Joe Fox is the son of Fox & Sons CEO Nelson Fox and the grandson of company founder Schuyler Fox. His exact function is unknown, but he oversees the high-profile expansion of the chain into Manhattan's Upper West Side, and appears to function as the public face of the company. As a result, people tend to see him as personally embodying the threat that the chain represents to independent bookstores. While his high position in the company is no doubt in part due to the family relationship, it is clear that he is extremely effective in his work. Joe appears to be something of a hands-on manager, at least to the extent of spending a great deal of time at the West Side store and paying attention to how things are going, even after operations there have become a well-oiled machine .Although he tends to present an all-business front to the world, Joe's family is an important part of his life. In addition to his strong relationship with his father and grandfather, he gets on very well with both their children, his Aunt Annabel (aged about 10) and his four-year-old half-brother Matthew. His relationship with Matt's mother Gillian, whom Nelson intended to marry, was more tense, but this became moot when the engagement was terminated.For some time, Joe lived with his girlfriend, publishing executive Patricia Eden. She was more interested in an active social life than he, and she sometimes had to cajole him into attending formal events. Eventually, Joe decided that his relationship with Patricia did not represent what he wanted from life - even though he wasn't sure at the time what he did really want. This quickly led to a break-up. A contributing factor in their split may have been Joe's increasing interest in an on-line relationship with independent bookstore owner Kathleen Kelly, although Patricia was apparently unaware of this.Joe's prospects with Kathleen were complicated by the fact that initially each knew the other only by an e-mail alias. By the time Joe discovered the truth, they had already met in person and had a hostile relationship, centering on their business competition. Eventually, Joe decided to pursue happiness through a serious effort at befriending Kathleen in person, using a combination of sympathy and humor. This was so successful that when Kathleen finally learned that Joe and her on-line correspondent were one and the same, she was relieved not to have to choose between them. There is reason to believe that they will live happily ever after.Joe is fond of his golden retriever Brinkley, boating, and New York City. He claims to regard the film The Godfather as the source of all wisdom, although his recollection of quotes from the film is less than perfect. Show less «