Close Enough: A Kate Fox Novella

Kate Fox #1.5

by Shannon Baker

Reeling from her recent divorce, Kate Fox is campaigning against her ex to become the next Grand County, Nebraska Sherriff. When a child goes missing in the Sandhills, the whole town organizes a search and rescue mission. But Kate doesn’t think Ethan wandered off—something more nefarious is going on. With a dangerous winter storm fast approaching, Kate must find Ethan before it’s too late.

Close Enough is a thrilling Kate Fox short story that bridges the gap between Stripped Bare and Dark Signal.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Genres: Mystery, Short Stories, Thriller

50 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 20, 2020

About the author

Shannon 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.

Reviews

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 3 out of 5]

My assessment of the previous book 'Stripped Bare' was quite harsh, mainly because I found the book hard work. This was partly because of the author’s writing style, but mainly because I really didn’t like any of the cast of characters.
However I liked the idea of a strong woman dumping her cheating husband and taking over his job as Sheriff, which is why I gave this short story a try.
Kate didn’t turn out too bad, but the rest of the cast were still fairly obnoxious and I’m still not sure I can cope with this sample of small town rural America.
If possible I would have given 2.5 stars.

[Ferne (Enthusiastic Reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading Stripped Bare Book 1 of the Kate Fox series, I subscribed to the author's newsletter. In the welcome email for joining the Reader's List a download link is available for the short story Close Enough. This story falls between Stripped Bare (Book 1) and Dark Signal (Book 2) and features Kate Fox on the eve of the election for sheriff.

As the story gives additional insight into Kate Fox's next steps after Book 1 and insight into her character's choices and feelings for the path ahead, I highly recommend downloading the link.

Note: When I first sent the file to my Kindle, I received the same message as provided at the end of the description on GoodReads: "At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied." Clicking on the book cover several times allowed me to open the short story. There is one paragraph that is repeated on the Kindle edition in its entirety only 2 paragraphs after it first appears and a sentence that is missing a word later in the story. The errors are annoying in the moment but the story is worth the read.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short story and it is short! This gives some background between book 1 and book 2. The first part is mostly background given so we understand Kate's feelings. The second half deals with the disappearance of a 10-year-old boy. It's winter and snow is coming so searchers quickly assemble to try and find him. The wrinkle in the story is that Kate is running for sheriff against the current sheriff who is also her ex-husband. The polls are close and the sheriff is getting points for quickly gathering the search party.

I like Kate and this series. The third book in the series was published recently and I found this short story when I searched for the new book which I bought at the same time I bought this short story. I'm hoping to read the new book soon.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Close Enough (Kate Fox #1.5), my fourth read from author Shannon Baker. A short, 73-page filler between books #1 & #2 in what promises to be an excellent series with a kick-ass female lead. Enjoyable, well-written short read. I received a free Kindle copy back in November of 2020 and lost track of it until reading Stripped Bare (Kate Fox Book 1) made me want to read more from the author. I was given a Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily reading & reviewing it. The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. Now I need to get Dark Signal (Kate Fox Book 2). (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Close Enough bridges the gap between Stripped Bare, when Kate Fox solves the murder of niece Carly’s grandfather Eldon and the shooting of Kate’s cheating husband Ted, and Dark Signal, when Kate catches her first call as the new Sherriff of Grand County. In Close Enough Kate is now divorced and running against Ted for the position of Sheriff. The story revolves around a missing child in the Sandhills and to what lengths people will go to get something they want.

It’s a short but effective story. It provides some background about the divorce and Kate’s feelings and her continuing efforts to deal with them, and also showcases her intuition and investigative skills and makes us think she might just be a pretty good sheriff.

This story provides enough info for us to get the feel of what Kate’s life is now like without going into details of the divorce. After reading this story I liked Kate even more and couldn’t wait to get started on the next books in the series. I hope this series will continue for a long time.

[David Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Close Enough is an excellent addition to Shannon Baker’s Kate Fox series. In this case Kate gets involved in finding a lost boy. Along with trying to find the boy, Kate is faced with a number of personal issues and is surrounded not only by her eight siblings but a whole case of very quirky characters. While this is a real quick read, it doesn’t suffer from lack of story or interest. This is a series I’m already addicted to.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kate Fox is divorced and running against her ex-husband for Sheriff. It's hunting season and she's in a bar while the whole town is at the wedding of her ex. She meets a 10 year old boy from Omaha, Ethan who has been lugged along by hunters. Next day he is missing. Storm coming in. Everybody mobilizes under her ex to search for Ethan. Except Kate. She smells a rat with the election only days away. A surprising ending too.

[Marcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't realize when I bought this "novella" it wasn't one of the books in the Kate Fox series...but basically a little "added book". It was good and continued with the quick whit and humor of the rest of the Kate Fox series.
I have read nearly all of the series/listened to them on audio books. The narrator to those is great

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad to see Kate doing what she should of done earlier. Running against her ex-husband for sheriff, oh and don't forget his mother also! Things just are not coming together right for the lost boy. With a bad snowstorm on its way can they find the boy? The answer will surprise you! I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short story!

I didn't want to give up Kate and was lucky to find this short story! I love the nasty ex mother in law, as it reminds me of the grief my ex's caused! Now to wait for Oct and the next book!

[Sandra Propst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reading

I love the way she describes the Sandhills. The characters sound true for that area. I look forward to more.

[Patricia Nicholls · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great short read in this series. I read book one and really enjoyed it. Lots of characters introduced. I am hoping to read book 2 in the series. This short story comes between book 1 and 2.

[Kenneth Lingenfelter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Fox is running for sheriff against her ex husband Ted. A young boy goes missing in the wilderness. There is more behind why he is missing. A quick read, but very entertaining.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series. Love Kate Fox and her family. A boy Kate met earlier goes missing.

[Barbara Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lunch time read

This was a novella so it took no time at all to get through. One thing that should be id, this sure I a messed up family. Too much drama.

[Erth · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a little boy goes missing in the Nebraska prairie on the brink of a dangerous snowstorm, Kate Fox must sort truth from lies in order to save a life.

[Anne - Books of My Heart · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a short novella I got at the library. It was ok. The way people act still doesn't make sense.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a great book, even though I just finished book 6 in the series, I really enjoyed it and am
loving the series

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the main character & am interested in the rest of the books in the series.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate is a better person than I am. I'd have gotten even in a heartbeat. It's a good book. I like that Kate saw what was going on right from the beginning. Smart.

[Terese · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read. My first Kate Fox, but I’m eager to read more about the Nebraska Sandhills.

[Jon C. Hooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but gives you a good idea what the setting and characters are like. May or may not read other stories in this series