Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stillborn Armadillos | 2016 | Nick Russell | Buy |
| 2 | The Gecko in the Corner | 2017 | Nick Russell | Buy |
| 3 | Badge Bunny | 2018 | Nick Russell | Buy |
| 4 | Mullets and Man Buns | 2018 | Nick Russell | Buy |
| 5 | Strawberry Slugbug | 2018 | Nick Russell | Buy |
| 6 | Sweet Tea And Jesus | 2019 | Nick Russell | Buy |
| 7 | Dead Romeos | 2019 | Nick Russell | Buy |
| 8 | The Road To Wrinkle Ranch | 2020 | Nick Russell | Buy |
| 9 | Fresh Out Of Mojo | 2021 | Nick Russell | Buy |
| 10 | Ka-Bar Karma | 2021 | Nick Russell | Buy |
| 11 | Pucker Factor | 2022 | Nick Russell | Buy |
| 12 | Jackpot | 2023 | Nick Russell | Buy |
| 13 | The Ballad of John Lee | 2025 | Nick Russell | Buy |
The John Lee Quarrels series runs thirteen books from 2016 to 2025 and is set in rural Florida. The series follows a local lawman through cases that are often as funny as they are criminal. The titles reflect the tone: Stillborn Armadillos, Mullets and Man Buns, Strawberry Slugbug, and Fresh Out Of Mojo suggest a world where crime comes with a healthy dose of absurdity.
Nick Russell uses the Florida setting to full effect, populating the series with eccentric characters and situations that could only happen in the rural South. John Lee Quarrels holds the books together as a capable but exasperated protagonist trying to maintain order in a community that seems determined to create chaos. The humor never completely overwhelms the mystery plotting, and the series balances its comedic elements with genuine crime stories.
The Ballad of John Lee, published in 2025, is the most recent entry. Russell has maintained a consistent publication schedule throughout the series, and the books have developed a following among readers who appreciate mystery fiction that does not take itself too seriously.