Ben Packard · #2
Where the Dead Sleep
"One of the best new voices in the mystery genre." ―William Kent Krueger, New York Times bestselling author
"Observant and authentic (and funny, too)...the literary descendant of Fargo and Mare of Easttown." ―Adam White, bestselling author of The Midcoast
A small town's dark secrets turn deadly…
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.
The series
In the small, seemingly quiet town of Sandy Lake, where everyone knows everyone’s business, Deputy Ben Packard serves as both protector and reluctant observer of a community that hides as much as it reveals. The Ben Packard series pulls readers into a world where the shadows of the past stretch long, and nothing is as simple as it seems.
Read full series description
From the first page, the series sets itself apart with its raw, unflinching portrayal of a man struggling to reconcile his duty with his past. As Packard navigates murder investigations that hit too close to home, the cases unravel not only the dark secrets of the town but also the unresolved griefs that linger in his own heart. Whether it’s confronting the cold case of his brother’s disappearance or unraveling the tangled threads of local violence, the mysteries in these books are as layered as the man solving them.
What truly defines the Ben Packard series isn’t just the gripping whodunits, though. It’s the deep dive into character—the quiet tension that runs through Packard’s relationships, his introspective nature, and the haunting atmospherics of a town where everyone has something to hide. With each book, the stakes grow higher, as Packard’s investigations pull him deeper into a world of moral ambiguity and personal demons, forcing him to confront what it means to seek justice when the line between right and wrong is often blurred.
Fans of atmospheric crime thrillers and those who enjoy character-driven stories will find themselves captivated by the Ben Packard series. It’s a journey that moves beyond mere mystery, offering an exploration into the complexities of small-town life, personal redemption, and the heavy cost of truth.
Each book leaves you not only questioning who did it—but wondering if Packard will ever find the peace he so desperately seeks, or if the ghosts of his past will ultimately claim him.
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