Book Two in the Magnolia Steele Mystery series by Denise Grover Swank.
For as long as Magnolia Steele can remember, the past has had its hooks in her. Her time as a Broadway actress in New York City was an escape that ended in public humiliation, but now that she’s back home in Franklin, Tennessee, she’s feeling the grip of the two incidents that stole her innocence. The first was the … disappearance of her father when she was a teen, who left home for a meeting and never came back. The other incident…well, her memories have returned, but it’s best left where it belongs—in the past.
Hoping for closure, Magnolia decides to look into her daddy’s cold case. Though the town gossips are convinced he ran away with his client’s wife and money, she has always suspected foul play. Talking to a few of his old acquaintances seems harmless enough—until the man she’s arranged to meet turns up dead. There’s evidence someone murdered him to keep him quiet, and she realizes that whatever conspiracy her father was mixed up in is far from over; it’s entering its second act.
If Magnolia keeps digging, she’s not sure she can trust her own momma to help her, let alone her new friends and the police detective who’s eager to woo her, but after years of running, she’s ready to stand her ground.
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Talk about a “who done it?”. The suspense with trying to fit all the clues together throw in twists that just get your mind reeling.
Even with the suspense there were so many moments where I’m laughing out loud but can’t put the book down cuz I have to find out who did it!
I don’t think I’ve been as suspicious and paranoid of as many people in my life, this book kept me on the edge for sure. The mystery does continue but each book has been amazing so far. Better spread through many books with more twists and details then in one book lacking so much. I love the set up.
This was for sure an amazing book.
Act Two is the second book in the Magnolia Steele Mystery series by Denise Grover Swank. This book definitely takes things up a notch as Maggie finds herself in one threatening situation after another as she tries to uncover long buried secrets from the past.
In one respect, things are a little better for Magnolia Steele. She has found an apartment of her own but in order to afford it, she is working numerous jobs to try to make her rent. She’s working part time for her mother’s catering business. She is also working part time for a local retail business. She’s also been roped in to helping her new landlady as well as doing some singing with Colt. You’d think all of this would keep our Maggie out of trouble but no, trouble seems to find her no matter what.
“It was time to shine some light in the darkness. I’d just have to be ready when the monsters charged.”
Once again, Maggie is front and center when someone dies. Only this time, she’s not a suspect. But evidence keeps disappearing. And there are more questions than answers. Maggie doesn’t know who to trust, if anyone. Even her friend, Colt, seems to have an agenda of his own.
“Some things are better left in the past, Maggie.”
Detective Brady Bennett is persistent with his pursuit of Maggie. But he is constantly torn between his feelings for her and his duty as a police officer. I have to say here that I felt bad for him. I know that Maggie was just trying to do what was right, both protecting him from her secrets and also, protecting herself, but she was pretty blunt with him. I have to give him credit though. He doesn’t waver and continues to try to help her in whatever way he can.
Maggie’s brother, Roy, becomes more disturbing than ever with his actions. I think this was one of the most disturbing things about this book. I have to give Maggie so much credit for standing up to him.
This is another page turner. Our Maggie stands strong against one thing after another. You can’t help but to need to keep going to see what happens next. Needless to say, this series is starting to take over my life! There are so many questions to be answered. And in order to find them, I have no choice but to go right on to the third book, Call Back, to see what this author has planned for these characters next. I’ll see you on the other side!
Magnolia Steele is one gutsy woman. She seems to attract dead bodies like flies. Life kicks her but she won’t stay down. A lesser woman could not handle all that life has dealt her. Somehow her conniving brother has something to hide. Will be reading book #3 in this series to see what it is. And it’s a toss up if she will fall for Colt or Brady. The author has done well at keeping me guessing and spacing out the suspense between each book in this series.
Magnolia is back and still in trouble!
As memories of Magnolia’s past continue to haunt her, she continues to push back her deepest secret and ends up trying to get to the bottom of what really happened to her dad when she was younger. The local story is that he had an affair and ran off, but Magnolia doesn’t buy it.
Again, Magnolia is such an amazing character. I love getting to see her continue on in Tennessee, even though it wasn’t exactly what she expected. Her guarded relationships with those around her are written so well that you can physically feel the turmoil she’s going through in her mind. Denise Grover Swank is such a storyteller. The way she fuses together the past and the present is immaculate. Not a detail is missed.
Like I said about Center Stage, I would totally recommend this series. If you like DGS’s Rose Gardner/Neely Kate books or her Darling Investigation books, you should definitely give Magnolia Steele a chance!
So glad I had this one already bought after Book 1! Can’t stop, won’t stop! The suspicions! I keep thinking it will go one way and it goes another way. Denise Grover Swank knows how to write! I’m not sure who to trust… Call back will hopefully give me more insight on all of my questions!
In Act Two, as Magnolia struggles to overcome her past, she’s also dealing with the disappearance of her father. Now a cold case. she takes investigating into her own hands. Although the more she digs, the more people end up dead. She realized that whatever her father was involved in, is a long way from being over. Magnolia questions who to trust, whether it be family. friends, or the Franklin police force. I’m very intrigued by Ava Milton and her bible study group, and wonder what they are hiding. Romance and friendships continue to grow as Denise gives us another amazing book, relate-able characters, and an unpredictable plot. I am thoroughly enjoying this complex web she is weaving!
The mystery deepens with Act Two. Magnolia keeps finding herself in the center of murders. Skeptical on who to trust in this book, I find myself turning the pages late into the night wanting to get to the bottom of this mystery. Great book, amazing characters, and unpredictable plot. Amazing book, I highly recommend this series!
I can’t believe I forgot to leave a review when I read this book. I LOVE Magnolia. The 2nd book surpassed my expectations. Definitely a great series to read!
Act Two is another awesome book from Denise Grover Swank. The sequel to Center Stage is full of suspense and all of the characters seem to have secrets they are keeping to themselves. It is easy to feel the emotions that Magnolia is feeling and to connect to her character. Denise does a great job of writing so that you can picture all of the scenes. I cannot wait until book 3 comes out to find out what is going to happen to the characters and unravel more of the mystery.
Couldn’t put this down. Love the series. Now have to purchase the remainder
I just finished Act Two: Magnolia Steele Mystery #2 and I absolutely loved it! Denise has done it again. As soon as you start this book you are instantly hooked! It picks up from Center Stage: Magnolia Steele Mystery #1. If you haven’t read these two books I highly recommend you start them as soon as possible!
Everyone keeps telling Magnolia to leave the past in the past and to stop looking for answers. But she just can’t let it go. She just wants to solve the mystery surrounding her fathers disappearance and what happened to her on graduation night. Will Magnolia be able to find all the answers she’s looking for or will she only be left with more questions?
I love Magnolia! “Trust no one” are definitely words to live by when your life makes absolutely no sense. Yet another great series to sink your teeth into. Get book one Center Stage and hold on because Denise Grover Swank will take you on a thrilling ride that will have you wondering what, when, how, why and STILL leave you with questions!
Act Two is great. Denise Grover Swank did such an amazing job capturing Franklin, TN. I have lived and worked in and around the Franklin area all my life. She captured the feel of the beautiful downtown area, the throw a rock and you will hit 4 people who want to be a singer in Nashville attitude, and the feel of the community and cliques that make up the area. Magnolia is such a strong character and so is Colt and Brady. I was still left trying to figure out who she should trust and the mystery behind her father’s disappearance. I hope more questions are answered in Call Back.
Truly enjoying this series