And There He Kept Her by Joshua Moehling

If you're into dark, small-town mysteries with a twist of grit and quiet menace, And There He Kept Her by Joshua Moehling is one to add to your list. It starts off with what seems like a typical break-in gone wrong—but then things spiral fast into something a lot darker. The story follows Ben Packard, the acting sheriff of a quiet Minnesota town that’s not as peaceful as it seems. When two teens break into a house looking for prescription drugs, only one comes out. The other? Well, he’s not just missing—he’s been taken. What unfolds is a tense, character-driven mystery where nearly everyone’s hiding something, including Packard himself. One of the best things about this book is how grounded it feels. Moehling doesn’t rely on over-the-top twists or excessive gore. Instead, he builds tension through atmosphere and character. The pacing is steady but never slow, and the alternating points of view give you just enough insight to keep you turning the pages. You might even find yourself yelling at a character or two, which to me is always a sign I’m hooked. Also, shoutout to Ben Packard. He’s not your typical tough-guy detective. He’s flawed, quietly complicated, and navigating his own past while trying to keep the town from falling apart. It’s refreshing to see a lead like that—layered but not overly dramatic. This is the kind of book that sticks with you—not because of big action scenes, but because of the way it slowly uncovers the rot beneath the surface of an otherwise “normal” town. If you're a fan of Long Bright River or early Tana French, you'll probably vibe with this one. A solid debut and a promising start to a series.