What do you think?
Rate this book
The Anderson Chronicles #1
Land Grab
Arriving early one morning to open for business, the baker’s wife walks into a bloody scene, a body, and a missing husband. Later that afternoon, a beloved town patriarch and sapphire dealer is found hanging from the balcony in his historic mansion. On first observation, it looks like suicide. An autopsy points to murder. Further investigation reveals the victim’s inventory of valuable sapphires is missing. Are the two deaths related?
An invasion of Russian Mafia thugs and a string of threatening notes complicate matters. Sheriff Peter Elliott and his crew, more familiar with wayward cows and drunken brawls, dust off their investigative skills and hurry to solve the case before more town folk fall victim.
An invasion of Russian Mafia thugs and a string of threatening notes complicate matters. Sheriff Peter Elliott and his crew, more familiar with wayward cows and drunken brawls, dust off their investigative skills and hurry to solve the case before more town folk fall victim.
296 pages, Paperback
Published July 25, 2023
37 people are currently reading
2550 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 2, 2025
I love Kit Karson’s writing style!
Karson effortlessly took me to the small mining town of Anderson, Montana and introduced me to her great cast of characters. I instantly liked Sheriff Peter Elliott and had no difficulty keeping track of the town’s inhabitants.
The book opens with a brief history of the town before ramping up the action - a dispute between tourists and locals, a grisly murder scene in a bakery, a missing baker, foul play surrounding a sapphire dealer and the introduction of the Russian mob. I loved the ‘freshness’ of it - unique setting, wonderfully crafted characters and an intriguing mystery.
This was a binge read; a compelling 'clean' whodunnit.
I started book two immediately.
I was gifted this copy by the publisher through NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Karson effortlessly took me to the small mining town of Anderson, Montana and introduced me to her great cast of characters. I instantly liked Sheriff Peter Elliott and had no difficulty keeping track of the town’s inhabitants.
The book opens with a brief history of the town before ramping up the action - a dispute between tourists and locals, a grisly murder scene in a bakery, a missing baker, foul play surrounding a sapphire dealer and the introduction of the Russian mob. I loved the ‘freshness’ of it - unique setting, wonderfully crafted characters and an intriguing mystery.
This was a binge read; a compelling 'clean' whodunnit.
I started book two immediately.
I was gifted this copy by the publisher through NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
January 12, 2026
Just got this book for Christmas and it's signed by the author to me!!! Only have one other signed copy by an author to me, (but then again, the book WAS about me, LOL) Sounds good from the cover. As a old retired murder cop, I'll critique the poetic license.
This was a well written and a fun read. I felt it was a little rushed and disjointed at the end but overall I totally loved the characters. I was instantly transported to my beloved Montana, and I envisioned the town of Philipsburg as the backdrop, it's one of my favorite haunts. Thank you to the author for taste of authentic small town Western America!
This was a well written and a fun read. I felt it was a little rushed and disjointed at the end but overall I totally loved the characters. I was instantly transported to my beloved Montana, and I envisioned the town of Philipsburg as the backdrop, it's one of my favorite haunts. Thank you to the author for taste of authentic small town Western America!
March 13, 2025
Karson delivers tightly wound mysteries where justice is never simple, and danger lurks beneath Montana’s rugged beauty. In Land Grab, outsiders scheme to carve up Anderson for profit. A baker’s wife finds a bloody crime scene—her husband missing. Hours later, a sapphire dealer is found hanged, his gems gone. Suicide? The autopsy says murder. Sheriff Peter Elliott must untangle a web of theft, threats, and Russian Mafia muscle before more bodies drop.
Innocence Slain takes a darker turn. Women have vanished from Anderson for years—unnoticed, until Stacey Nichols disappears. New deputy Birdie Bradshaw’s investigation into old cases uncovers a pattern long ignored. Meanwhile, Stacey is fighting to escape her captor. With time running out, Peter races to find her before she’s lost forever.
A junk man turns up dead at the dump, buried under grass clippings and a kiddie pool in Justice Rendered. A town steeped in secrets, an antique serving fork, and a killer with nothing to lose—Peter’s investigation turns deadly as danger closes in. A couple is found murdered in their Moonlight Mountains home, and their son and daughter-in-law are nowhere to be found in Nefarious Intent. A bus crash and stolen church funds complicate the matter further. With the media circling and pressure mounting, Peter must hunt the killer before time runs out.
Peter Elliott remains at the heart of the series. He is no grizzled relic or cowboy caricature. He’s methodical, sharp, and respected. Karson crafts him as a leader who has earned his authority yet remains vulnerable, a man who understands that justice in Anderson is rarely black and white. His interactions with other characters, including with the gossipy bakery owner, the conniving Liz Benton, or the relentless Helen Ferguson, bring levity to the heavy cases he investigates. Zack is an absolute darling.
Karson masterfully blends small-town quirks, such as petty disputes over garage sales, nosy neighbors, and long-standing feuds, with the stark realities of crime. Equal parts picturesque and decaying, the town of Anderson makes for more than a backdrop. Shaped by its sapphire mines, fading traditions, and secrets that refuse to stay buried, it becomes a living, breathing entity. Each book builds its tension deliberately, drawing readers into Anderson’s rhythms before tightening the noose. Innocence Slain carries the most emotional weight, delving into the town’s darkest truths, while Land Grab leans into political maneuvering and greed. The result is a crime series where the past is never truly buried, and justice is anything but simple. Fans of Craig Johnson’s Longmire series or C.J. Box’s Joe Pickett novels will find much to love here. Anderson, Montana, may look idyllic on the surface, but Karson ensures we never forget just how dark and dangerous it can be underneath.
Innocence Slain takes a darker turn. Women have vanished from Anderson for years—unnoticed, until Stacey Nichols disappears. New deputy Birdie Bradshaw’s investigation into old cases uncovers a pattern long ignored. Meanwhile, Stacey is fighting to escape her captor. With time running out, Peter races to find her before she’s lost forever.
A junk man turns up dead at the dump, buried under grass clippings and a kiddie pool in Justice Rendered. A town steeped in secrets, an antique serving fork, and a killer with nothing to lose—Peter’s investigation turns deadly as danger closes in. A couple is found murdered in their Moonlight Mountains home, and their son and daughter-in-law are nowhere to be found in Nefarious Intent. A bus crash and stolen church funds complicate the matter further. With the media circling and pressure mounting, Peter must hunt the killer before time runs out.
Peter Elliott remains at the heart of the series. He is no grizzled relic or cowboy caricature. He’s methodical, sharp, and respected. Karson crafts him as a leader who has earned his authority yet remains vulnerable, a man who understands that justice in Anderson is rarely black and white. His interactions with other characters, including with the gossipy bakery owner, the conniving Liz Benton, or the relentless Helen Ferguson, bring levity to the heavy cases he investigates. Zack is an absolute darling.
Karson masterfully blends small-town quirks, such as petty disputes over garage sales, nosy neighbors, and long-standing feuds, with the stark realities of crime. Equal parts picturesque and decaying, the town of Anderson makes for more than a backdrop. Shaped by its sapphire mines, fading traditions, and secrets that refuse to stay buried, it becomes a living, breathing entity. Each book builds its tension deliberately, drawing readers into Anderson’s rhythms before tightening the noose. Innocence Slain carries the most emotional weight, delving into the town’s darkest truths, while Land Grab leans into political maneuvering and greed. The result is a crime series where the past is never truly buried, and justice is anything but simple. Fans of Craig Johnson’s Longmire series or C.J. Box’s Joe Pickett novels will find much to love here. Anderson, Montana, may look idyllic on the surface, but Karson ensures we never forget just how dark and dangerous it can be underneath.
April 23, 2025
Features:
- Small town murder mystery
- Local police vs. the Russian Mafia
- Mystery/thriller with some humor and cozy moments
Synopsis:
Aside from neighborly spats and the occasional runaway cow, nothing much happens in the small town of Anderson, Montana. So it is a real shock when a gruesome murder scene is discovered in the back of the local bake shop. To complicate matters, one of the shop owners has also gone missing. As Sheriff Peter Elliott and the rest of the sparse Anderson Police Department try to piece together what happened, the patriarch of the town is also discovered dead at his home. Though it appears that the sapphire dealer had hung himself, an autopsy and his missing sapphire inventory points to something more sinister. With two bodies, a missing person, and the arrival of Russian Mafia members, Sheriff Elliott and his team find themselves in the middle of something much larger than they are prepared for.
Thoughts:
Though things get a little too intense for a cozy mystery, there is an almost ‘sitcom’ quality to this mystery/thriller that I found really endearing. The small town of Anderson, Montana is painted as a peaceful, idyllic place with a close knit community and a history of sapphire mining that attracts tourists. We mainly follow Sheriff Peter Elliott, but there is a whole cast of quirky characters we get to know and love. Though they all often feel more like caricatures than real people, I still found myself fully invested in their lives and the town in general.
Despite its overall lighter tone, there is still a pretty gruesome string of murders at the heart of this story. As Sheriff Elliott works to solve this mystery, we also learn more about the sapphires the town is known for and the battle for these precious gems that has been waging just under the surface. Though I frequently had to suspend disbelief in this story, the parts that focused on the sapphires speak to a part of Montana’s history (and present) in a way that always feels authentic. Overall, this was a fun and engaging read that would be perfect for readers who want a solid mystery but are ok not taking things too seriously.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Granite Mountain Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
- Small town murder mystery
- Local police vs. the Russian Mafia
- Mystery/thriller with some humor and cozy moments
Synopsis:
Aside from neighborly spats and the occasional runaway cow, nothing much happens in the small town of Anderson, Montana. So it is a real shock when a gruesome murder scene is discovered in the back of the local bake shop. To complicate matters, one of the shop owners has also gone missing. As Sheriff Peter Elliott and the rest of the sparse Anderson Police Department try to piece together what happened, the patriarch of the town is also discovered dead at his home. Though it appears that the sapphire dealer had hung himself, an autopsy and his missing sapphire inventory points to something more sinister. With two bodies, a missing person, and the arrival of Russian Mafia members, Sheriff Elliott and his team find themselves in the middle of something much larger than they are prepared for.
Thoughts:
Though things get a little too intense for a cozy mystery, there is an almost ‘sitcom’ quality to this mystery/thriller that I found really endearing. The small town of Anderson, Montana is painted as a peaceful, idyllic place with a close knit community and a history of sapphire mining that attracts tourists. We mainly follow Sheriff Peter Elliott, but there is a whole cast of quirky characters we get to know and love. Though they all often feel more like caricatures than real people, I still found myself fully invested in their lives and the town in general.
Despite its overall lighter tone, there is still a pretty gruesome string of murders at the heart of this story. As Sheriff Elliott works to solve this mystery, we also learn more about the sapphires the town is known for and the battle for these precious gems that has been waging just under the surface. Though I frequently had to suspend disbelief in this story, the parts that focused on the sapphires speak to a part of Montana’s history (and present) in a way that always feels authentic. Overall, this was a fun and engaging read that would be perfect for readers who want a solid mystery but are ok not taking things too seriously.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Granite Mountain Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
April 24, 2025
Land Grab, the first release in The Anderson Chronicles series by Kit Karson is uniquely fast paced and rich with small-town charm, this story takes readers deep into a web of intrigue that includes the unexpected presence of the Russian Mafia, threatening notes, and a sheriff’s department just barely equipped to handle the chaos. Sheriff Peter Elliott, his K-9 sidekick Zach, and his team, more used to dealing with livestock than international crime, scramble to piece together the truth before the body count rises.
This is a compelling mystery full of twists, eccentric characters, and enough suspense to keep you reading well past bedtime. The juxtaposition of cozy-town life with high-stakes crime adds layers of tension and heart. A must-read for fans of small-town thrillers with big-time stakes. An excellent start to a promising new series.
This ARC book was complimentary…provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
This is a compelling mystery full of twists, eccentric characters, and enough suspense to keep you reading well past bedtime. The juxtaposition of cozy-town life with high-stakes crime adds layers of tension and heart. A must-read for fans of small-town thrillers with big-time stakes. An excellent start to a promising new series.
This ARC book was complimentary…provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
October 27, 2025
The narrative focuses on a fictional small mining town in Stone County, Montana, named Anderson, where inhabitants know each other's business through the grapevine or rumor mill.
After coming across the murder of two residents, the other a prominent town patriarch, and a missing husband, Sheriff Peter Elliott, with the help of his staff and a well-trained German Shepherd, set about initiating a thorough investigation of this sudden conundrum. While the homicide was somehow linked to a land dispute between families living in the community (hence the title), this did not deter the perpetrators from sending death threats to intended victims.
The plot unraveled briskly. The presence of the Russian mafia added an extra layer of excitement to this solid crime story. Action was understated and subtle.
After coming across the murder of two residents, the other a prominent town patriarch, and a missing husband, Sheriff Peter Elliott, with the help of his staff and a well-trained German Shepherd, set about initiating a thorough investigation of this sudden conundrum. While the homicide was somehow linked to a land dispute between families living in the community (hence the title), this did not deter the perpetrators from sending death threats to intended victims.
The plot unraveled briskly. The presence of the Russian mafia added an extra layer of excitement to this solid crime story. Action was understated and subtle.
February 22, 2026
Land Grab delivers a layered small town crime mystery where personal relationships and hidden motives collide. The opening discovery a bloody bakery and a missing husband immediately sets a tense tone that deepens with the apparent suicide of a respected sapphire dealer.
Sheriff Peter Elliott is a grounded and relatable lead, more accustomed to rural disputes than organized crime. Watching him and his crew rise to the challenge of Russian Mafia involvement adds urgency and contrast to the town’s normally quiet rhythms. The missing sapphires, threatening notes, and dual investigations keep the stakes climbing.
A solid blend of rural atmosphere and escalating criminal intrigue, Land Grab offers suspense with a strong sense of place.
Sheriff Peter Elliott is a grounded and relatable lead, more accustomed to rural disputes than organized crime. Watching him and his crew rise to the challenge of Russian Mafia involvement adds urgency and contrast to the town’s normally quiet rhythms. The missing sapphires, threatening notes, and dual investigations keep the stakes climbing.
A solid blend of rural atmosphere and escalating criminal intrigue, Land Grab offers suspense with a strong sense of place.
April 19, 2025
Land Grab is book 1 in The Anderson Chronicles series by Kit Karson. This was a new author for me, and overall I did enjoy the book not a typical read for me. I did enjoy the small town setting, and I found it to be an original story line. I found the pace of the story line to be consistent, not slow then fast which in my opinion made for a more enjoyable read. I look forward to reading more from this author. I would recommend this book to others.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, and I am leaving my review voluntarily
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, and I am leaving my review voluntarily
April 20, 2025
First book in the Anderson Chronicles series featuring Sheriff Peter Elliot and his family, friends and deputies. This seiries falls somewhere between a cozy and a thriller, elements of both kept my attention centered on what was happening in Anderson, Montana. This small town Sheriff's office is facing a string of crimes that are challenging their skills and patience. Kit Karson weaves multiple suspects through the story until it's anyone's guess who done it. Come to find out,......well, I'm not telling.
September 26, 2024
She is about to be pulled into a mystery when she arrives at her husband bakery. All she finds is a bloody mess and her husband missing. She will hear of a hanging which looks like a murder. A pile of valuable gems are missing. What happened? Is her husband involved? Is he a killer? What will she find out? See what she finds out
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review
October 5, 2024
A new author to me and I quite liked the writing style. There was plenty happening, so I never got bored. I liked the way it all came together and how the sheriff worked it out and his resolution to the problem.
I'll gladly read more from this author.
I received a free copy through Hidden Gems and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
I'll gladly read more from this author.
I received a free copy through Hidden Gems and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
December 17, 2024
Sherrif Peter Elliott has several dead bodies show up in his small Montana hamlet and even his old girlfriend (who he is still carrying a torch for) is a possible suspect. A valuable piece of land is at stake and the Sherrif must find the murderer(s). Great descriptive characters and I plan to read more books in this series.
October 24, 2025
A free book from Voracious Readers. Thank you
A well written story of murder and intrigue.
A debt owed, Mafia interests and an unexpalained murder sets the scene.
Sheriff Peter Elliott and his team are even more baffled by a second murder and so the twists and turns begin. Entertaining reading.
I found this hard to put down. Great writing style.
A well written story of murder and intrigue.
A debt owed, Mafia interests and an unexpalained murder sets the scene.
Sheriff Peter Elliott and his team are even more baffled by a second murder and so the twists and turns begin. Entertaining reading.
I found this hard to put down. Great writing style.
November 30, 2025
When the Russian mafia starts to infiltrate their small town, the sheriff must act quickly to ensure that nothing else happens. With a couple of murders, and a lot of mystery, there is much more to what is happening than meets the eye.
Decent read, and enjoyable. I really liked the character of the sheriff. I look forward to reading more in this series.
Decent read, and enjoyable. I really liked the character of the sheriff. I look forward to reading more in this series.
August 4, 2025
This is a compelling mystery full of twists, eccentric characters, and enough suspense to keep you reading well past bedtime. The juxtaposition of cozy-town life with high-stakes crime adds layers of tension and heart. First in the series, this book is an absolute wonder! I loved this book and continued to binge-read the other books within the week.
October 13, 2025
This title was selected for IngramSpark's Indie Title Discovery Spotlight 2025!
A gripping police procedural perfect for fans of small town murder mysteries, twisty thrillers, and western settings. Can't wait to read the rest of The Anderson Chronicles following Sheriff Elliott!
A gripping police procedural perfect for fans of small town murder mysteries, twisty thrillers, and western settings. Can't wait to read the rest of The Anderson Chronicles following Sheriff Elliott!
October 2, 2024
I liked the premise of this book but it didn’t deliver for me. I struggled to finish it
January 11, 2026
I found this book to be very enjoyable. A modern “western” along the lines of the longmire series.
Easy read, I look forward to reading book two.
Easy read, I look forward to reading book two.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews