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Big Lake #19

Big Lake Hoarder

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At first it seemed like a routine death in a run of the mill house on a residential street that could be anywhere in small town America. An elderly woman who sat down in her recliner to take a nap and never woke up. But Sheriff Weber would soon learn there was nothing routine about this case at all.

When an autopsy revealed that she had been murdered, things take a bizarre turn. The sheriff discovers that there were many people who had reason to want Edna Knowles dead, among them relatives she had cheated out of an inheritance, two adult stepchildren she had treated cruelly, and a high school sweetheart from long ago upon whom she had committed the ultimate betrayal.

As the sheriff and his deputies investigate the case, they find that searching for the old woman’s killer is only one mystery awaiting them in a house filled with secrets. Who was Edna Knowles, and why did she do the bizarre things she did? There is no doubt that she was an oddball, a recluse, and a hoarder. Maybe even a monster?

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 2020

790 people are currently reading
59 people want to read

About the author

Nick Russell

102 books169 followers

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5 stars
839 (62%)
4 stars
377 (28%)
3 stars
94 (7%)
2 stars
15 (1%)
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10 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
Profile Image for Ski Croghan.
609 reviews5 followers
April 9, 2022
A very good book!!

What drugs can do to a young life. When an old lady dies in her house it turns out she was not only a hoarder, she was as evil as a witch in a fairytale. Why did she hide in her house for 10 years, never letting anyone inside? Why did she have boxes and boxes of things she bought online and never even opened. Who killed her? That's a very good question. She always paid cash for everything she bought in town. But how did she pay for things online? Who is the person who tried to use her debit card in a city more than a hundred miles away? Don't miss this outstanding book! Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Angela.
3,434 reviews33 followers
March 20, 2025
A definite must read book and series

Just when you think that you've seen it all, something else happens to change that. When the Sheriff and his deputies are called out to do a welfare check, they find out that the old lady had been deceased for some time. Thinking that it was due to natural causes, they were attempting to wrap up the case when a bit of information changed everything. What seemed like an open and shut case turned into a wild, crazy, and chaotic ride that none of them ever expected. A definite must read!
BTW~ I absolutely loved the very end of this book!
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author.
74 reviews2 followers
December 7, 2020
WHAT WAS INSIDE THE HOUSE TO KILL FOR?

Have you ever walked past a house with boxes stacked on the front porch and wondered what was inside? Big Lake Sherrif Jim Weber was in for a deadly investigation when they discovered the known recluse was dead in her recliner. What was inside the house was an even bigger mystery.
Author Nick Russell has crafted another quick read with lots of suspects with their own motives to murder a quirky hoader. But who did it???
Profile Image for Cindy Conway.
51 reviews
December 13, 2020
I absolutely love the Big Lake series. I just can’t put them down.

Life is never dull for Jim Weber and his deputies. The shocking find for Sheriff Weber and his deputies keeps them busy. Then the sheriff has to unwind someone’s life and makes some interesting discoveries. FBI Parks continued to make me laugh out loud. My husband insists we need licorice now. I can’t wait for another book. I highly recommend any book by Nick Russell. You won’t be disappointed
77 reviews1 follower
December 12, 2020
EXCELLENT

Nick has done it again.

Nick has a very good style of writing that makes you feel like you are part of the action. He has the knack of making his books to be a great read and I know I'm not the only one who has not been able to put his books down after starting to read them.
Profile Image for Wayne Clark.
74 reviews
June 10, 2022
GREAT READ

I loved the way the characters in it all are so well described and all I find myself seeing the scenes, smelling the smells, and crying in the sad ones it’s so real to life.
Anyone who loves police mysteries mixed with love should read.
I have to give it a five star because it has everything I look for in a good mystery.
220 reviews
January 4, 2025
lots of confusion

Mysterious death of a very mean and evil lady that hurts a lot of brand new things she buys online.

It had to be someone that knows her, and as you go through all the suspects, you will never figure out till the end who did it.

I enjoyed the book, but it’s hard to keep up with all the names.
14 reviews
December 8, 2020
Maybe the best Big Lake yet

Nick knocks it out of the park with the latest Big Lake novel. Near flawless character development with even the most minor players thoughtfully created and described. Nick makes Big Lake a town you would want to linger in.
Profile Image for Bonnie.
20 reviews
December 10, 2020
Great story

Really enjoyed the twists and turns as the story moved along. I had no idea who the murderer was until the it was revealed. Love all the characters and enjoy reading about their lives .
Profile Image for Judy.
22 reviews
December 19, 2020
Why are there so many boxes?

Another great read from Nick Russell! Twists and turns and some surprises keep you on your toes. You’ll even get some emotions wrapped up in it as sheriff Weber tracks down the killer!!
27 reviews
December 23, 2020
Another great book

Really enjoyed this book. Always look forward to the next one. Nick’s books are so good I will stop reading a book to go read his Feel as I know all these people.
385 reviews
January 26, 2021
Great series

These stories are down to earth. The regular characters in them are easy to love. Some language is used, but just here and there. The plots come across as ones that could happen. This latest one is believable because of the times we live in.
Profile Image for Big,Jon.
36 reviews
March 12, 2021
Too silly for a male Author

The boy had a pair of underwear on, he thought his girl was going to eat his dashboard she was so hungry. The story premise was good but the characters really sucked. Terrible dialog.
43 reviews1 follower
April 12, 2021
I don't like to write reviews, I'm a reader not a writer. I really enjoyed and binged read this series. Liked the characters. I like outdoorsy mysteries. What I like about writing these reviews is having a number of words I have to write...


5 reviews
April 18, 2021
I've read every one of the Big Lake books & loved them all. I can't wait til the next one comes out. Nick Russell is a great storyteller & makes you feel you're right there on the page with the characters. Fantastic series!
51 reviews
May 31, 2021
Love this Author

This book grabs you from page one until the end. I can't wait for the next book. I read all of the Big lakes books. Everyone that likes mysteries should read all the books.
Profile Image for Bill Cassell.
8 reviews1 follower
September 22, 2021
Another Great Story and Read

As I read this series in order, I enjoy them more and more. The characters develop with each book. The side plots are just as interesting as the mystery. A great small town police story.
146 reviews2 followers
March 18, 2022
Great Read!

I really enjoyed this book! All of Nick Russell's characters are everyday people that you would find in small towns anywhere. The storyline is always interesting and pulls you in. I've enjoyed every book I've read from this author.
201 reviews
December 24, 2023
Big Lake Hoarder

This is the 15th or 16th book of this author that I have read. Very interesting story with practically no clues to go about solving the crime. Exemplifies how greedy and vindictive people can be and how such traits may encourage them to do very bad things.
1,001 reviews23 followers
March 26, 2025
Big lake hoarder

Very different in so many ways with none of the shoot'em up so prevalent in so many of the tales from other authors. Good solution at the end through hard dog work with not a lot to go on.
186 reviews
June 21, 2025
Hoarding Can be Fatal.

The great twists are becoming expected the more I read about Big Lake. Evil can be found in so many places and people. Truly scary across all walks of life. Thanks for writing truly enjoyable reading material.
4 reviews
December 11, 2020
Great Crime Story

I’m never disappointed by a Nick Russell story. And, once again, I downloaded the book and couldn’t stop reading to the end.
Profile Image for Lawrence Cutting.
48 reviews
December 16, 2020
Wonderful

Nick Russell continues to get better with each novel he writes. I should know; I've read them all. He's become my favorite storyteller.
16 reviews
December 18, 2020
Excellent as usual

This may be my favorite so far in the series. Lots of humorous interactions between the sheriff and townsfolk. A fun read.
14 reviews
December 21, 2020
Big lake Horder

I love this series. They are feel good books, because, the good guys win. Also I love the west, and small towns.
142 reviews
December 24, 2020
Love this series

Can’t wait for the next book. Love this series. Big Lake & Sheriff Webber......what’s next ?!?! Arizona mountain backdrop. Where was Archer?
78 reviews
January 5, 2021
Loved it

One more trip to Big Lake courtesy of Nick Russell. Engaging and entertaining as always. Anxious for the next one
Profile Image for Dave Hammett.
285 reviews1 follower
January 6, 2021
Do the twist

Very good mystery with lots of twists and unexpected turns. My compliments to Me Russell. I'll read the next one.
155 reviews1 follower
January 18, 2021
Great read!

I love the Big lake series. I love Nick Russell's style of writing. Makes you feel like you know the characters . I enjoy the continuity! Keep them coming!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews

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