Curtain Call

Magnolia Steele Mystery #4

by Denise Grover Swank

Fourth and final book in the USA Today bestselling Magnolia Steele Mystery series.

Magnolia Steele has nothing left to lose. Her once-beloved father has been unmasked as a criminal, her mother is dead, and her two closest allies—her boyfriend and her sister-in-law—have broken her trust. Worse, the serial killer who has tormented her since her return to Franklin has escalated his behavior. Everyone around her encourages her to run away or hide, but Magnolia is determined stand her ground. She intends to identify the serial killer herself, even if she has to burn every last bridge to do it.

Her one lead is the apparent link between her father and the murders. Unsure of whom to trust, she forms a temporary alliance with a detective who’s on the outs with the Franklin police force. Together, they dig into the past for clues, but Magnolia doesn’t limit herself to secondary sources. Her father is still in town, very intent on a reunion, and her brother might finally be ready to talk about their shared past…

As the situation escalates, Magnolia discovers that she has inherited her mother’s steel backbone. It will help her distinguish friend from foe, and it might just be her best hope for surviving her curtain call.

Genres: Mystery, Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Thriller

425 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 17, 2017

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curtain Call is the fourth and final book in the Magnolia Steele Mystery series by Denise Grover Swank. These four books are a continuing series which must be read in order. They are available both individually and as a box set.

At this point, there’s not that much I can say without spoiling things. Maggie has been back in Franklin for about a month now. She has lost her mother but there is no time for grief. There is a serial killer on the loose and she’s positive she is next on his list.



Every person that Maggie has trusted since she came home has betrayed her in some way. She has no idea who to trust. She wants to trust Colt. But even he is holding things back from her. Everyone seems to have their own agenda and it seems like they are all using her to achieve their own goals.

Her father seems to have delusions of his own. Delusions that she could ever forgive him for what he did, that they could have a relationship again.



Our Maggie puts her life on the line time and time again. She’s had enough. She doesn’t want another innocent woman to lose her life. Her brother Roy shows the true depths of his inner darkness but at the same time, finally reveals his own secrets, shedding more light on the past that Maggie’s brain tried to keep from her.

In true Denise Grover Swank fashion, she has built the intensity up little by little in each book until we reach a fever pitch the last half of this book. Maggie knows she is running out of time as she tries to uncover all the secrets. By the time I read the last word, I felt like I just went on the craziest of wild carnival rides. My head was spinning but my heart is full. I can’t deny that I love Magnolia Steele. She has so much courage. Through it all, she stood up straight and fought tooth and nail for the truth.



If you are a mystery lover and enjoy heroines that have backbones of steel and hearts that through everything, are still filled with love and forgiveness, then I hope you’ll give this series a try. This series has been a journey for me. A journey I am so glad I decided to go on. I won’t forget these characters. They are forever in my heart.

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMGosh! What a finale book to finish off this brilliant mystery series. There were still plenty of twists and turns to keep me captivated until the very end. Just when you think you have it all worked out, Ms Swank's devious mind sets us off thinking that maybe there was another angle to explore.

I really felt for Maggie throughout the entire storyline, but more so in this book. She had to overcome some surmountable odds. I always thought she was a strong and dependable woman, even when she went to NYC, but she definitely upped the ante, few women could handle the pressure she was in. I was unsure of her choice of beau, and at first wasn't sold, but of course with the gift of her writing, Denise has me hooked on these two and I knew he was there for the right reasons. Some of the secondary characters had me spinning with their loyalty and I thought the killer could have been anyone. It all wraps up after a spine tingling last couple of chapters.

I envy any new comer to this series, you have the luxury of reading these books from 1-4 without waiting a few months in between for any answers. This would be the best way to devour this collection. I highly recommend this assemblage of books, and quite frankly, any DGS book for that matter.

*I received a copy for an honest review.
**Reviewed by Monique for JoandIsaLoveBooksBlog.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curtain Call could not have been a more perfect ending for the Magnolia Steele Mysteries! I’m truly sad to see it end after four books. I’m completely satisfied and honestly can’t think of anything to critique or major plot points left lingering. #coughLOSTcough. I believe Magnolia came into her own by facing the messes of her life head on. More than ever she didn't know who to trust, and it definitely took an emotional toll. I felt like I rode the biggest emotional roller coaster by the end, but in a good way! Normally I don't like romantic triangles, but there was enough up in the air that the ending on that front left me satisfied, too. I cannot recommend this series enough. *****FIVE STARS*****

[Joy Novel Thoughts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curtain Call closed the Magnolia Steel Mysteries out with a BANG! Curtain Call was fastpaced and didn't let up until the last page!

"And now I'm back for a curtain call with the biggest surprise of them all. My father."

Coming into this final book we had numerous questions that needed to be answered. We didn't trust anyone and didn't know where to turn. Magnolia was surrounded by tons of devious people throughout this series and she had to take a leap of faith anytime she was in need of help that the person she was turning to wasn't the killer.

"Apparently dangerous games were what I did best. And it looked like I'd just kicked it up a notch."

Magnolia took bold risks throughout this serious, but she really stepped it up in this story. I was blown away by the twists and turns and I literally gasped out loud and shouted OMG! (my son looked at me like I was a crazy person.) I was unable to put this story down! Curtain Call was a mystery of epic proportions!

While this is heavy on the mystery Curtain Call had just enough romance to keep me happy and even though she didn't end up with who I would have picked I was thrilled she made a decision!

If you are looking for a mystery with a sprinkling of romance, then Curtain Call and the entire Magnolia Steel Mystery series is a must read. Get binge reading today!

[Laila Nelke · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a read! What a roller coaster ride!
The perfect ending of the Magnolia Steele Mystery series. Magnolia being caught in the centre of giant spider's web of crime and murders determined getting all the answers at every cost.
All the mysteries are solved, we've got all the answers to so many questions about who is who and who to trust. It was a real nail-biting book keeping me emotionally on the edge all the time until the very end of story. I loved this series, loved Magnolia so much and many other characters Denise shared with us. Ending leaves me satisfied and sad at once saying goodbye to Magnolia...Thank you Denise for giving me this chance!

[Sarah Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I promised myself I would not look at this book until next week. I broke it. I promised myself I would not get completely wrapped up. I broke that one too. As I started reading, I promised myself I would not read until a ridiculous hour and would put the book down thus savoring the story line and taking it slowly. The flashing 3am shows I broke this promise most of all.

This was a fantastic ending to a great series. I can't think of anything I would change. There was just enough of a roller coaster ride to be a thrill. It kept me intrigued. It kept me glued to the pages. I'm paying for it dearly. (soooo tireeeedddd....)

If you haven't read this series, I do think you should start at the beginning. While every book has a brief history of the previous one, this is series that deserves your full attention. There are just a lot of little parts that are helpful and you go through. If you are lucky enough to be reading it from start to finish, now that all 4 books are released, I'm jealous. The year in between releases made me forget a few things.

I really enjoy this author as I have read many of her other series.

[Stephanie Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4th and final book of the Magnolia Steele series. Do yourself a favor and start from the beginning.

Curtain Call was the perfect conclusion to a series so wrought with questions I couldn’t fathom how it would work. Denise Grocer Swank is certainly a master at weaving a story so complex there were questions until the very end. I adored Magnolia- which is a far cry from my opinion of her in book one. But that’s what I appreciate about Denise’s stories. We are granted a front row seat to important events that shape flawed characters into the people they always had the potential to be.

[Girlfred2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great ending

The final book of Magnolias story will answer all the questions! Through all the twist and turns Maggie wonders who can she trust Brady, Colt , Belinda? Great ending that will keep you reading and guessing until the end.

[Ashlee Lau · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazingly complicated, well crafted, emotional and spellbinding book that will keep you hooked and up all night. This last book in the Magnolia Steele series does an amazing job of wrapping up loose ends in a mystery that is so intricate you will be left questioning everyone and everything, but left completely satisfied by the end.

While I will miss Maggie and crew, if it has to end, this is the way it should.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect ending to the Magnolia Steele series. All the loose ends are tied up - the mysteries are solved, and after a life of turmoil and apprehension, Maggie gets her HEA. This book is really an emotional roller coaster ride. I am sorry the series has ended, but love that Denise shared Magnolia Steele with us.

[Rosie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Two takeaways from this read/book, #1 will stir away from this author's work, and #2 no surprises here. This book is typical of some of the author's previous work (I haven't read all her books), but if you've read her Rose Gardner series, then you know she creates these characters that you think you know their character, and then she quickly character shifts them without really working out why...

I'm hiding my review for spoilers, because readers should form their own opinion when they read the end of this series. So with that warning... there was negative zero chemistry between her two HEA characters. And by the end of the book I was sick of reading how dangerous it was for Maggie to be alone. This is a grown woman that never really grew up, and lived in the past for over 10 years. This main character Maggie even goes to live in New York , never reports a murder she was witness to, forgets who it was (yeah right), and by the way never sought therapy in the big apple, please who is the author kidding?
After it all wrapped up I thought about it and my first thought was WOW, she did it again. The author pulled me into a series, and it was another disappointment. The saying "The Tiger cannot change his stripes" is never more true then in this book. Once a womanizer always a womanizer, if he beats women he always beats women.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curtain Call is the fourth and final book in the Magnolia Steele series and it was absolutely fantastic! I am sad that this series has come to an end but the story was wrapped up perfectly and did not leave unanswered questions. The twists and turns throughout the series kept me unsure of how the story would end but this book did a great job at ensuring everything was explained. There were some surprising reveals in this book and I cannot wait to reread it to help piece everything together again.

Magnolia is a character that I have truly grown to care about and I am thankful to Denise for writing another great mystery series. She grew throughout the series and learned a lot about herself and her family and friends. I also loved seeing the development of the other characters and learning all about their pasts and secrets. This book was another quick read because I could not put it down but part of me was bummed because I did not want it to end.

[Melissa Salinas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow

I am sad that this is the last in the series. I really loved the Magnolia series. I loved this book, I love how you begin to question everyone and then some unexpected turns come up and then surprises! Great ending even though I wish there was more.

[TJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5.0

[Vfc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear Author: You wrote four books, here’s a summary worthy of equal length...kidding, not kidding.

Magnolia’s blind defence of her father, Brian Steele’s disappearance was laudable, convinced of foul play. Unravelling that he was the mastermind embezzling investment funds and his dalliances devastated her memories of him. They embezzled from a client and conspired to eliminate the others. Her father and Shannon Morrissey vanished at the same time, fourteen years ago. It is believed he absconded with the assets.

This conclusion incorporates Magnolia’s reflection of viewing her father through the eyes of a child...clouded by her judgement of love and loyalty.

Brian Steele returns with his inflated ego after a self-imposed exile waiting out on collecting the annuities...and Magnolia.

Her father stole and hid gold bouillon in a ceramic dog he’d given her when she was young. Recovering the dog from the family garage she discovers the gold bullion hidden inside, along with a note of instructions to ‘trust no one’. She presumed he’d hidden it fourteen years ago, before his disappearance. It was later identified by the serial numbers, three of the bars had been made four years AFTER his disappearance. Her father hid it a year ago. He’s alive.

The murderer sends Magnolia menacing threats as a reminder of her silence. Ten years ago, she’d run away from her high school graduation party after seeing Ashley Pincher giving Maddie (her ex-best friend’s) boyfriend Blake, a blowjob. Seeking shelter from the rain in an abandoned house, she walked into a living nightmare. A man had murdered a woman in front of her and carved a mark branding her with a hunting knife as a constant reminder of the consequences. Traumatised she suppressed her memories and they’d only recently begun resurfacing upon her return to Franklin, Tennessee. Someone who knows Brian, has been killing women.

Brady has a file with murders respectively from twenty, seventeen, fourteen and ten years ago.

Twenty years ago - around the time the Jackson land Project imploded.
Seventeen years ago - Brian was being accused of murdering Tripp Tucker’s fiancée.
Fourteen years ago - her father vanished coinciding with Tripp’s lawsuit.
Ten years ago - he returned for her high school graduation.
Roy saved her in the aftermath of the Savannah House basement and the bag disappeared.
Three years - if there had been a murder, might have coincided with Chris Merritt’s disappearance.

This plot snowballed into conspiracy theories of police coverups, corruption...murder. She doesn’t know whom to trust.

Magnolia had arranged to meet Walter Frey on the night of his murder, she recalled he and her father setting up a meeting the night of her father’s disappearance fourt even years ago. She wanted answers. Instead, he was murdered outside of the bar—Brady omitted the meeting in the murder report.

Owen lied about facts about Walter Frey’s death and the events leading up to the crime scene. He’d saved her but was hiding something.

Lopez faked his own kidnapping and had shown up at her flat looking for one million dollars’ worth of gold bullion. Two people had figured out that she had the gold . . . but they were killed, Rowena Rogers and her lackey.

Owen and Magnolia enter an arrangement of shared information as she admits she met with Rowena Rogers.
“You and I are more alike than you realise. We both want the same thing.”
“I’ve given up on clearing my father’s name. The deeper I dig, the worse he looks. I want the truth”.
“Even if your father comes out smelling the worst of them all?”
“I already know he will.”
“What made you come to that conclusion?”
“Rowena knew about you and she knew about your uncle. She said your uncle had no part in any of it. He was just caught up in the whole thing. Your uncle was innocent.”
“I already know that,”

The serial killer had a pattern, all his victims died from blood loss. Magnolia was running from her best friend’s boyfriend, Blake whom she’d caught cheating and taken an incriminating photo. He chased her deeply into the woods.

It was raining, seeking shelter in a deserted house. A man came out of the basement and dragged her down the stairs, she would later discover the woman’s identity, Melanie—was tied to the rafters with her arms over her head. She was only wearing her bra and panties, and her body was already covered in slashes.

“He tied me to a metal pole, realising who I was. He called me by name.”
“He called you Magnolia?”
“And my last name too. He slammed my head into the pole, and I lost consciousness for a while, but I could hear the woman screaming and saying she hadn’t done it. The man came back to me and threw my dress up. He cut that mark into my thigh and told me that if I said anything to anyone, he would kill my mother and brother and make me watch before he killed me too. Then he killed the—Melanie. Her screaming suddenly stopped.”
“How did you get away?”
“I have no idea. I passed out, and when I came to, I was at the edge of the woods behind my mother’s house.”
“He let you go, why?”
“I don’t know, but he told me if I was a good girl, he’d let me go.”
“It felt like he was letting me go for personal reasons.”

Tripp to Magnolia:::
...as more memories surfaced of Tripp at the dinner table—sometimes just him. Memories of them singing together. Memories of Tripp hanging out with our family. He’d been there a lot . . .”you lived with us for a while.”
“After your father lost all of my money. He was still pretending to love me then. Pretending to be my dad. And I believed it until Tiffany.”
“I’d forgotten . . .my mind flashed back to that horrible night, and I realized I hadn’t remembered everything. Right before Tripp had cut into my leg, the shadows hadn’t entirely covered his face. “Tripp,” I’d whispered, and his grin had stretched wider as he made the first cut. Why had my mind betrayed me? I could have saved so many women . . .
“You used to love me, Magnolia. More than your own brother, and he hated us both for it.”
“I’m only fifteen years older than you. We were close, but I meant so little to you that you forgot me.”
“I didn’t forget on purpose, after that night, I think I blocked all memories of you from my head. When I woke up in the woods, I didn’t remember anything about this house. I had a concussion, so I thought the memory loss was from that. But I was scared, and I knew Momma and Roy were in danger, so I ran away. I didn’t remember anything until I came back to Franklin, and then only in bits and pieces. But I still didn’t remember it was you. Not until now.”
“Roy saw you, you threatened him to be quiet too.”
“It doesn’t take much to threaten Roy, I knew he was watching, and I wasn’t surprised. He hated you, I think he liked seeing you powerless and defenseless.”

Franklin, six degrees of separation, only for most it was two degrees. There are multiple connections to the Franklin Police Department and the embezzlers.

Every single death is aligned to seven of the nine original partners of the Jackson Project, except Brian Steele and Bill James. A niece. An old—but significant—girlfriend. An old neighbour. Someone whose death would hit hard, yet a connection distant enough to evade the attention of the police. Only the people involved would understand.

Lila 〰️ Magnolia and Roy’s mother, abandoned by her husband Brian; Lila and Magnolia share a distant relationship. Lila was disturbed when Brian disappeared, but part of her felt relief. She over compensated with Roy.
Brian Steele 〰️Lila’s husband (declared dead seven years ago), father to Magnolia and Roy and ex-business partner of Bill James; he murdered Max Goodwin, Steve Morrissey and Neil Fulton.
“How many people have you killed?”
“Only the ones who were necessary.” (that’s actually funny).

Magnolia 〰️disgraced broadway star; her father’s favourite child. Initially is convinced her father was dead, everyone else was convinced he’d run off with Shannon Morrissey.
Roy 〰️ Magnolia’s brother, unstable, alcoholic and abuser, works for Bill James; married to Belinda.
Tilly 〰️ Lila’s longtime friend, business and life partner
Colt 〰️ works for Lila and Tilly, reports to Brian; aspiring singer, Magnolia’s friend/love interest (ex-girlfriend, Delilah is Belinda’s estranged sister). He was arrested, framed by Brian, blackmailed into working for him, led to believe he’d be exonerated if he agreed to be his informant.
Belinda 〰️ abused by Roy; her parents invested their life-savings in the Jackson Project, and lost everything.

Other characters:
Jody - ex-roommate of Magnolia’s and informant to Brian
Griff - Magnolia’s ex-lover (also an informant for her father)
Tripp Tucker - admired Brian, Brian replaced his absent father; an unhealthy fixation on Magnolia (15-years her senior)
Tiffany Kessler was the fiancée of Tripp Tucker (Brian slept with her)
Rowena Rogers 〰️ married to Charles. Charles was killed in a car accident fourteen years ago. Rowena sued and won a lot of money. (She was also Brian’s lover, rumoured to have had an affair with Christopher Merritt, Jr., twenty years her junior)

Ava Milton - her granddaughter, was twenty-one when she was murdered seven years ago, multiple cuts. Her son-in-law was Steve Morrissey’s brother. And the death in Florida? She was Walter Frey’s niece.

Melanie Seaborn - a nurse (Magnolia witnessed her murder)
Emily Johnson - Tanner asked Magnolia—and not Emily—to homecoming junior year. Defending Magnolia, looking into who framed Colt (Brian), stabbed to death, she might have gotten too close.
Amy Danvers - Luke Powell’s PA - the daughter of a woman Max Goodwin fell in love with, then lost to his philandering because Ava told her. She may have been his secret daughter. She was blamed for Max Goodwin’s and Neil Fulton’s deaths (both crimes perpetrated by her father).
Melanie, Tiffany, Amy and Emily were killed by the serial killer.

There are multiple connections to the Franklin Police Department
Brady Bennett 〰️ Detective (Magnolia briefly slept with him while under his protection); Eric Duncan is Brady’s uncle and Clint’s father. He unknowingly was an informant based on an anonymous tip.
Clint Duncan 〰️ his father sexuality assaulted Lila. The families were estranged when Clint signed with Brian as his financial planner, coerced by Max Goodwin.
Clint’s father disowned him, he and Tripp Tucker became best friends as Brian replaced their absent fathers. Tripp never forgave Brian, especially after he slept with his fiancée, whereas Clint staunchly defended Brian until his disappearance and beyond. Brady’s father detested Eric. When Eric disowned Clint, Brady’s father tried severing all contact. Brady had a connection to the serial killer. He’d known about Melanie Seaborn’s murder before starting at the police academy and suspected his cousin Clint.

Owen Frasier 〰️ Detective (Brady’s best friend and nephew of Gordon Frasier, the detective investigating her father’s disappearance).

JS Investments
Brian Steele, Bill James and Eric Duncan, part of the original financial planning partnership, establishing the infamous ‘Jackson Project’, a failed land enterprise of Brian and his newly connections. Geraldo Lopez, the elder Christopher Merritt - the accountant, Walter Frey - a real estate attorney, Steve Morrissey, Rowena Rogers and her husband. 

Bill James 〰️ co-owner, goes missing, later found dead in the basement of a burnt-out house. Her father possibly killed him and dumped his body there a couple of days ago. The basement was partially dug up and there was a body of a woman buried underneath. Probably his first wife. Brian kidnapped him and forced him to cash in the annuity. He needed Bill to sign his name as Lila had him declared dead.
Eric Duncan 〰️ co-owner with Brian Steele and Bill James. His son is Clint.
Christopher Merritt 〰️ Karen Merritt

Shannon Morrissey 〰️ disappeared at the same time as Brian Steele
Walter Frey 〰️ wife is Ruby; his niece was murdered in Florida (rumours of incest)
Steve Morrissey 〰️ married Shannon; his niece was Ava’s granddaughter
Ava Milton 〰️ the pulse of the town, guided her towards the truth about Brian

All dead except  for Bill and and Brian...and Eric Duncan. He introduced Brian to Bill James. Her parents were hosting a barbecue and Eric invited Bill. Eric and Brian were college friends, and Eric was working with Bill. Bill and Brian became fast friends but Lila wasn’t charmed by Bill or his wife. Nevertheless, Brian decided to go into business with Bill and Eric, forming JS investments.

“Why did Eric leave”? (He sexually assaulted her). 

Tripp (as depraved and sick as he was, he wanted a father)
“Do you know what I used to daydream? I used to imagine us together . . . when you were older, of course. We would be married, and then I’d really be Brian Steele’s son.” I gasped in shock, and it must have shown in my eyes, because his grin faded. “Is that so heinous,Magnolia?”
“No, when I saw you at the dinner . . . you caught my eye, even before I knew you were Tripp Tucker. When I found out who you were, I knew I’d never have a shot at being with you, but I thought of you . . .” I let my voice drop off, full of innuendo.
“I hate my father. I hate him for what he did to me and my family. I hate him for what he did to you. We can both hurt him, let’s hurt him together.”
“What do you have in mind?” His hand tightened on my butt, and he pulled my body flush to his. The bulge in his pants told me he was interested.

Tripp kidnapped and tortured Magnolia, exacting retribution to punish Brian Steele and forced him out of hiding. He cut her sixteen times, long and deep...sustaining multiple stab wounds and blood loss. Her father resolute in abducting her, by force to gain her compliance.

This is a series of four books interconnected. Must be read in order (concurrently) will help the reader to appreciate the plot and past events. This is book four...the final instalment. A mire of whiplash - a revolving door of suspects, subplots, distrust, implausibility and secrets.

Ava’s (Gossip, ahem) Bible Study Group members:
Georgine
Edie
Blanche
Janine Cumberland
Marie
Rowena

Brian’s vanished bag❓
Her psychotic brother Roy and sociopathic father, Brian.

We could have benefitted from an epilogue aligning the four books featuring closure with Griff, Jody, Brian’s bag that vanished and characters Maddie, Brady and Tanner.

[Sally · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, it was a typical ending.. we ended up with a psycho father and a stupid killer.. I mean really?
The father was portrayed as a flat evil character.. his character didn’t really make sense to me.

The killer remained undiscovered for 20 years .. 20!! The police didn’t even know he existed, that’s how smart he was... then suddenly in the last chapter, the killer became so stupid and naive.. how is that even possible?

This series had so much potential and I feel disappointed. The most disappointing part was the character development. The characters were all so shallow, that I was able to predict everything they did..

I know I’m probably the odd one out here and a lot of people loved this book, but ...
This book made the entire police department sound like a bunch of amateurs and Magnolia as some kind of genius for solving all those mysteries... tho the way she trusted everyone and the way she handled a lot of situations wasn’t so smart at all.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Curtain Call" is the dramatic conclusion to the Magnolia Steele Mystery series. This read continues the intrigue and suspense from the previous read. Magnolia is reeling from her mother's death and before she even has a chance to usher the last mourner from her home, she is confronted by one of the detectives from the Franklin Police Department. She is being accused of working in tandem with her father.

