Bull’s Eye

For the engrossing eighth mystery featuring Nebraska sheriff Kate Fox (after 2023’s Double Back), Baker saddles her series protagonist with family drama, political strife, and an allegedly homicidal bull. Kate serves as the chief law enforcement officer for rural Grand County, but her job is put at risk after her sister, Louise, files a petition to subject Kate to a recall election. While Louise publicly claims that Kate has fallen down on the job, Kate suspects her sister’s real motivation is vengeance­—Louise believes Kate helped bring criminal charges against their mother. With the recall looming, Kate investigates a suspicious death connected to the county’s July 4 rodeo: stock breeders Dwayne and Kasey Weber brought several bulls to the event, with hopes of selling them. Instead, one of the animals apparently stomped Dwayne to death in a trailer. Kate initially dismisses a prospective buyer’s claims that the Webers got into an argument just before Dwayne’s death, and that the animal involved was “as gentle as a bunny rabbit.” But the more she digs, the more suspicious things look. Baker nimbly balances Kate’s personal and professional struggles, never letting one steal the spotlight from the other. John Galligan fans will enjoy this. (Jan.)