A masterful mix of crime, conspiracy, and intrigue.
Savage Malice: A Sheriff Elliot Mystery by Kit Karson pushes Sheriff Peter Elliott into one of the darkest investigations of his career. When Montana rancher Seth Geary finds his hired hand brutally slain among a field of mutilated cattle and realizes his brother Andrew has vanished, the discovery rattles Anderson to its core. Talk of UFOs spreads quickly, drawing curiosity seekers into town, but Elliott’s attention is caught by something more tangible: unsettling blood-daubed symbols inside a deserted cabin not far from the scene. As paranoia grips the community, the sheriff is forced to navigate a maze of cult rumors, government conspiracies, and the fraying nerves of a town on edge. Each lead deepens the sense of menace, testing Elliott’s resilience and resolve as he confronts the possibility of ritualistic violence. With a steady hand and his refusal to yield to hysteria, Sheriff Elliott drives the investigation toward a truth that is more disturbing than rumor, proving once again that in Karson’s uniquely crafted world, the line between legend and crime is perilously thin.
Kit Karson knows how to hold an audience in suspense for just the right amount of time, and Savage Malice delivers a masterful mix of crime, conspiracy, and intrigue with a new beat dropping just when you need it most. The UFO subgenre can be so full of overdone tropes at this point, so it is refreshing to read a story where these elements are more naturally woven into a story of family tragedy, where the shock and grief of that story remains at the forefront for maximum emotional drama. Sheriff Elliott remains a grounded and compelling protagonist within the chaos of the conspiracies and whispers around him, and the Geary family’s tragedy brings deeply personal stakes to a mystery that readers can get fully invested in. Audiences will want to feel that sense of justice, eyes peeled for clues everywhere as they ride along on Elliott’s shoulder for unforgettable scenes of cultish goings on and small-town horror that balances its realism with eerie, otherworldly overtones. The construction of this atmosphere is carefully curated and well-timed to coincide with the story beats for a taut story with twists that surprise you but also feel totally earned. Dark and intriguing from cover to cover, Savage Malice is a standout entry among The Anderson Chronicles, a novel that raises provocative questions about belief, hysteria, and truth.
