Joshua Moehling writes crime fiction with a keen eye for both the shadowy depths of human nature and the quiet complexities of everyday life. Raised as an Army brat, he spent much of his childhood moving across the U.S. and Germany, before finding a home in Minneapolis. It’s in this varied landscape of experiences—marked by the stark realities of both rural America and the undercurrents of military life—that Joshua developed a fascination with stories that dwell in the gray areas of justice, morality, and identity.
His debut novel, And There He Kept Her, introduced readers to Deputy Ben Packard, a small-town lawman with a complex inner life. The book quickly garnered attention, making it a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for Best LGBTQ+ Mystery and earning a place as a Barnes & Noble Mystery/Thriller pick. From the very first page, Joshua’s writing grips readers with its haunting realism, as he masterfully blends tight plotting with nuanced, multi-dimensional characters.
In Where the Dead Sleep, his second book in the Ben Packard series, Joshua takes his readers even deeper into the fragile psyches of his characters, with The New York Times describing it as “devastating” and “a well-paced whodunit.” His latest, A Long Time Gone, has continued to draw praise for its emotional depth, with Lisa Gardner, a New York Times bestselling author, calling it "a big thriller with an even bigger heart."
What sets Joshua apart in the crowded world of crime fiction is not just his ability to craft compelling mysteries, but his focus on the people behind the crimes. The themes of identity, justice, and the consequences of our actions echo throughout his work, and the characters he creates feel as real and as flawed as anyone you might meet. Joshua’s writing is a deep exploration of the human condition, built on a foundation of rich, detailed settings and intricate plots that leave readers questioning everything they thought they knew.
Joshua’s transition to full-time writing came in 2024 after years working in the medical device industry. His work, however, is steeped in his childhood love for Stephen King’s haunting tales and a unique opportunity to attend a citizens’ academy, where he learned firsthand about the complexities of law enforcement.
With each new book, Joshua Moehling strengthens his position as a rising voice in contemporary crime fiction, offering readers more than just a mystery to solve—but a deep dive into the very essence of what makes us human. His Ben Packard series is a testament to the power of storytelling that speaks to both the mind and the heart, making Joshua a name that is sure to stay with readers long after they turn the last page.