Of course, Magnolia has investigated enough to know that Daddy Dearest was not the endearing man she had always envisioned or remembered. He is a thief and a murderer but one thing she knows is that he is not the serial killer or is he? This read will lay to rest all of the questions that have been left outstanding. Who is the killer? What is the strange mark all about? What are Colt's secrets he has been holding back as well as Belinda's and Brady's? Lord knows, there have been no shortages of lies and subterfuge.

While I enjoyed this read, when the secrets were revealed I did not think that they merited all of the fanfare that was given. They just weren't that serious. I enjoyed the character of Magnolia but quite frankly she would not be put on my list of favorite heriones. If I am really truthful, one I really had a chance to get to know these characters, I really didn't like many of them very much. In the end, this was a darker read from the other books I've read from the author. That is what prompted my 4 star rating. For me, this was a good read but not the best in Ms. Swank's repertoire.
I would definitely recommend this read to someone looking for a suspenseful and thought provoking read!

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page turner

The suspense is so captivating that I wanted to skip to the next chapter to see who is causing all of the twists and turns in this story. It's turns out to be everybody is causing the changes. I changed my mind many times trying to figure out who the murderer was because everyone seemed to lie about something. I'm glad this was the finale because I couldn't take another mystery like this one.

[Karen Sommers · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was good, but I just didn’t like any of the characters. Magnolia’s attitude annoyed me. I found her distrusting most people, but making excuses for others, which made no sense. However, this was a very suspenseful series. It had me thinking and trying to figure it out until the end. Several twists. Good story. Annoying characters.

[Sondra Wayman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once you get drawn into Denise Grover Swank's Magnolia Steele series, you can't put it down until you finish it. Not to give any spoilers but Magnolia comes home and must solve a mystery from her past as well as how it affects her currently. Denise creates memorable characters that you hold onto you and make you care about them. She has plot twists that keep you on the edge of your seat. As a big fan of Denise Grover Swank's novels, I love this final book in the Magnolia Steele series. The book ends with a huge bang that will hold you on the edge of your seat until it all comes out...sometimes with surprises.If you love a good mystery with well drawn characters you will love this series. This is the 4th book and to really follow the story you must start with book one which can usually be found for free on Amazon or iBooks. But once you start the series you won't be able to stop. If you love audio books, the first 3 books are out now...and they are very well done!

[Susan Best · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!

I never saw that coming, what an end to Magnolias story! Great job, Denise Grover Swank. I’m glad that all the questions were answered but with any great story it still leaves you with questions about what happened to everyone.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great series!! I am so sad to see this one end. Magnolia and the entire rest of the cast of characters were great. I even ended up liking the mom. And what a twist in this book. If you haven't read the series, you really need to. I won't spoil it for you. Just know that it is an awesome mystery and told by the master, Denise Grover Swank.

[Cheri Sample · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast paced, well written series with lots of twists and turns. You have to love Magnolia's strength and perseverance. Loved the ending. Can't wait to read more of Denise Grover Swank's books.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars:)

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ending to a pretty great series. Magnolia shows her strength throughout the entire book and I can help but love her for that. The entire book is fast paced full of twists and turns. And with an ending I did not see coming, it ends the series perfectly.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Dina Reyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curtain Call

I soooo didn't want this series to end but alas as all good things must come to an end.

Denise Grover Swank did not disappoint in this grand finale to the Magnolia Steele series.

The build up to the surprising end was a shock and brilliantly delivered. The story was well crafted and keeps u on the edge of your seat. Just when u think who the sick, devious and demented killer is your thrown for a loop.

Magnolia has had enough of being scared, the damsel in distress and following the death of mother. She's ready to confront all the demons of her past and to hear hard devastating truths that have been kept hidden for so long. But who can she truly trust and will she be able to do the one thing she's been trying to all along. Find the man behind her nightmares and years of hiding or he finally do what he said would do.......

I absolutely love this series and hate for it to end. Denise has done amazing job at creating a world with these colorful characters to say the least and making you feel like your a part of their realm. Thank you for sharing your amazing gifts.

[Nati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curtain Call is everything you will expect from Denise Grove and more. You can’t put down the book until you find the truth in Magnolia’s story and the twists that you get leave you speechless. Sorry to know that the series is finished but I’m sure Denise Grove will come out with another great adventure.

[Idary ❤ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars