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Kate Fox #4
Easy Mark
Acclaimed author Shannon Baker returns with Easy Mark, the fourth novel in the Kate Fox Mystery Series.
With her ex-husband, Ted, working nearby in an adjoining county, Kate Fox is eager to prove she’s the better sheriff. And when the less-than-popular ex-foreman of a local ranch is found dead, Kate gets the opportunity she’s been looking for.
But as it turns out, the case hits a little too close to home. The dead man’s body is discovered in Kate’s brother Jeremy’s truck—and her brother is missing. Evidence left at the crime scene leads Ted to suspect the ranch’s new foreman, but Kate isn’t convinced he’s responsible for the crime.
Kate dives into her own investigation. But the mystery only deepens when a herd of horses disappears and threatening strangers are seen in the Sandhills. It seems like everyone close to the ex-foreman has secrets to hide and reasons to kill—including Jeremy.
As Kate races to eliminate suspects, a shocking realization leads her to the truth. But is she too late to prevent the next murder?
With her ex-husband, Ted, working nearby in an adjoining county, Kate Fox is eager to prove she’s the better sheriff. And when the less-than-popular ex-foreman of a local ranch is found dead, Kate gets the opportunity she’s been looking for.
But as it turns out, the case hits a little too close to home. The dead man’s body is discovered in Kate’s brother Jeremy’s truck—and her brother is missing. Evidence left at the crime scene leads Ted to suspect the ranch’s new foreman, but Kate isn’t convinced he’s responsible for the crime.
Kate dives into her own investigation. But the mystery only deepens when a herd of horses disappears and threatening strangers are seen in the Sandhills. It seems like everyone close to the ex-foreman has secrets to hide and reasons to kill—including Jeremy.
As Kate races to eliminate suspects, a shocking realization leads her to the truth. But is she too late to prevent the next murder?
325 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 10, 2021
2076 people are currently reading
240 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 64 reviews
June 19, 2021
A MUST for your TBR list! Fast-paced! Riveting! Exciting! Addictive! Not only is this a very well-written book with wonderfully-interesting characters, but the suspense builds at just the right pace as the story unfolds. It was an artful melding of twisted psychological thrills and nail-biting suspense that kept me on edge the whole way!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
October 26, 2021
Good
I’m enjoying reading the Kate Fox line of books. I can’t wait for the next to come out. Kate and her ex husband crack me up!!
I’m enjoying reading the Kate Fox line of books. I can’t wait for the next to come out. Kate and her ex husband crack me up!!
December 29, 2022
Very entertaining! I’m so into Kate and her big family in this small Nebraska town.
August 12, 2021
Another outstanding book in the Kate Fox series that I just couldn’t put down! Ms Baker has a gift for storytelling that makes you feel you are right there with her in the action. I like Kate’s character, and have enjoyed seeing her gain confidence in her role as a sheriff and as a divorcée who has to deal with her ex-husband and his perky pregnant wife on a regular basis. It gave me some satisfaction to see in this installment that all is not sunshine and roses in Ted’s new marriage and he’s beginning to see the treasure he lost in Kate. Don’t get me wrong—I would never want to see Kate EVER take him back! Just saying, it was pretty crappy the way he cheated on Kate, so you really want to see him get a dose of his own medicine! I was thoroughly entertained by this book, and enjoyed that Kate has a new love interest of her own. I can’t wait for the next book for more of Kate’s crazy family and friends. I received a copy of this book from SRP Mystery and Thriller Books, and have given my voluntary and honest opinion.
August 16, 2023
Convoluted
Liked the twists and turns and fast pace of the mystery. Could leave out the f word as it does not need to be used unless you want to distract readers like myself who sometimes decide not to read stories by this author.
Liked the twists and turns and fast pace of the mystery. Could leave out the f word as it does not need to be used unless you want to distract readers like myself who sometimes decide not to read stories by this author.
October 14, 2023
Getting too political
Good writer. But needs to stay away from the bleeding heart crap. Should remember the country is divided and practice some business common sense. Alienating half your audience is an amateur move.
Good writer. But needs to stay away from the bleeding heart crap. Should remember the country is divided and practice some business common sense. Alienating half your audience is an amateur move.
February 22, 2023
Easy Mark
This book is to boring. I skipped most of the pages. The only part that interested me was the ending. I would not recommend this book
This book is to boring. I skipped most of the pages. The only part that interested me was the ending. I would not recommend this book
July 30, 2024
Easy Mark is the fourth book in the Sheriff Kate Fox series and this character and setting continue to grow on me. Kate's ex-husband has been appointed sheriff in the adjoining county and Kate is going to have to work with him in this mystery. When an unpopular ranch foreman is found dead in Kate's brother's car, she knows she can't let Ted do his usual lazy investigation.
She discovers Foreman Buzz Steinmetz has recently been fired, but seems to have plenty of money and a brand new truck. He's been using cash to buy several quarter horses at auction. Is there a connection between the disappearance of a herd of horses and reports of a mysterious man in the area?
As the series progresses it has become more fast paced and action packed. One of my favorite parts of this book are Kate's relationship with her quirky family. She tries to please them all, and as a result, she ends up with a new roommate.
Every book in this series can be read as a standalone, but there are continuing storyline threads that are woven throughout each of the books that make reading from the beginning of the series more enjoyable. I would suggest starting with "Stripped Bare", the first book in the series. I don't think it's the best of the series but it would explain the history of the characters.
She discovers Foreman Buzz Steinmetz has recently been fired, but seems to have plenty of money and a brand new truck. He's been using cash to buy several quarter horses at auction. Is there a connection between the disappearance of a herd of horses and reports of a mysterious man in the area?
As the series progresses it has become more fast paced and action packed. One of my favorite parts of this book are Kate's relationship with her quirky family. She tries to please them all, and as a result, she ends up with a new roommate.
Every book in this series can be read as a standalone, but there are continuing storyline threads that are woven throughout each of the books that make reading from the beginning of the series more enjoyable. I would suggest starting with "Stripped Bare", the first book in the series. I don't think it's the best of the series but it would explain the history of the characters.
August 10, 2021
When Grand County sheriff Kate Fox finds Buzz Steinman's body submerged in the truck belonging to her brother Jeremy, she's dismayed to learn he has disappeared. Then her ex-husband Ted arrests Narciso, the Rocking L Ranch’s new foreman, for Buzz's murder. Kate isn't convinced the hard working immigrant is guilty so she dives into her own investigation to prove she is the better sheriff. Where did Buzz suddenly get so much cash to buy a brand new truck as well as several quarter horses at auction? Is there a connection between the disappearance of a herd of horses and a menacing man seen in the Sandhills? Kate and Ted work together and race towards Buzz's remote cabin to confront Buzz's killer and save Jeremy from the clutches of a deadly Mexican cartel.
This was another thrilling read in the Kate Fox mystery series.
I received a digital ARC from Severn River Publishing with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.
This was another thrilling read in the Kate Fox mystery series.
I received a digital ARC from Severn River Publishing with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.
August 10, 2021
This fourth installment in the Kate Fox series has Kate investigating a murder that implicates her younger brother Jeremy. The murder actually happened in the county where Kate's ex husband is sheriff and Kate has no jurisdiction to investigate, but she can’t let it go and risk Jeremy be accused of a crime she knows he didn’t commit. As her investigation progresses, Kate discovers that there is so much more than murder going on and Jeremy is in more trouble than she first imagined.
This is a very enjoyable series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but there are underlying storyline threads that are woven throughout each of the books that make reading from the beginning of the series more enjoyable. The characters are well developed and their interactions and relationships are always interesting and sometimes annoying - just like you’d find in real life.
Thank you Severn River Publishing for the ARC.
This is a very enjoyable series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but there are underlying storyline threads that are woven throughout each of the books that make reading from the beginning of the series more enjoyable. The characters are well developed and their interactions and relationships are always interesting and sometimes annoying - just like you’d find in real life.
Thank you Severn River Publishing for the ARC.
June 30, 2021
Kate Fox younger brother is in BIG trouble.
And with her ex-husband, now the sheriff of the county where her brothers problems are happening (and an urge to prove he's the better sheriff of the two of them), it's only a matter of time before Jeremy is behind bars.
The ex-foreman of the ranch Jeremy started working at gets into a fight leaving Jeremy with a black eye.
And Jeremy seems to have disappeared. No one seems to know where he is, and he's not answering his phone.
When Kate finds Jeremy's truck sunk into a lake with a body in it.
Kate knows Jeremy is in for a tough trek.
Even Kate doesn't know just how much trouble Jeremy is in.
His new girlfriend is not who she claims to be, and she is willing to let Jeremy take all the credit for the crimes being committed.
A good story with developed characters and a good bit of action
And with her ex-husband, now the sheriff of the county where her brothers problems are happening (and an urge to prove he's the better sheriff of the two of them), it's only a matter of time before Jeremy is behind bars.
The ex-foreman of the ranch Jeremy started working at gets into a fight leaving Jeremy with a black eye.
And Jeremy seems to have disappeared. No one seems to know where he is, and he's not answering his phone.
When Kate finds Jeremy's truck sunk into a lake with a body in it.
Kate knows Jeremy is in for a tough trek.
Even Kate doesn't know just how much trouble Jeremy is in.
His new girlfriend is not who she claims to be, and she is willing to let Jeremy take all the credit for the crimes being committed.
A good story with developed characters and a good bit of action
February 23, 2022
With her ex-husband, Ted, working nearby in an adjoining county, Kate Fox is eager to prove she’s the better sheriff. When the less-than-popular ex-foreman of a local ranch is found dead, Kate gets the opportunity she’s been looking for. But as it turns out, the case hits a little too close to home. The dead man’s body is discovered in Kate’s brother Jeremy’s truck—and her brother is missing. Evidence left at the crime scene leads Ted to suspect the ranch’s new foreman, but Kate isn’t convinced he’s responsible for the crime.
Yessss. This is exactly what I wanted from the other books. Everything that annoyed me about the previous ones were not in here. It was action packed. It was fast paced. The characters are definitely more complex now. I really enjoying this one. I recommend this series!
Yessss. This is exactly what I wanted from the other books. Everything that annoyed me about the previous ones were not in here. It was action packed. It was fast paced. The characters are definitely more complex now. I really enjoying this one. I recommend this series!
October 5, 2023
Easy Mark
Easy Mark is book #4 in the Kate Fox series. I have enjoyed every book in this series and this one did not disappoint. Kate the new Sheriff in town is fiesty & hilarious! She tends to get herself into all kinds of messes. She will stop at nothing to find the truth behind any mystery. This time the mystery was a little too close for comfort. Her brother is arrested by Kate’s ex-husband for murder. She is bound and determined to prove that her brother is innocent. Her brother Jeremy meets and quickly falls in love with a woman that Kate is not so sure about. Did this lovely lady get Jeremy into something that he can’t get himself out of? Did he commit murder, fraud or both? You will have to read to find out. I can not wait to read book #5 of this series!!
Easy Mark is book #4 in the Kate Fox series. I have enjoyed every book in this series and this one did not disappoint. Kate the new Sheriff in town is fiesty & hilarious! She tends to get herself into all kinds of messes. She will stop at nothing to find the truth behind any mystery. This time the mystery was a little too close for comfort. Her brother is arrested by Kate’s ex-husband for murder. She is bound and determined to prove that her brother is innocent. Her brother Jeremy meets and quickly falls in love with a woman that Kate is not so sure about. Did this lovely lady get Jeremy into something that he can’t get himself out of? Did he commit murder, fraud or both? You will have to read to find out. I can not wait to read book #5 of this series!!
September 9, 2024
There are some things
I am enjoying this series — on the 4th book so far. And the series is up to the 9th installment so I don’t expect any of my concerns to be addressed, BUT here they are anyway. 1) A list of characters, especially all the Fox and Fox adjacent characters and their relationship to each other would have been very helpful; 2) Please, Kate, come up with a few other ways to express extreme annoyance and drop “torqued” back in the past where it belongs; 3) The whole Carly melodrama/soap opera coulda, shoulda been wrapped up in the 2nd book, now it’s like nails on a chalkboard (for those of you old enough to remember chalkboards, lol). Onward to Kate’s next adventure…
I am enjoying this series — on the 4th book so far. And the series is up to the 9th installment so I don’t expect any of my concerns to be addressed, BUT here they are anyway. 1) A list of characters, especially all the Fox and Fox adjacent characters and their relationship to each other would have been very helpful; 2) Please, Kate, come up with a few other ways to express extreme annoyance and drop “torqued” back in the past where it belongs; 3) The whole Carly melodrama/soap opera coulda, shoulda been wrapped up in the 2nd book, now it’s like nails on a chalkboard (for those of you old enough to remember chalkboards, lol). Onward to Kate’s next adventure…
June 29, 2021
Great installment in the Kate Fox series. She is still working on proving herself as a better sheriff than he ex, and succeeding as most people prefer talking to her and know that she gets to the bottom of things.
A dead body found in her brother Jeremy’s truck brings things a little to close to home, will she be able to bail him out like she did when he was little. She is also still looking for her niece, will she get closer, and how is Josh fitting into her life?
Page turner from page one, looking forward to more of Kate Fox’s cases.
Thank you to NetGalley and Severn River Publishing for a chance to read this book early in exchange for my opinion.
A dead body found in her brother Jeremy’s truck brings things a little to close to home, will she be able to bail him out like she did when he was little. She is also still looking for her niece, will she get closer, and how is Josh fitting into her life?
Page turner from page one, looking forward to more of Kate Fox’s cases.
Thank you to NetGalley and Severn River Publishing for a chance to read this book early in exchange for my opinion.
August 7, 2021
This fourth in the Kate Fox series finds Kate working on a case that involves her brother Jeremy. A dead body is found in Jeremy's truck and he has gone missing.
Kate's ex-husband, Ted, is the sheriff in the county where the crime occurred. Of course that does not stop Kate from investigating and proving that she is the better sheriff.
The story moves along quickly. I recommend reading from the beginning of the series, but you will be able to read this as a stand alone. Characters are well developed and there are some twists until we reach the conclusion. I look forward to more Kate Fox.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC. The review is my own.
Kate's ex-husband, Ted, is the sheriff in the county where the crime occurred. Of course that does not stop Kate from investigating and proving that she is the better sheriff.
The story moves along quickly. I recommend reading from the beginning of the series, but you will be able to read this as a stand alone. Characters are well developed and there are some twists until we reach the conclusion. I look forward to more Kate Fox.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC. The review is my own.
August 10, 2021
This story shows the reader the personal sides of the characters. Yes, there is a murder in it, and it is complicated by those characters. Kate Fox and her ex-husband are both sheriffs in neighboring counties in Nebraska. One is out to prove that he is just as good if not better than his ex-wife, but he doesn't have a lot of support from the people that live there. I enjoyed this book very much, partly because I grew up in Nebraska and call it my 'home state' no matter where I may live and the author really did nail the way people are there. An excellent story! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
January 30, 2024
I am sorry. Kate needs to punch Ted in the nose for his stupidity and callousness. Especially when he throws up the fact that Roxy is better or that her family may need to be bailed out. Ted seems to be hilding out, which only makes me wonder why. Ted needs to be upfront, and his blase attitude when disparaging remarks are tossed out. Halfway through, she is the beauty, the brains, and the braun (okay, not so much on the braun side, considering she is constanting getting involved in the most particular). Ted needs to pull his head out of his ass. I feel bad for her baby brother. I swear Ted is a knucklehead.
May 1, 2025
Easy Mark (Kate Fox Book 4), my seventh read from author Shannon Baker. A 282-page thriller in what continues to be an excellent series with a kick-ass female lead. It's been 2-years since I read Bitter Rain (Kate Fox Book 3), so many books , so little time. Enjoyable, well-written crime fiction. If you like the early writing of Jodi Burnett you may like these books. I was given a complementary 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 read Broken Ties (Kate Fox Book 5). (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
March 27, 2021
Kate Fox is back in this fourth installment and in my opinion, this is the best of the series so far.
If you have read the first three, you are familiar with her family and their crazy antics as well as her Ex-Ted and his new wife Roxy as well as numerous other Sandhill inhabitants. This story I action filled as well as including a number of serious twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I received an Advance Reader Copy and chose to provide this review.
If you have read the first three, you are familiar with her family and their crazy antics as well as her Ex-Ted and his new wife Roxy as well as numerous other Sandhill inhabitants. This story I action filled as well as including a number of serious twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I received an Advance Reader Copy and chose to provide this review.
June 24, 2024
This has probably been my favorite book in this series. Kate Fox finally, well sort of, is moving on from her divorce and ex-husband. And she may be closing in on finding her niece Carly. But all that is a side bar to a murder in a neighboring county, that seems to involve her youngest brother, Jeremy.
Lots of action, and intrigue, guessing who the murderer is and why...and what about those horses that disappeared??
Lots of action, and intrigue, guessing who the murderer is and why...and what about those horses that disappeared??
September 15, 2024
First Love
During an afternoon of family and a horseshoe tournament, Kate and her family realized Jeremy, her younger brother was missing. While searching for him Kate went to a lake where he might be fishing. While standing on shore Kate saw the reflection of the sun off a submerged vehicle. Swimming Down she found Jeremy's truck with a body in it. Just the beginning of a twisted story of love, money laundering and murder.
During an afternoon of family and a horseshoe tournament, Kate and her family realized Jeremy, her younger brother was missing. While searching for him Kate went to a lake where he might be fishing. While standing on shore Kate saw the reflection of the sun off a submerged vehicle. Swimming Down she found Jeremy's truck with a body in it. Just the beginning of a twisted story of love, money laundering and murder.
June 26, 2021
Good flowing plot about Kate and life around her. Her ex husband and very pregnant wife, the craziness of her family. Life is not dull as she meets the ones around town with mayhem and murder and trying to keep peace. Enjoyable and good series.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
August 9, 2021
I’m loving this series! The mystery begins when the body of an unpopular local is found in a truck belonging to the sheriff’s brother. This wonderfully complex tale has many plot twists and kept me guessing until the very end. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next one. I received this book free and chose to make a voluntary, unbiased review.
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August 10, 2021Web of deceit
Another absorbing book in the Kate Fox series. A much hated man is murdered and Kate's investigation leads her closer to home as her brother Jeremy is one of the suspects. This intriguing mystery with its unexpected twists was a page turner. I love the Kate Fox series.
Another absorbing book in the Kate Fox series. A much hated man is murdered and Kate's investigation leads her closer to home as her brother Jeremy is one of the suspects. This intriguing mystery with its unexpected twists was a page turner. I love the Kate Fox series.
August 10, 2021
The rivalry between Kate and her ex husband, Ted continues. Both are sheriffs of different counties. Buzz is found dead in Kate's brother Jeremey's car sunk in the lake in the county Ted is sheriff of. He wants Kate away from his investigation. But they end up working together in an exciting ending.
August 19, 2021
Great Story with Good Twists
This story was well-written. It kept my interest. The descriptions of Nebraska helped set the mood of the story. Kate is really developing into a more complex character with strengths and weaknesses. The story had twists and turns. Even though there was a murder, it served as a tool to show the complex relationships between different characters.
This story was well-written. It kept my interest. The descriptions of Nebraska helped set the mood of the story. Kate is really developing into a more complex character with strengths and weaknesses. The story had twists and turns. Even though there was a murder, it served as a tool to show the complex relationships between different characters.
August 20, 2021
Love the Kate Fox Series
If you enjoy a thrill ride of suspense and action this is not the series for you. These books are character driven, and what a group of characters there are! Always a good mystery to be solved and some tense situations, but for the most part just great stories about interesting and flawed people. Read them in order!
If you enjoy a thrill ride of suspense and action this is not the series for you. These books are character driven, and what a group of characters there are! Always a good mystery to be solved and some tense situations, but for the most part just great stories about interesting and flawed people. Read them in order!
December 19, 2021
Kate Fox is a spunky sheriff with grit and determination. When she finds her brother Jeremy is in deep trouble, suspected of murder and involved with a not-so-trustworthy woman, Kate goes to work. I'm a fan of Baker's mysteries, and found Easy Mark well-written and well-paced to keep me turning the pages.
November 17, 2023
Book four and another great story
I've read four of her books and the series never gets stale. I ordered book five. I like Kate Fox and her family. Each brother,sister and mother, father are interesting in their own way.
I also enjoyed visiting the Sand hills of Nebraska and the history of the Lakota reservation.
I've read four of her books and the series never gets stale. I ordered book five. I like Kate Fox and her family. Each brother,sister and mother, father are interesting in their own way.
I also enjoyed visiting the Sand hills of Nebraska and the history of the Lakota reservation.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews