Book Review: Big Lake Troubles

Reviewed by Lauren Hayataka

An intimate look at the messy, often murky path to doing what’s right

Jeffrey D. Boldt’s Big Lake Troubles, the sequel to his acclaimed novel Blue Lake, takes us into a world where the real drama unfolds away from the courtroom. 

At the heart of the story is Jason Erickson, a former judge who’d rather be unwinding on the California coast than getting tangled up in another high-stakes case. Still reeling from the loss of his lover Tara, Jason’s on uneven ground with his girlfriend Grace Clarkson, an environmental lawyer with strong convictions about fighting climate change. 

For Grace, this case—against a massive coal facility threatening Lake Superior’s air quality—is deeply personal, embodying her career ambitions and hopes for a future with Jason. Behind masses of wire guarded by German shepherds, the reeking coal pile looms as a blight on Lake Superior’s scenic beauty, a constant reminder of what she’s fighting against. But Jason isn’t sure he’s up for the fight or ready to take that next step with Grace.

What makes Big Lake Troubles so compelling is the ensemble of voices that Boldt brings together, each with their take on the coal facility and what it means to take a stand. 

On the other side of the case is Courtney Sharpe, a tough-as-nails corporate attorney representing the coal company. Courtney is relentless, driven, and willing to push ethical boundaries to protect her client. But she’s got her share of baggage—her past relationship with her ex, Earl Franks, adds a whole other layer to the story. Earl, a former lawyer fresh out of prison, is trying to get his life together, and while he’s tempted by Courtney’s offer to help her, he’s starting to see the bigger picture: his legacy, his family, and the future he wants for his grandchild. 

Big Lake Troubles doesn’t fall into the usual legal thriller tropes. The case is just one part of a much larger narrative, a backdrop for each character’s real issues. With short, snappy chapters, the plot remains easy to follow, even as Boldt shifts between perspectives to dig into what drives each character—their histories, their choices, and their flaws. 

Grace, driven by her ideals, holds onto the hope that Jason might share her passion, but her fears about their future creep in. Courtney’s battle for control and respect in her career clashes with her unresolved feelings for Earl, and Earl’s struggle to rebuild himself after prison shows a man torn between redemption and temptation.

Boldt brings Lake Superior’s close-knit community to life with every character—from Grace’s allies in the environmental action groups to locals like Ellen Smythe, whose daughter’s asthma brings the coal issue too close to home. Each character shows how a case can mean different things to different people, shifting alliances and exposing the complicated layers of right and wrong. Boldt doesn’t just explore these issues; he dives into them, giving us a look at the clash between corporate power and environmental justice, modern politics, and the messy path of personal redemption.

Big Lake Troubles is a story about people at a crossroads. While the coal case carries tension, the lives outside of court—the uncertain relationships, the moral wrestling, and the desire for change—make this novel shine. Boldt’s characters are complex, each grappling with their version of what it means to do the right thing in an imperfect world. At the end of the day, Big Lake Troubles is a thoughtful, character-driven story about fighting for what matters—even when you’re not sure exactly what that is.

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