Savage Malice

The Anderson Chronicles, Book 5

Fiction - Mystery - Murder
Kindle Edition
Reviewed on 09/09/2025
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Gaius Konstantine for Readers' Favorite

“Cults, government conspiracies, and UFOs”—throw in some mutilated cows and a dead man, and it’s not your typical day in Anderson, Montana. Savage Malice: The Anderson Chronicles, Book 5 by Kit Karson is the latest installment featuring Sheriff Peter Elliot and his cholesterol-loving dog, Zach. But what happens when a crime makes little sense and the prime suspect is nowhere to be found? Baffled by a perplexing case that attracts eccentric characters to Anderson, Sheriff Elliot and his team find themselves stretched thin as they work to solve the mystery. Meanwhile, as if managing this sordid affair wasn’t enough, the sheriff must navigate the usual petty town politics and a senior citizens' home filled with well-meaning but demanding residents. This time, however, the sheriff isn't just dealing with your average criminal; he's about to confront the face of evil.

Savage Malice by Kit Karson is a well-written novel that is darker than her usual work, marking a significant development in her writing style within the realm of Neo-Western tales. The engaging plot revolves around the investigation of a mysterious crime that doesn't seem to add up, as the protagonists confront a criminal who shows no fear of the local police. Beneath the grim narrative, themes of community and the resilience of good people striving to do what’s right resonate throughout the plot. Character development is exceptional, featuring both familiar faces and new characters. The novel maintains a fast pace, complemented by a touch of humor that enhances its believability and immersive quality. For fans of mysteries, crime stories, and rural settings, Savage Malice is a satisfying read and an excellent addition to the series. I recommend it without hesitation.

Alma Boucher

Savage Malice is the fifth installment in The Anderson Chronicles by Kit Karson. Seth lost cows to larkspur poisoning and called Stone County Sheriff Peter Elliott to investigate. At first, Peter was uncertain about his options, but the discovery of a body changed everything. Seth’s brother, Andrew, had a fixation on cattle mutilations and believed that Seth’s livestock would be the next victims. Andrew arranged a stakeout with Kenny. During the stakeout, tragedy struck when Kenny was murdered, and Andrew vanished without a trace. In his quest to locate Andrew, Peter stumbled upon the mutilated remains of rabbits, rats, raccoons, and a cat in a building on the farm. Additionally, he discovered cult symbols painted on the walls. Peter and his team are faced with a daunting task to unravel the mystery and find the killer.

Savage Malice by Kit Karson was a thrilling and gripping read from start to finish. Packed with danger, murder, and mystery, the story hit the ground running and never lost momentum. The fast-paced action and unexpected twists kept me completely hooked. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, eager to find out what would happen next. The writing style is compelling and immersive, making it nearly impossible to put the book down. I flew through the pages, afraid to miss a single detail. The characters were well-developed and felt real, especially Peter and his team, who faced one challenge after another. Every character had a meaningful part to play, and the multiple interwoven plotlines came together seamlessly to create a captivating and well-crafted story. This book had my full attention all the way through, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment. I am already looking forward to the next installment.

Peggy Jo Wipf

Savage Malice by Kit Karson is the fifth book in The Anderson Chronicles. Sheriff Peter Elliot faces a challenging investigation when a rancher reports mutilated cows and a dead ranch hand. The situation escalates as they discover that the rancher's eccentric younger brother is missing. Is he a helpless victim somewhere in the mountainous terrain, is he the killer, or is he hiding out in fear for his life? As Peter and his team work to unravel the gruesome crimes in the picturesque area of Anderson, Montana, someone is monitoring their every move. Before they can make significant progress, rumors of alien activity flood the area, and fanatics emerge, disrupting their investigation. Amidst the mystery, a sinister force of evil lurks. Is this disturbing activity something that has been happening under their noses for years, and has the desire for mutilation and violence escalated to a point that it can no longer be ignored?

As you start reading Savage Malice, you'll see how Kit Karson excels in the mystery thriller genre with an intricate plot of twisted killings, a missing character, and chaos that confounds Sheriff Elliot's team. I appreciate how the author captivates readers with the brutal mutilations occurring in a rural community, only to pose a contrasting effect of the dark themes with the humorous antics of the senior citizens. However, there is always an elusive killer lurking in the background, haunting the sheriff. Each book brings him closer to achieving justice for his parents' deaths. I highly recommend Savage Malice to anyone who enjoys suspenseful thrillers.

Jamie Michele

Savage Malice is the fifth book in The Anderson Chronicles by Kit Karson, following Sheriff Elliott’s ongoing investigations. In Land Grab, a baker’s wife finds a bloody scene and a missing husband, with a sapphire dealer’s suspicious death and Russian Mafia threats complicating matters. Innocence Slain centers on Stacey Nichols’ disappearance, prompting Deputy Birdie Bradshaw and Sheriff Elliott to search for her. Justice Rendered involves the discovery of a junk man’s body, exposing greed and betrayal in Stone County. Nefarious Intent follows the murder of a bound couple and the disappearance of their relatives, leading to a complex investigation. Now, in Savage Malice, rancher Seth Geary finds a mutilated ranch hand and slaughtered cows, while his brother Andrew goes missing, with Sheriff Elliott uncovering cult symbols near the scene. “There’s every kind of evil you can imagine in the world, Sheriff, and some you can’t. This here, this is evil.”

Savage Malice by Kit Karson features well-crafted writing that skillfully balances investigative scenes with character interactions, allowing information to unfold naturally. The story incorporates several plotlines, among them death, animal mutilations, and a missing person, all of which have readers piecing together clues alongside the sheriff. Karson’s use of measured pacing and the gradual revelation of unsettling details maintains a steady level of suspense throughout. The inclusion of alternative explanations, from wildlife to more unusual cosmic possibilities, offers brilliantly intriguing unpredictability grounded in the rural setting. Sensory descriptions, including sounds and smells, make the atmosphere textured, and dialogue among characters is carefully executed, providing necessary background and character development in a way that supports the overall progression organically. Overall, Karson serves up a polished and thoughtful mystery with a unique premise that hooked me and never let go. Very highly recommended.

Keith Mbuya

When Sheriff Peter Elliot of Anderson, Stone County, Montana, is called to the Geary family ranch about dead cows, he muses over what Seth Geary, the local rancher, might want him to do about the dead livestock. However, on arriving at the ranch, he is met with a more dire situation than he anticipated. Apart from the sight of three mutilated cows, there is also the lifeless body of a slain farmhand. But that is not all. Andrew, Seth's younger brother, who had been keeping an eye out for cattle mutilators the previous night, was missing. Speculations about the situation range from the involvement of UFOs to a local cult and even secret government experiments. With the few clues available, Sheriff Peter embarks on a hunt for whoever or whatever was behind the tragedy. Unknown to him, the perpetrator lurks closer than he thinks and is watching his every move. Find out more in Savage Malice by Kit Karson.

Savage Malice by Kit Karson is the right pick for fans of mystery, murder, and sleuth novels blended with adventure, a splash of drama, and thrills. Featuring a cast of fascinating characters, Karson weaves an intriguing plot, treating me to edge-of-the-seat suspense and jaw-dropping plot twists. The evocative depictions breathed life into the scenes, bringing the small town of Anderson to life on the pages. Between dealing with the chaos at the local senior apartments and the townsfolk's rumor mill peddling sensationalist UFO tales, alien hysteria, and other wild stories, Sheriff Peter's investigation is as enthralling as it is hilarious. The dialogue is sharp and nuanced, continuously shifting between upbeat and tense conversations. It gave depth to the conflicts, emotions, and traits of the cast. Despite being the fifth installment in The Anderson Chronicles, this gripping whodunnit is a stand-alone read.