Savage Game

Savage Game by JT Sawyer
11/23/25; 314 pages
Inkubator Books
Kyle Payne Thriller #4

Savage Game by JT Sawyer is a very highly recommended action thriller and the fourth book featuring former CIA operative Kyle Payne. This can be enjoyed as a standalone novel but after reading you will want to read the previous books in the series: Knife Edge, Blood Trail, and Kill Shot.

Kyle Payne came to Alaska on his Indian motorcycle to get away and experience some peace and solitude. Instead he helps Gus, the owner of the lodge he's working for, look at at tracks with police detective Nolte at a site where it is thought a mass bear attacked occurred. He finds himself immersed in a murder investigation after it is determined that the four campers were brutally murdered by human predators. There is one survivor, teenager Micah Brezny, who manages to escape the hired killers twice before inadvertently running into Payne with the killers close behind. 

As both Micah and Payne are now targets, Nolte is working to find out who the killer is and clues have been left to point to an innocent man. Nolte also has a pushy officer sent from the governor to assist him, which is suspicious. Micah, however, has taken pictures of the killers on her phone and this information gets out. Now the big man, mining executive Sean Klurman, behind the hired men must eliminate her and Payne. With Payne, though, they have no idea who they are dealing with and he uses all his training and skills to keep Mich and himself alive.

This is a well-written, fast-paced, compelling, action thriller that will hold your complete attention while keeping you turning the pages late into the night. The tension is high, the corruption seems to be everywhere, and the danger is ever present throughout the novel. You might have to set disbelief aside that one man can do everything Payne does, but you will gladly do so because the action is worth it. Besides, it is known that Payne is prepared to take deadly action if necessary.

Clearly, Payne is a one-man lethal force and has the training and background to handle what comes his way. He is a hero you will support and root for since you know he stands for justice and discovering the truth. He can tell when a system is corrupt and will make sure that the truth is exposed. At the same time he is protecting Micah, who is a determined and strong young woman who has all ready experienced a lot of traumatic events in her life. 

Savage Game is a perfect choice for anyone who enjoys action-packed thrillers. Thanks to Inkubator Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.