With many thanks to Netgalley for this free arc and I am leaving this unbiased review voluntarily.
This second instalment of Stern and Martin picks up directly where the last one finished and Anna Britton once again demonstrates her ability to plot a multi layered story. The author brings her unique style of storytelling to give us a riveting read full of suspense with intriguing characters none more so than the two leading ladies. A strange ending but I expect that will take us very nicely into book 3……

A great police story. I loved the characters and the back story of each. The plot had action from start to finish that made it an adventurous read. Fast paced, hooked my from the start.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The second in this very good series, set in Southampton, starts with DS Gabe Martin and DI Juliet Stern recovering from gunshots. Gabe is less severely injured and determined to get back to work - intent on assisting to find the shooter, despite clear instructions to stay away. Instead she is given a missing persons case as an art student has disappeared.

As the novel progresses, Gabe is convinced the two cases are both connected to a trio of brothers who they have been trying to tie to human trafficking. The pace slows a little in the middle sections as the team have plenty of theories but no evidence. Meanwhile Juliet is absent, dealing with marital problems and refusing to become involved.

Close To The Edge keeps the reader's interest throughout, with some good character development as members of the detective team interact. The omission is the unliked Juliet, who stand aloof - there are secrets here still to be discovered. Overall, it's a good read and sets up the next episode in the series nicely.

Book 2 in the Detectives Stern and Martin series and DI Juliet Stern and DS Gabe Martin are both shot as they leave Southampton Crown Court. Obviously they are unable to take part in the investigation into the shooting, however, that isn’t going to stop them! I would definitely recommend reading book 1 first as there are ongoing storylines. Written largely from Gabe’s POV with various media - case notes, interview transcripts, text messages etc. which I liked and thought added an extra dimension to the story.

Briefly, Gabe’s injury is less serious than Juliet and she turns up at the police station after her release from hospital. It’s made quite clear that she must not be involved in the investigation. She is putting in charge of a missing person case, that of art student Henry Garside. Before the shooting Juliet and Gabe were investigating a crime family and this adds them to the suspect list, alongside members of the Dunlow family and a former colleague of Juliet - just for starters.

Juliet isn’t around so much in this book with Gabe taking centre stage as Juliet is dealing with personal problems. Gabe has got a gem of a man in Ollie, I might have a bit of a crush. The two main characters are well fleshed and so very different and I find it incredible how loyal Gabe is to Juliet when she treats her, at times, with such distain. I really need to know why Juliet is the way she is. What hasn’t been revealed yet? A good plot with great twists and turns had me fooled until the reveal. I really enjoyed this and with a few loose ends there is definitely another book in the offing. Great.

DI Juliet Stern and DS Gabe Martin are shot at the courthouse. The shooter vanishes, and even CCTV doesn't shed a light on their identity.
A student goes missing, and Gabe is assigned to the case, but is investigating her shooting as well - behind the scenes.

I probably should have read the first book in this series, as I was completely lost with the massive cast of characters.
I didn't like the way the book was written - it confused me somewhat.
Reports, sms messages, and interview transcripts and from Gabe's POV. I just did not like this format.
I also did not like Juliet's attitude and character.
However, saying that, the plot was good.
I do feel that poor Henry's case largely ignored.

I give this a 2.5 rounded up to a 3 star.

Thanks to Netgalley and Canelo Crime for the opportunity to read this book.

Another amazing book!
I love how this book is set out it’s so unique and interesting I haven’t stopped raving about it
I adore gabe and Juliet. I was gutted to find out more about Juliet I don’t know why but she breaks my heart at times. I know she’s the cold hearted one.
The crime was so well written so much information it was brilliant these detectives are fast becoming my favourites alone side Di Kim Stone & DCI Matilda Drake. Detective books are my all time favourite and these are some of the best I’ve read

I don’t usually read police procedurals, but Anna Britton’s last book was good and set up a great cliffhanger so had to read this one. Like the last book, this one also had a few parallel plots, some multimedia/ modern epistolary bits (a la Janice Hallett), and the action moved at pace. Those are all good things. This book also ended with, if not a cliffhanger, then definitely a good foreshadowing of things to come. The reader had to have read and remembered the last book, which was both a strength (in terms of continuity) and a drawback. The author needed to add some more flashbacks/ expository sequences to help the readers along. I was not super-enamored with the character-building either. To be fair, the characters were not cardboard cutouts like in most police procedurals, but we needed to hear more from Juliet herself.

Despite my criticisms, I am an almost-reluctant reader and I find the books to be quite good (4/5 stars). People who are more into police procedurals would likely find this series very much worth their while. I myself plan to read the next book, if only to know the answer to a long-run mystery.

Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for letting me read an ARC of this book.

Two detectives under fire. One missing student. No answers. Chaos breaks out as DS Gabe Martin leaves Southampton Crown Court. Gunshots ring out. She and DI Juliet Stern are hit. The culprit disappears without a trace. Great read!! This book has great suspense, murder, mystery, intrigue, action, great characters, a good who done it and a few twists and turns! The story was interesting! I definitely recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

I've been waiting for this book with baited breath since the first one and I was not disappointed. I love Anna's writing, and this book is packed full of twists and turns to keep you guessing. I love the character of Gabe, you really feel like you're on a journey with her, especially in this one. And hearts for Ollie - the perfect cinnamon roll! As with book 1, Anna has left us some stuff to mull over until the next one! Thanks so much Canelo for the ARC, I thoroughly enjoyed this!

I’ve never read anything by Anna Britton. Close to the Edge was the first book I’ve read by her. I definitely hope it won’t be the last

This was a bit of an exciting, well written read which gripped me right from the start! I was totally hooked on the brilliant plotting, two police officers shot and wounded, the various plot lines throughout and the action which continued right until the end. The characterisation is believable and I liked the dynamics within the team. A couple of questions unanswered at the end but this left me eagerly looking forward to a follow up! An excellent mix of thriller and police procedural which I highly recommend. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.