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Kate Fox #8
Bull's Eye
Was his death a tragic accident—or a murder in cold blood? Caught between juggling her dysfunctional family and a looming recall election, Sheriff Kate Fox feels like she’s on a bucking bronc with one hand stuck in the air. When a top bull breeder is mauled to death at a rodeo, Kate quickly realizes that this so-called accident hides a much darker truth. Dropped from the case to protect her upcoming election bid, Kate is forced to cowboy off on her own when she fears the victim’s wife is being targeted unfairly. After her snooping reveals a list of shady suspects, each with their own reason to want the victim dead, Kate finds herself caught up in a deadly web of lies and fraud at the heart of the competitive world of rodeo. But when her investigation takes a terrifying turn, Kate starts to question everything. How deep does the corruption go? And who will be left standing when the dust finally settles?
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 9, 2024
1448 people are currently reading
1074 people want to read
About the author
Shannon Baker
36 books270 followersShannon Baker writes mysteries about strong women in dangerous situations. Her books are set in the iconic landscapes of the American West, from the Colorado Rockies to the Nebraska prairies, to the deserts of southern Arizona. Baker spent 20 years in the Nebraska Sandhills, where cattle outnumber people by more than 50:1, and too few years living on Colorado’s front range. Her dark suspense, The Desert Behind Me, is a 2019 Winner of the New Mexico/Arizona Book Award.
Seconds before quitting writing forever and taking up competitive drinking, Shannon was voted Rocky Mountain Fiction Writer’s 2014 Writer of the Year and, buoyed with that confidence, continued to write, earning another RMFW Writer of the Year nod in 2017-18. Shannon makes her home in Tucson where she enjoys cocktails by the pool, breathtaking sunsets, a crazy Weimaraner, and killing people (in the pages of her books).
A lover of the outdoors, she can be found backpacking in the Rockies, traipsing to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, skiing mountains and plains, kayaking lakes, river running, hiking, cycling, and scuba diving whenever she gets the chance. Arizona sunsets notwithstanding, Baker is, and always will be, a Nebraska Husker, heartbreaking as the last two decades have been. Go Big Red.
Seconds before quitting writing forever and taking up competitive drinking, Shannon was voted Rocky Mountain Fiction Writer’s 2014 Writer of the Year and, buoyed with that confidence, continued to write, earning another RMFW Writer of the Year nod in 2017-18. Shannon makes her home in Tucson where she enjoys cocktails by the pool, breathtaking sunsets, a crazy Weimaraner, and killing people (in the pages of her books).
A lover of the outdoors, she can be found backpacking in the Rockies, traipsing to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, skiing mountains and plains, kayaking lakes, river running, hiking, cycling, and scuba diving whenever she gets the chance. Arizona sunsets notwithstanding, Baker is, and always will be, a Nebraska Husker, heartbreaking as the last two decades have been. Go Big Red.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
December 28, 2023
"Bull's Eye (Kate Fox #8)" by Shannon Baker is my first experience with a Baker novel. I won this Kindle version through Goodreads, and once again, I am appreciative. Though we are not required to review the books we win copies of, I would love to leave one.
After reading the 8th book in a series, I missed some things. While it can be a stand-alone, I highly recommend doing what I'm about to do and starting with the first in the series. This tells you that I think highly enough of the book to return to the beginning to read from there.
TV and streaming channels have inundated the industry with many TV shows and movies in the "Western" style. I can appreciate a book that takes me back to that setting. It gives me that "Big Sky" feeling, and I am pleased. This is a brilliant introduction to the world of rodeos. I grew up attending rodeos. This is one reason why I found this book particularly engaging.
The book is paced perfectly. This book meets all the criteria for a phenomenal murder mystery ... tension at the office, a gruesome murder, conspiracies, many shady suspects, politics, danger, and more. I think this would make another popular TV series. I highly recommend this book to those interested in murder mysteries, rodeos, and drama.
After reading the 8th book in a series, I missed some things. While it can be a stand-alone, I highly recommend doing what I'm about to do and starting with the first in the series. This tells you that I think highly enough of the book to return to the beginning to read from there.
TV and streaming channels have inundated the industry with many TV shows and movies in the "Western" style. I can appreciate a book that takes me back to that setting. It gives me that "Big Sky" feeling, and I am pleased. This is a brilliant introduction to the world of rodeos. I grew up attending rodeos. This is one reason why I found this book particularly engaging.
The book is paced perfectly. This book meets all the criteria for a phenomenal murder mystery ... tension at the office, a gruesome murder, conspiracies, many shady suspects, politics, danger, and more. I think this would make another popular TV series. I highly recommend this book to those interested in murder mysteries, rodeos, and drama.
January 10, 2024
Book 8 in a series but my first for both the Kate Fox stories and with author, Shannon Baker.
Perhaps not reading the first volume or two put me at a disadvantage. I found this story was too heavily focused on family and not nearly enough on the murder/mystery.
Kate has LOTS of siblings, a mostly miserable bunch that were difficult to care about. She should have locked the whole bunch of them up; tossed the key. People from the town seemed flat and undeveloped which could also be related to not having read earlier books.
Rodeo and bull information was interesting but there wasn’t much of it. Descriptive prose isn’t this author’s strong point. Dialogue drives the story and it is well written.
Written for adult readers who are interested in rodeos, westerns and mysteries but are highly inundated by family📚
Read and Reviewed from a Publishers Weekly Grab A Galley eARC and Severn Publishing with thanks
Perhaps not reading the first volume or two put me at a disadvantage. I found this story was too heavily focused on family and not nearly enough on the murder/mystery.
Kate has LOTS of siblings, a mostly miserable bunch that were difficult to care about. She should have locked the whole bunch of them up; tossed the key. People from the town seemed flat and undeveloped which could also be related to not having read earlier books.
Rodeo and bull information was interesting but there wasn’t much of it. Descriptive prose isn’t this author’s strong point. Dialogue drives the story and it is well written.
Written for adult readers who are interested in rodeos, westerns and mysteries but are highly inundated by family📚
Read and Reviewed from a Publishers Weekly Grab A Galley eARC and Severn Publishing with thanks
December 26, 2023
The is the 8th book in the series and I could feel that. Having not read any previous installments of this early review copy there we events and relationships eluded to that I had to guess at, but it didn’t prevent the story from being able to be read as a standalone. The characters were interesting although sometimes the sibling conflicts felt a bit forced. If I had problems it was with the plot, which at times seemed to dangle a few too many red herrings that sent our protagonist skittering off unconvincingly. Otherwise, this was a fun read and if you are invested in this series it will probably satisfy you as a new installment.
September 5, 2024
Easy to read drama!
In this book, several of Katie’s friends start a campaign to recall her from her post as sheriff. They wanted her to return to ranching. I thought that Katie made a wonderful sheriff for a county huge in size but tiny in population. Such is life in the Sandhills of Nebraska!
In this book, several of Katie’s friends start a campaign to recall her from her post as sheriff. They wanted her to return to ranching. I thought that Katie made a wonderful sheriff for a county huge in size but tiny in population. Such is life in the Sandhills of Nebraska!
February 11, 2024
I’ve read several books in this series. The story is set in Nebraska. The main character is part of a big family. Interesting!
January 3, 2024
I received an ARC through "Sewvern Publishing" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
The story begins with Kate at the county rodeo. As it gets times for sheep riding, a large bull gets loose and enters the arena where a young boy has just entered. Seeing the bull, Kate needs to get the young boy to safety quickly. She just barely manges to avoid the bull charge. Later, the owner of that same bull is found dead in the bull's trailer. All indications seem to suggest that that the bull was responsible. Later it was determined that the owner, Dwayne, was killed.
The next day, Kate hears from Trey, a member of the state police, that Dwayne was murdered. He told Kate to stay away from the case becuse she was facing a recall as well as she missed seeing the death as a murder. Kate initially was going to stay away from investigating, but she learned that Dwayne's wife Kaisey was the key suspect. Kate believed that Kaisey was not responsible. As she was investigating, she discovered a lot of individuals had reason to kill Dwayne. Kate's brother Michael was mentioned by several people as having a possible role.
Kate finally came to a conclusion who was responsible and proceeded to chase after her. Once she arrested her, she handed her off to Trey. Based on a feeling, she raced back into town believing one of her family was in trouble.
To discover who killed Dwayne, what Michael's role in the case was and how everything worked out in the end, then you need to read this book.
The story begins with Kate at the county rodeo. As it gets times for sheep riding, a large bull gets loose and enters the arena where a young boy has just entered. Seeing the bull, Kate needs to get the young boy to safety quickly. She just barely manges to avoid the bull charge. Later, the owner of that same bull is found dead in the bull's trailer. All indications seem to suggest that that the bull was responsible. Later it was determined that the owner, Dwayne, was killed.
The next day, Kate hears from Trey, a member of the state police, that Dwayne was murdered. He told Kate to stay away from the case becuse she was facing a recall as well as she missed seeing the death as a murder. Kate initially was going to stay away from investigating, but she learned that Dwayne's wife Kaisey was the key suspect. Kate believed that Kaisey was not responsible. As she was investigating, she discovered a lot of individuals had reason to kill Dwayne. Kate's brother Michael was mentioned by several people as having a possible role.
Kate finally came to a conclusion who was responsible and proceeded to chase after her. Once she arrested her, she handed her off to Trey. Based on a feeling, she raced back into town believing one of her family was in trouble.
To discover who killed Dwayne, what Michael's role in the case was and how everything worked out in the end, then you need to read this book.
January 5, 2024
Can karma arrive in the shape of a bull, or an auto-gate?
Bull’s Eye the eight Kate Fox story begins to expose more cracks in the Fox family as well as some of the other characters we have gotten to know through the first seven stories. The underlying reason for the recall is provided by a source who should be obvious, but in some ways seems the most unlikely. And when it comes to dear old Ted, let’s just say leopards never change their spots.
Along with a suspected murder and family issues that go deeper than the recall election this story takes its reader all over the county as Kate juggles a case that isn’t hers to work, family situations that are at a breaking point, and an attempt at finding a personal life.
If you have been reading this series, Bull’s Eye is a must read, if you have just discovered this series do yourself a favor and start at Stripped Bare, book 1 – without the backstory on all these characters, especially the Fox clan this story won’t be as good as it would be knowing the “whole story.”
I received an advance reader copy of Bull’s Eye from the publisher and chose to provide my review.
Bull’s Eye the eight Kate Fox story begins to expose more cracks in the Fox family as well as some of the other characters we have gotten to know through the first seven stories. The underlying reason for the recall is provided by a source who should be obvious, but in some ways seems the most unlikely. And when it comes to dear old Ted, let’s just say leopards never change their spots.
Along with a suspected murder and family issues that go deeper than the recall election this story takes its reader all over the county as Kate juggles a case that isn’t hers to work, family situations that are at a breaking point, and an attempt at finding a personal life.
If you have been reading this series, Bull’s Eye is a must read, if you have just discovered this series do yourself a favor and start at Stripped Bare, book 1 – without the backstory on all these characters, especially the Fox clan this story won’t be as good as it would be knowing the “whole story.”
I received an advance reader copy of Bull’s Eye from the publisher and chose to provide my review.
June 2, 2024
A local bull breeder is found dead at the annual rodeo in the Nebraska Sandhills Sheriff Kate Fox ends up in the middle of an investigation when it looks like it might not have been and accident but murder. Kate is removed from the investigation due to a recall petition filed against her by her sister but she ends up investigating on her own trying to keep it secret from the State Patrol investigator who is also her friend. Building on the history of the characters in a fictional western Nebraska town and county there are a lot of plots intertwining involving the murder, local politics, family legacy and family strife, local gossip, romance, and revenge which sounds like a lot but is well woven into the story as the plot moves along. I enjoyed the sandhills ranch country setting and the characters received a free Digital copy of this novel from the publisher. I would rate this book 3.5 stars if Goodreads allowed half stars.
January 7, 2024
This is the eighth book in the Kate Fox series. It isn’t necessary to have read previous books because there is a fully developed murder investigation, but to really get a feel for the character dynamics and their underlying story arc, starting from the beginning will give a more enjoyable reading experience. If you’re looking for a straight up police procedural/murder investigation, you won’t find that in this book, or in the series for that matter. Kate’s personal life and family dynamics play a pivotal role and sometimes overshadow the mystery. Even though I often find myself getting frustrated with the characters and their actions, I really do enjoy this series. Maybe those personal dynamics are a big part of my reading enjoyment even as I yell at my Kindle! 😂
January 9, 2024
Sheriff Kate Fox is in turmoil.
Her sister filled for a recall election, which divides the family. And what does Kate really want of life?
During a rodeo a local bull breeder gets trampled to death by his bull in the trailer. Tragic accident? All points to an accident, but someone complains to the State Police claiming that it was murder and that takes Kate of the case in the hands for Trey who tells her that she is off the case, and especially because of the recall to not interfere.
The wife is the prime suspect but could she really have killed her husband. Not one to sit still and look on Kate gets involved,…
As always a great read! Looking forward to what the future holds for Kate Fox.
Her sister filled for a recall election, which divides the family. And what does Kate really want of life?
During a rodeo a local bull breeder gets trampled to death by his bull in the trailer. Tragic accident? All points to an accident, but someone complains to the State Police claiming that it was murder and that takes Kate of the case in the hands for Trey who tells her that she is off the case, and especially because of the recall to not interfere.
The wife is the prime suspect but could she really have killed her husband. Not one to sit still and look on Kate gets involved,…
As always a great read! Looking forward to what the future holds for Kate Fox.
January 22, 2024
Book #8 of the Kate Fox Series
I really love the Kate Fox series and book #8 did not disappoint! Kate is the sheriff in town. Her job is in jeopardy due to a possible recall led by her own sister. Her family seemed to be excluding her and stopped speaking to her except for her dad who was living with her.
At a rodeo, a tragic accident happened or was it murder? Kate in her usual fashion tries to get to the bottom of what really happened even though she was not officially part of the investigation. She digs deeper and finds answers along with a lot of the towns gossip. I highly recommend this series and can’t wait to read book #9.
I really love the Kate Fox series and book #8 did not disappoint! Kate is the sheriff in town. Her job is in jeopardy due to a possible recall led by her own sister. Her family seemed to be excluding her and stopped speaking to her except for her dad who was living with her.
At a rodeo, a tragic accident happened or was it murder? Kate in her usual fashion tries to get to the bottom of what really happened even though she was not officially part of the investigation. She digs deeper and finds answers along with a lot of the towns gossip. I highly recommend this series and can’t wait to read book #9.
December 13, 2023
Bullseye is the 8th book in the Kate Fox series.
I had really enjoyed this book almost as much as I had enjoyed the first book in the series, up until almost the end.
The author decided to bring back the one character that I was so glad to see written out of the storyline.
After that the story just flatlined for me and I really didn’t care if the murder gets solved or not.
This will be the last book in this series I read.
I will probably finish this one because I’m so close to the end of the story already.
I had really enjoyed this book almost as much as I had enjoyed the first book in the series, up until almost the end.
The author decided to bring back the one character that I was so glad to see written out of the storyline.
After that the story just flatlined for me and I really didn’t care if the murder gets solved or not.
This will be the last book in this series I read.
I will probably finish this one because I’m so close to the end of the story already.
January 6, 2024
This book is the 8th book in a series and the first book I have read from this author. While I think the book is ok as a stand alone, I do think it would help to have some background. Reading previous books in the series would help to give this book some context. There are lots and lots of characters to keep up with and sometimes that was confusing. The story was interesting and centered around the female sheriff and her latest case. The chapters are short and a quick read. Great read for a lazy weekend.
January 10, 2024
Having read the previous books in the series, sometimes, I had the impression I had already read this book, as it recapitulates Kate's past issues with family and friends. As the story progresses it brings in its main topic, a man has been killed and then viciously beaten by his bull. A lot of mystery and intrigue, including Kate's family, will take place until she is able to understand the killer's reasons for committing the crime and put them behind bars. Kate makes a good point upholding her position as the sheriff but at the same time reviews her life and feels lonesome. Good entertainment!
I thank Ms. Baker and her publisher for this ARC.
I thank Ms. Baker and her publisher for this ARC.
January 11, 2024
This is a fabulous series, which follows Sheriff Kate Fox as she solves crimes while dealing with her dysfunctional family. This time Kate is searching for the murderer of a bull breeder, while worrying about a recall election spearheaded by her family. The plot is delightfully twisty, the characters are exceptionally well developed and the storytelling is extremely skilled. Highly recommended! I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.
January 11, 2024
RE: I am furious
Why am I furious? I will tell you why. I am furious because in addition to the intricate storytelling Baker always provides, lovable characters (hell, I even liked Roxie a little in this one), and comedic relief peppering this story, as well as Kate’s continued evolution, Baker has left me STARVING for more. Yep, starving. She teases us with one of the things I have been DYING to see in the last couple sagas, and tease she does, expertly. I sincerely cannot wait for the next Kate Fox book.
Why am I furious? I will tell you why. I am furious because in addition to the intricate storytelling Baker always provides, lovable characters (hell, I even liked Roxie a little in this one), and comedic relief peppering this story, as well as Kate’s continued evolution, Baker has left me STARVING for more. Yep, starving. She teases us with one of the things I have been DYING to see in the last couple sagas, and tease she does, expertly. I sincerely cannot wait for the next Kate Fox book.
January 8, 2024
Bulls in the eye of a storm
Kate has her hands full with some of her siblings who don't want her to continue as Sheriff. Then a bull breeder gets gored by one of his bulls and Kate is made aware by another sheriff that it is not an accident but murder and he is now handling the case. A gripping thriller portraying the tenacity and dedication of Kate as she deals with fresh challenges and likely suspects as well as deception. The psyche of the killer is well defined.
Kate has her hands full with some of her siblings who don't want her to continue as Sheriff. Then a bull breeder gets gored by one of his bulls and Kate is made aware by another sheriff that it is not an accident but murder and he is now handling the case. A gripping thriller portraying the tenacity and dedication of Kate as she deals with fresh challenges and likely suspects as well as deception. The psyche of the killer is well defined.
January 20, 2024
*4.5 Stars*
Copy kindly received via NetGalley for an honest review.
Interesting read and good characters. Katie wasn't having anyone tell her what to do. Found it hard to comprehend what Louise set out to do to Katie and the way it divided family and friends. Kasey and Maureen were real pieces of work with how they treated people. A good ending and I'd love to read the next book. Would recommend.
Copy kindly received via NetGalley for an honest review.
Interesting read and good characters. Katie wasn't having anyone tell her what to do. Found it hard to comprehend what Louise set out to do to Katie and the way it divided family and friends. Kasey and Maureen were real pieces of work with how they treated people. A good ending and I'd love to read the next book. Would recommend.
January 23, 2024
No Bull this book was entertaining!
Kate had her hands full with murder and who done its to keep her busy. Never mind her meddling family trying to ruin her career and having a recall "for her own good". Kate is intelligent, loves her family, and is an excellent sheriff. This book came with humor and tears. I have to wait into October for the next book in the series. Ugh so unfair.
Kate had her hands full with murder and who done its to keep her busy. Never mind her meddling family trying to ruin her career and having a recall "for her own good". Kate is intelligent, loves her family, and is an excellent sheriff. This book came with humor and tears. I have to wait into October for the next book in the series. Ugh so unfair.
February 3, 2025
Kate Fox has finally been pulled off a job. Her family has decided to force her to quit her job as sheriff.
Kate is being harassed by her ex mother in law then her family decides to join the enemies as put out a recall to end her job as sheriff. This is all going on while she is trying to solve a murder. Her beloved family is mixed up somehow in the murder and it is tearing her apart.
Kate is being harassed by her ex mother in law then her family decides to join the enemies as put out a recall to end her job as sheriff. This is all going on while she is trying to solve a murder. Her beloved family is mixed up somehow in the murder and it is tearing her apart.
January 12, 2024
A western-style cozy mystery. Not a bad story, but I felt that there were a few too many relatives and other extraneous characters that were unnecessary for the plot. However, this was the first book I have read in this series. Maybe if I had read the previous books I would already know the other characters.
January 12, 2024
Another decent book in series. A murder takes place at a rodeo. Suspensions run high as Kate takes on another murder mystery, while still dealing with family drama. Suspenseful, some twists that make you say ok I didn’t see that one coming. Main characters still lack depth and get annoying but I was very glad to see Baxter back. That will keep me wanting to read the next book in series.
January 25, 2024
Great series
I love this series and Kate Fox. I don’t know how she tolerates her family or her ex, but she does and it makes an interesting read. If it was up to me, though, I’d beg Ms Baker to stop adding (go big red) every time the University of Nebraska’s mentioned. It gets tedious.
I love this series and Kate Fox. I don’t know how she tolerates her family or her ex, but she does and it makes an interesting read. If it was up to me, though, I’d beg Ms Baker to stop adding (go big red) every time the University of Nebraska’s mentioned. It gets tedious.
February 23, 2024
The best
I so enjoyed this book. There's always some much going on making it so exciting and suspense full. The characters have a very conical banter with each other, loyal to friends and family and Kate always gets the bad guys. I hope you enjoy this series as much as I do. As always happy reading.
I so enjoyed this book. There's always some much going on making it so exciting and suspense full. The characters have a very conical banter with each other, loyal to friends and family and Kate always gets the bad guys. I hope you enjoy this series as much as I do. As always happy reading.
August 30, 2024
Very god series
I have greatly enjoyed following Kate's journey as sheriff. The ups and downs of her relationships with her family and the men in her life make for a good story. The down to earth life in Nebraska is so similar to my existence in Missouri that I feel very connected.
I have greatly enjoyed following Kate's journey as sheriff. The ups and downs of her relationships with her family and the men in her life make for a good story. The down to earth life in Nebraska is so similar to my existence in Missouri that I feel very connected.
December 12, 2024
This was the final book (9) in the series, and it did not disappoint. It did wrap up with Kate being recalled as Sheriff by her own sister non the less. And as with the other books, there was a murder, and it ended up being the least suspected person you could think. I have really enjoyed this series, of which I have listened to all on audio. Megan Tusing, the narrator, does a fantastic job.
January 31, 2025
Bulls Eye by Shannon Baker
A fairly interesting storyline set in a small town in Nebraska that involves deceit, infidelity, brutality and murder. Sheriff Kate Fox, the primary protagonist of the series, vacillates for a while in identifying the perpetrator of the murder crime. Finally, manages to rationalize why and how the perp committed the crime.
A fairly interesting storyline set in a small town in Nebraska that involves deceit, infidelity, brutality and murder. Sheriff Kate Fox, the primary protagonist of the series, vacillates for a while in identifying the perpetrator of the murder crime. Finally, manages to rationalize why and how the perp committed the crime.
October 3, 2025
While I have sporadically enjoyed this series, it's getting harder to read. Are we sure Shannon Baker is a woman? Just kidding, but the way she writes about women. She fat shames and is ageist. Her family is just getting worse. The crimes themselves are fine, I like learning about srea and rodeos, as I'm not from this area. But I can no longer deal with all the comments about women's looks.
October 25, 2025
Just Love
I just love an easy read and that is what this series of books are for me an easy read. Come on Kate ! You are smarter than this- - don't let others hold you hostage because you are not doing exactly as they want you to. I know you love your family. I get that but sometimes you have to love family from afar. Good guys still win.
I just love an easy read and that is what this series of books are for me an easy read. Come on Kate ! You are smarter than this- - don't let others hold you hostage because you are not doing exactly as they want you to. I know you love your family. I get that but sometimes you have to love family from afar. Good guys still win.
November 14, 2025
Policing in Nebraska
Book 8 in this series is a good example of what it takes to police a large rural area in Nebraska. Sheriff Kate has a self centered family whose drama impacts her job. She's investigating a murder and trying to keep her office. I enjoyed watching her grow emotionally in regard to her family.
Book 8 in this series is a good example of what it takes to police a large rural area in Nebraska. Sheriff Kate has a self centered family whose drama impacts her job. She's investigating a murder and trying to keep her office. I enjoyed watching her grow emotionally in regard to her family.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews