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John Lee Quarrels #3
Badge Bunny
When Somerton County bad girl Leona Darling goes missing, Deputy John Lee Quarrels is ordered to find her. How hard could it be? Just look in the nearest gin mill, right? But Leona was nowhere to be found. As he begins asking questions, John Lee discovers that Leona was a badge bunny, a cop groupie who was well known on a less than professional basis by many of his fellow lawmen. He also discovers that asking questions can get you into trouble, especially when the people you are asking wear badges, carry guns for a living, and have something to lose. John Lee quickly discovers that he doesn't know some of his coworkers as well as he thought he did. And John Lee isn't the only one looking for Leona. A big, bad tempered repo man with a penchant for violence wants to find her, too, and he isn't hampered by the same rules John Lee must follow. Before long, two more young women disappear, blood flows, and somebody will die. By the time the story reaches its tragic end, John Lee will learn secrets he never wanted to know and will never look at his fellow man the same way again. As sultry as a Florida back road in August, as mysterious as the South's live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, and as deadly as a copperhead strike, the third book in New York Times bestselling author Nick Russell's John Lee Quarrels series will keep you listening late into the night.
- GenresFictionProceduralMystery
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 23, 2017
394 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
August 16, 2025
This sure was a tough story. Russell is fantastic at coming up with those characters you just can’t stand and the characters that are mostly good but make some bad decisions. He is really good at writing about the human condition and all our foibles. There is often a fine line between cops and criminals and this story ensures that we know this. That ending just gutted me. Very well done!
October 30, 2017
THE PLOT THICKENS
The author's ability to develop characters as he writes is akin to weaving fine woolen threads, layer by layer, into a well thought out plot. Character development is Mr. Russell's forte. Each of the characters are woven into the plot so that we realise their foibles and know their strengths and weaknesses. By the time the book is finished we know who is to be trusted and, of course who is not. We've made friends as well as enemies. We can laugh at some characters and along with others. The plot of Badge Bunny is clear and well thought out, although not so much as to give up it's secrets until the end. Clearly, I'll continue to look for the next novel to follow.
The author's ability to develop characters as he writes is akin to weaving fine woolen threads, layer by layer, into a well thought out plot. Character development is Mr. Russell's forte. Each of the characters are woven into the plot so that we realise their foibles and know their strengths and weaknesses. By the time the book is finished we know who is to be trusted and, of course who is not. We've made friends as well as enemies. We can laugh at some characters and along with others. The plot of Badge Bunny is clear and well thought out, although not so much as to give up it's secrets until the end. Clearly, I'll continue to look for the next novel to follow.
March 7, 2022
If you're into who's into bed with whom on any given night and how many girls can one guy string along, then this book is for you. Basically two stories intertwined. One about the love life of John Lee and the other about his search for a missing girl. They don't really have a bearing on each other. It's an easy read and easy to put down, hence it took a while to finish once I started. As in the last couple of books that I've read. There are a lot of viable suspects but in the end, it's someone who has never been a suspect, just a character who happens to have a part in the story where the sheriff's office and the police depart both respond to the same call. Then to go one further, even though this person admits to being the killer, it's actually a coverup for someone else. Not what I'd call a satisfying ending to the story. I've downloaded #4 so we'll see how that one goes.
Ed
Ed
October 31, 2017
'SERVING LAW ENFORCEMENT' GIVEN NEW MEANING
I had never heard the term "Badge Bunny" until Somerton County Deputy Sheriff John Lee Quarrels started searching for a local young lady who had made "serving law enforcement" a well-known habit. John Lee's search for suspects in her disappearance takes him down a roll call list of his colleagues. As Author Nick Russell acknowledges, the strong racist language found in parts of the story reflect the red-neck attitudes and salty language appropriate to some of the characters. Otherwise, Russell builds on the familiar characters from Books 1 & 2 in the series and introduces new folks we will surely see in future John Lee Quarrels stories.
I had never heard the term "Badge Bunny" until Somerton County Deputy Sheriff John Lee Quarrels started searching for a local young lady who had made "serving law enforcement" a well-known habit. John Lee's search for suspects in her disappearance takes him down a roll call list of his colleagues. As Author Nick Russell acknowledges, the strong racist language found in parts of the story reflect the red-neck attitudes and salty language appropriate to some of the characters. Otherwise, Russell builds on the familiar characters from Books 1 & 2 in the series and introduces new folks we will surely see in future John Lee Quarrels stories.
October 22, 2018
A Badge Bunny is a girl that likes to come on to cops. Leona Darling is a badge bunny and she is missing. She has been gone for a few weeks and it became John Lee's job to find her when she missed a court appearance for a minor traffic stop. It didn't take long to find out she liked cops, but it takes a lot longer to find out what happened to her. Most of the book, we don't know if her disappearance is even anything to worry about. One thing for sure, nobody else seems to have a clue either. Flag is even more obnoxious than usual and is intent on causing trouble for John Lee and DW.
August 3, 2019
An NR Murder Mystery (BB) (JLQB - 3)
NR has penned a murder mystery, which is the third in the JLQ series. A woman disappears. JLQ is assigned to the case. When he begins his investigation it leads in a direction he never would go. His fellow police officers. It seems the missing woman had feelings for the officers who worked under such dangerous conditions. Unfortunately, the trail gets hotter and he gets more pressure from his fellow officers to back off. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
NR has penned a murder mystery, which is the third in the JLQ series. A woman disappears. JLQ is assigned to the case. When he begins his investigation it leads in a direction he never would go. His fellow police officers. It seems the missing woman had feelings for the officers who worked under such dangerous conditions. Unfortunately, the trail gets hotter and he gets more pressure from his fellow officers to back off. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
December 12, 2017
John Lee never disappoints
John Lee is in action again. Although maybe not the brightest bulb in the socket, he's a good, honest man doing his best to serve and protect his people. With his personal life in chaos, John Lee dogs the investigation until the surprising conclusion of the case shocks everyone in his small rural town. Great read!
John Lee is in action again. Although maybe not the brightest bulb in the socket, he's a good, honest man doing his best to serve and protect his people. With his personal life in chaos, John Lee dogs the investigation until the surprising conclusion of the case shocks everyone in his small rural town. Great read!
November 14, 2021
No
Being an avid reader, it takes a lot to surprise of shock me. Was truly surprised at the ending . Great plot with down roads and not twist. The second to last seen was a sad summation. The last seen was a shocker. The epilogue was, so what did you expect. Now I have to go and read something fun to balance my mood.
Being an avid reader, it takes a lot to surprise of shock me. Was truly surprised at the ending . Great plot with down roads and not twist. The second to last seen was a sad summation. The last seen was a shocker. The epilogue was, so what did you expect. Now I have to go and read something fun to balance my mood.
June 9, 2023
JOHN LEE MIGHT BE A GOOD DEPUTY BUT HE IS A NAIVE AS CAN BE, WHEN IT COMES TO HIS PERSONAL LIFE AND SURROUNDINGS. HE SEEMS TO DWELL IN HIS OWN LITTLE WORLD AND DOSEN'T SEE WHATS GOING ON IN THE REAL WORLD AROUND HIM. BUT HE IS A GOOD DEPUTY AND A VERY LOVABLE GUY. THIS HAD A VERY SURPRISING ENDING I DIDN'T SEE COMING. ;D
May 27, 2024
totally unpredictable
Another action…and angst, filled story. This time John Lee is in search of a missing young woman, who has the reputation as a ‘badge bunny’. Is one of their own the reason the woman is missing? Meanwhile, Flag is trying to stir up trouble. Great small town cop story.
Another action…and angst, filled story. This time John Lee is in search of a missing young woman, who has the reputation as a ‘badge bunny’. Is one of their own the reason the woman is missing? Meanwhile, Flag is trying to stir up trouble. Great small town cop story.
November 24, 2017
Excellent
I really want the next one to have a much deserved end to flag. He makes me want to strangle him. I have not looked to see how many stories are in this series, but I am still with it.
I really want the next one to have a much deserved end to flag. He makes me want to strangle him. I have not looked to see how many stories are in this series, but I am still with it.
January 2, 2018
One of Nick Russell's Best
I have read all of Nick Russell's fiction. His writing just keeps getting better with each new book. Mr. Russell ranks among my favorite authors. Badge Bunny was a thoroughly enjoyable book.
I have read all of Nick Russell's fiction. His writing just keeps getting better with each new book. Mr. Russell ranks among my favorite authors. Badge Bunny was a thoroughly enjoyable book.
July 1, 2018
Bunny
The book was exciting and dramatic. I can't believe John Lee is so awesome. Mr Russel holds my attention and always adds humor and a twist towards the end. Can't wait to read the next one.
The book was exciting and dramatic. I can't believe John Lee is so awesome. Mr Russel holds my attention and always adds humor and a twist towards the end. Can't wait to read the next one.
January 27, 2019
Great read...
I love the John Lee Quarrels books. The stories are great and I just keep reading, not doing things I should be doing! I just can't put the book down. Great story, good characters great writing! I would recommend these books to everyone.
I love the John Lee Quarrels books. The stories are great and I just keep reading, not doing things I should be doing! I just can't put the book down. Great story, good characters great writing! I would recommend these books to everyone.
April 15, 2022
Whoa! Talk about a big twist for a ending!
Loved this book, no matter who you think is the killer the author managed to throw a kink in the ending of this book! Loved it! Really enjoyed the series so far!
Loved this book, no matter who you think is the killer the author managed to throw a kink in the ending of this book! Loved it! Really enjoyed the series so far!
September 16, 2022
Recommended
I've read the 1st 3 books in 3 days. I do like this series. I swear though, 20% of each book states the same darn thing. How many times do we need the back stories of every character repeated?!
I've read the 1st 3 books in 3 days. I do like this series. I swear though, 20% of each book states the same darn thing. How many times do we need the back stories of every character repeated?!
December 20, 2023
time will tell, how true!
A really good tale of the good & the bad! Our hero rides the rails of good whether anyone else likes it or not. A fantastic surprise ending that is understandable.
A really good tale of the good & the bad! Our hero rides the rails of good whether anyone else likes it or not. A fantastic surprise ending that is understandable.
February 21, 2025
John Lee police problems
There are so many bad cops in this world, that it’s good to read about some good ones. Maddy is still trying hard to get John Lee to wake up.
Enjoy this story as you try to figure out who the killer really is. I bet you won’t figure it out!
There are so many bad cops in this world, that it’s good to read about some good ones. Maddy is still trying hard to get John Lee to wake up.
Enjoy this story as you try to figure out who the killer really is. I bet you won’t figure it out!
July 1, 2025
A Badge to a Dead End.
Just when you think you could figure out happed, BOOM! the Sky falls in on top of you. Nick Russell the master of twisting stories. Thanks again for a great cliffhanger.
Just when you think you could figure out happed, BOOM! the Sky falls in on top of you. Nick Russell the master of twisting stories. Thanks again for a great cliffhanger.
December 12, 2017
Great book.
Very good book. Am loving this author. I have a hard time putting his books down. They have me hooked from page one.
Very good book. Am loving this author. I have a hard time putting his books down. They have me hooked from page one.
December 14, 2017
John Lee triumphs again
This character is growing on me. Each book (this is the third) is better than the last. Read them in order, because there is relevant history.
This character is growing on me. Each book (this is the third) is better than the last. Read them in order, because there is relevant history.
February 12, 2018
A good book in the series, recommend consideration.
June 11, 2018
Entertaining
I was pleased with the book. It was about what I expected having read two other books in the series
I was pleased with the book. It was about what I expected having read two other books in the series
August 10, 2018
Badge Bunny
Great " who done it ". Awesome characters, in a small town, with a lot of drama and lots of secrets... This mystery will keep you reading, with a surprise ending.
Great " who done it ". Awesome characters, in a small town, with a lot of drama and lots of secrets... This mystery will keep you reading, with a surprise ending.
November 21, 2018
Great
I'm reading all of the books I can find by Mr. Russell. He is a too notch author and his books are well written and interesting.
I'm reading all of the books I can find by Mr. Russell. He is a too notch author and his books are well written and interesting.
December 30, 2018
就是找一个失踪的妹子，还要搞死人，并留下这许多心理阴影。每本重复的内容太多了点
December 18, 2019
Keep them coming Nick.
May 29, 2020
These books are kind of sassy but super funny also. I am truly enjoying this series.
December 3, 2021
In Love With Deputy Lee
What a fun series to read. As I approach Book 4 all I can say is, "thank you sir (Nick Russell) may I have another!"
What a fun series to read. As I approach Book 4 all I can say is, "thank you sir (Nick Russell) may I have another!"
Read
November 12, 2023Total Suprised
This book was really was a total surprise . Very exciting in to read and kept you in suspence and not wanting to set the book down
This book was really was a total surprise . Very exciting in to read and kept you in suspence and not wanting to set the book down
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews