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Big Lake #23

Big Lake Assault

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When Chet Wingate is brutally assaulted on a Sunday morning on the small mountain town’s Main Street in front of a dozen witnesses, including Big Lake Sheriff Jim Weber and his wife, Deputy Robyn Fuchette, it seems like a simple case of road rage. But was it? With the victim clinging to life, the investigation into the attack opens a can of worms that includes black market steroids, a walking time bomb that can explode at any minute, and even the possibility that the incident was something more sinister. How did the assailant get the large sum of money hidden in his car? Who is the stranger in town claiming he has a right to the Wingate family fortune? Could there have been a contract put out on the former mayor’s life?

Things get even more complicated with the gruesome discovery of the sadistic murders of a retired couple who everyone says didn’t have an enemy in the world. Are the crimes connected? Or could their killer be a someone who had threatened one of them just hours before they died?

Add in the disappearance of a counterfeit steroid manufacturer on the other side of the state, two spurned exotic dancers with a score to settle, and an FBI task force, and things are about to get very complicated for Sheriff Weber and his crew.

One reviewer has referred to the Big Lake mystery series as “Mayberry Meets Twin Peaks.” It’s a combination of humor and intrigue that launched New York Times bestselling author Nick Russell’s first Big Lake book into Amazon’s Top 100 Paid Kindle books for over 78 days, and Big Lake Assault, the twenty-third book in this popular series, is sure to be a hit, too

283 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 13, 2023

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Nick Russell

105 books179 followers

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5 stars
866 (64%)
4 stars
363 (27%)
3 stars
82 (6%)
2 stars
15 (1%)
1 star
10 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Profile Image for Ricki.
1,558 reviews16 followers
June 21, 2026
Ex Mayor Chet Wingate stops Sheriff Weber in the middle of the street on a Sunday to discuss "a thief". This of course is an exaggeration!. Someone's check didn't clear and instead of waiting til Monday to resolve it, Chet wants this hardware store customer arrested. Chet is holding up traffic, isn't taking no for an answer (typical) and the driver behind him, gets out knocks on Chet's window and punches him in the head.

After arresting the driver, investigations show he is a dealer of steroids which coincides with an FBI investigation bring in local FBI Agent Parks. Meanwhile, a loose dog leads to the brutal beating murder of a local and his wife. Could these two incidents be linked, that's not clear until the end which seems in most books of this series to happen in the last chapter.

Then if one Chet wasn't enough, his brother Jack shows up causing problems at the hardware store since son Archer & his wife are out of town at the hospital with Chet.

A decent 3.25 but per usual, lots of editing/spelling errors.
53 reviews2 followers
September 18, 2023
This, as always, was a fun read!

Twists and turns aplenty! I would certainly recommend this book and series to friends and family and anyone who likes a good mystery. However, the editing is in need of improvement.

There are many words that are their own plural and you do not need to add an "s" or "es" to them. Words are dropped out of sentences, syntex is off, words are misspelled, sentence structure is off, the list goes on. This makes the reading less than smooth in places.

However, characters are well developed, plots are creative! You will find yourself wanting to lose yourself in Big Lake, its' people and their adventures.

I am looking forward to the next installment!
Profile Image for Jeffrey.
311 reviews4 followers
August 18, 2023
Wonderful to reconnect with characters who I enjoy reading about. In addition to solving the crimes that have happened, and there are many in this book, we get to read about the joys and heartbreaks of the people in the story. The author presents their stories in interesting and believable ways. Well done.

There is much to laugh about in this book, good hunorous interactions as well stories that remind us how cruel people can be.

Without be political ornpreachy, the author presents some serious situations that take place in our country. The background on steroids misuse is fascinating.

An enjoyable read. Look forward to more.
Profile Image for Jeff Benham.
1,834 reviews11 followers
October 9, 2023
Chet doesn't give us comic release in this one. Instead he is savagely wounded by a buffed up dude who abuses illegal steroids. Pushes them too, but what is he doing in Big Lake. He isn't saying. Meanwhile, Chet is hovering between life and death. Makes you sort of feel sorry for him. Chet's brother, who nobody seems to know even existed, come to town and insists on taking control of the hardware store that Chet owns. Jimmy put a quick stop to that. A barking dog leads them to a married couple that were viciously beaten to death. More than enough action for such a small town
133 reviews
January 18, 2024
Murder, mayhem, and hilarious repartee

The Big Lake series is one of my favorite series of police procedural novels. Sheriff Jimmy always has some horrific cases to solve, but he does it with panache! With his deputy wife,Robyn,crusty office administrator, Mary, and FBI sidekick, Parks, murderers are corralled. Jimmy and Parks repartee and bold, sometimes raunchy jokes are enough comic humor to make me laugh out loud. Great stories. Jimmy always gets his man. Can’t wait to read another Big Lake adventure.
190 reviews
June 6, 2026
Ok, that's not fair !!! But a Great Mystery Read !!!

Ok, I won't give away the ending and spoil the surprise for those trying to decide if this book is worth reading!!! (I Recommend This Book For All Mystery Officandos !!!)
But, in the last few pages when you introduced a new character, I admit that I thought "NOT FAIR"!! Then you tied it all together and " Once Again, I ended this book shaking my head and muttering, "NICE MYSTERY READ!!!" You really do Good Work, Nick Russell !!!
74 reviews3 followers
August 19, 2023
Big Lake Visitors

Life is changing for familiar Big Lake characters, but is the presence of a mysterious visitor cause for concern for law enforcement? Author Nick Russell has Big Lake Sheriff Weber busy with a suspect who not only assaults the former Mayor, but arrives in town with a trunk full of
steroids and cash. Could he also be responsible for a double homicide? Follow the twists to see if Sheriff Jimmy can solve the mystery of the out-of-town visitor.
57 reviews
September 3, 2023
Not the best of the series….

I’ve read all the Big Lake series and this one is just lacking. There are a few chapters that have nothing to do with the story/plot and are most likely just filler content. The solution to the murders is literally in the last few pages and so far out of left field it’s laughable. The police are at the crime scene for what reads to be over a day and they miss an envelope? Not very believable. Hopefully the next one will be better.
53 reviews2 followers
September 24, 2023
Fantastic

Once again never a let down, awesome page turner,could not put the book down. Please begging you Mr. Russell never ever stop writing the big lake series, we've come to love all the charters in the series and cherish each and every story you have written under big lake. Thank you for the enjoyment and hour a of reading pleasure you have given us. PS as,a retired LEO your authenticity of police work and investigatory procedures is extremely accurate.
Profile Image for Angela.
3,646 reviews33 followers
March 22, 2025
A definite must read book and series

When the Sheriff and his wife witness a horrible assault, the entire town is unsure if they will loose one of their own. Then they discover an even more horrific tragedy, but this one has left them all struggling to figure out who is responsible for the devastating loss. It seems as though the town of Big Lake is getting assaulted from several directions.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author.
8 reviews
August 17, 2023
Having a great time with old friends

As in my heading, reading Nick Russell's newest book,it is like getting together with old friends. From the first words to the last it is hard to put his book down. Great story lines, great characters and always he brings it all together. Just wish he could write as fast as we read the books.
25 reviews2 followers
August 20, 2023
Another great read!

It was great to get another Big Lake book. This series provides both chuckles and serious crimes and is absolutely never boring. Can't wait for the next book to see how Big Lake's former mayor acts after his injury. Just maybe he had some sense knocked into him. Highly recommend this book plus any of the other series Nick Russell writes.
79 reviews2 followers
August 20, 2023
EXCELLENT

Nick has the ability to make you feel like you are right alongside the other people in the story. My only problem is that Nick can't publish a book a month.

It's hard to have to wait for the next book to be published. It's worth the wait, just hard to do.

GREAT JOB NICK.
215 reviews
January 10, 2024
Big Lake Assault

Once again as with the previous 20 Plus books, interesting crime novel. Unfortunately: though, very little space gets spent on the identification of the perpetrator. In this story, it is pure luck that Sherif Weber gets to talk to the victim’s sister and gets a clue on who the perp could be.
Profile Image for Black Butterfly.
2,689 reviews39 followers
January 23, 2024
WHEN I READ BIG LAKE, I FEEL LIKE RUNNING AROUND TOWN TO SEE WHAT EVERYONE HAS BEEN DOING. ITS ALWAYS FUN VISITING BIG LAKE AND SEEING ALL THE CRAZY CHARACTERS WHO LIVE THERE. THERE ARE LOTS OF CHANGES GOOD & BAD. I GUESS AFTER READING SO MANY THIS IS NUMBER 23 YOU COULD SAY I'M A FAN (big time). GLAD TO KNOW HE IS ALREADY WRITING #24 I'LL BE WAITING, LOOKING FORWARD TO READING IT. ;D
27 reviews
August 29, 2023
Good Read

I have read every one of the books in the Big Lake series. They all have interesting plots and twist and turns. I recommend this series to anyone who loves a good mystery and a good laugh.
28 reviews
October 26, 2023
The cThe characters are very relatable.Looking forward to the next book. .

Love this series wich I have been reading since the beginning. the characters are very relatable. Looking forward to the next one.
7 reviews
March 4, 2024
Big Lake series

I liked all of the characters, especially Sheriff Jim Weber. Great leading character. I would definitely recommend this series. I read the whole series straight through. Can't wait to read the next one.
231 reviews5 followers
March 5, 2024
Out standing Series

I wish to thank this fantastic author for creating this great Big Lake series of interesting stories.
These stories kept me spell bound from the fist page of the first book throughout the last page of this book.
I highly recommend this great series.
238 reviews1 follower
January 18, 2025
different twist

Big lake has another murder but this one has a different twist. Chet is himself for a short period but it’s exciting to find answers to a lot of questions. I’m sure you will enjoy this one!
1,016 reviews23 followers
May 2, 2025
Big lake assault

Another good tale from Nick Russell about the little town that almost loses people as fast as it gains new residents. Interesting weaving of the discerned plot with all the other parts and wrapping it up with the total story.
227 reviews
July 21, 2025
Never Hate Your Mother Forever

Interesting development to introduce a horrible assault. Once again as usual the author has created a great story to hold your interest. I look forward to continue this series.
6 reviews
August 21, 2023
Nick and Big Lake never fail

This is just as good a read as usual. I can’t wait for the next Big Lake! Thank you, Nick.
52 reviews
September 2, 2023
Big Lake

I was so happy to see book 23 I'm my library. Boy and it was really good. From the fist page until the last. Can't wait for the next one. Love this series.



1 review
September 12, 2023
Retire already.

Repetitive and predictable. This series should end. First several books were great then went down hill. Love the flavor of the town though.
Profile Image for martha keith.
8 reviews
September 13, 2023
love them all

I have read all the big lake books to date. Jim Weber is a very real character, wife, friends and all of them make the stories come to life! Thank you Mr. Russell!
17 reviews1 follower
September 19, 2023
Riveting

Story well written and engaging. Characters could be from my small town.
Will definitely read more Nick Russell. Loved it!
Profile Image for Mike Matteson.
53 reviews
October 11, 2023
Rage

What a great read, Russell can get a lot of different things going and solve a lot of different problems in one book.
14 reviews
October 16, 2023
A Page Turner

I liked the hero plus all the minor characters were fun to follow. Great location to picture for a thriller
2 reviews
December 27, 2023
great reads

I love the big lake series. It gets from the beginning to the end. Wish I could find more series like this. Nick Russell does a great job writing these
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews