Mystery• Thriller

Review: Beneath a Broken Sky by Joshua Moehling

June 9, 2026

Synopsis:

Detective Ben Packard has put down roots in the small town of Sandy Lake. A difficult thing to do; it’s a hot, miserable summer, and a tornado has swept through causing irreparable damage. Trees are felled, homes destroyed, and people are desperate. Worse, the storm has also blown in a group of storm chasers with something to hide.

Then a woman is killed in her home. The mother of a gay boy and unpopular among the locals for the hell she recently raised at school when the administration refused to punish a group of students who were bullying her son, there’s almost too many suspects to count.

But to Packard, the case hits close to home. And when someone from his past shows up on his doorstep out of the blue, he realizes he’ll have to confront the reality of navigating life as a gay man in a small town bent on tradition, no matter the cost.

The heat suffocates. The violence simmers. Before the summer is out, someone else will die.

Review:

I didn’t realise this book was part of a series when I picked it up (a mistake on my side). However, past events were explained well enough throughout the story that I never felt like I was missing anything essential. I might have spoiled a few things for myself for the earlier books, but I’m definitely planning to go back and read them.

This book grabbed my attention from the very first pages and held it all the way through. The cast of characters was quite large, but it never felt overwhelming, and everyone had their own moment to shine.

I became a fan of Ben very early on. He’s a complex character who knows when to push and when to hold back, and once he sets his mind on something, you don’t want to stand in his way. His partnership (while his colleague is on maternity leave) was especially well done. I loved their banter – it was clear they hold each other accountable, don’t sugarcoat things, yet have a strong friendship at the core. That dynamic felt very real, and it’s the kind of connection I wish more people had in their lives.
The main storyline – the murder investigation – was executed brilliantly. The puzzle pieces came together gradually, and things that initially didn’t make sense slowly became clearer. I also really appreciated how the story explored the aftermath of the storm, showing both the best and worst in people, and how some will always try to take advantage of chaos. That added an extra layer of realism and emotional connection.

To summarise:

I really enjoyed the setting
I quickly fell in love with the main characters and their relationships
The shifting perspectives between locations kept everything connected and added great twists
The storytelling was highly engaging and truly stood out

This is definitely a series I want to continue.

🌙 Recension: Beneath a Broken Sky (Ben Packard #4) by Joshua Moehling
📚 Genre: Mystery Thriller
📅 Release Date: May 26, 2026
📖 Publisher: ‎Poisoned Pen Press
📗 available in various formats
📱 Read as: Kindle
💸 I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
🗣️ Language: English
📆 Pages: 327
⭐️ 4.5/5