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Big Lake #22

Big Lake Drunk

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Everyone in Big Lake was surprised when hard-drinking good old boy Levi Bischoff left town and went to a rehab clinic to dry out. No one thought it would be long before he fell back into his old ways, but Levi proved them wrong, moving to the college town of Flagstaff, meeting a nice girl, enrolling in classes at Northern Arizona University, and following the straight and narrow path. But how long could that last?

Apparently not long, because late one night Levi hit a young woman with his truck, and when deputies responded to the fatal accident scene, it was obvious that he was intoxicated. Though Levi claimed he had not had a thing to drink, a breathalyzer result of .19 and a blood test to match showed that he had more than twice the legal limit of alcohol in his bloodstream.

Yet Levi insisted that he had not had a drink, no matter what the evidence said. Evidence that included whiskey bottles in his truck and a number of old friends who all reported to the police that Levi had been drinking with them the night of the accident.

No matter how hard Levi declared his innocence or how much Deputy Robyn Fuchette wanted to believe him, it seemed like an open and shut case. Or was it?

The more Sheriff Jim Weber investigates the accident, the more he becomes confused. Why would two witnesses who saw Levi just moments before the accident tell the sheriff he was not drunk? And what was the victim, a young married woman with an outstanding reputation, doing on the side of a country road in the middle of a cold, rainy night? And how did she get there?

As more information develops, Weber begins to think that what at first seemed like a simple, tragic accident might be part of a much larger conspiracy. Was Levi framed, as Robyn wants to believe? If so, who would want to do it? And what about the dead woman? As it turns out, more than one person had a reason to want her dead. Come along for the ride as Sheriff Weber and his deputies try to get to the bottom of this modern-day mystery in the Arizona high country.

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 Drunk, the twenty-second book in this popular series, is sure to be a hit, too!

328 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 24, 2022

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About the author

Nick Russell

103 books173 followers

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5 stars
881 (62%)
4 stars
389 (27%)
3 stars
105 (7%)
2 stars
21 (1%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
3 reviews
December 30, 2022
I love Big Lake series

I have read all the books in this series and always keep a constant lookout for the next books release date. Nick Russell has a way of writing that hooks you from the very beginning of the book and holds your interest all the way through the book with clues as to who done it without revealing the actual who done it till the end of the book. I real all of his fiction series and have not been disappointed with any, but I love the characters of Big Lake best. If you like witty who done it books Nick is an author you should definitely try!
Profile Image for Kermit.
7 reviews
January 23, 2023
Another great tale from Big Lake

Another enjoyable tale from Nick Russell, the creator of the Big Lake series and others. After reading all the Big Lake books, none have been a disappointment, in my opinion. The characters, Nick has created are quite a cast and woven into a good story line. If you enjoy crime, humor and believable characters, I totally recommend the Big Lake series.
Profile Image for Jeff Benham.
1,802 reviews12 followers
January 15, 2023
For years, Levi Bischoff was basically the town drunk. He had quit drinking, gotten into a rehab program and found a girlfriend. He had not touched a drop in over a year. But when he is found drunk and unconscious in his truck, on a back road and there is a dead woman laying in the road, it is an open and shut case. Or is it? Sometimes the truth isn't the whole truth.
61 reviews
January 18, 2023
In this next sequel to the exploits of our hero, the author weaves a tale of the unexplained. It’s only in the last chapter that the plot unravels, but not to “expert” detective work. Only by granting a belligerent inmate a demand, is the riddle solved. In my humble opinion, the author heard of a way of getting drunk without taking a drink that gave him the idea for this book. He had to weave a story out of the situation, and did so, but had a hard time coming up with resolving it.

I read these books on Kindle Unlimited because I read many books and it’s an inexpensive way of doing so. But in doing so, I subject myself to authors, like Nick Russell, who can tell a halfway decent story but are lacking in the grammatical tools to write well. There’s a big difference between story telling and writing. The over use of commas, misplaced modifiers, incomplete sentences, and basic grammar, like knowing when to use lie or lay, drives this reader nuts.
Profile Image for Jeffrey.
311 reviews4 followers
June 19, 2023
Another enjoyable book in this series.

I enjoy having famaliar characters to read about and to feel like I know them, which after 22 books, you do. The back and forth between the sheriff and the FBI agent, is such fun. In this series, Agent Parks talks about writing a book and what is in it, and makes the sheriff the bunt of his jokes. I kike that.

Then there is the ongoing story line of the former mayor and his gimics to get attention. All of which has next to nothing to do with the main story, but adds some quirky humor to the book. Most of what that character, Chet, comes up with is so over the top, but fun.

THe story has two main cases that unfold as the book moves along. I like how that works, althought the ending wraps up very quickly. The drunk driving situation is very interesting, but I won't say anymore.

Good summer read.
391 reviews
January 15, 2023
Four because

Four because I hate the innuendos. They do not add anything to the story. Chet has another brain storm that he is sure he can pull off.

The story itself was different , but on the par for a Big Lake story. It is a little drawn out. The sheriff's department is 100% positive they have a drunk fatality on their hands. Then the sheriff is given a fact that puzzles him about person that was killed. How do they fit together or do they?

I have read them all, and look forward to the next happening in Big Lake.
Profile Image for Richard Sutton.
Author 9 books117 followers
January 18, 2023
Appearances can be misleading...

Author Russell again hits the spot. His law enforcement community in a tiny town, features friendships and lots of watching each other's
Backs as well as lots of pokin'atcha jokester fun. The extremely confusing case kept me turning pages happily.the author never just pulls answers from unrelated dark places and the conclusion doesn't disappoint. Not every series I read can keep me hanging on like Big Lake. Highly recommended.
27 reviews
February 5, 2023
awesome series

Can't wait for next Big Lake book in the series. From beginning to end the humor, the characters, the storyline leading up to the climax holds your attention and keep you spell bound. Even though stories are written for enjoyment they are also a learning experience as each crime is solved for example using dry ice in a crime. this was my 22nd book in one month of reading they are so good.
162 reviews
June 4, 2026
NICE JOB, NICK RUSSELL !!!

I've read a lot of mysteries in my life and this one had me 'baffled' right to the last page!!! I had developed a few possibilities, but had nothing like what really happened! I didn't even have the correct person!!! That's how confused I was!! Again, NICE JOB, Nick Russell !!!
So I'm going to "track down" the next Book to see if I can "do better" on solving the next mystery !!
Thanks, Nick !!!
8 reviews
January 2, 2023
Nick's books are like a warm blanket

Reading Nick's books are so much fun. The characters are like normal people. Since I have read all his books it is like coming home again. Well written, great dialog and hard to put down. Wish I could slow my reading speed but once I start I can not wait till I get to the end.
Thanks again for a great book.
9 reviews
January 8, 2023
Awesome series!

This has got go be one of the best series I've read ! I absolutely love the camaraderie between the characters and the way it keeps you guessing. The way the author pulls everything together in the end keeps you coming back for more. Waiting patiently for the next book!
52 reviews1 follower
January 14, 2023
Fantastic Read

Once again non stop page turner, Nick Russell continues to bring together both mystery and the lives of and methods of criminal investigation together while intertwined both the personal lives and tradegies of each of the individual characters through out the story line in his books.
Profile Image for Black Butterfly.
2,673 reviews39 followers
August 18, 2023
I THOUGHT THE ACCIDENT HAD TOO MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS JUST TO BE AN ORDINARY CAR ACCIDENT. I WILL BE GLAD WHEN JIM & ROBYNE SEE ALL THE FLAWS I'M SEEING. GEEZ! AT 46% I'M STILL HOPING I'M RIGHT. 83% FINALLY ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS. AT THE END OF THIS I GOT A WONDERFUL SURPRISE BOOK #23 IS OUT, I WENT STRAIGHT TO AMAZON AND GOT IT. YAY-YAY-YAY! ;D
Profile Image for Angela.
3,564 reviews32 followers
March 21, 2025
A fantastic series

There's not much that can stump the officers of the Sheriff's department, but this case is a tragedy that just keeps getting worse and worse. Will they be able to figure out what happened before it's too late?
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author.
2 reviews1 follower
January 7, 2023
Big lake

Great read having spent six years in the area and married to a other grew up there Nick Russell has got it down just glad that there is not a town at big lake it's way to pretty a place to muck up with people. The John lee quarter series is also very good

31 reviews1 follower
January 10, 2023
A page turner

Didn’t have that one figured out. A good mystery with the appropriate curves and turns to keep you engrossed to the end. Another great “Big lake “ story with the great characters and twists to the end. Looking forward to the next in the series.
25 reviews2 followers
February 3, 2023
Great read

To me this is one of the best Big Lake books in the series. It kept me wondering who the bad guy was right up to the end. The bad guy came as a surprise. Strongly recommend this book for a great read.
10 reviews
February 9, 2023
Good til the very end!

As always, Nick leaves you on the edge of your seat. I stayed up most of the night reading this. I just could'nt put it down. Love the characters he creates. Great culmination of everything at the end. Can't wait for the next one!
Profile Image for James R. lesniak.
45 reviews
August 29, 2023
Good read.....But!

Interesting plot but again the solution of the crime all comes out of thin air in the last few pages. But I will read the next book to see what happens in the lives oF the inhabitants of Big Lake.
208 reviews
January 5, 2024
Big Lake Drunk

Once again, an interesting crime novel with lots of twists and turns as well as complex approach to commit the crime. Illustrates how money, greed and lust make people engage in nefarious behaviors.
70 reviews
June 13, 2024
another good read

This book was a little more thought out than others in my opinion. While it took some time o identify the killers the main culprit remained hidden to almost last. For me that made it a good read.
234 reviews
January 16, 2025
sad but true

Once you have a reputation of being a drunk, it’s hard for people to believe that you have changed! It’s great to have true friends that will stand by you no matter what! I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did!
1,008 reviews23 followers
April 29, 2025
Big lake drunk

Different crimes involved in this tale were nearly as confusing to the reader as to the sheriff! Lots of side play and general chatting around as the criminal investigation was actually pretty cut and dried until the very end.
28 reviews
January 1, 2023
wonderful

This is another great book by Nick. This is probably one of my favorites. He always makes you feel part of the story. Keep them coming
22 reviews
January 8, 2023
another great book

Love the Big Lake series
Easy read and very enjoyable.
We need more Big Lake books!!! They always end leaving you to want more
Thank you Nick Russell
258 reviews2 followers
January 9, 2023
Big lakr

Anothe r wonderful book,Mr
Russell s books just seem to get better and better looking forward to the next big lake series.well done !!! I love the big lake series
4 reviews1 follower
January 23, 2023
More of the same at Big Lake

This was interesting all the way through. I could not pick out who the culprits were. I really like the books by Russell and will read the next one.
4 reviews
January 27, 2023
Good book

I had no idea how this book could possibly wrap up, very good not giving any hints to the reader so they could figure out the ending.
2 reviews
February 1, 2023
Excellent mystery.

All of big lake books are outstanding!
Time to start reading all of them over again.
They are that good!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews