Nefarious Intent by Kit Karson is the fourth book in The Anderson Chronicles. As Anderson, Montana, gears up for its annual Christmas parade, a chilling murder occurs. Deputy Sheriff Tom Edwards finds local couple Frank and Alice Celares frozen to death in their home, bound with zip ties to chairs. Things take a darker turn when their son, Tony, and his wife suddenly disappear. A pool of blood is the only clue left behind, deepening the mystery. As Stone County Sheriff Peter Elliot and his deputies dig deeper, the investigation reveals long-held grudges, local gossip, and connections to a tragic accident from the past. With time running out and no clear leads, the sheriff must balance solving the crime with the mounting pressures of a town caught up in holiday festivities.

Nefarious Intent is set in winter so the weather hinders their investigation: tracks are covered by snow, the Light Parade is a significant distraction, and autopsies cannot be performed immediately. Anderson is a cozy small town where everyone knows everyone, adding to the story’s twists and turns. The church, country club, the sheriff’s office, and The Burrow—a shady part of the town—all show the close relationships in small towns, masking the murderers in plain sight. Nonetheless, I loved how it wasn’t just Sheriff Peter Elliot uncovering clues and solving the murder—everyone played a role in finding the culprit. Greed, gossip, and intrigue abound in Kit Karson’s fast-paced mystery, making it appealing to lovers of murder mysteries.

Nefarious Intent by Kit Karson, the fourth book of the Anderson Chronicles, is for fans of mystery, crime drama, and detective novels. Stone County Sheriff Peter Elliott prepares for a Christmas parade in the small town of Anderson, Montana. His deputy, Tom Edwards, finds the bodies of Frank and Alice Celares while delivering their groceries. It seems that someone tied the elderly couple to their chairs and left them to die from the cold. Is this crime connected to a road accident that took the lives of three teenagers? A strange note appears on the church door, upsetting Peter's brother, Pastor Paul. The police can't locate the victims' son, Tony, and his wife, Susan, who suddenly went missing. What dark secrets does Anderson keep? Will the sheriff and his team of deputies unravel the tangle of crimes?

Kit Karson's Nefarious Intent is an engaging blend of cozy mystery and police procedural. The author perfectly defines the peculiarities of human psychology while describing Peter's and Paul's responses to the tragedy that struck their family when they were very young. The motives of human behavior and decisions are important, and Karson explores them thoroughly. Karson's prose is stirring and realistic. The vibrant narrative has a touch of dry humor. Peter is unhappy about wearing old clothes and riding a horse on the parade, yet he accepts Anderson's tradition to please his neighbors. Paul's wife, Linda, is a curious secondary character. She is observant and bright, thus becoming an unexpected assistant to the sheriff. A finely crafted intrigue startles us with its outcome. I highly recommend this compelling novel to those who appreciate a solid mystery.

In Nefarious Intent by Kit Karson, the townsfolk in Anderson are getting geared up for the town’s annual Christmas parade. The murders of Frank and Alice Celares prompt Sheriff Peter Elliot to initiate an investigation, which leads them to consider suspects ranging from the parents of children who died in a bus accident involving Frank as the driver, to delving into the past for further clues. Meanwhile, Paul, the local pastor, and Peter’s brother, informs him of money gone missing from the church treasury. People in the church are pointing their fingers at Alice Celares as the culprit. Are the two crimes connected? What were the couple hiding? Can Peter and his team connect the clues and find their way to solving the double murder before the body count increases?

Kit Karson's direct and descriptive writing style blends police procedural elements with interpersonal dynamics between the characters. Vivid imagery brings the scenes to life to not only paint a picture of the setting but also add to the eerie atmosphere, especially with the contrast of a festive season and a gruesome murder. Although this book stands on its own, beginning with the first in the series will give a better grasp of the characters, their interpersonal dynamics, and the supporting characters who assist during investigations. The story builds at a steady pace, gradually building tension, and dropping critical clues piece by piece, effectively drawing me into the investigation to absorb the details. The dialogue between characters is realistic and often laced with humor, lightening the mood in a gory investigation. I also liked the smooth flow of the narrative and the timely way the perspectives were placed. This helped the overall understanding and pace, allowing the story to unfold naturally. It was good to see that there is some traction on the cold case of Peter and Paul’s parents’ murders; I will be looking forward to more about that in the upcoming books. With an interesting blend of suspense, character dynamics, and psychological tension, Nefarious Intent is a must-read for fans of cozy crime thrillers.

In Nefarious Intent, a murder mystery by Kit Karson, when Tom Edwards found Frank and Alice Celares' frozen remains inside their home, he called Stone County Sheriff Peter Elliott to the scene. A patch of black ice had caused a school bus accident involving Frank as the driver a few years ago; three boys died in the accident. Although Frank was found not guilty, the community blamed him for being drunk and causing the boys' deaths. Peter and his team had to figure out whether the Celares’ murders were motivated by resentment toward Frank or something else. The situation gets more complicated when Frank and Alice's son and daughter-in-law disappear. All that indicated foul play in their house was a bloodstain. Frank and his team worked around the clock to find the Celares' son and daughter-in-law.

Nefarious Intent by Kit Karson hooked me from the first page until the end. The story starts with two frozen bodies, and as the story goes on, there are more and more possible suspects. I was guessing until the end, and the suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. The book was jam-packed with action, and there was never a dull moment. I had to know who the killer was and was turning the pages as fast as possible. The characters were authentic and relatable and typical of a small-town community where everyone knew each other and had something to say about the others. The writing style held my attention, and I enjoyed reading this story. Several plots combined provided all the elements needed to create an engaging mystery.