REVIEW: "Where the Dead Sleep" by Joshua Moehling

Sometimes I think that it would be nice to live in a tiny little town. 

When I visited Minnesota for work years ago, I learned that, if you visited one per day, it would take over 30 years to visit all of the lakes in the state. After I learned this tidbit of trivia — which I am keeping in my back pocket for my eventual appearance on “The Weakest Link” — I started to build a fantasy in which I lived in one of the towns that rests along the shores of a tiny Minnesota lake. It would be like Northern Exposure, only not in Alaska. I would know everyone and they would know me and I would buy my eggs and cheese and — who am I kidding — boxed wine from the monopolistic town store.

On days when the world felt too big and I felt way too small, I would spend even more time in this fantasy. What would it be like? What would I wear? What job would I hold?

It always ended the same way, though. I would be deep in my fantasy when I would suddenly develop a Starbucks craving and realize that small town life just isn’t in my bones. 

Now I have resigned myself to simply reading books set in small towns — while sipping my ice grande triple upside-down caramel macchiato, that is. So, perhaps needless to say, I was absolutely thrilled when I learned of the impending release of Where the Dead Sleep by Joshua Moehling, the second book in the Ben Packard series, which — like the first — would be set in a tiny Minnesota lake town. 

The Plot

Ben Packard might only be the interim sheriff, but he’s shouldering a lot of responsibility, taking the lead in investigating yet another major crime in otherwise sleepy Sandy Lake, Minnesota. When a local resident with a somewhat checkered past turns up dead — shot twice in his bed — Packard himself digs for the answers 

Though he’s earned some respect since taking on the role of sheriff, he still isn’t universally trusted. He has two strikes against him. One is the fact that he isn’t a local. The other is that he is gay. But Packard will have to overcome these impediments because the residents of Sandy Lake don’t like to share their secrets with strangers.

In truth, however, Ben Packard isn’t technically a stranger. His family kept a cottage in Sandy Lake through most of his childhood. This isn’t a fact that Packard advertises because, if he does, the residents of Sandy Lake may realize that Packard played his own role in a dark part of Sandy Lake history. After all, it was in the waters of the very lake that the town is named for that Packard lost his brother decades prior.

The Good

The Protagonist - Ben Packard is one of the best protagonists in modern crime fiction. He’s a rich and realistic character with a wit that is endearing and a patience that is admirable. You just can’t help but fall in love with him and root for his success.

The Secondary Characters - A testament to Moehling’s characterization skills, the secondary characters in this book read just as real and vibrant as the protagonist. Owing to the strength of his secondary characters, Moehling was able to build a layered plot that, while twisty, seemed really plausible. 

The Bad

Nothing - Perfectly paced and terrifyingly twisty, this thriller novel left me beyond satisfied.

The Rating

Moehling is rapidly becoming my favorite thriller writer - watch out, Harlan Coben (I’m sure he’s authentically terrified). Fans of thrillers featuring quirky characters and unexpected wit will absolutely appreciate this second in the series.

It earns 5 out of 5 cocktails.

* Drink. Read. Repeat. is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an associate, we may earn commissions, at no cost to you, from qualifying purchases on Amazon.com

*I was provided a gifted copy of this title by the publisher*