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GENES TO DIE FOR—AND SOMEONE DOES…
 
When Jessica James wakes up half naked behind a dumpster in downtown Chicago, she thinks at first the hot intern feeding her Fiery Mule Slammers slipped her a Mickey. But after a pattern of similar incidents around Northwestern Research Hospital, Jessica realizes she wasn't raped, she was robbed. Robbed of something as valuable as life itself. Hunting for the predator drugging and dumping Ivy League co-eds, Jessica discovers secrets about her own identity that force her to rethink her past. The solution to the mystery lies in the cowgirl philosopher's boot-cut genes. 

The "dumpster girls" are all top of their class, attractive college girls, who are drugged and dropped unconscious behind dumpsters. The police are baffled. But the perp doesn’t stop there—one of his victims turns up dead. Armed with her quick wit and cowgirl grit, Jessica takes it on herself to solve the bewildering medical mystery and save herself and her friends… before they become the next grisly victims.
 
At Jesse’s beck and call is her longtime confidante Jack Grove, an easy-going stoner and brilliant third-year medical student in abnormal psychiatry, who has a secret crush on her. But while Jack is trying to understand the criminal mind, his classmate and rival, Max White, is trying to eliminate it through genetic engineering. Competing for Jessica's attention, Jack and Max become the primary suspects. Meanwhile, Max has a secret of his own: he’s aiding a prominent Chicago woman in her fertility woes. And just for good measure, there’s a blackmailer afoot.


Grittier than its predecessors, and far more haunting, Kelly Oliver’s third page-turning Jessica James adventure blends a smartly-funny and delightfully complex murder mystery with a touch of medical thriller, in which Jessica and Jack battle biological crimes at the hands of a unique—and menacing—thief.
 


309 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2018

583 people are currently reading
1074 people want to read

About the author

Kelly Oliver

65 books392 followers
Kelly Oliver is the award-winning, bestselling author of four mysteries series:
Jessica James Mysteries (contemporary suspense), Pet Detective Mysteries (middle grade), Fiona Figg Mysteries (historical cozies), and The Detection Club Mysteries (traditional).

When she’s not writing mysteries, Kelly is Distinguished Professor Emerita of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University.

Kelly lives in Nashville with three very demanding felines.

To learn more about Kelly and her books, please visit her website at www.kellyoliverbooks.com.



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5 stars
143 (38%)
4 stars
110 (29%)
3 stars
72 (19%)
2 stars
34 (9%)
1 star
12 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Profile Image for Paul Franco.
1,374 reviews11 followers
July 9, 2017
This is the second book I’ve read about the female grad student who went from Montana to Northwestern and supposedly solves crimes, but to my surprise there was another book in between the one I read and this one. Oh well, on to part three.
In this one Jessica wakes up freezing behind a dumpster, thinking she was raped. . . but that plot would be too easy, of course it’s something much more sinister. But all I could think of was here we go again! How many times was she roofied or drunk in the first book? Right at the start it’s happened again, and it’s not the only time it happens in this story. Everyone in this story, especially Jessie but even Lolita, the usually badass Russian superheroine, should be dead from stupidity a long time ago. Especially strange for a protagonist to be the victim over and over and over. At some point there has to be growth, learning. Or perhaps the author wanted to show philosophy students don’t have a grasp on the real world. For me, these issues with the main character, as well as others, overshadows the story, and particularly the issues raised, which would be important if the high-tech stuff going on is actually a reality now.
Just like in the first, the Russian subplot slowed the whole story. And I can’t help but wonder if I missed something early on where it was stated, but is Jack British? He talks like it.
There’s a line where Jessie is called the dumbest smart person ever, and it is right on the money. This book was better than the first, but I still don’t like Jessie, which is saying a lot, because she should be very likeable. And why is she listed as a detective? In the two books I’ve read, she’s never solved anything.
2.5 pushed up to 3/5
Profile Image for Ronovan Hester.
Author 2 books34 followers
May 4, 2017
One of the things I like about a Kelly Oliver story is that it makes sense. That may sound strange but I read a lot of books and real life situations happen and the reactions to them are borderline stupid and unrealistic.

Oliver has a real character in Jessica James. Jessica wakes up half naked behind a dumpster. What does she do? For one thing, she doesn’t go home and try to solve the mystery all by herself like some vigilante. I won’t tell you what she does do but all through the story realistic things happen but in great ways that make sense and add tension to the story.

In F.O.X. we have the return of Jessica’s best friends Lolita and Jack who both play big roles in the book, especially Jack. I like Jack here more than I did in WOLF, he’s a much more developed character. And who doesn’t love the badass Lolita? I mean she still has the attitude and swagger. Can you say women have swagger? I don’t really know. Hmmm.

All the characters are well developed and I see that with each book Oliver is really upping her game. She adds a little more layers each time with a couple of surprises thrown in. Taking on the IVF subject was a good topic to tackle and I think Oliver did it with sensitivity and respect of women involved. I can’t really go into much more detail without giving a lot away.

Originally I was going to give this a 4 out of 5 but as I started doing the review I realized how much I enjoyed it so I changed my mind. So a 5 it is.
Profile Image for Sharon.
Author 13 books94 followers
June 1, 2018
F.O.X. is the third mystery in Kelly Oliver's series featuring cowgirl philosopher Jessica James, a Ph.D. student at Northwestern University transplanted from rural Montana to downtown Chicago. This novel deals with behind-the-scenes ethics surrounding IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) and animal research.
When the story opens, Jessica wakes up naked behind a dumpster in the dead of winter. Her last memory was the inside of the local student pub, where she was drinking with a hot young intern. The assumption was that she'd been drugged and sexually assaulted, but actually, her experience turns out to be something even more sinister.
Besides the mystery of what really happened to Jessica and dozens of other college students in the area during the same time period, there is also a murder. However, the death gets little attention and the crime is solved almost by chance, because the police initially rule it an accident.
Jessica, the protagonist, is more a victim than an amateur sleuth. Colorful, strong secondary characters—Lolita, Jack, Vanya, Sam (a.k.a. "Beagle Girl") and even Olga to some degree—enhance the plot and their unconventional problem-solving keeps the narrative entertaining.
Profile Image for Grace J Reviewerlady.
2,117 reviews101 followers
June 6, 2017
When I was offered a copy of this novel to review, I rather thought it would be a good cosy mystery.

However, I really struggled to reach 61% and just had to give up. It reminds me of a truly awful spoof movie and I really couldn't suffer anymore.

I suspect it may be aimed at the teen / YA market? I have a real fondness for mysteries but this, to me, was just too ridiculous.

I received an arc via NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
Profile Image for Janet Newport.
471 reviews117 followers
July 28, 2018
Thank you NetGalley and JKS Communications for this arc.

It's been several months since I read this..... somehow forgot to review. It was an okay read for me. The pacing was there in the beginning but slowed considerably after about 20% in. Characters were okay. Jessica was smart and street savvy with only a little bit of daffiness. Other characters were not so memorable. Story was kind of predictable.

2.5 stars rounded up.
Profile Image for Tosha Sisler.
133 reviews2 followers
May 10, 2018
This was the first book I read in the Jessica James “Cowgirl Philosopher” mystery series. Definitely a good series for expanding your horizons/knowledge. This one went into the world of designer babies and genetics.

The author, Kelly Oliver, has been compared to Michael Crichton as an author. While her stories lean that way for topic, because each ones main character is the recurring “philosopher cowgirl,” they live more in the details of the effects on Jessica’s life, rather than performing a full swan dive into the conspiracy or underworld.

This is one of those books that could be classified more as a fictional story about scientific truths, rather than “science fiction.” Because of all the good info, it would have been nice to be reading a digital copy so that I could easily continue my research online, but this book feels great as a physical book (something I’ve never written about a book before). The cover has almost a leather-suede feel and the pages shimmer like the Ivy League world described within.
Profile Image for Heather.
1,118 reviews2 followers
May 11, 2017
This book reminded me a bit of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series even though the characters come from a slightly different background. I definitely saw a lot of it coming, but it was still fast-paced enough to hold my interest. I didn't realize before reading it that it is the third in a series, and I am guessing that there will be more in the series moving forward. Overall, this book passed the time nicely and added a bit of a different element to the genre. I will likely pick up the next in the series just to find out what happens to all of the characters because I felt like this one ended a bit abruptly.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Laura.
2,557 reviews
May 10, 2017
This is a great book; this is the third book in the Jessica James Mystery series written by Kelly Oliver.
This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
Profile Image for Elissa.
Author 39 books109 followers
October 5, 2018
One Part Robin Cook and Michael Crichton . . .

. . . and two parts cozy mystery. Mad scientists, graduate students, and Russians of dubious background tangle together with a Congressional candidate and his wife who might have come out of a Second City skit parody. And, yes, set in Chicago. Narrator Tamara Eastridge did yeoman service providing a mix of accents for the myriad characters. Entertaining!
Profile Image for Bev.
3,218 reviews95 followers
May 9, 2017
This is the first book I have read by this author. I like the way she develops her characters and the interaction between them all. The story is something you can actually understand happening, but hope it never does. I liked this story very much. I received a copy of this book from Net Galley. The review is entirely my own opinion and done voluntarily.
Profile Image for Steph.
94 reviews3 followers
April 29, 2018
Thank you so much for choosing me as a Goodreads giveaway winner. I've read the first two books in this series also and I love the story line and the quirky characters. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is because some of the science is confusing to me but other than that this a great series that I'll continue to read. Looking forward to reading book 4!!
Profile Image for Jay Williams.
1,718 reviews33 followers
December 18, 2018
Jessica Becomes a Mother

All the crazy and entertaining people from the earlier books plus a few more to stretch the boundaries. More than you ever wanted to know about IVF and genetics. A story filled with surprises and suspense. What's not to like?
424 reviews2 followers
January 1, 2019
Five Mothers

Should reproduction be sold? Sounds very materialistic. Make a list of the traits you want in a child have the egg custom tailored to your specific requirements.
I think this is both now and the future
Profile Image for Mary.
2,625 reviews
April 23, 2018
Wonderful page turner that kept my interest throughout
42 reviews1 follower
November 20, 2018
Worth reading

Ms Oliver keeps you turning the pages just so you can see what happens next. Main character has just enough problems to seem real.
Profile Image for Cliff Jack.
5 reviews
December 14, 2018
Suspenseful

The story line flood well. I can’t believe they knew he tried to drug them at the bar; and still they got into his black van! Run away silly fools!
539 reviews8 followers
December 22, 2018
Great Read

Love the plot and great fresh theme. Love, evil, murder and cutting edge science in a great tale. Looking forward to next
Profile Image for Soo.
2,928 reviews342 followers
May 11, 2017
Jessica James is a trailer park girl from no where Montana, but she doesn't let that stop her from following her dreams. She has a tiny apartment in Chicago, majoring in Philosophy and working on her dissertation. Lolita and Jack are her best friends. The kind that are there for you no matter what.

One night, Jessica wakes up partially frozen and half naked behind a dumpster on a construction site. She doesn't remember how she got there or what happened to her. A sharp stabbing pain inside her stomach area makes her think of awful possibilities that she doesn't want to face.

***

I received a copy of FOX from NetGalley. It's my first venture into the Jessica James Mystery series and reading work by Kelly Oliver. I loved the main characters. Extremely different individuals with their traits. I enjoyed the sprinkle of other languages thrown into the story due to each person's background. That's part of what happens when you hangout with a mixed cultured group. I also really enjoyed the insights of what it's like to live in Chicago. There were points made in the story that I would only expect to read from a local.

I am no expert on medical science, philosophy, sociology or psychology but I have a love for these topics. Oliver weaved the topics into the story in a very smart manner. The kind of debates I enjoy having with my friends. There is a great presentation of hard topics like rape, morality of choice, abusive relationships, animal rights, defining right and wrong and the shades of gray between.

To me, FOX isn't an adventure story or mystery as much as it is a story of happenstance. Stuff happens to the characters and they just happen to be in the right or wrong place. It's a smart and fun book with really lively characters. I look forward to seeing what else Kelly Oliver will write in the future.

Review via NetGalley
Profile Image for Vicki Blackmore-schoch.
163 reviews
January 10, 2021
The only reason I finished this book was to see how ridiculous it would get. Everything in "woke" culture thrown in , including the kitchen sink. We are told that Jesse is vegetarian at least 3 times in the first half of the book, and how eating meat is childish. There is a beautiful black woman medical student . Her blackness and beauty are emphasized each time the character enters the scene. There is a rich, controlling businessman from Chicago with a bad combover and orange skin who is married to a Ukrainian woman who is submissive to him. Russians are hired by the businessman to follow his wife. Abortion is a called selective reduction and used to eleminate any human imperfection. Woman are date raped or drugged but don't go to the police because police are evil. The characters are continually drinking and smoking dope which is acceptable. They also are involved with illegal gambling, but that's okay, because it pays for school. Also, there is the lesbian element.
Wondered about this is in past book where native Americans were righteous, Montanans were red necks and the police incompetent..
Oliver's basic story/ plot has some merits, but she is too busy trying to check all of the politically correct boxes that it just becomes absurdly annoying. Won't bother with book 4 of the series.
Profile Image for Christi Fowler.
1,605 reviews16 followers
September 4, 2021
Title: Fox
Author: Kelly Oliver
Format: ebook
Genre: Medical thriller

The Premise
Jessica James wakes up naked behind a dumpster. Then finds another naked girl m, this one dead, behind the sane dumpster to find her belongings. Was she (Jessica) taped? She doesn’t know, doesn’t remember but doesn’t want to go to the ER or police because she’s embarrassed and thinks her peers will think she’s a dumb hick.

Meanwhile her platonic best friend who’s secretly in love with her is breaking into a medical research lab and almost getting caught. Cue weird girl who sneaks into said lab to love on a dog, a racist rent-a-cop and having no sense of foresight.

How Far I got:
29%

Strengths
It started off well, hooking you in.

Why I Stopped Reading:
I got bored, didn’t like the characters, and the story was repetitive without moving forward.

What other reviewers are saying
Reviews are mixed at best with some people saying it was great and others with the same issues as me.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review. I’m giving it 2 stars since I got over a quarter of the way through before DNFung it. Also it started off strong but devolved from there.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,036 reviews
April 17, 2020
This book was a bit crazy and not easy to read. It is about eugenics, the ‘science’ of improving the human race by manipulating the genetic material. In this book a med student is drugging women of a certain type, and stealing their eggs. They are unaware that they have been robbed. They wake up in an isolated place, usually naked but their clothes are neatly folded and left nearby. Because they are not raped, it is unclear why this was done to them. The story includes the Russian family of Lolita and Dimitry and Vanya so everyone is involved. This is a very real issue in today’s world because ‘Designer Babies’ are sold to the wealthy who want certain characteristics. Jessica and Lolita get involved with finding the guilty student, and all ends reasonably well. Not the way I would want it to end if I were the one who had been robbed but no one is killed. Not your usual mystery but interesting.
47 reviews
June 26, 2019
Good plot

This was a very interesting read. The medical background of the plot was gripping and I learned a lot.

In terms of the characters, I thought I had the bad guy, then it looked like I didn’t, but actually it turned out that I did. I enjoyed the interesting twists.

I removed a point for the rather annoying female character. Anyone who has been victimised as much as the book says Jesse was (first as a kid and now as a university student) would NOT have her kick-ass character. The obsession with the cowgirl boots and fur hat was, frankly, ridiculous. The excessive slovenliness did nothing to make the character endearing.

The whole atmosphere was quite bleak and could really have done with some comic relief. I nearly removed an extra point, but decided not to.
Profile Image for Patricia Ann.
267 reviews10 followers
September 4, 2018
I received this book from GoodReads for an honest review. The book was an up and down read. It was so heavy and perseverated on the issue of abortion as a no no. Then the author hinted at messages about genetic manipulation and reproductive technology. I didn't care for the Jessica character... it puzzled me why she would not go to a clinic when she experienced pain after the rape. She is characterized by the author as the smartest dumb person alive... or perhaps it is the dumbest smart person alive ... either way, there were instances where I wanted to close the book/skip portions. The other characters didn't seem realistic. Nor reality oriented either.
Profile Image for Lois Baron.
1,205 reviews11 followers
July 7, 2019
Good few opening chapters, but then it turned into more of an education about the genetics involved in designer babies than a murder mystery. Scant attention is given to investigating the dead doctor in the freezer, for example. Colorful characters, but there's not much meaningful interaction between any of them. At some point, I noticed on the cover that this is the third in a Jessica James series; until then, I didn't realize that she was supposed to be the main main character. I could scarcely drag myself to the end, where I could scarcely believe where the story line went. The book was not satisfying on any score.
Profile Image for Sharon.
852 reviews15 followers
May 18, 2018
Entertaining, fun, and nicely paced story. I enjoyed the characters, local based references (Chicago), and overall storyline. Experimental situations gave food for thought and for me they also left a bit of a chill and wonder as to the level of truth they reflected. Recommended 3.5 star read.

Thank you to goodreads and the book's sponsor for the opportunity to to obtain a copy of FOX.
Profile Image for Gerry.
1,655 reviews
March 22, 2020
Fox Jessica James Mystery book 3. Highly recommend reading all of Kelly Oliver books in this series. Can say enough about her writing abilities. Keep up the good work Kelly. Love the charactors in your stories. I can picture them as I read on and like when they continue to the next books. If they make it out alive that is. :)
Profile Image for Bob.
1,984 reviews19 followers
January 5, 2019
Didn't get very far into this one. Simple proofing errors ( who barfs in a plastic sock) and at least for me way overwritten in a simplistic style. It was a no go. Sorry Kelly.
Profile Image for E.A. Briginshaw.
Author 15 books52 followers
March 10, 2019
The book got off to a good start, but then dragged when the ending became apparent. I liked the protagonist, but most of the other characters were unbelievable.
28 reviews
March 26, 2019
Don't waste your time

Not good . You know in first chapter what is going on. They drag it out and add in to many side plots. I really would give it no stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews

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