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Kate Fox #10
Taking Stock: Kate Fox, Book 10
At the foot of the Rockies, Kate Fox and a billionaire lock horns.
During her visit to the bustling National Western Stock Show in Denver, Kate Fox's business partner, Aria Fontaine, expresses a grave concern. She is worried about her cousin, Jefferson Hansford, an enigmatic billionaire, who recently went through a tumultuous divorce. When Kate finds that Jefferson has been drugged and is in the hospital, Aria's worst fears are confirmed.
Pushed by her sense of duty and friendship, Kate reluctantly steps into the role of investigator, going undercover at a high-profile fundraising gala as Jefferson's "fiancée" to draw out his assailant. But when tensions between Kate and Aria's husband-to-be, Glenn Baxter, run high, she is forced to leave the fundraiser with more questions than answers.
In a dark turn of events, Kate's prime suspect is found murdered the following day, sending her scrambling to make sense of the details of Jefferson's complicated past. Kate's investigation propels her through a complex maze of dark family legacies, a hidden connection to the stock show, and trails of dirty money. Caught in a whirlwind of duty, forbidden love, and danger, Kate's resolve is tested as she confronts the chilling realization that the attacker will likely strike again—unless she can stop them first.
During her visit to the bustling National Western Stock Show in Denver, Kate Fox's business partner, Aria Fontaine, expresses a grave concern. She is worried about her cousin, Jefferson Hansford, an enigmatic billionaire, who recently went through a tumultuous divorce. When Kate finds that Jefferson has been drugged and is in the hospital, Aria's worst fears are confirmed.
Pushed by her sense of duty and friendship, Kate reluctantly steps into the role of investigator, going undercover at a high-profile fundraising gala as Jefferson's "fiancée" to draw out his assailant. But when tensions between Kate and Aria's husband-to-be, Glenn Baxter, run high, she is forced to leave the fundraiser with more questions than answers.
In a dark turn of events, Kate's prime suspect is found murdered the following day, sending her scrambling to make sense of the details of Jefferson's complicated past. Kate's investigation propels her through a complex maze of dark family legacies, a hidden connection to the stock show, and trails of dirty money. Caught in a whirlwind of duty, forbidden love, and danger, Kate's resolve is tested as she confronts the chilling realization that the attacker will likely strike again—unless she can stop them first.
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Published April 29, 2025
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About the author
Shannon Baker
36 books272 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 33 reviews
May 2, 2025
Stock show drama!
This book finds Katie Fox in Denver for a stock show. She meets a seller, who was being swindled by an evil manipulator named Jefferson. Katie has to get to the bottom of this mystery. At the end of this book, she engages in a fight with Jefferson. Katie enjoyed her time in Denver. She got to wear a sleek gown and high-heeled sandals for a formal dining experience at a restaurant named Casa Grande. This book was filled with action!
This book finds Katie Fox in Denver for a stock show. She meets a seller, who was being swindled by an evil manipulator named Jefferson. Katie has to get to the bottom of this mystery. At the end of this book, she engages in a fight with Jefferson. Katie enjoyed her time in Denver. She got to wear a sleek gown and high-heeled sandals for a formal dining experience at a restaurant named Casa Grande. This book was filled with action!
April 23, 2025
This 10th book in this entertaining series is sure to appeal to series fans. Even though there is some background information included in this story, it isn’t really enough for new readers of the series to truly appreciate how past events and character interactions have molded characters and their relationships. Obviously since this is part of the Kate Fox series, the focus is on Kate, but this installment has much less Fox family dynamics than previous installments and is more about Kate herself. Each installment obviously has focused on an investigation that Kate is involved in, but equally important in the series is Kate’s role in and relationship with her family and other series regulars. This is a an enjoyable, solid addition to the series.
April 1, 2025
Action-packed Kate Fox thriller!
It seems like just yesterday when I read the first Kate Fox book, Stripped Bare, today here I am reviewing the tenth book of the series Taking Stock. Over the course of these ten books the stories have been consistently entertaining, each story is different yet filled with plenty of action that keeps the tension in the story front and center. But for me the thing that keeps me coming back to these stories is the character interactions and the diversity of the well-developed characters. Who would think one family could have so many distinct types of people all related to each other? The way Kate interacts with each of her siblings brings an extra level of tension to each story. In the case of Taking Stock, it’s not just Kate’s interaction with some of her siblings, but her interaction with Aria and Glen that kept me off balance.
