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John Lee Quarrels #7
Dead Romeos
Somebody is killing old men in Somerton County. Stalking and killing them in the most horrific way. The first to fall was Wilbur Forbes, murdered in his own garage in the middle of the afternoon. As Deputy John Lee Quarrels and the rest of the Somerton County Sheriff’s Department investigate the gruesome crime, the people around town are talking about a maniac passing through, putting everybody’s lives in danger. When another man falls victim to the same fate, panic sets in. People are pulling shotguns from closets and handguns from dresser drawers, keeping them loaded and available.
When John Lee discovers that the two dead men were lifelong friends and part of an informal group calling themselves the Romeos, he looks for any connection that might lead him to the murderer. When yet another member of the Romeos is slain, panic sets in throughout the county. People are shooting at strange sounds in the night, reporting suspicious cars driving down the road, and some are taking advantage of the situation to settle old scores.
While all of this is going on, Maddy Westfall is still recovering from the savage attack that changed her life and ended with the deaths of her abusers. Dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and seeing no way out of the mental hell she is imprisoned in, she seeks solace in a bottle. When that doesn’t help, she sits in the dark with a gun to her head, looking for a final escape. Can John Lee and her trusted friends pull her back from the precipice before it’s too late?
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, Dead Romeos, the seventh 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.
When John Lee discovers that the two dead men were lifelong friends and part of an informal group calling themselves the Romeos, he looks for any connection that might lead him to the murderer. When yet another member of the Romeos is slain, panic sets in throughout the county. People are shooting at strange sounds in the night, reporting suspicious cars driving down the road, and some are taking advantage of the situation to settle old scores.
While all of this is going on, Maddy Westfall is still recovering from the savage attack that changed her life and ended with the deaths of her abusers. Dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and seeing no way out of the mental hell she is imprisoned in, she seeks solace in a bottle. When that doesn’t help, she sits in the dark with a gun to her head, looking for a final escape. Can John Lee and her trusted friends pull her back from the precipice before it’s too late?
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, Dead Romeos, the seventh 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.
- GenresMystery
260 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 28, 2019
487 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 19, 2019
Nick Russell is very good at letting you know exactly what someone is like without spending a lot of time and words doing it. Sometimes it’s just something said; other times, it might be a short anecdote about the person. When you read a book in this series or in his Big Lake series, it’s like you’re back among friends and neighbors - people you know. I like that feeling. I was a military brat, then in the military myself; 3 years was the most I ever spent in 1 place and I never had a classmate or neighbor more than a year or so. So for me, Nick’s books are more than just mysteries, they’re about small town life - something I wouldn’t have minded trying. Plus I like John Lee because my middle name is also Lee. But mainly I like these books because they are good mysteries. Like in this book, there are a lot of things going on, but the needed clue doesn’t show up until near the end. And then all the pieces fall into place.
October 10, 2022
Good grief, do some editing!
In this day and age there is no excuse for bad or nonexistent editing. I realize we are living with the results of indoctrination instead of education, but really now, that is really no excuse. I wonder if this author even reads his own work so that he can self correct the glaring errors on what seems to be almost every page prior to having someone do a final edit.
That Being said, the side story is being drawn out a tad to long. It does not enhance the story line -- it is just filler to add in the number of words that evidently are required. The premise for this book is not done in a thoughtful way in my opinion and for such an important topic could have been handled better.
In this day and age there is no excuse for bad or nonexistent editing. I realize we are living with the results of indoctrination instead of education, but really now, that is really no excuse. I wonder if this author even reads his own work so that he can self correct the glaring errors on what seems to be almost every page prior to having someone do a final edit.
That Being said, the side story is being drawn out a tad to long. It does not enhance the story line -- it is just filler to add in the number of words that evidently are required. The premise for this book is not done in a thoughtful way in my opinion and for such an important topic could have been handled better.
April 5, 2022
Thanks Mr. Russell for another great mystery
I like this book because I love detective/cops mystery’s and mr Russell is one of the best writers I’ve had the pleasure to follow and read his books. I recommend this book to all mystery loving fans and friends. I have to give it 5 stars because it keeps me reading and not being able to get much sleep till I’m finished. Thank you mr Russell.
I like this book because I love detective/cops mystery’s and mr Russell is one of the best writers I’ve had the pleasure to follow and read his books. I recommend this book to all mystery loving fans and friends. I have to give it 5 stars because it keeps me reading and not being able to get much sleep till I’m finished. Thank you mr Russell.
Read
March 8, 2023I enjoy almost everything in this series, even the dog. SPOILER! However the rape scene was a little too graphic, too lengthy and too harsh. It is definitely understandable that Maddie be traumatized by the event. However, I am concerned that now that John Lee has FINALLY admitted his love, she is so damaged that they will still not get together and open the door for the new blond. I'm taking a break and switching back to Larry Macklin.
January 14, 2024
There are basically just two things you need to know about this book; It is another John Lee page turner, and a lot of its focus is on Maddy. Considering everything Maddy has been through, this is quite fitting. As for the title, it refers to a bunch of old men, friends since childhood, who someone apparently wants dead. Even the FDLE can't find any clues.
March 13, 2020
Wow
Nick has taken Maddy to new depth. For a man he has written a very believable story line for Maddy. John Lee is always entertaining. I recommend this read, a person could almost read this as a stand alone.
Nick has taken Maddy to new depth. For a man he has written a very believable story line for Maddy. John Lee is always entertaining. I recommend this read, a person could almost read this as a stand alone.
March 7, 2024
Dead Romeos by Nick Russell
Once again, as with previous six that I have read, interesting crime novel. It was fortuitous that John Lee solves the absolutely clueless situation associated with multiple murders by looking at a pretty old photograph and takes out the perp.
