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Russell Quant #8
Dos Equis
When we left him last, Saskatoon gay PI Russell Quant was a broken man. Dumped by his boyfriend, forced to drive around town in a minivan instead of his beloved sports car, only his dogs still needed him.But, things are looking up. A call for help from an old adversary gives Russell a new purpose in life, and he faces the future with a spring in his step and new highlights in his hair. Set in the beautiful Mexican beach town of Zihuatenengo, the eighth in the Quant mystery series will thrill old and new fans of Anthony Bidulka's smart, sassy detective.
229 pages, Paperback
First published March 19, 2012
5 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Bidulka
32 books251 followersAnthony Bidulka is the author of the long-running Russell Quant mystery series, two thrillers featuring Disaster Recovery Agent Adam Saint, a stand-alone suspense novel, Set Free, and a stand alone mystery novel, Going to Beautiful (2023 Crime Writers of Canada Award for Best Crime Novel) and the Merry Bell trilogy mystery series. The third and final book in the Merry Bell trilogy, Home Fires Burn, will be released June 2025.
Praise for Anthony Bidulka's books:
“…promises to become one of those that we look forward to each year and put on our shopping lists without waiting for the reviews.”
Reviewing the Evidence:
...Anthony Bidulka has created a whole new genre: Saskatchewan Gothic, which will both chill and warm your heart. Simply wonderful!
Alan Bradley, author of the Flavia de Luce series including The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
Going to Beautiful...is a testament not only to Bidulka’s skill in plotting and other novelistic stratagems, but even more to the unique setting and the wonderfully textured characters...
Felice Picano, author of Like People in History and Pursued: Lillian's Story, companion to Pursuit: A Victorian Entertainment
...poignant, often funny, always wise…the quiet joy and hopefulness of this novel are gifts readers will value for years to come.
Gail Bowen, author of the Joanne Kilbourn Shreve mystery series including An Image in the Lake
Anthony Bidulka has pulled off a literary coup in Going to Beautiful. Deftly balancing humour and heart...Bidulka hits it out of the park.
Terry Fallis, two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour
Anthony Bidulka has dedicated his career to writing traditional genre novels in an untraditional way, developing a body of work that often features his Saskatchewan roots and underrepresented, diverse main characters. He tells serious stories in accessible, entertaining, often humorous ways.
Bidulka’s novel Going to Beautiful is the 2023 winner of the Crime Writers of Canada Award for Best Crime Novel. His books have been shortlisted for numerous awards including the Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence (three times), the Lambda Literary Award (three times), the Saskatchewan Book Award (five times). Flight of Aquavit was awarded the Lambda Literary Award for Best Men’s Mystery, making Bidulka the first Canadian to win in that category. Going to Beautiful, about a gay man rising from the depths of despair in search of joy on the Saskatchewan prairie, also won the Independent Publisher Book Award as the Canada West Best Fiction Gold Medalist.
In his free time Bidulka loves to travel the world, collect art, walk his dogs, obsess over decorating Christmas trees (it’s a thing) and throw a good party.
Anthony's Books:
The Merry Bell trilogy:
Livingsky (2023)
From Sweetgrass Bridge (2024)
Homefires Burn (2025)
Going to Beautiful (2022)
Set Free (2016)
The Adam Saint books:
When The Saints Go Marching In (2013)
The Women of Skawa Island (2014)
The Russell Quant books:
Amuse Bouche (2003)
Flight of Aquavit (2004)
Tapas on the Ramblas (2005)
Stain of the Berry (2006)
Sundowner Ubuntu (2007)
Aloha, Candy Hearts (2009)
Date With a Sheesha (2010)
Dos Equis (2012).
Praise for Anthony Bidulka's books:
“…promises to become one of those that we look forward to each year and put on our shopping lists without waiting for the reviews.”
Reviewing the Evidence:
...Anthony Bidulka has created a whole new genre: Saskatchewan Gothic, which will both chill and warm your heart. Simply wonderful!
Alan Bradley, author of the Flavia de Luce series including The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
Going to Beautiful...is a testament not only to Bidulka’s skill in plotting and other novelistic stratagems, but even more to the unique setting and the wonderfully textured characters...
Felice Picano, author of Like People in History and Pursued: Lillian's Story, companion to Pursuit: A Victorian Entertainment
...poignant, often funny, always wise…the quiet joy and hopefulness of this novel are gifts readers will value for years to come.
Gail Bowen, author of the Joanne Kilbourn Shreve mystery series including An Image in the Lake
Anthony Bidulka has pulled off a literary coup in Going to Beautiful. Deftly balancing humour and heart...Bidulka hits it out of the park.
Terry Fallis, two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour
Anthony Bidulka has dedicated his career to writing traditional genre novels in an untraditional way, developing a body of work that often features his Saskatchewan roots and underrepresented, diverse main characters. He tells serious stories in accessible, entertaining, often humorous ways.
Bidulka’s novel Going to Beautiful is the 2023 winner of the Crime Writers of Canada Award for Best Crime Novel. His books have been shortlisted for numerous awards including the Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence (three times), the Lambda Literary Award (three times), the Saskatchewan Book Award (five times). Flight of Aquavit was awarded the Lambda Literary Award for Best Men’s Mystery, making Bidulka the first Canadian to win in that category. Going to Beautiful, about a gay man rising from the depths of despair in search of joy on the Saskatchewan prairie, also won the Independent Publisher Book Award as the Canada West Best Fiction Gold Medalist.
In his free time Bidulka loves to travel the world, collect art, walk his dogs, obsess over decorating Christmas trees (it’s a thing) and throw a good party.
Anthony's Books:
The Merry Bell trilogy:
Livingsky (2023)
From Sweetgrass Bridge (2024)
Homefires Burn (2025)
Going to Beautiful (2022)
Set Free (2016)
The Adam Saint books:
When The Saints Go Marching In (2013)
The Women of Skawa Island (2014)
The Russell Quant books:
Amuse Bouche (2003)
Flight of Aquavit (2004)
Tapas on the Ramblas (2005)
Stain of the Berry (2006)
Sundowner Ubuntu (2007)
Aloha, Candy Hearts (2009)
Date With a Sheesha (2010)
Dos Equis (2012).
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 11, 2012
A mostly lighthearted entry in this series, quite enjoyable, but with a few ticks that were driving me bazoo. Like this:
"JP, here we are, just the two of us."
"Russell, yes, you are right."
"JP, please pass the salt."
"Russell, here it is."
I may have been making those up, but you get the idea.
"JP, here we are, just the two of us."
"Russell, yes, you are right."
"JP, please pass the salt."
"Russell, here it is."
I may have been making those up, but you get the idea.
April 29, 2012
A continuation of the adventures of gay detective, Russell Quant. Mixes international living and character typical of Saskatoon, Canada. Russell pursues his lucky streak through quite savage encounters and wrestles with foes who become friends and would be friends who become all-out foes. A great, fast, easy read with a mild intellectual backing. 4 Dos Equis for Anthony Bidulka. Long may Quant and Taine continue to practice their craft and enjoy their meals and each other.
March 25, 2014
Another winner in this long-running series, though there's definitely change in the winds for our hero, Russell Quant. From the first lines, I loved being back in Russell's voice, traveling with him and following his quest for truth. Great plotting, strong character development-- a winner all around.
Want to read
April 2, 2012I was curious after reading the description of Dos Equis so I decided to enter the first-reads giveaway and to my surprise I was a winner! Looking forward to reading this book.
February 16, 2019
I like everything by Anthony Bidulka.
June 27, 2023
The final chapter in the Russell Quant series, and while it's been more than a while since I read the last installment, all of Russell's friends were in hand to help with this one.
A good read!
A good read!
January 13, 2019
The first half of the book was alright but the second was just too ridiculous. It like an episode of Leverage. And I couldn't stand Russell's new boyfriend.
January 8, 2013
Gerry B's Book Reviews
5 bees
Although Dos Equis (A Russell Quant Mystery, #8) by Anthony Bidulka [Insomniac Press, 2012] is the eighth in the series, it is the first I have read. Nevertheless, I was able to get into the story and engage with the characters without any difficulty whatsoever.
To begin, I was fascinated by fellow-Canadian Anthony Bidulka’s background (which is slightly similar to mine in diversity), and conclude that this is what contributes to his broad range of knowledge on several topics. Travel being one of them.
The story opens in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, but after he receives a mysterious message from a fellow private investigator he returns to his native town of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.[I love the setting—the first for Saskatoon, I believe.] There, he is shocked to find her murdered, but using her files he discovers she was working on a case involving the deliberate food poisoning of a wealthy old lady. However, it was done in such a way (using botulism) that it is difficult, if not impossible, to prove.
To go about this the author very cleverly brings in a gang of characters from his previous seven books, Anthony Gatt, Jared Lowe, Sereena Orion Smith, and Errall Strane, and police contact Darren Kirsch, and well as his Ukrainian mother, Kate (a delightful personality.)
Along the way he finds romance, although this aspect is far from being homoerotic by any means.
Although the culprit is known fairly early, the ending is still clever and suspenseful.
Mr. Bidulka is a multi-award winning novelist and this is certainly evident in his style, character development and plot construction. The whole novel 388 pages (431 KB) reads as smoothly as satin, with flashes of wit that delighted the senses too. Five bees.
5 bees
Although Dos Equis (A Russell Quant Mystery, #8) by Anthony Bidulka [Insomniac Press, 2012] is the eighth in the series, it is the first I have read. Nevertheless, I was able to get into the story and engage with the characters without any difficulty whatsoever.
To begin, I was fascinated by fellow-Canadian Anthony Bidulka’s background (which is slightly similar to mine in diversity), and conclude that this is what contributes to his broad range of knowledge on several topics. Travel being one of them.
The story opens in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, but after he receives a mysterious message from a fellow private investigator he returns to his native town of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.[I love the setting—the first for Saskatoon, I believe.] There, he is shocked to find her murdered, but using her files he discovers she was working on a case involving the deliberate food poisoning of a wealthy old lady. However, it was done in such a way (using botulism) that it is difficult, if not impossible, to prove.
To go about this the author very cleverly brings in a gang of characters from his previous seven books, Anthony Gatt, Jared Lowe, Sereena Orion Smith, and Errall Strane, and police contact Darren Kirsch, and well as his Ukrainian mother, Kate (a delightful personality.)
Along the way he finds romance, although this aspect is far from being homoerotic by any means.
Although the culprit is known fairly early, the ending is still clever and suspenseful.
Mr. Bidulka is a multi-award winning novelist and this is certainly evident in his style, character development and plot construction. The whole novel 388 pages (431 KB) reads as smoothly as satin, with flashes of wit that delighted the senses too. Five bees.
July 15, 2012
A solid plot, characters you love and a new direction for the next adventure. Quant bounces back from the heartbreak of Date with a Sheesha after a year of wandering and healing. I liked how the loose threads of Quant's previous cases are tied up and how when doors close, windows open.
And man, what a window. I like that we get kinda of a new start and new adventures that will move away from the lone wolf with a heart of gold to something more maybe like Nick and Nora with the solid plot driven style Anthony Bidulka has us hooked on.
And man, what a window. I like that we get kinda of a new start and new adventures that will move away from the lone wolf with a heart of gold to something more maybe like Nick and Nora with the solid plot driven style Anthony Bidulka has us hooked on.
June 2, 2013
A mysterious voicemail telephone message ends Russell's self-imposed hiatus from detective work and he is soon on the trail of a serial killer for hire. There's a suspenseful conclusion in Mexico, although it is bland ending. I'd rate the story overall as a so-so.
It will help if you have read others in the series in order to know where the various characters fit into Russell's life. The best thing is Russell's new boyfriend, JP, who is a budding detective. I think this addition to the cast may refresh the series.
This is worth reading and I'm looking forward to the next book.
It will help if you have read others in the series in order to know where the various characters fit into Russell's life. The best thing is Russell's new boyfriend, JP, who is a budding detective. I think this addition to the cast may refresh the series.
This is worth reading and I'm looking forward to the next book.
August 28, 2012
I am still not done. Somehow, I cannot relate to this book. I liked the previous ones, but this one is just plain boring. Maybe, its me. That's why I have still not finished this book.
update: during vacation I managed to finish this one. But my verdict remains: plain boring. Too bad.
update: during vacation I managed to finish this one. But my verdict remains: plain boring. Too bad.
July 30, 2012
So glad to see the return of Russell Quant. As usual Bidulka delivers an entertaining mystery that travels to an exotic locale. The book is populated by his usual lovable characters along with some not-so-nice new faces. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
December 17, 2017
3 stars Very enjoyable. Peppy characters, a good plot, and a nice sense of place (Mexico, this time). He showed how finding information via computers is really slogging through a lot of chaff. The villain is part serial killer, part murderer for hire, and nicely evil."
November 2, 2013
I liked this very much, even if it didn't follow the traditional mystery format (although I was sad it killed off Russell's sometime friend Jane at the beginning). I was very pleased about the (in-book!!!) development's in Russell's personal life. Yay!
October 12, 2014
I liked it a lot but it was a little short... I like the way Russell overcomes his situation afer the last book though I felt the ending a little rushed... But I loved that in this one, as my friend would say... Men, sometimes sadly, always come back!
February 1, 2015
This mystery in the Quant series takes us to Mexico. Page 142 had me in stitches - loved the mama's first airport experience! Reminds me of my Russian mother. Can't wait for the next book. http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/1...
September 14, 2013
Not sure that I liked knowing the killer early on and the rest of the oak being about the chase, but I love Russell Quant Nd desperately want another one to read.
September 20, 2012
Really quite good, and I was thrilled to have a happier book than some of the previous Quant mysteries, which had gotten a bit dark (but still good!).
September 21, 2012
good... reasonable plot, flamin' protagonist.
October 12, 2014
Enjoyed the entire Russell Quant adventures. Anthony keeps the sex in his books low-key but the action when Russell is on the job keeps the heart pounding.
December 1, 2014
love this series
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews