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series Reading Order

Big Lake Books in Order

24 Books
2011 – 2021 Published
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Reading order

How to Read the Big Lake Series

The Big Lake mystery series is best read in publication order. Because the books follow the life, career, and personal relationships of Sheriff Jim Weber and the quirky residents of the fictional town of Big Lake, Arizona, reading them in sequence ensures you do not miss character development or ongoing subplots. Fortunately, the chronological order is identical to the publication order, so you can simply start with the first book and read straight through.

Big Lake Books in Publication Order

Here is the complete chronological list of the Big Lake mystery series, including the most recent releases up to 2025:

  1. Big Lake (2011)
  2. Big Lake Lynching (2012)
  3. Crazy Days in Big Lake (2012)
  4. Big Lake Blizzard (2013)
  5. Big Lake Scandal (2014)
  6. Big Lake Burning (2015)
  7. Big Lake Honeymoon (2015)
  8. Big Lake Reckoning (2015)
  9. Big Lake Brewpub (2016)
  10. Big Lake Abduction (2016)
  11. Big Lake Celebration (2016)
  12. Big Lake Tragedy (2017)
  13. Big Lake Snowdaze (2017)
  14. Big Lake Fugitive (2018)
  15. Big Lake Wedding (2019)
  16. Big Lake Ninja (2019)
  17. Big Lake Quarterback (2020)
  18. Big Lake Massacre (2020)
  19. Big Lake Hoarder (2020)
  20. Big Lake Shootout (2021)
  21. Big Lake Ranger (2021)
  22. Big Lake Drunk (2022)
  23. Big Lake Assault (2023)
  24. Big Lake Accident (2024)
  25. Big Lake Sinner (2024)
  26. Big Lake Misfit (2025)
  27. Big Lake Parolee (2025)

Nick Russell is currently working on the 28th book in the series, tentatively titled Big Lake Homecoming.

Debunking Co-Author Misconceptions

If you search for the Big Lake books on online retail databases, you might see several titles credited to co-authors like Jessica Cage, Stephan Pastis, or Neesh Santiago. These are cataloging errors on retail platforms; Nick Russell is the sole author of all Big Lake novels. Stephan Pastis is actually the famous cartoonist behind Pearls Before Swine, and Jessica Cage is an independent fantasy author—neither of them collaborated on the Big Lake series.

Spin-offs and What to Read Next

While Big Lake does not have direct spin-offs, fans of Nick Russell's writing style should check out his other small-town mystery and thriller series. The John Lee Quarrels series features a rougher, more humorous approach to crime in the American South, starting with Stillborn Armadillos. For a darker, grittier mystery, Russell's Dog's Run series is a fantastic choice.

Frequently Asked

QWhere is the best place to start the Big Lake series?

You should start with the first novel, Big Lake (2011), to introduce yourself to Sheriff Jim Weber and the community.

QHow many Big Lake books are there?

As of late 2025, there are 27 published books in the main Big Lake series, with Book 28 in progress.

QIs the chronological order different from the publication order?

No. The timeline moves forward sequentially with each book, meaning the publication order and chronological order are identical.

QDid Stephan Pastis co-author Big Lake Burning?

No, this is a metadata error common to retail databases. Nick Russell is the sole author of the book.

QIs the town of Big Lake, Arizona real?

No, the town of Big Lake is fictional. However, it is closely based on the real town of Show Low, Arizona, and the surrounding White Mountains area.

QWhat is the latest book in the series?

The latest published book is Big Lake Parolee (2025). The next upcoming book is titled Big Lake Homecoming.