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where the
dead sleep

A small town's dark secrets turn deadly.

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When an early morning call brings Deputy Ben Packard to the scene of a home invasion, he finds Bill Sandersen shot in his bed. Bill was a well-liked local who chased easy money his whole life, leaving bad debts and broken hearts in his wake. Everyone Packard talks to has a story about Bill, but no one has a clear motive for wanting him dead. The business partner. The ex-wife. The current wife. The high-stakes poker buddies. Any of them―or none of them―could be guilty.

 

As the investigation begins, tragedy strikes the Sheriff's department, forcing Packard to make a difficult choice about his future: step down as acting Sheriff and pursue the quiet life he came to Sandy Lake in search of, or subject himself to the scrutiny of an election for the full-time role of Sheriff, a job he's not sure he wants.

 

There's a hidden history to Sandy Lake that Packard, ever the outsider, can't see. Bad blood and old secrets run deep. But an attempt on Packard's life means he's getting uncomfortably close to the dangerous legacy of the quiet Minnesota town. And someone will do anything to keep it hidden.

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  • An Amazon Editor's Pick

  • Target Book Club selection

  • Lambda Literary Nominee for Outstanding LGBTQ+ Mystery

Reviews

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"This title has all the elements of a good mystery: a puzzling crime, dark secrets, fast-paced writing, and deadpan humor. Moehling offers readers not only a vivid image of a small Minnesota town but also fully rounded and authentic characters. Packard is a refreshing protagonist who is deeply relatable. VERDICT Riveting and a real page-turner; fans of C.J. Box’s Joe Pickett novels or Craig Johnson’s 'Longmire' series will feel at home."—Enica Davis, Library Journal

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"With Where the Dead Sleep, Joshua Moehling solidifies his place as one of the best new voices in the mystery genre. Moehling nails the spirit of small-town life in Minnesota’s unique North Country. His understanding of the darkness that can haunt the human spirit twists his story in wonderfully unpredictable ways. Fans of Walt Longmire or Joe Pickett or my own Cork O’Connor have reason to celebrate and look forward to a long life for Moehling’s series and its fresh, vibrant protagonist Ben Packard." ― William Kent Krueger, New York Times bestselling author of the Cork O’Connor series

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"Observant and authentic (and funny, too), Where the Dead Sleep is a perfect mystery, the literary descendant of Fargo and Mare of Easttown and an exploration of all the nooks and shadows that make Sandy Lake, MN an ideal place to spend a summer and a chilling place to pass a winter. I’d highly recommended it to every fan of crime fiction, but especially those reading in a lake house just after sunset." ― Adam White, bestselling author of The Midcoast


 

"Where the Dead Sleep is a beautifully written mystery that had me on the edge of my seat. Joshua Moehling has created unforgettable characters in a story that kept me guessing the whole way through. Where the Dead Sleep is not to be missed." ― RJ Jacobs, author of This is How We End Things

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"Evocative and charming with a deadpan wit, Joshua Moehling's Where the Dead Sleep is a richly satisfying mystery with fully-drawn characters―especially the winning and deeply human protagonist, Sheriff Ben Packard. Joshua Moehling's skill as a writer and storyteller is evident on every page. I can't wait to read the next installment in this excellent series!" ― Nick Petrie, bestselling author of The Runaway


 

"Joshua Moehling has quickly become one of my favorite must-read authors and Where the Dead Sleep shows exactly why. The characters are rich, and the small-town setting, where everyone has a secret and everyone is a potential suspect or victim, is brought vividly to life. This is a suspenseful, gut-wrenching page-turner of the highest order. Not to be missed!" ― David Bell, New York Times bestselling author of Try Not to Breathe and She's Gone


 

"In Where the Dead Sleep, Joshua Moehling continues the compelling journey of tough as nails and conflicted Deputy Ben Packard as he patrols his old stomping grounds of Sandy Lake, Minnesota. Exploding with secrets, this novel has everything you want in a riveting mystery: a brutal crime, fast-paced action, expertly drawn characters that thrust the story from the page, and a jaw-dropping ending that you won’t see coming. Looking for a new favorite hero to root for? You’ve found him in Moehling’s Ben Packard." ― Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author of The Overnight Guest


 

"When a diabolically wealthy family pits themselves against each other, it's hard to know who to believe, unless you’re Deputy Benjamin Packard. Josh Moehling lays out a deliciously complex plot and turns sleepy Sandy Lake into anything but." ― John McMahon, author of The Good Detective


 

"Small town secrets have never been so deadly in this compelling thriller featuring my new favorite deputy, Ben Packard. The plot will grab you, the characters keep you coming back for more." ― Lisa Gardner, New York Times bestselling author of One Step Too Far

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