Of the ten books I can honestly say I enjoyed Taking Stock the most, this story brought many threads that have existed since that first book into focus. Of course, if you want to know if those threads were tied up you need to read the book yourself.
I will say if you’ve read the first nine books you owe it to yourself to read Taking Stock. If by some chance you are reading this review and haven’t read any of Shannon
Baker’s Kate Fox books, you really need to start at book one and work your way up to Taking Stock. While I suppose you could read this book as a stand-alone story, you would miss the back story of much of the character interaction of the story.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of Taking Stock from the publisher and chose to provide my review.
It seems like just yesterday when I read the first Kate Fox book, Stripped Bare, today here I am reviewing the tenth book of the series Taking Stock. Over the course of these ten books the stories have been consistently entertaining, each story is different yet filled with plenty of action that keeps the tension in the story front and center. But for me the thing that keeps me coming back to these stories is the character interactions and the diversity of the well-developed characters. Who would think one family could have so many distinct types of people all related to each other? The way Kate interacts with each of her siblings brings an extra level of tension to each story. In the case of Taking Stock, it’s not just Kate’s interaction with some of her siblings, but her interaction with Aria and Glen that kept me off balance.
Of the ten books I can honestly say I enjoyed Taking Stock the most, this story brought many threads that have existed since that first book into focus. Of course, if you want to know if those threads were tied up you need to read the book yourself.
I will say if you’ve read the first nine books you owe it to yourself to read Taking Stock. If by some chance you are reading this review and haven’t read any of Shannon
Baker’s Kate Fox books, you really need to start at book one and work your way up to Taking Stock. While I suppose you could read this book as a stand-alone story, you would miss the back story of much of the character interaction of the story.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of Taking Stock from the publisher and chose to provide my review.
April 6, 2025
I received this book for free as a Goodreads giveaway.
Kate, who has a few years as a sheriff on her resume, is now the manager for her friend/employer Aria’s new herd of Highland cattle. She and her boss are at a large stock show, looking for a suitable bull to add to their herd - but instead of looking at cows, they get distracted by a series of seemingly random attacks on Aria’s wealthy but somewhat feckless cousin.
This is the tenth book in this popular series. I was not familiar with the series or the author before I read this one. Although you get enough background to mostly understand the basics of the various relationships, I think I might have enjoyed this more if I had been more familiar with the characters. Kate has a large, complicated family, and a very complicated past,
I found it hard to get into the story. So much of it was: it’s Sandi, no it’s Nanette, no it’s Blaine, no it’s Keith, no, it’s definitely Sandi. Or maybe it’s really Nanette. Or maybe it’s the hippie protesters after all. And round and round it went, with lots of scenes with Kate running around the stock show complex, getting punched. I thought Aria’s relationship with Jackson was odd and unrealistic. And about 70% (probably an exaggeration, but…) of the scenes involved someone saying they were going to be somewhere or do something, and then getting a phone call - frequently an unexplained call - and running off.
This all sounds more negative than it should. I did eventually get engaged in the story, once it began to unravel all of the tangled knots.
Kate, who has a few years as a sheriff on her resume, is now the manager for her friend/employer Aria’s new herd of Highland cattle. She and her boss are at a large stock show, looking for a suitable bull to add to their herd - but instead of looking at cows, they get distracted by a series of seemingly random attacks on Aria’s wealthy but somewhat feckless cousin.
This is the tenth book in this popular series. I was not familiar with the series or the author before I read this one. Although you get enough background to mostly understand the basics of the various relationships, I think I might have enjoyed this more if I had been more familiar with the characters. Kate has a large, complicated family, and a very complicated past,
I found it hard to get into the story. So much of it was: it’s Sandi, no it’s Nanette, no it’s Blaine, no it’s Keith, no, it’s definitely Sandi. Or maybe it’s really Nanette. Or maybe it’s the hippie protesters after all. And round and round it went, with lots of scenes with Kate running around the stock show complex, getting punched. I thought Aria’s relationship with Jackson was odd and unrealistic. And about 70% (probably an exaggeration, but…) of the scenes involved someone saying they were going to be somewhere or do something, and then getting a phone call - frequently an unexplained call - and running off.
This all sounds more negative than it should. I did eventually get engaged in the story, once it began to unravel all of the tangled knots.
June 3, 2025
Kate is trying her best to hide that she is still in love with Baxter because he is engaged to her boss and good friend Ari..