Once again, as with previous six that I have read, interesting crime novel. It was fortuitous that John Lee solves the absolutely clueless situation associated with multiple murders by looking at a pretty old photograph and takes out the perp.
March 4, 2025
to much drama
It’s bad enough Maddie was raped in you last book! But to see how hard things are still for her is just terrible! Skip ahead and put this nightmare behind us! Not one of my favorite in this series!
It’s bad enough Maddie was raped in you last book! But to see how hard things are still for her is just terrible! Skip ahead and put this nightmare behind us! Not one of my favorite in this series!
March 30, 2020
It was good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2020
Great
Fantastic, In my mind I was trying to think why everyone was being killed. For somereason I guess innocent mind. I didnot think of that one!!
Fantastic, In my mind I was trying to think why everyone was being killed. For somereason I guess innocent mind. I didnot think of that one!!
January 3, 2021
Took me awhile to get the motive but the penny finally dropped.
April 16, 2022
Another awesome story!
Once again this series has given a great story! Loved the result of Maddy's PTSD! It's a long process but nice to see progress. Great writing!
Once again this series has given a great story! Loved the result of Maddy's PTSD! It's a long process but nice to see progress. Great writing!
July 18, 2023
I WISH JOHN & MADDIE WOULD EITHER GET TOGETHER OR JUST END IT. I'M REALLY SICK OF JOHN LEE AND ALL HIS WOMEN PROBLEMS TO. BUT IN SPITE OF ALL THIS I STILL LOVE THE SERIES. LOL. ;D
December 19, 2023
Old friends
Very surprising ending. The murder was not who I expected. And getting Maddy back on a recovery track was nice.
Very surprising ending. The murder was not who I expected. And getting Maddy back on a recovery track was nice.
March 7, 2024
Another fantastic mystery!
I've stated before that I just can't put these down. Great stories and one really never knows who did what until it's let known.
I've stated before that I just can't put these down. Great stories and one really never knows who did what until it's let known.
March 11, 2024
Excellent
I'm truly enjoying this. series My only complaint is the grammatical errors that constantly appear. You need a new proofreader.
I'm truly enjoying this. series My only complaint is the grammatical errors that constantly appear. You need a new proofreader.
December 17, 2024
Can’t wait to read the next book in this series!
July 10, 2025
The Axe of Time
Once again I did not see the ending as it happened. I have become quite enamored with Nick Russell’s ability to twist a story into a great read, Thanks.
Once again I did not see the ending as it happened. I have become quite enamored with Nick Russell’s ability to twist a story into a great read, Thanks.
October 5, 2019
Dead Romeos (Retired Old Men Eating Out) - what a great name for Nick Russell's latest John Lee Quarrels and Maddy Westfall murder-mystery-adventure. The story line is oddly twisted and very entertaining. Underneath the off-beat humor is fear, sadness, and anger. Savagely attacked in the previous book, Sweet Tea and Jesus, Maddy Westfall begins to cope with the horrific emotional trauma. It's a great series. I highly recommend anything Nick Russell writes. Cheers Lynda L. Lock (Isla Mujeres Mystery series)
October 19, 2019
Always a good read
Mr. Russell grabs your attention right away from page one. He draws the mystery out for the whole book but you never lose interest. You never get bored with the story like with some books. He feeds you little tidbits of stories in between. Then when it's over you didn't see it coming . John Lee Quarrels books may be my favorite. I can't wait for the next one.
Mr. Russell grabs your attention right away from page one. He draws the mystery out for the whole book but you never lose interest. You never get bored with the story like with some books. He feeds you little tidbits of stories in between. Then when it's over you didn't see it coming . John Lee Quarrels books may be my favorite. I can't wait for the next one.
October 1, 2019
Maybe the best of this series
I have to admit, it took me a while to get into this series by Nick Russell. Unlike the Big Lake books, I didn’t warm to John Lee right away. But this book did it. I’m definitely hooked now!
I have to admit, it took me a while to get into this series by Nick Russell. Unlike the Big Lake books, I didn’t warm to John Lee right away. But this book did it. I’m definitely hooked now!
October 3, 2019
Story kept me glued to the book!
I really enjoyed this book. I could hardly put the book down. I enjoy reading the series of books, as I enjoy keeping up with the main characters. Good job Nick!
I really enjoyed this book. I could hardly put the book down. I enjoy reading the series of books, as I enjoy keeping up with the main characters. Good job Nick!
October 4, 2019
Wow didn't see that coming
Another great book from Nick Russell. 2 stories in one. Racey but not raunchy. Took me a minute to remember what happened in the last story but you wove it in so I didn't have to re-read to remember.
Great job
Another great book from Nick Russell. 2 stories in one. Racey but not raunchy. Took me a minute to remember what happened in the last story but you wove it in so I didn't have to re-read to remember.
Great job
October 27, 2019
OK
Maddie is recovering slowly. Someone is killing old men with an ax. I was pretty sure why, by the talk the murderer had with his victim. It is slow moving, and to much talk about sex.
Maddie is recovering slowly. Someone is killing old men with an ax. I was pretty sure why, by the talk the murderer had with his victim. It is slow moving, and to much talk about sex.
October 29, 2019
Another great story
Nick has a way of telling a story that keeps glued to the pages to the very ending
Nick his more than a great writer he is a gifted writer
I enjoy the John Lee stories but absolutely love the big lake series
Keep them coming Nick
Nick has a way of telling a story that keeps glued to the pages to the very ending
Nick his more than a great writer he is a gifted writer
I enjoy the John Lee stories but absolutely love the big lake series
Keep them coming Nick
October 30, 2019
Terrific
Nick Russell knows how to spin a good tale and this is another fine entry in the series. Well done!
Nick Russell knows how to spin a good tale and this is another fine entry in the series. Well done!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews