The Recommended Reading Order
For the best experience, readers should follow the series in chronological/publication order. While each book features a standalone mystery that is resolved by the final page, the overarching character arcs, family dynamics, and romantic relationships develop continuously across the books. Watching Sarah Burke's niece, Denny, grow up and observing Sarah's personal evolution alongside her fellow officer Will Dietz is highly rewarding when read in sequence.
Here is the chronological reading order of the series, showing the reissued Joffe Books titles alongside their original publication titles:
- Close to Her (Originally published as Cool in Tucson, 2007)
- At Close Range (Originally published as New River Blues / Rio Nuevo, 2009)
- Too Close to Kill (Originally published as Kissing Arizona, 2010)
- Close to Death (Originally published as Magic Line, 2012)
- Closing Ranks (Originally published as Red Man Down, 2014)
- Close to Home (Originally published as Denny's Law, 2016)
- Close to the Edge (Originally published as Sarah's List, 2020)
Understanding the Title Changes
If you are searching for Elizabeth Gunn's books online or in libraries, you may encounter different titles for the exact same novels. In 2021, the late author partnered with the digital publisher Joffe Books to reissue the entire series. To create a unified brand, the books were retitled using a consistent "Close to..." thematic convention. For instance, the debut novel Cool in Tucson became Close to Her, and the second book New River Blues was renamed At Close Range. The actual narrative content remains identical, so there is no need to buy both versions.
The Sarah Burke Novels: A Closer Look
1. Close to Her (Cool in Tucson)
The series opens with Sarah Burke investigating a drug-related homicide in a Tucson parking lot. The professional stakes turn deeply personal when her sister Janine's substance abuse leads to the disappearance of Sarah's young niece, Denny. This debut establishes the primary double-narrative of the series: high-stakes borderland police procedurals balanced against intense domestic drama.
2. At Close Range (New River Blues / Rio Nuevo)
Sarah is called to a wealthy neighborhood to solve a double homicide that exposes the greed and dysfunction of a prominent local family. Set against the real-world collapse of the Tucson construction boom, this installment digs deeper into the city's political underbelly. Meanwhile, Sarah struggles to balance her chaotic home life as she officially takes custody of Denny and navigates her relationship with detective Will Dietz.
3. Too Close to Kill (Kissing Arizona)
Tension escalates when a dismembered body is discovered inside a box, throwing Sarah's department into a frantic search for a sadistic killer. The procedural details are incredibly precise, showing Elizabeth Gunn's dedication to authentic police work. On the home front, Sarah's relationship with Will is tested as the stress of their shared cases follows them home.
4. Close to Death (Magic Line)
A home invasion on a quiet residential street turns deadly, leaving walls riddled with bullet holes. The investigation takes a bizarre turn when one of the victims, initially declared dead, wakes up. When the primary suspect escapes custody during a hospital transfer, Sarah is forced to track down a desperate fugitive before he strikes again.
5. Closing Ranks (Red Man Down)
Sarah is tasked with investigating a shooting involving a rookie officer and an intruder caught stealing copper wire. She is stunned to discover the intruder is Ed Lacey, a former cop. As Sarah uncovers three suspicious deaths in Lacey's family over the past three years, she hits a wall of silence. The Lacey family and local officers begin closing ranks to protect their dark secrets.
6. Close to Home (Denny's Law)
Set during a chaotic Fourth of July holiday in Tucson, this novel centers on the brutal beating death of an elderly man. As Sarah searches for the culprit, the case intersects with ongoing family issues. Her niece Denny is now older, and the challenges of parenthood take center stage alongside a complex double homicide investigation.
7. Close to the Edge (Sarah's List)
In the final installment of the series, Sarah is paired with a new partner, Zivko "Bogey" Boganicevic. Their first case involves a violent attack on a senior living facility van, leaving the driver dead. What begins as a search for a targeted killer leads Sarah into a dangerous drug trafficking network, pushing her detective skills—and safety—to the absolute limit.
What to Know Before You Start
Elizabeth Gunn was celebrated for her realism, which she achieved by conducting extensive research and riding along with the Tucson Police Department. Her portrayal of the Southwest border region avoids simple caricatures, highlighting the complex cultural and economic realities of Tucson. Before starting, readers should be prepared for authentic language, procedural details, and emotionally heavy subplots involving addiction and child guardianship.
It is also worth noting that while Gunn wrote another popular police procedural series featuring Detective Jake Hines set in Minnesota, there are no crossovers or shared characters between the two series. They remain entirely separate reads.