Land Grab

The Anderson Chronicles Book 1

Fiction - Mystery - Murder
296 Pages
Reviewed on 03/20/2024
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Land Grab by Kit Karson is the first book in the Anderson Chronicles series. Sheriff Peter Elliot has his work cut out for him in his sleepy Montana town. Used to nothing more than drunks brawling in the streets and cows breaking free, he is ill-equipped to solve a grisly murder in the local bakery. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. A missing man, an apparent suicide that proves to be murder, and a high-value theft compound the issue, and it seems the sheriff’s crew is overwhelmed. When the Russian mafia invades the town and people begin to receive threats, Elliot knows it’s time to man up and get the job done. Are the deaths related? Is it a conspiracy? Elliot and his crew have to knuckle down and solve the case before anyone else dies.

Land Grab by Kit Karson is a fantastic thriller, one of the best murder mysteries I have ever had the pleasure to read. This mystery perfectly captures the essence of small-town living, and the descriptive writing transports you there. This is compelling reading, a fun whodunnit with plenty of action, a very clever plot, and twists and turns that take you down many dead ends before the truth comes out. The characters are masterfully developed, and you can’t help but like them, especially the sheriff. This is a captivating story that will enthrall you from start to finish, one of those unputdownable books that you’ll want to read in one go. Highly recommended for all fans of murder mysteries. I’m really looking forward to the next book.

K.C. Finn

Land Grab: A Sheriff Elliot Mystery is penned by author Kit Karson in the mystery, intrigue, and adventure subgenres, and is the opening novel of The Anderson Chronicles series. The work is best suited to the general adult reading audience. The tranquil atmosphere of a small Montana town is shattered by a grisly murder in this thrilling mystery tale. The baker's wife discovers a bloody scene and a missing husband, while later, a prominent figure in the town is found dead, initially assumed to be suicide but revealed as murder upon autopsy. As Sheriff Peter Elliott and his team investigate, they uncover a connection between the murders and a missing inventory of valuable sapphires. Complicating matters further are the arrival of Russian Mafia thugs and a series of threatening notes. The sheriff and his crew must navigate these challenges to solve the case and prevent further harm to the town's residents.

Author Kit Karson expertly blends elements of mystery and suspense, drawing the reader into the small-town setting and the complexities of the investigation. The character development, particularly that of Sheriff Peter Elliott, gives us a strong anchor point in the novel as we see him grapple with the challenges of the case while also contending with personal and professional pressures. I loved his dialogue style and the close detail in the narration means that you really get attached to him as you root for him and see the world through his eyes. The pacing is brisk, with each chapter revealing new clues and adding layers to the mystery, and, as this tale concluded, I was already hungry for another. Overall, Land Grab is filled with captivating characters, a fantastic atmosphere, and an intricate plot with twists and turns that will certainly keep mystery fans engaged from cover to cover.

Alma Boucher

In Land Grab, a murder mystery by Kit Karson, in the morning, Barb, Bob Dahl's wife, discovers a body in the bakery after Bob leaves early to get the bread dough mixed and rising. Peter Elliot, the sheriff of Anderson, Montana, was called to the scene. He discovered the body was Sam Geary, and Bob was missing. Beloved town patriarch and gem trader David Howard was found hanging from the balcony of his mansion, appearing to have taken his own life. David's autopsy revealed that he had been murdered and some expensive sapphires had been stolen from his inventory. Peter's investigation revealed that there were Russian mafia goons in town and that Sam had received threatening letters regarding a border issue with his neighbor.

Kit Karson had me on the edge of my seat from the first page of Land Grab. The plot moved quickly, and I kept turning the pages in the hope of learning the identity of the murderer. I was shocked to learn who the murderer was and the reason for the crimes in this suspenseful read. This book is made so much more entertaining by the personable and realistic characters. Everyone in the small town of Anderson is well-versed in one another's lives. My favorite element of the story was how well Peter and his team examined the web of suspects. I felt like I was standing right next to them as each individual was scrutinized. Reading this story was enjoyable because it was well-written and compelling, and it was much more than I expected.

Luwi Nyakansaila

Sheriff Peter Elliot and his team are faced with an unusual situation when they are called to a murder scene at the local bakery. Although they usually handle minor issues such as playground disputes and lost cattle, they now have to investigate a murder case in their small town. As they dig deeper, they discover that one resident is missing and another has been found dead under mysterious circumstances. With increasing pressure from the media and town residents for answers, the Anderson police department discovers hidden secrets about land disputes, unreported threatening letters, and residents with connections to the Russian Mafia. Follow Sheriff Elliot and his team as they solve these unusual cases in Land Grab, a thrilling story by Kit Karson.

Land Grab is the first book in The Anderson Chronicles series by Kit Karson. It sets the foundation for the series by introducing readers to the residents of Anderson, a small town in Montana, and their relationship dynamics and backgrounds. Peter is a formidable character who is haunted by the death of his parents, which is why the unexplained murders in his town affect him so much. His desire to solve the murders is evident, and his emotional turmoil is palpable as he delves deeper into the investigation. The story also includes elements of comedy, romance, and family drama, making it diverse and enjoyable to read. The author's use of suspense and plot twists keeps the story engaging and entertaining. Overall, Land Grab is a captivating story and a must-read for all murder investigation lovers.

Doreen Chombu

Land Grab, a mystery murder drama by Kit Karson, is about the residents of Anderson, Montana, who wake up to a gruesome scene at their local bakery. A man is found dead in the kitchen, and the baker's wife is inconsolable. The small, peaceful town is shaken by this unfortunate incident, and Sheriff Peter Elliot and his team start investigating the murder. Their investigation reveals that the owner of the bakery, Bob, is missing. A few hours later, Peter's team is informed of the second death of another beloved resident of Anderson, who is known for dealing in sapphires. At first, it looks like a suicide, but the autopsy points to a murder. Peter has two deaths, one missing person, no solid leads, and terrified residents who all think they are next on the killer's list.

Land Grab is a captivating tale with many twists and turns. This story will have you perched right on the edge of your seat, pondering who the killer might be and what could be their motive. If you are a fan of detective stories, then you will enjoy following the clues in this tale that lead to shocking revelations. Kit Karson has done a remarkable job of building suspense by introducing intriguing and suspicious characters. It was interesting trying to figure out who the killer was since even the good guys had motives. The book is well-written, with a smooth flow and ample room for sequels. I hope to read more about the residents of Anderson because they are fascinating characters with charming personalities. I enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who loves murder mysteries and thrilling investigation dramas.