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John Lee Quarrels #5
Strawberry Slugbug
Looking back on all of it later, Somerton County Deputy John Lee Quarrels couldn't help but wonder what quirk of fate, stretching back more than 80 years, would connect three Depression-era outlaws with another man born long after their crime spree was over with. A man who would be on the run from the police for more than 50 years himself. And how the things they did so long ago would end with a modern-day kidnapping that lead directly to him. Newspaper reporter Dixie Landrum was a well-grounded woman with just two passions in her life, her job at the weekly Somerton County News, and her three dogs. So when Dixie didn’t show up for work and it was discovered that she had not been around to take care of her animals, deputies John Lee Quarrels and Maddy Westfall knew something was terribly wrong. Their search for their friend would lead them down every back road and rough two-track trail in the county. Along the way they would encounter a country storekeeper who was fascinated by conspiracy theories and had a disgusting hobby, rednecks with bad attitudes, corrupt cops, and a fugitive on the run from a crime committed half a century ago. By the time it was all over, Somerton County would lose its innocence and things would never be the same for John Lee and Maddy. 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 fifth book in New York Times bestselling author Nick Russell’s John Lee Quarrels series is sure to hook you from the first page and keep you reading late into the night! *This book contains strong language and adult situations some readers might find objectionable*
- GenresMystery
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2018
613 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 26, 2025
John Lee sure does have a way with women or a way of stepping into it with women. Goodness! I just want to shake him sometimes. Besides that melodrama, there was a lot of interesting police work going on. And of course the back and forth with Flag and D.W. I really dislike Flag and his cronies. Yuck! Another good addition to the series.
March 19, 2022
This rating is based on the same story from his previous books but this time with different characters. Once again, a story about the love life of John Lee Quarrels. Very little about the mystery of the missing woman. But this time, at least, the "bad guy" was a suspect that was investigated in the last couple of chapters of the book rather than a non character thrown into the book in the last chapter.
I do wish that Nick Russell would learn the proper conjugation of the verb "lie," as in lie, lay, lain. Especially if he takes so many women to bed. When he says "lay down on the bed" I see him putting a bunch of goose feathers on the bed.
I'm going to try one more to see if the pattern continues. If it does, Mr. Russell is going to get one star because there are zero stars for rating.
Ed
I do wish that Nick Russell would learn the proper conjugation of the verb "lie," as in lie, lay, lain. Especially if he takes so many women to bed. When he says "lay down on the bed" I see him putting a bunch of goose feathers on the bed.
I'm going to try one more to see if the pattern continues. If it does, Mr. Russell is going to get one star because there are zero stars for rating.
Ed
October 5, 2022
Editing, does no one know how to edit???
Okay, as far as editing goes, it just seems to get worse. Probably due to the great indoctrination instead of an education do you think. Words are left out of sentences, wrong tenses and the list goes on.
Then, I do not like the interplay between Maddy and John Lee. I mean no one is as emotionally stunted and immature as you portray John Lee -- oh, I left out dense, he is not a pimple faced, ignorant teenager. Really, really poor interplay there.
Okay, as far as editing goes, it just seems to get worse. Probably due to the great indoctrination instead of an education do you think. Words are left out of sentences, wrong tenses and the list goes on.
Then, I do not like the interplay between Maddy and John Lee. I mean no one is as emotionally stunted and immature as you portray John Lee -- oh, I left out dense, he is not a pimple faced, ignorant teenager. Really, really poor interplay there.
March 3, 2019
Great book..Love the writing
If you like down to earth characters, easy, normal and somewhat southern dialog, you will love this book. You will be hooked so go back and start with book 1 , you will enjoy it and the characters and by the time you will book 5 you will be hunting to know when 6 is due out. The hardest part of reading these books, you can not put them down!!!!!!!!
If you like down to earth characters, easy, normal and somewhat southern dialog, you will love this book. You will be hooked so go back and start with book 1 , you will enjoy it and the characters and by the time you will book 5 you will be hunting to know when 6 is due out. The hardest part of reading these books, you can not put them down!!!!!!!!
November 9, 2018
Read all his books
I've read every book this great author has written. You need to read the first four of this series, they are all great. You feel like you are right there with John Lee, trying to solve the mystery/crime. As always great characters !
Keep writing Mr Russell. I will be ready to read... 😊
I've read every book this great author has written. You need to read the first four of this series, they are all great. You feel like you are right there with John Lee, trying to solve the mystery/crime. As always great characters !
Keep writing Mr Russell. I will be ready to read... 😊
January 22, 2019
Awesome😀
I absolutely love this series. The characters are so realistic and the story line is always interesting but believable. I can't wait til the next book in the series comes out!
I absolutely love this series. The characters are so realistic and the story line is always interesting but believable. I can't wait til the next book in the series comes out!
July 30, 2019
Great book
This book as all of his books is good reading. Just a page turned. This one was a little more graphic in nature but still holds your attention with the way he writes. Close real easy.
This book as all of his books is good reading. Just a page turned. This one was a little more graphic in nature but still holds your attention with the way he writes. Close real easy.
December 21, 2024
The John Lee Quarrels series is an outstanding series. Every book seems to have gotten better as the series progressed. I am surely looking forward to see what the rest of the series has to offer. Thank you, Mr. Russell.
February 26, 2025
is it just a story?
Another very exciting book from cover to cover. I was hoping Maddie could find happiness,but life is what it is.
Now Flag Newton can drop dead and I’d be happy.
I know you will enjoy this thriller!
Another very exciting book from cover to cover. I was hoping Maddie could find happiness,but life is what it is.
Now Flag Newton can drop dead and I’d be happy.
I know you will enjoy this thriller!
March 9, 2025
Very entertaining books!
The writing of these books, following a great story line, is excellent and, if you like the genre, they make you want to read the rest of the books in the series.
The writing of these books, following a great story line, is excellent and, if you like the genre, they make you want to read the rest of the books in the series.
July 6, 2025
Strawberry Fields and No More Maddy
Thankfully the news was good about the missing strawberry girl. Finally the inevitable happened Flag and Maddy are gone.
Life goes on even if the future is cloudy.
Thankfully the news was good about the missing strawberry girl. Finally the inevitable happened Flag and Maddy are gone.
Life goes on even if the future is cloudy.
October 8, 2018
Always a good read.
Nick Russell always draws you in with his graphic descriptive writing. You feel like you are right there seeing exactly what the characters are seeing.
Nick Russell always draws you in with his graphic descriptive writing. You feel like you are right there seeing exactly what the characters are seeing.
November 28, 2018
Another fine entry
Nick Russell is a master storyteller and if you aren’t reading his work you are missing out. Keep them coming
Nick Russell is a master storyteller and if you aren’t reading his work you are missing out. Keep them coming
December 9, 2018
Best John Lee Quarrels to date and they have all been 5 Stars.
February 14, 2019
Great Book.
This is another great book. I love the characters and would recommend to others. Can't wait for the next book.
This is another great book. I love the characters and would recommend to others. Can't wait for the next book.
April 3, 2019
Florida should feel lucky to have the adventures of the mind's eye from Nick Russell explore the small town countryside of Somerton County. No page should go unturned in this great read.
June 25, 2019
XLNT!!!!!
Always the best series.....who doesn't love John Lee? Moving on to #6 for more of Quarrels saga!! I'm hoping Maddy wins her man👍💃
Always the best series.....who doesn't love John Lee? Moving on to #6 for more of Quarrels saga!! I'm hoping Maddy wins her man👍💃
April 15, 2022
Great storyline
I love this series, but I'm sure not happy with the way it ended! Oh I know, the author knows what will happen in the next books, but I can only read so fast!
I love this series, but I'm sure not happy with the way it ended! Oh I know, the author knows what will happen in the next books, but I can only read so fast!
January 30, 2023
good read
July 18, 2023
GERALD BISHOP WAS A TERRIBLE PERSON BUT I COULDN'T HELP BUT FEEL SORRY FOR HIM, KNOW I SHOULDN'T. JOHN LEE IS ALWAYS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FEMALES AND ITS GETTING ON MY NERVES. GRRRR! ;D
February 28, 2024
Strawberry Slugbug by Nick Russell
Quite interesting. This is the fifth in John Lee series that I have read. Compared to the previous four, there was less action in this story.
Quite interesting. This is the fifth in John Lee series that I have read. Compared to the previous four, there was less action in this story.
December 14, 2024
Really like this series. Quit being a jerk John Lee and take Maddy up.
October 12, 2018
Always a winner
I would recommend any of Nick Russells books but I am truly partial to John Lee Quarrels series. Shoot, I like the Big Lake series too.
Slugbug was a good story. John Lee, Maddie and the sheriff's office are looking for their friend and newspaper reporter. I enjoyed the characters and the interaction with each other. I'm going to tell you there is some strong language, uncomfortable scenes but this is part of the story, the Times and location of the book. I hope you don't let it cause you to miss a good series.
I would recommend any of Nick Russells books but I am truly partial to John Lee Quarrels series. Shoot, I like the Big Lake series too.
Slugbug was a good story. John Lee, Maddie and the sheriff's office are looking for their friend and newspaper reporter. I enjoyed the characters and the interaction with each other. I'm going to tell you there is some strong language, uncomfortable scenes but this is part of the story, the Times and location of the book. I hope you don't let it cause you to miss a good series.
February 23, 2023
I really enjoy these characters and their adventures, the changing relationships between them. Happy to see Maddy quit whining and get on with it. On to the next one.
April 17, 2024
Reread April 2024!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews