The third book in a small town police procedural series that can be read as a standalone has a police detective trying to solve a crime that has connections to his past. Good on audio, this was my first by Joshua Moehling and I quite enjoyed it. Will be looking into the other books in the series and recommending it for fans of winter thrillers with emotional depth. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was so good!!! I loved how there were so many different things that all tied together but were separate at the same time!

I really enjoined Long Time Gone. It was a bit of a slow burn and the two mysteries in the story kept me guessing. This book has my favorite character name ever - a dog named Lady Gaga Pinot Grigio Margaret Anne String Cheese Reed! ❤️

This is the 3rd book in the Ben Packard series by Joshua Moehling. Starting with book 3 didn’t hinder my enjoyment, understanding or ability to follow the story. I plan to go back and read book 1 & 2. Linda Jones did an excellent job with the narration.

Thank you to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I couldn’t get into this story and think it’s because I haven’t been with the MC or other characters all along. While technically the book/story can stand alone, I feel like you need the emotional connection and history with the MC and the subject of this case to enjoy it/care to learn more.

Thanks netgalley

A Long Time Gone is an excellent mystery with a wonderful main character who has many layers. Five stars!

This was a good story. A bit personal, a bit political, a bit police procedural, a bit of sleuthing. A lot of bad people, and some not so much.Told with a hint of humor, Ben has grown on me and I'm looking forward to his continued career. Great audiobook narrator and story telling. Thank you to Dreamscape for my ALC.

I like this series! I really enjoyed finding out what happened to his brother and I liked how the other loose ends from the last book were tied up too

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Pub Date: 2/4
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Ben Packard, may be my favorite cop ever. The stoicism, the one liners, not backing down, this man is just the total package. I love him so much and will always follow his stories. After finishing Where the Dead Sleep (book two in the series), I knew that I was going to have to read book three because of that cliffhanger ending, which was one of my favorite endings ever. So of course, as soon as this went on NetGalley, I jumped at the opportunity to read it. 
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Just like the other two books in this series, I flew through this one very quickly. I loved how invested I am in this character and wanted to know exactly what happened (I will keep exactly what to myself to avoid any spoilers). I love how Moehling created two different story lines essentially and managed to make them connect while not making them connect if that makes sense. There are new characters introduced who I loved. And lastly, my favorite part - we got answers to the ending of book two!! Fantastic addition to the series!
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I listened to this one while reading the ebook and it was narrated by Linda Jones. I've said this in my past reviews, but I really don't like that this story is narrated by a female, even if the story is told in a third person POV. She does a great job for sure, but I feel like the story would go better if it was narrated by a male..
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The series definitely needs to be read in order, but it is a great series, so if you are looking for a new series - be sure to pick this one up!! Thank you to NetGalley, Joshua Moehling, Dreamscape Media and Poisoned Pen Press for the ALC and eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I didn't know this was the third book in a series. There's enough information to not feel lost, but at the same time I like to do stuff in order. I did enjoy this one but it didn't feel super exciting. The story was nice to follow and the protagonist Ben is such a great character. I am definitely going back to read the previous books.

This book had be riveted throughout the entire story. This is the third book in a series but I felt that the author gave me enough information that this book can stand-alone for a reader to pick up and understand. With that said, I plan to go back to the first two books and pick them up because the character and the writing are so intriguing. Ben Packard is a deputy sheriff who has recently lost an election for the sheriff position that he was previously holding as an acting sheriff after the long-term sheriff died. There is a cop involved shooting that starts off the story involving Ben and it puts him on leave. During this leave, he becomes entangled in looking into his the open case involving his missing brother who disappeared when Ben was a young boy and crosses path with another case that takes him in multiple directions. I think what I found fascinating is nothing feels cheesy or overly obvious. Pieces of the puzzle slot in nicely and there's a build up of suspense that is handled perfectly. I will say two things that took me by surprise was the audiobook was a female narrator for a MMC and that the deputy is openly gay. That fact is featured as part of the reason he may have not gotten enough votes to be elected to the sheriff position and I think that there is a character who has this struggle in his life in a male dominated field is an interesting twist. The female narrator does a pretty good job of making me forget that she's voicing a male character so I would say it was successfully done but it was an interesting choice. Both cases that Ben is part of come to a conclusion and from what I can tell his brother's case is carried over from book 1 and 2 so I think fans of the series will enjoy knowing there is some closure here. I look forward to more from this author.

Joshua Moehling has done it again!

I was delighted to see Deputy Ben Packard again. In this novel, we follow the slow investigation of the cold case of Ben's own brother, who had gone missing several years ago. We follow Ben and the difficulties and challenges of discovering the truth. During this time, Ben discovers another suspicious death. The ending was not expected.

Loved it! Thanks to Poisoned Pen and Net Galley for the ARC.

Title: A Long Time Gone
Author: Joshua Moehling
Series: Ben Packard #3
Format: 🎧
Narrator; Linda Jones
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date was: February 4, 2025
My Rating: 3.5 rounded up
Pages: 336

Thirty years ago when Ben was twelve years-old his older brother Nick decided to leave their grandparents home where they were both spending the night. Ben begged Nick to take him. Nick laughed and picked him up and took him out into the snow. Ben ran back inside and Nick took off on a snowmobile. The snowmobile was found, as well as one frozen glove but no Nick.

Now Ben is the Deputy in Sandy Lake, Minnesota, a nice quiet town. However, he is currently on leave as he and another deputy were courthouse Deputies The man on trial turned into an active shooter and hit an innocent person , the shooter was shot and killed so now an investigation is required.
Packard recently got some new information about his brother and decided since he has the time he would investigate, he of course, is on own without department resources. When doing his research he comes across a suspicious death and has a feeling tit might be connected to his brother’s case.

Story kept me curious as like Ben and I wanted him to find closure regarding the disappearance of his brother.
As in the other two stories I read there are unlikeable characters- I wasn’t a fan of their foul language- however, I believe this was the best in this series.

Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for granting me this early audiobook.
Publishing Release Date was February 4, 2025.

A Long Time Gone by Joshua Moehling, Narrated by Linda Jones

As a detective does his investigation into a case, he uncovers leads into the disappearance of his brother from over 20 years ago. As he uncovers more clues, the story becomes more and more of a mystery.

A great investigative, who-done-it crime thriller that will jeep you guessing. Linda Jones did an excellent job with the narration. I very much enjoyed this audiobook! Thank you @NetGalley, @DreamscapeMedia and @JoshuaMoehling for this DRC audiobook!

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future. I wish I could give it 6 stars! I'm a big fan of this entire series.

Joshua Moehling delivers a gripping and well-crafted murder mystery in A Long Time Gone, blending suspense with meaningful representation. This novel stands out not just for its taut, compelling investigation but also for its nuanced portrayal of an LGBTQIA+ protagonist, whose identity is seamlessly woven into the story without overshadowing the central crime narrative.

At its core, this is a thrilling detective story that keeps readers engaged as the protagonist navigates the twists and turns of the investigation. The stakes are high, and Moehling ensures that every revelation adds depth and complexity to the case. What makes this novel particularly refreshing is how the main character’s sexuality is an integral part of his life without being the sole focus—offering a natural, authentic representation within the mystery genre.

Beyond the suspense, the novel also boasts strong character development. The protagonist’s journey is both emotional and intense, showcasing his determination and resilience. The inclusion of a witty and supportive mother adds levity to the tension, balancing the darker themes with humor and heart.

With its sharp writing, intricate plotting, and well-developed characters, A Long Time Gone is a standout mystery that delivers both thrills and meaningful representation. Moehling proves that diversity in crime fiction not only enriches the genre but also creates stories that feel fresh, relevant, and engaging.

Verdict: A smart, well-paced murder mystery that seamlessly integrates LGBTQIA+ representation while delivering all the intrigue and suspense mystery lovers crave. Highly recommended for fans of crime fiction with depth and heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I am loving this series! Packard is an amazing main character and I really enjoy how he investigates all of his cases and how he works through his struggles. The plot in this latest novel was so good and I loved that there were the two cases running side by side in the book. I really enjoyed the twists in this book and how we finally have answers for Packard about his brother’s death. This was a great mystery and I hope there will be more books in this series in the future.

Amazing! I love a good police procedural! Ben Packard is a sharp witted investigator that never disappoints. This is a series but I read it as a standalone and it worked well. I definitely enjoyed the audio version of this title as the narrator was smooth and their intonation perfect for the story, The pacing was just right and the transitions between chapters were smooth. I definitely recommend this title to anyone looking for a new fast paced series!

This is the third book in the Ben Packard series but can be read as a standalone as I have not read the first two and enjoyed this story immensely. I’m looking forward to reading the previous books and any subsequent ones.
Thank you to the author/publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and Poisoned Pen Press for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest in the Ben Packard series by Joshua Moehling, perfectly narrated by Linda Jones. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Ben Packard was just a boy when his older brother, Nick, disappeared. Ben watched him walk out the back door of their grandparents' house and he was never seen again. Decades later, Deputy Packard finally has some new information that may lead them to the location of Nick's body and provide some closure for their family. When Ben and his mom visit his grandparents' house, he comes across another dead body. Is there a connection?

This is one of my favorite series - just wonderful characters in a sharp police procedural. If you haven't read the first two, you definitely should, but this would stand alone on its own merit as well. Both mysteries are gripping and tense, and kept me guessing, but it's the characters that really shine. I loved Ben's mother and she added some comic relief to the suspense. I also appreciate that nothing is over the top graphic. The author juggles both mysteries, family dynamics, a small town Minnesota setting, and I couldn't look away. I can't wait for the next book in this series - highly recommended!

Moehling returns with another compelling installment, delivering everything fans love about Ben Packard. This police procedural masterfully blends an engaging mystery with heartfelt storytelling, seamlessly weaving in family drama and characters that feel instantly relatable. His character development is unmatched, and I love that he never sacrifices twists and revelations while consistently delivering heart.

Moehling’s prose is as compelling as ever, weaving a poignant tale of loss and redemption as Packard relentlessly seeks the truth about his brother. While this can be enjoyed as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the full series to fully appreciate the depth of character growth and maximize your engagement.
I’m fully invested in his journey—sign me up for more!