Act Two (Magnolia Steele Mystery) Audio CD – Unabridged, November 22, 2016

Writing this review and not revealing any spoilers is a truly difficult task. I'm going to keep it simple. If you're a fan of Denise Grover Swank's Rose Gardner Mysteries, I'm fairly certain you're going to love the Magnolia Steele Mysteries. Denise has got a doozie of a mystery with Magnolia Steele, and I'm still working those puzzle pieces. Read this series because you're a fan of Denise Grover Swank's work. This book has a little bit of everything: murder, mystery, fun, badass heroines, and a touch of romance. By a "touch" I mean a dash, just the tiniest bit of romance sprinkled here and there. Totes sweet, no steam.What I liked:1) Magnolia2) Belinda3) Detective Brady Bennett (I *really, really, really, really, really, REALLY* didn't want to like him.)What I didn't like:1) Roy2) Whomever the stalker/murderer from Magnolia's past is (I've got a couple of theories still in play after the completion of this installment!)3) Det Owen Fraiser4) Ava MiltonWho I don't trust:1) Everyone in the "didn't like" list.2) Colt Austin (he's sweet, but I don't trust him.)3) Franklin police4) Brady (yes, I like him, but I don't trust him.)What surprised me:1) Magnolia finally saying something to Belinda about Roy2) Roy (holy cannoli!)3) Magnolia and Colt singing (that's not really a spoiler, is it?)4) The fast succession of murders (also not really a spoiler, this is a mystery series after all!)There. I did it. My review in lists. I've been doing a lot of lists lately. Sometimes they make me feel better.

I like series books. However, I am not fond of a series that at the end I find I have to read 4 books to find out what is going on. It causes dragging and repetitiveness. This was a good story line, good characters and I would have enjoyed them more if at the close of each book you weren’t left having to purchase another book just to turn the page. Susan Boyer, David Baldacci, Mary Alice Monroe and countless others can do series with the same characters and not leave you thinking you need to turn another page at the end.

This is one of those stories where the protagonist trusts nearly no one. And the 3-4 people she does trust, she doesn’t want to endanger with the truth. Which means a great deal of the novel is spent with Magnolia having tortured inner dialogues of what she should do, what she should or shouldn’t divulge, etc. To be fair, the behavior is completely warranted. As divulged in the first novel of this series, Magnolia was in the room when a woman was murdered 10 years ago. Maggie doesn’t know who the woman or murderer was, and she’s never shared what happened with anyone (seemingly, the whole town and her loved ones think she ran away either for no reason or because of selfishness); but the murderer obviously remembers Magnolia and has been sending her threatening texts and notes since she’s been back in town.At the forefront of this novel is Maggie’s desire to learn what happened to her father 14 years ago. The town rumor has always been that Magnolia’s father stole money and ran away with his client’s wife. Maggie has never believed it, especially because there were suspicious occurrences that happened before the disappearance. Our protagonist decides to try and get answers from an acquaintance who was supposed to meet her father the night he disappeared, but when Maggie arrives to meet with the man, she finds him dead.Add to the mix a scary douche of a brother (Roy), a handsome detective who Magnolia is both drawn to and wary of (Brady), a dangerously attractive friend with secrets of his own (Colt), a few murders, and a whole pile of missing/potentially dead people.As a side note, I love the dynamic between Maggie/Colt and Maggie/Brady. I trust Brady more than Colt, but the jury is still out on both (even though I like them). With the pacing of the last several chapters of this book, the next in the series must be a doozy. I have the next two in my kindle queue ready to read. I had thought about taking a break between this one and Call Back, but I figure I may as well see this series through.For those looking at getting this series, understand that you need to buy all four to get the answers, which also means you’ll read around 1600 pages (and pay around $15 total for the kindle versions) before finding out what happens. For me, this isn’t a problem because I enjoy the author’s writing style, I like the heroine and side characters, and the cost of all 4 is reasonable.

I want to like this series, but I find it very frustrating. After two installments, we just keep getting more questions and no real answers to the mysteries. It's starting to become very convoluted, much like the last few Rose Gardner books, and that is not a good sign to me. Magnolia is a little more likeable in this one than the first, but that is not saying much considering how extremely whiny and self-centered she was in the last. I really hope DGS has a game plan for this series because I don't know how long I can hang in there unless some answers start coming soon. I like this author, but I just don't trust her after the way she ended the Rose Gardner series. My advice is to read the 4 star and lower reviews because so many people will just give anything she writes 5 stars.

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!

I love the Rose Gardener series by this author and was concerned that her new heroine wouldn't quite cut it or have the same appeal .I needn't have doubted ,Magnolia is every bit as entertaining and interesting as Rose.This is the second book in the series and carries on from where the first left off.Magnolia finds herself solving some mysteries ,discovering old secrets and putting herself in ever increasing danger.Her attraction to the detective grows,whilst her relationship with the mysterious and gorgeous Colt also .progresses but ultimately who can she afford to trust?The characters and plot develop , the pace is excellent and whilst some questions are answered there are a lot more still to resolve

I loved this book. I read the first one centre stage and couldn't wait for the next book, I ordered it as soon as I could and I wasn't disappointed at all, I only wish it was longer or the next one was out dinner! I've read every book so far by Denise Grover Swank and she is one of my favourite authors by far. This book followed on where the lat left off but I'm sure it could be read as a stand alone as she does go into detail when needed about why things are happening. I love Magnolia she is a great colorful character and leads her admires a song and dance. She is determined to find out what happened to her daddy but at what cost, can she risk everything and will she finally get closure or more regret. If you like a great mystery I'd recommend this book. If you've read any of Denise's other books and enjoyed them don't miss this one. It has so many twists and turns and you're sure who is to blame but I was proved wrong again! Brilliant...

I loved this book and going to start #3 straight away. I love Denise's style of writing. She get you hooked from chapter 1 and you don't want to stop till the series is finished. If you like mystery with a touch of romance start at book 1 you won't be disappointed

I bought this immediately after finishing book 1. I thought we would get to the bottom of the old unsolved crime and was surprised to find Magnolia tied to another murder instead. Then again I had never read anything else by this author so perhaps this is quite usual for her. Not sure if I like the way far more questions have been raised than answered. But I will download the next book to see if anything becomes clear

I loved this book! Really looking forward to book 3 where hopefully we will get some answers. Love this author and have read all her books and never disappointed. Recommend any of her books.

I have loved all of Denise's books and this is no exception. There are soo many twists and turns you just don't know what will happen next. I love Brady and wish she would trust him more, deffinatly think she could do with some romance! Can't wait for the next book.

Love these books. Enthralled from the start. Denise is a great writer cannot wait to read more about Magnolia Steele .

Another emotional roller coaster book by Denise Grover Swank...... Once you start reading this book you will not be able to put it down as your head and heart will be some place else until you have finished it!!!Ups and Downs galore and you never know what happens over the page, I guarantee you'll be speed reading to the end and then coming back again for round 2!!The only question is what to do til the next instalment.

I absolutely love this series.. center Stage is the first in the series act two being the second.. Magnolia Steele is a very fascinating woman with a lot of secrets and a past that's catching up to her.. trust me this is one you do not want to miss!

This series just gets better and better. Much as I like the Rose Gardner series,this is better. There are some inconsistencies but it is a novel. How the author finds time to write all these novels with 6 children is beyond me

Another good read. Delve deeper into complex characters & murky mysteries. Even when you get answers I'm not convinced they will all turn out to be true! Recommend.

A really gripping read, although it's best to start with book one. There are four altogether and I couldn't put it down. Brilliant.

I love these books I've read the rose Gardner collection and these books are just as exciting, it leaves you wanting more. I look forward to reading the next one. Well done again Denise.

This was another unputdownable page turner for me, I thought Rose was my all time favourite but Magnolia is right up there with her!

Hope Denise Grover Swank will write more