Kate lost her sheriff post by one vote. She went to work for her neighbor and friend building a new herd of highland cattle. The biggest problem is that Baxter is now engaged to her friend and Boss Ari and it is slowly killing her each time she has to see them together. Kate is strong though and is putting all her efforts to the new herd of cattle. They are all brought together at the Denver cattle show where she has made arrangements to see a Bull she wants Ari to buy to improve her herd. But many things are going on at this show and Kate being Kate is drawn into the battle for control of the Company that is going on by Ari’s Cousins. This is getting violent and nasty and many friends are involved in the hidden games. The outcome is many people are hurt and some are dying.
Kate lost her sheriff post by one vote. She went to work for her neighbor and friend building a new herd of highland cattle. The biggest problem is that Baxter is now engaged to her friend and Boss Ari and it is slowly killing her each time she has to see them together. Kate is strong though and is putting all her efforts to the new herd of cattle. They are all brought together at the Denver cattle show where she has made arrangements to see a Bull she wants Ari to buy to improve her herd. But many things are going on at this show and Kate being Kate is drawn into the battle for control of the Company that is going on by Ari’s Cousins. This is getting violent and nasty and many friends are involved in the hidden games. The outcome is many people are hurt and some are dying.
April 30, 2025
I received an ARC through "Severn River" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Kate is now running Aria's ranch and is in Denver to attend a cattle show. Kate has an eye on a bull name "Brodgar" to have purchased and bring to the ranch. At the show with Aria, she meets Aria's cousin, Jefferson, and she has to put aside purchasing the bull because Aria's gets involved with something else.
As the day goes by, Kate and members of her family all go to a theme restaurant along with Jefferson who wounds up getting attacked. Aria then asks Kate to find out who is after Jefferson. Other events happen and Kate 's suspect list keeps getting smaller the more she learns.
Read along and find out what happens to Jefferson, why Kate eliminates each suspect and who she discovers is responsible. The ending is one that you wouldn't expect. Get this book, you won't be sorry!
Kate is now running Aria's ranch and is in Denver to attend a cattle show. Kate has an eye on a bull name "Brodgar" to have purchased and bring to the ranch. At the show with Aria, she meets Aria's cousin, Jefferson, and she has to put aside purchasing the bull because Aria's gets involved with something else.
As the day goes by, Kate and members of her family all go to a theme restaurant along with Jefferson who wounds up getting attacked. Aria then asks Kate to find out who is after Jefferson. Other events happen and Kate 's suspect list keeps getting smaller the more she learns.
Read along and find out what happens to Jefferson, why Kate eliminates each suspect and who she discovers is responsible. The ending is one that you wouldn't expect. Get this book, you won't be sorry!
May 5, 2025
Kate Fox is back – no longer as sheriff but as manager/business partner for the Aria Fontaine (Glenn Baxter fiancé) ranch of Highland Cattle. They are at the National Western Stock Show, ready to add a final piece to their herd.
Aria’s cousin, Jefferson, is in trouble, and Aria is determined to help him, protect him. Jeffereson has been drugged, and things are not adding up. Aria enlists Kate’s help to keep Jefferson safe, but as Kate starts looking into the past, things are not adding up, and getting more complex. She might no longer be a sheriff but investigating is in her blood.
What a whirlwind book, I was so happy to see Kate back, without her sheriff badge she is still a force to recon with.
Aria’s cousin, Jefferson, is in trouble, and Aria is determined to help him, protect him. Jeffereson has been drugged, and things are not adding up. Aria enlists Kate’s help to keep Jefferson safe, but as Kate starts looking into the past, things are not adding up, and getting more complex. She might no longer be a sheriff but investigating is in her blood.
What a whirlwind book, I was so happy to see Kate back, without her sheriff badge she is still a force to recon with.
August 4, 2025
No longer a sandhills sheriff, Kate is working as a ranch manager for Aria Fontaine (who happens to be engaged to Kate's love interest Glenn Baxter) and looking at cattle at the National Western Stock Show in Denver. When Aria's cousin Jefferson, heir to the Hansford meat packing empire is drugged and ends up in the hospital Kate investigates. When Kate's prime suspect turns up dead things get more and more high stakes and she isn't getting to look at the main reason she is in Denver, a bull for their Highland cattle herd. Good characters and action that takes Kate to from the stock show to a charity gala, and with a little help from her extensive family, I enjoyed this novel and Kate's investigation. I received a free digital ARC of this novel from the publisher.
April 21, 2025
Best one yet!
Getting recalled and losing her job as Sheriff was a blow to Kate Fox, especially when her sister spearheaded it all. Now she works with Aria Fontaine to build a Highland cattle herd. They are meeting with a cattle breeder about a bull at the National Western Stock Show. Aria’s cousin, Jefferson Hansford, is at the show to present an award. He is the focus of animal rights protesters, and Aria suspects they aren’t the only ones targeting him. She asks for Kate’s help as attacks increase.
I love this series! This book is the most exciting one yet! I received a free copy, but my review is honest and voluntary.
Getting recalled and losing her job as Sheriff was a blow to Kate Fox, especially when her sister spearheaded it all. Now she works with Aria Fontaine to build a Highland cattle herd. They are meeting with a cattle breeder about a bull at the National Western Stock Show. Aria’s cousin, Jefferson Hansford, is at the show to present an award. He is the focus of animal rights protesters, and Aria suspects they aren’t the only ones targeting him. She asks for Kate’s help as attacks increase.
I love this series! This book is the most exciting one yet! I received a free copy, but my review is honest and voluntary.
April 28, 2025
I loved this one! Taking Stock is fast-paced and full of mystery and action. Kate will be facing great challenges as Jefferson, Aria's cousin, after going through a difficult break up from his wife seems to be targeted by someone who wants to do him harm. Things get really messy when she discovers there's a woman going after him, and a man Kate met briefly, seems to be following her. There'll be twists and turns till the truth will be in the open and it'll be heartbreaking for the family. Kate will also have to face her feelings for Baxter...
I thank the author and her publisher for this ARC.
I thank the author and her publisher for this ARC.
May 23, 2025
(3.75/5⭐️) The plot felt very tedious and just uninspired… inconsistent with previous novels in this series. Aria’s character felt forced…we were forced to root for her and like her, to what end? Even to this specific story, there are other characters who could have filled the plot point to accomplish the same end. And that end..: I am intrigued to see if there’s any resolution in the next book in the series! This specific book may feel lackluster, but that’s because the others have been much more engaging! I’m still committed to the series! And everything you really need to know is in the last 5 pages 😉
April 25, 2025
Deception
Kate works for Aria as her ranch manager. Aria and her cousin Jefferson are close and looked after each other since childhood. Is one of them harboring a deadly secret. Kate helps Aria when Aria thinks Jefferson is being targeted. Kate and Aria look for who could be targeting while trying to keep Jefferson safe, but Jefferson keeps thwarting their efforts. Blaine and Nanette, Jefferson's wife, are suspect. Stalking, secrets, and sick deception are prevalent in the many twists of this story.
Kate works for Aria as her ranch manager. Aria and her cousin Jefferson are close and looked after each other since childhood. Is one of them harboring a deadly secret. Kate helps Aria when Aria thinks Jefferson is being targeted. Kate and Aria look for who could be targeting while trying to keep Jefferson safe, but Jefferson keeps thwarting their efforts. Blaine and Nanette, Jefferson's wife, are suspect. Stalking, secrets, and sick deception are prevalent in the many twists of this story.
April 6, 2025
The next installment in the Kate Fox series takes Kate to Denver to pick out breeding stock for the new herd she is building. While in Denver she meets her bosses cousin who seems to be in harms way. Kate is as usual in the middle of the drama and must use her skills as an ex-sheriff to find the perpetrators. I always enjoy a good Kate Fox story and I am already looking forward to the next book.
June 14, 2025
This book as well as the whole series are always interesting, have a good cliffhanger, and I really enjoyed the character development through the series. I’m someone who dabbles back-and-forth between mystery and and fantasy… I’m always happy to see a new Kate Fox book out from Shannon Baker. I love the setting. I love the personality of the main character, and I love the twists and turns that her life has taken.
June 24, 2025
Family Secrets
Kate is in Denver at a cattle show with Aria whose Highland stock she was hired to care for. At the show Kate wanted to purchase a bull to increase the herd. Aria however was being drug in numerous directions so they never were able to meet with the bull's owner. Kate's weekend was far from bland as she chased a robber, fought with a killer attended a Gala dressed to the nines.
Kate is in Denver at a cattle show with Aria whose Highland stock she was hired to care for. At the show Kate wanted to purchase a bull to increase the herd. Aria however was being drug in numerous directions so they never were able to meet with the bull's owner. Kate's weekend was far from bland as she chased a robber, fought with a killer attended a Gala dressed to the nines.
November 3, 2025
As much as I enjoy
As much as I enjoy the Kate Fox series this book was not as good as the other books have been. Typically, when I begin reading a Kate Fox book I can't put it down until I finish it. However, Taking Stock could not hold my attention. It took me a week to read it. The high light of the book came at the end when Kate and Baxter appear to have admitted their feelings for one another. Lets see what the next book will bring.
As much as I enjoy the Kate Fox series this book was not as good as the other books have been. Typically, when I begin reading a Kate Fox book I can't put it down until I finish it. However, Taking Stock could not hold my attention. It took me a week to read it. The high light of the book came at the end when Kate and Baxter appear to have admitted their feelings for one another. Lets see what the next book will bring.
May 18, 2025
Wow
In this 10th book Kate is put through the grinder in many ways. What was really going on with Aria and her family? No matter where she turned she was in the middle of it when she only wanted a Scottish long hair bull.
These stories are better read in order. I am just glad I found this Shannon Baker series.
In this 10th book Kate is put through the grinder in many ways. What was really going on with Aria and her family? No matter where she turned she was in the middle of it when she only wanted a Scottish long hair bull.
These stories are better read in order. I am just glad I found this Shannon Baker series.
May 20, 2025
Shannon Baker never disappoints. Murder, drama, mystery! This book has it all. Believable characters, a nice twisty plot, and excellent craftsmanship combine to make this one a great read. 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.
May 22, 2025
A Big Disappointment
I’ve enjoyed this series precisely because of its unique setting in Nebraska. Did not need another book describing how rich people live. If I never see another description of “cream colored” pillows, rugs, dishes, walls, dresses etc it will be too soon. Took all the fun out of this series
I’ve enjoyed this series precisely because of its unique setting in Nebraska. Did not need another book describing how rich people live. If I never see another description of “cream colored” pillows, rugs, dishes, walls, dresses etc it will be too soon. Took all the fun out of this series
August 23, 2025
Taking Stock
As always a great read that grabs readers attention as Kate fox gets into her work as sheriff. I love Kate, she's not perfect, she has flaws and issues just like everyone else. I would definitely want her to watch my back. This is a great read packed full of action and I highly recommend it. Enjoy
As always a great read that grabs readers attention as Kate fox gets into her work as sheriff. I love Kate, she's not perfect, she has flaws and issues just like everyone else. I would definitely want her to watch my back. This is a great read packed full of action and I highly recommend it. Enjoy
April 29, 2025
found this book"s plot was action filled with twists and turns.to the end pages.
Kate and Aria were interesting characters, well define
I recommend this book as well as the other this author has written.
Kate and Aria were interesting characters, well define
I recommend this book as well as the other this author has written.
May 7, 2025
Future
I have devoured every book in the Kate Fox series. Waited impatiently for each new release. Now I must wait again.
I hope that there is an unending well of Kate Fox books. She's become part of my family and I want more and more of her time.
I have devoured every book in the Kate Fox series. Waited impatiently for each new release. Now I must wait again.
I hope that there is an unending well of Kate Fox books. She's become part of my family and I want more and more of her time.
November 15, 2025
Intense and exciting
Book ten in the series is so suspenseful ,with an intense, exciting storyline. Kate may not be a sheriff any to her she can still spot criminal behavior and defend against it. One of the very best of the series!
Book ten in the series is so suspenseful ,with an intense, exciting storyline. Kate may not be a sheriff any to her she can still spot criminal behavior and defend against it. One of the very best of the series!
January 12, 2026
Not my favorite of this series, but I enjoyed learning about the stock show in Denver. I liked the ending. Kate deserves some good things to happen in her life after all that she and her family have been through. Looking forward to the next book in the Kate Fox series.
March 15, 2025
Once again Kate is caught in a dangerous situation. Full of action , suspense and more to keep you intrigued. Will Kate be able to solve the case and have a romance as a bonus.
April 29, 2025
Great book. So glad Kate & Baxter reunited. Suspenseful, a real page turner. The characters in this series are fantastic. Can’t wait for the next one.
April 30, 2025
I really enjoy these books. This one is good. I kind of knew where it was going, but I enjoyed getting there.
May 7, 2025
WOW, great story, don't want to spoil anything, can't wait till the next book comes out!
May 21, 2025
if I could give it 6 stars I would
Love this series! This one knocked it out of the park! So happy to see Kate get a happy ending.
Love this series! This one knocked it out of the park! So happy to see Kate get a happy ending.
May 23, 2025
Good read
Really good 👍 story Relaxing intriguing and suspenseful Could not put it down Looking forward to the next story Thank you
Really good 👍 story Relaxing intriguing and suspenseful Could not put it down Looking forward to the next story Thank you
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews