Nefarious Intent

A 3D paperback mockup of Kit Karson's 3rd book in the Anderson Chronicles series titled "Justice Rendered."

Nefarious Intent: A Sheriff Elliott Mystery (The Anderson Chronicles, Book 4)

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In the shadow of murder, secrets come to light.

Holiday festivities in tiny Anderson, Montana take an unexpected turn when a welfare check becomes a murder investigation. Stone County deputy Tom Edwards discovers the frozen corpses of a local couple bound to chairs at their home in the Moonlight Mountains. The couple’s son and daughter-in-law soon go missing, the only clue a puddle of blood. A tragic bus accident and embezzled church funds add suspects and complicate motives.

Stone County Sheriff Peter Elliott and his crew are once again faced with more suspects than clues and an increasingly hostile press in their struggle to solve these murders.

Reader's Gossip Column

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"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." – Priya Mathew for Readers’ Favorite

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"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." – Alma Boucher for Readers’ Favorite

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"This was a great mystery. The author allows the reader to assemble the clues at the same time as the investigation team and doesn't hold back critical clues necessary to unraveling the solution. We also get glimpses into the lives and backstory of the sheriff's team which rounds out our familiarity with the characters.Although it is part of a series, this book could also be read as a stand-alone story. There are some minor references to events in prior books, but they do not distract or confuse a reader that is new to the series. People who enjoy mysteries set in small US towns will find this an entertaining novel. It would be an excellent choice for fans of the Longmire series by Craig Johnson." – Corinne Severn at Reedsy Discovery

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"This gripping whodunnit will hook you from cover to cover. Kit Karson’s Nefarious Intent is a must-read for lovers of mystery murder novels. Karson weaves a tangled web of mystery around an ingenious plot with an unraveling tale of greed, lust, vengeance, blackmail, secrets, deceit, betrayal, abductions, blood, money, murder, and so much more. The nail-biting suspense accompanied by the jaw-dropping plot twists and spell-binding cliffhangers had me on the edge of my seat. The colorful and evocative depictions had me feeling like I was next to the characters, watching the scenes unfold. Between filtering for clues through the local gossip mill and dealing with high-stakes drama from the mayor, a local news reporter, and the county folk, it is a wonder Peter had the time and energy to investigate two unrelated cases. This is an incredible stand-alone installment in the Anderson Chronicles. I loved it. I’m on my way to get the rest." Keith Mbuya for Readers’ Favorite

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"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." – Nino Lobiladze for Readers’ Favorite

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"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." – Mimie Odigwe for Readers’ Favorite