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Detective Sarah Burke #2
At Close Range
Please note this book was previously published as New River Blues.
A horrific double murder in a high-dollar neighborhood. Detective Sarah Burke unravels the tragic destiny of a rich and troubled family.
Tucson police detective Sarah Burke is called out to a double homicide in a rich neighborhood. While the property developer husband is away on business, his party-loving wife winds up dead in their king-size bed along with her latest boy-toy. They were clearly shot at close range.
As the crime scene investigators get to work, the victim’s teenage daughter sneaks into the house and is confronted by the horrifying scene.
Where’s her father? Why isn’t he answering his cell phone?
While Sarah is trying to get answers, she’s dealing with a lot in her personal life. She’s looking after her substance-abusing sister’s daughter. Sarah wants to become the girl’s legal guardian, but her sister’s not playing ball. The man Sarah loves is definitely a keeper, yet her niece won’t let down her guard around him. Sarah’s mother is usually her rock, but now even she’s cracking.
With the pressure on, can Sarah break the case, even though the prime suspect has a watertight alibi?
WHEN THE PEOPLE SHE LOVES ARE IN DANGER, SHE’LL STOP AT NOTHING TO PROTECT THEM.
A horrific double murder in a high-dollar neighborhood. Detective Sarah Burke unravels the tragic destiny of a rich and troubled family.
Tucson police detective Sarah Burke is called out to a double homicide in a rich neighborhood. While the property developer husband is away on business, his party-loving wife winds up dead in their king-size bed along with her latest boy-toy. They were clearly shot at close range.
As the crime scene investigators get to work, the victim’s teenage daughter sneaks into the house and is confronted by the horrifying scene.
Where’s her father? Why isn’t he answering his cell phone?
While Sarah is trying to get answers, she’s dealing with a lot in her personal life. She’s looking after her substance-abusing sister’s daughter. Sarah wants to become the girl’s legal guardian, but her sister’s not playing ball. The man Sarah loves is definitely a keeper, yet her niece won’t let down her guard around him. Sarah’s mother is usually her rock, but now even she’s cracking.
With the pressure on, can Sarah break the case, even though the prime suspect has a watertight alibi?
WHEN THE PEOPLE SHE LOVES ARE IN DANGER, SHE’LL STOP AT NOTHING TO PROTECT THEM.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2009
154 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Gunn
32 books54 followersA one-time innkeeper with a taste for adventure, Elizabeth has been a private pilot, sky diver, SCUBA diver, and liveaboard sailor. Extensive travel in the US, Canada, Mexico and Europe led to a second career as a free-lance travel writer, during which she began writing a series of police procedural mysteries set in southeast Minnesota, where she grew up. Her books contrast the sometimes gritty routine of police work with the idyllic rural scenes around a mid-size city in the upper Midwest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 12, 2019
The second book in the series finds Sarah Burke working with the detective group on a double murder at an expensive home located in a wealthy Tucson neighborhood. It is thought at first the Bodies were husband and wife, but that is not true. The investigation will take Sarah in the construction business, political realm, and behavior of the theater workers.
At home Denny is now living with Sarah. Her Mother's comes over to stay with Denny after school. Will Seitz, Sarah boyfriend is helping to keep household going. The apartment is crowded and using the same place and clearing it when the space is needed for something else. The ending will surprise you. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES.
At home Denny is now living with Sarah. Her Mother's comes over to stay with Denny after school. Will Seitz, Sarah boyfriend is helping to keep household going. The apartment is crowded and using the same place and clearing it when the space is needed for something else. The ending will surprise you. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES.
July 4, 2022
I enjoyed this book and it held my interest throughout. The twist at the end was unexpected
January 23, 2022
Page turner. Really enjoyed reading this one, especially the final twist. Hoping there will be a follow up letting us know how Denny is doing and if Sarah can get custody. Definitely one of the best mystery and suspense books I read recently.
February 7, 2022
At Close Range
The second of this author's books and again I had a very hard time putting the book the story so just had to keep reading. She is one of the best writers of a police story I have ever read and I hope doesn't guit.
The second of this author's books and again I had a very hard time putting the book the story so just had to keep reading. She is one of the best writers of a police story I have ever read and I hope doesn't guit.
June 6, 2025
Sure can't mess with good detectives!
Good read kept me involved throughout the story. Characters were interesting as well as their being involved in the story line. Hard to put down once you're into it. Can't wait for the next one!
Good read kept me involved throughout the story. Characters were interesting as well as their being involved in the story line. Hard to put down once you're into it. Can't wait for the next one!
October 14, 2025
The second installment in the Sarah Burke series, and just as enthralling as the first. Great character development, solid story line, and the obligatory finals twist that I didn't see coming. A great read, looking forward to the next episode.
January 17, 2022
Tucson
This was a good story with many twists and turns that kept me reading. I enjoyed getting to know the characters . I hope there is a third book in th II s series.
This was a good story with many twists and turns that kept me reading. I enjoyed getting to know the characters . I hope there is a third book in th II s series.
March 11, 2022
Good
This book is part of a series about a dective that works out of a unit that works murder and
This book is part of a series about a dective that works out of a unit that works murder and
May 29, 2022
Another good one!
Love this series! Highly recommend reading this book. Sarah is working on solving another murder impacting a very wealthy family.
Love this series! Highly recommend reading this book. Sarah is working on solving another murder impacting a very wealthy family.
June 5, 2022
Great Story
Very well written, kept you engaged throughout the story. I enjoyed the characters and the twisting of the plot.
Phyllis
USA
Very well written, kept you engaged throughout the story. I enjoyed the characters and the twisting of the plot.
Phyllis
USA
July 30, 2023
Despite the fact that the story was better developed than in the first book of the serie, the ending was rushed and overall I feel like a lot of potential was wasted..
August 22, 2025
Good story. You begin to know who the real killer is but not everything about them
February 1, 2013
First Line: The party was big and very noisy at first, two or three groups that didn't mix very well and laughed at everything so they'd know they were having fun.
Tucson police detective Sarah Burke is called out to a double homicide in a wealthy neighborhood. While the property developer husband is away on business, his party-loving wife winds up dead in bed along with the boy toy of the hour. While the crime scene investigators are hard at work, the teenage daughter sneaks in the house and walks into the bedroom where the murders took place. Who's going to take care of her? Where is her father? Why isn't he answering his cell phone? And who's going to get in touch with the son who's in boarding school?
While Sarah is trying to find answers to all these questions, she's also got a lot to deal with in her private life. She is caring for her substance-abusing sister's little daughter, whom Sarah loves very much. Sarah wants to become the girl's legal guardian, but her sister's going to make that a very tricky proposition. The man she loves is definitely a keeper, but her little niece refuses to let down her guard around him. Sarah's mother is a terrific help, but now Sarah can see that something's not right with the older woman.
Elizabeth Gunn has created a series in which the character's personal life is every bit as interesting as the mystery-- and like the man in Sarah's life, this mystery is definitely a keeper. From a wreck on Interstate 10 to a very shifty batch of caterers to the final reveal of the identity of the killer (I can't believe I didn't figure that out!), I found this book very difficult to put down-- which is exactly the way I felt about the first book in the series, Cool in Tucson. This series is definitely one to be savored for its Tucson setting, its fully fleshed characters, and its engrossing plots. I'm torn between wanting to gallop through the books as quickly as possible so I can keep up with what's happening to Sarah and her family... and wanting to space out each book very carefully so I won't be impatiently waiting for the next. Decisions, decisions!
Tucson police detective Sarah Burke is called out to a double homicide in a wealthy neighborhood. While the property developer husband is away on business, his party-loving wife winds up dead in bed along with the boy toy of the hour. While the crime scene investigators are hard at work, the teenage daughter sneaks in the house and walks into the bedroom where the murders took place. Who's going to take care of her? Where is her father? Why isn't he answering his cell phone? And who's going to get in touch with the son who's in boarding school?
While Sarah is trying to find answers to all these questions, she's also got a lot to deal with in her private life. She is caring for her substance-abusing sister's little daughter, whom Sarah loves very much. Sarah wants to become the girl's legal guardian, but her sister's going to make that a very tricky proposition. The man she loves is definitely a keeper, but her little niece refuses to let down her guard around him. Sarah's mother is a terrific help, but now Sarah can see that something's not right with the older woman.
Elizabeth Gunn has created a series in which the character's personal life is every bit as interesting as the mystery-- and like the man in Sarah's life, this mystery is definitely a keeper. From a wreck on Interstate 10 to a very shifty batch of caterers to the final reveal of the identity of the killer (I can't believe I didn't figure that out!), I found this book very difficult to put down-- which is exactly the way I felt about the first book in the series, Cool in Tucson. This series is definitely one to be savored for its Tucson setting, its fully fleshed characters, and its engrossing plots. I'm torn between wanting to gallop through the books as quickly as possible so I can keep up with what's happening to Sarah and her family... and wanting to space out each book very carefully so I won't be impatiently waiting for the next. Decisions, decisions!
June 22, 2009
I was attracted to this book in my Wimberley library with this PR "Sarah fits firmly into the female-sleuth mold created by Muller, Grafton and Paretsky." Three of my favorite mystery sisters.
The comparison with three character-driven sleuths is not hype; Sarah Burke, the detective with the Tucson Police Department, definitely has a complicated life. She is not a hard-boiled down-on-her-luck investigator, but she definitely is well drawn by Elizabeth Gunn with a firm grounding in police procedure. She is also a lead detective to be reckoned with; she knows her police procedures and how to work the system. She also is savvy about reading and manipulating the detectives in her department to get what she needs done. She also displays a great sense of humor on occasion.
What kept me from a page-turning read is the minutiae involved in setting up the crime and crime scene. The loser characters were not those you wanted to root for, but they received detailed backgrounds for the first few chapters in the book. The plot twists, bad characters who turned out to be good characters, were written with authenticity. The main villain's unmasking was not that well developed though his relationship uncovered on the last few pages was believable.
The comparison with three character-driven sleuths is not hype; Sarah Burke, the detective with the Tucson Police Department, definitely has a complicated life. She is not a hard-boiled down-on-her-luck investigator, but she definitely is well drawn by Elizabeth Gunn with a firm grounding in police procedure. She is also a lead detective to be reckoned with; she knows her police procedures and how to work the system. She also is savvy about reading and manipulating the detectives in her department to get what she needs done. She also displays a great sense of humor on occasion.
What kept me from a page-turning read is the minutiae involved in setting up the crime and crime scene. The loser characters were not those you wanted to root for, but they received detailed backgrounds for the first few chapters in the book. The plot twists, bad characters who turned out to be good characters, were written with authenticity. The main villain's unmasking was not that well developed though his relationship uncovered on the last few pages was believable.
June 14, 2009
Ambitious Tucson homicide detective Sarah Burke has her hands full on the home front, with unofficial custody of her niece, her mother's health problems, her laconic boyfriend, and always the specter of the sister who desperately needs, and always rejects, Sarah's help. But the investigation of the deaths of the beautiful socialite and her casual lover present more problems. The socialite's developer-husband has financial problems and a shaky alibi. But the petty crook picked for the fall guy is a little smarter than he looks, and the police, especially Sarah, are a lot smarter the criminals expected.
October 9, 2015
Gunn, Elizabeth: NEW RIVER BLUES, a Sarah Burke Mystery: I thought it was 3rd in the state of AZ series ab. a female investigative cop but GoodReads says it's #2; this one was not nearly as enthralling as the previous book (see #25, ’15 Books read list); at least at the end of #1 in this series I thought I would give the 4-book series a chance; after book 2 of 4 no way I am going to keep going with this rather staid novelist, critics be damned. 2009 hardback purchased by spouse, 214 pgs. 2 out of 5 stars (only because I finished it);
May 11, 2018
TITLE: New River Blues
WHY I CHOSE THIS BOOK: It met my reading challenge criteria being connected to the book before it,
REVIEW: TITLE: New River Blues
WHY I CHOSE THIS BOOK: It fit in my reading challenge being connected the the book before it, Bean Trees, as both were set in same place, Tucson.
REVIEW: This book is not great but not bad either. A serviceable mystery worth reading but not something to rush out and read. I do like the characters and really enjoy the Tucson references. The mystery is engaging enough but nothing "novel".
WHY I CHOSE THIS BOOK: It met my reading challenge criteria being connected to the book before it,
REVIEW: TITLE: New River Blues
WHY I CHOSE THIS BOOK: It fit in my reading challenge being connected the the book before it, Bean Trees, as both were set in same place, Tucson.
REVIEW: This book is not great but not bad either. A serviceable mystery worth reading but not something to rush out and read. I do like the characters and really enjoy the Tucson references. The mystery is engaging enough but nothing "novel".
December 5, 2011
I picked this up because of its setting in Tucson. I'm usually not a fan of mysteries that jump around to different perspectives, but Gunn does this very well. Her main character of the only female homicide detective in Tucson is likeable and believeable. There are a number of good story threads that pull you through (and make you want to read the next one).
March 19, 2012
I really expected to enjoy this book much more than I did. I read "Cool in Tucson" several years ago, liked it and was looking forward to a sequel, so when I saw "New River Blues" I was prepared for a good read. Instead I found characters that would be incomprehensible if I hadn't read the first book and a slow moving, not too believable plot.
April 28, 2014
Second book in this series set in Tucson. Two people are dead after a big party in a high-dollar neighborhood. Lots of interesting characters, but too much time spent with some low-lifes. Sarah's personal life is complicated and interesting, involving a new policeman boyfriend, her mother, and her niece, as well as her ne'er-do-well sister.
February 16, 2010
This is the second, and last, at least for now, in this series with Sarah Burke, the Tucson police detective as the main character. Living so near Tucson, that adds a lot of enjoyment, but, as I noted with the first in the series, the plot and character development is also excellent.
January 1, 2011
2nd in new series by Ms. Gunn. Main character is Sarah Burke, Tucson, AZ, police detective. Enjoyed more than the 1st in series; characters are becoming clearer & their interaction is more pronounced.
April 5, 2011
I enjoyed the first book in this series a bit more than this one. The writing and plot in the first seemed a bit tighter, but still an enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
March 31, 2009
Entertaining second book featuring Tucson Policewoman Sarah Burke. Here's hoping that the author's publisher brings us a third.
May 26, 2009
Not the best writing but a competent police procedural if that is what you are looking for. Relevant in terms of content as the woes of contractors in a serious economic downturn takes center stage.
April 19, 2010
Its' just a read to me, it sluged me along with a plot that I knew most everything that happened before it was mentioned.
August 14, 2010
Tucson Police Dective Sarah Burke has been called to investigate a Horrific double murder in the High Dollar part of the City.
Good writing is evolving with this Mystery.
Good writing is evolving with this Mystery.
March 24, 2011
A good who-did-it.
May 13, 2011
This book tried to integrate the people who will be found in future books - but it was a bit overloaded.
September 12, 2011
Sarah Burke mystery.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews