: Ben Packard Series:
And There He Kept Her #1,
Where the Dead Sleep #2

Elevator Ride Interviews:
And There He Kept Her #1,
A Long Time Gone #3

I’m a big fan of gay, good hearted Ben Packard. As the third in the series, I recommend reading these books in order. Moehling does a great job of recapping the key storylines but Packer’s backstory is probably more enjoyable reading in order.

For the first time in years, new information about Ben’s missing brother Nick has surfaced. I’ve been eagerly awaiting this, so I couldn’t wait to get into it.

After a shooting, Ben gets put on leave, so spends time on his brothers cold case. But half way in, he sniffs out a murder and that takes up a large bulk of the book. Not gonna lie, this didn’t interest me half as much as the cold case.

The audiobook was just as good as the previous two. I love when a series has the same narrator throughout - it feels so cozy.

Two highlights of this book were Ben’s mom who is now one of my favorite book characters- let’s hope we get more of her - and finally learning about brother Nick. It was super satisfying but heartbreaking in ways I didn’t anticipate.

Fans of crime thrillers will love this series and I’m hoping this isn’t a closed door on Packard and Sandy Lake, Minnesota.

Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for access to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review

4.25 stars
A Long Time Gone by Joshua Moehling is a gripping and suspenseful read that will captivate fans of police procedurals and crime thrillers, particularly those who enjoy complex mysteries, intricate plots, and a dash of emotional depth, making it a perfect fit for readers who crave a thrilling and thought-provoking page-turner.

Ben was just a young boy when his older brother disappeared, as a grown man and a now deputy on suspension Ben is working on this cold case to find out what exactly has happened to his brother.