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Magnolia Steele Mystery
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
A standalone Magnolia Steele/Darling Investigations crossover novel.
Months after unmasking a serial killer, Magnolia Steele is still piecing her life back together. When she unexpectedly inherits her mother’s childhood farm in Sweet Briar, Alabama, she’s stunned—and confused. Why did Lila Brewster Steele leave the farm behind after high school and never return? And why was the property kept a secret all these years?
Eager to untangle her family’s past, Magnolia convinces her sister-in-law, Belinda, to join her on a road trip to Sweet Briar. With no leads of their own, they turn to private investigator and reality TV star Summer Butler for help. Between planning the new season of Darling Investigations and navigating her own family drama, Summer can’t resist the pull of an old Southern mystery.
What begins as a search for answers uncovers far more than Magnolia ever a tangled web of broken friendships, a decades-old betrayal, and a secret that could destroy someone’s reputation—and their life as they know it. But some truths are harder to face than others, and Magnolia must decide how far she’s willing to go to uncover the past.
Months after unmasking a serial killer, Magnolia Steele is still piecing her life back together. When she unexpectedly inherits her mother’s childhood farm in Sweet Briar, Alabama, she’s stunned—and confused. Why did Lila Brewster Steele leave the farm behind after high school and never return? And why was the property kept a secret all these years?
Eager to untangle her family’s past, Magnolia convinces her sister-in-law, Belinda, to join her on a road trip to Sweet Briar. With no leads of their own, they turn to private investigator and reality TV star Summer Butler for help. Between planning the new season of Darling Investigations and navigating her own family drama, Summer can’t resist the pull of an old Southern mystery.
What begins as a search for answers uncovers far more than Magnolia ever a tangled web of broken friendships, a decades-old betrayal, and a secret that could destroy someone’s reputation—and their life as they know it. But some truths are harder to face than others, and Magnolia must decide how far she’s willing to go to uncover the past.
- GenresMystery
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2020
154 people are currently reading
277 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 2, 2024
4.5 Stars:)
July 29, 2021
Not my cup of tea at all. Free ebook but read first 50 pages and will not continue.
I was thinking she wrote Christian fiction ..
definitely not.
I get enough depressing from the main stream media/popular culture .. don’t need it in my fiction reading!
I was thinking she wrote Christian fiction ..
definitely not.
I get enough depressing from the main stream media/popular culture .. don’t need it in my fiction reading!
January 2, 2020
The first part brings us back to Magnolia Steele in the catering kitchen avoiding some mystery mail and working through the trauma of her return to Tennessee. You absolutely have to go back and read her series. She had four titles following her misadventure with a serial killer who was stalking her. I was pleasantly surprised by new elements involving mental health and LGBTQ tones. I don't want to say too much but I have a good feeling about the future of these themes in this southern setting should DGS move forward with more content. There's also a reveal on how Magnolia Steele and Summer Butler cross paths. The second part, which as of now has no expected release date, will take us back to Alabama to bring these ladies together.
I am excited to see this title published and hopefully bring us new stories in the future. For now, I'll patiently wait for part 2.
I am excited to see this title published and hopefully bring us new stories in the future. For now, I'll patiently wait for part 2.
December 16, 2019
Loved this!! It is so nice to see "the after" in a book series. Magnolia is struggling after all the events of her 4 book series. This is the 1st part if a crossover between Magnolia Steele and Summer Butler series!! I can't wait to read more and read when Maggie meets Summer!! Maggie is going to Alabama because her mother left her property, and she is taking Belinda!! Ita going to be a fun ride!!
January 27, 2020
I am totally In love with this! I flew through reading the Magnolia Steele series and was itching for more. I had seen this Part 1 on my weekly riders email from Denise so I knew exactly where to go. I loved getting a glimpse of Magnolia and her mans relationship after all the drama! I didn't know the Darling Investigation series was entwined with Magnolia's so I'm currently reading those. I cannot wait for more!!
January 19, 2020
This story is bring Maggie back for some stories we have missed. She finds her life isn't all she thought it was. She is going to have to go back and find out what is going on behind her mom's family. We also get to see that Summer will be in the next story. If you love Summer and Maggie now is the time to grab this story.
January 20, 2020
This is the first part of the crossover series of both the Magnolia series and Darling Investigations. Part 1, follows Magnolia. I love both Summer and Magnolia so I was happy to get this little tidbit in the newsletter. It’s a free short story that we get to read to get insight of what Magnolia is up to. I absolutely love it and I’m patiently awaiting for part 2. I need me some more Summer!!
October 30, 2019
Love that a series which thought was done comes back. Getting to find out the aftermath of what Magnolia and Colt are dealing with.
Lots of emotions and understanding of what going through. Very real emotions from the characters, was refreshing.
I can’t wait for the next part!
Lots of emotions and understanding of what going through. Very real emotions from the characters, was refreshing.
I can’t wait for the next part!
January 21, 2020
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie is a short story which catches us up on what Magnolia has been up to since the end of her four book story. I loved reading more about her but now I want more. A wonderful prequel. Thank you Denise for giving us more of Magnolia and everyone from her books. Loved It!
January 22, 2020
Magnolia was one of my favorite series (after Rose of course), and I was so excited for this release even though it's a shorter book. And touching on some of the things at the end of the last Magnolia book was great, I can't wait for more of Magnolia's story.
September 17, 2019
Loved getting caught up with Magnolia and Colt. Can't wait for the next addition. Thank you Denise
January 22, 2020
I really enjoyed getting the extra info about Magnolia and seeing what else she was up to _ I hope Denise will write more so that we can see how she's progressing with her new life.
January 31, 2020
This made me remember how much I truly enjoyed Magnolia's story!
December 21, 2025
I love that Denise actually acknowledged how a traumatic event can and does cause mental health struggles! I love a strong female character, but also love to see the human side of things.
March 16, 2020
Poor Magnolia just can't catch a break. And her Mama can't quit with her secrets and surprises, even from the grave. I'm intrigued and want more!
January 27, 2025
This story features, Magnolia Steele, who has endured significant trauma in her life and is finding a path forward. When she discovers that she’s inherited her late mother’s family farm, she is Intrigued by what secrets the property might hold. So Magnolia and her sister-in-law, Belinda, travel to Sweet Briar, Alabama, to explore the place where her mother grew up. Upon arrival, she finds an abandoned home and a family photo featuring her mother and grandparents—all long deceased—but also a picture revealing something shocking: Magnolia has an aunt her mother never mentioned! Determined to uncover the truth about her mother’s past and this mysterious relative, Magnolia enlists the help of local private investigator Summer Butler.
This story strikes a balance between serious and lighthearted. Magnolia’s character is more stoic as she discovers her mother’s past, while Summer’s cheerful personality, along with a cast of quirky and lovable characters, provides warmth and humor to the story.
**For Magnolia’s back story check out the Magnolia Steele Mysteries series and for more funny stories with Summer Butler check out the Darling Investigations series by Denise Grover Swank.
This story strikes a balance between serious and lighthearted. Magnolia’s character is more stoic as she discovers her mother’s past, while Summer’s cheerful personality, along with a cast of quirky and lovable characters, provides warmth and humor to the story.
**For Magnolia’s back story check out the Magnolia Steele Mysteries series and for more funny stories with Summer Butler check out the Darling Investigations series by Denise Grover Swank.
July 3, 2023
This is part one. Which was done in segments for email subscribers. However, through Denise Grover Swank's newsletters I was able to read parts one and two. As well as where the story went from there. And I loved it. It brought together Summer Butler and Magnolia Steele. Two amazing characters that have each previously had their own small town mystery series. I really enjoy these characters. It was nice to see them again. I also enjoyed the mystery. It seemed like this was closure for Magnolia. Summer on the other hand has a lot more to give us. I hope this could mean more mysteries for Summer Butler to solve in the future. I have hoped for more ever since finishing the two books she starred in.
May 28, 2020
Denise Grover Swank is so good to her readers! This free little tidbit in the newsletter is what dreams are for. Why you ask? If you love Magnolia Steele and Summer Butler, then this is what you’ve been waiting for. Part 1 catches up with Magnolia and how she’s coping with life after everything she’s been through. I’m holding out hope that we get part 2 soon. It will be nice to reunite with Summer and her gang. Readers if you love these two series, read the newsletter. You won’t regret it.
October 11, 2021
I wish I could give this more than 5stars!
This is a huge treat after desperately wanting more from Summer’s story and eager to hear how things were in Magnolia’s world. The only disappointment I have is that Denise has dangled the scope for another book with both worlds in & I so want her to write it!
If you’re a fan of Denise & love the stories & characters she creates, and haven’t read Summer or Magnolia then don’t wait any longer. You won’t regret it.
This is a huge treat after desperately wanting more from Summer’s story and eager to hear how things were in Magnolia’s world. The only disappointment I have is that Denise has dangled the scope for another book with both worlds in & I so want her to write it!
If you’re a fan of Denise & love the stories & characters she creates, and haven’t read Summer or Magnolia then don’t wait any longer. You won’t regret it.
April 7, 2021
I'm definitely loving how the storyline is playing out so far and I can't wait to have it finished!
June 6, 2023
Not going to lie, I’m so happy to get to go back to Summer’s world but am so sad that we might not come back to it. I love her and Dixie and thoroughly enjoy their stories!
October 28, 2023
I WANT MORE SUMMER MYSTERIES. The ending leaves me wanting more. Where are they 😩
July 6, 2024
conclusion to Darling Investigations and cross over to Magnolia Steele Mystery nozon
September 25, 2025
Denise should do a disclaimer that we should read this book after the Summer series.
I read this book as a part of the Magnolia series and I highly recommend reading after the Summer one. It would have made a huge difference and I would have given her a 5 star instead of 4.
Now I’m so curious and excited to see the next Summer’s book!
I read this book as a part of the Magnolia series and I highly recommend reading after the Summer one. It would have made a huge difference and I would have given her a 5 star instead of 4.
Now I’m so curious and excited to see the next Summer’s book!
January 22, 2020
Omg Part One you are so amazing. So glad to have Mags back and healing on the inside and out. I cannot wait to Part 2. Her and Belinda with Summer. This is going to be a hoot and I can't wait.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews