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spowers2627's review against another edition
5.0
Denise Grover Swank takes us on a roller coaster in this book. I could not put it down, read it in one afternoon! Magnolia Steele is a fun and feisty character that readers can relate to.This story took so many twists and turns, leading to a surprising and satisfying ending.
musingsbysophie's review against another edition
4.0
Oh no more Maggie!!!!
Really great last book wrapping up this chapter in her life, I really didn’t like magnolia to start with... she bugged me with how selfish she could come off but she really grew throughout the books and faced her demons.
I didn’t click with her characters as much as I have with basically every single character in Denise’s other series Rose gardener mysteries (but I am obsessed with them) however there has been a considerable amount more books there. I feel like from the ending there could be some strings still to tie up (maybe more books in the future??) I would actually enjoy seeing these characters again. I really liked the plot and how the story developed.
Really great last book wrapping up this chapter in her life, I really didn’t like magnolia to start with... she bugged me with how selfish she could come off but she really grew throughout the books and faced her demons.
I didn’t click with her characters as much as I have with basically every single character in Denise’s other series Rose gardener mysteries (but I am obsessed with them) however there has been a considerable amount more books there. I feel like from the ending there could be some strings still to tie up (maybe more books in the future??) I would actually enjoy seeing these characters again. I really liked the plot and how the story developed.
rachaelann33's review against another edition
5.0
There's a reason Denise Grover Swank is one of my favourite authors and books like this prove it!
Curtain Call was the perfect ending to the series! After reading all 4 books i never would have guessed to how the book would come to and end.
I know they say, "innocent until proven guilty" but in this book I felt like it was "guilty until proven innocent" I was suspicious about literally every charachter! Constantly wondering if they were guilty of being the bad guy! And until we were shown they were the good guys I just couldn't trust anyone!
This author managed to make me doubt so many people and their intentions! WELL DONE! I can usually guess the ending of books but this was so well done I didn't manage to guess it!
Curtain Call was the perfect ending to the series! After reading all 4 books i never would have guessed to how the book would come to and end.
I know they say, "innocent until proven guilty" but in this book I felt like it was "guilty until proven innocent" I was suspicious about literally every charachter! Constantly wondering if they were guilty of being the bad guy! And until we were shown they were the good guys I just couldn't trust anyone!
This author managed to make me doubt so many people and their intentions! WELL DONE! I can usually guess the ending of books but this was so well done I didn't manage to guess it!
cloudedsulphur's review against another edition
5.0
A satisfying conclusion to the story of Magnolia Steele. While I’d love several more books featuring Magnolia, Colt, and Brady, I’m content with the way the story resolved. This entire series will suck you in from page 1 of the first book. This proves why Denise Grover Swank deserves her place among the top mystery writers.
sinistralleanings's review
1.0
Apparently I have become someone who refuses to be nice when reviewing books anymore.
Are we kidding me with this? Her brother was insanely abusive physically and emotionally to his wife, to his sister, and almost to his mothers best friend if someone didn't step in first, for the majority of the books but we are supposed to just like blame his father being absent for this? Sure Belinda finally leaves Roy in the very end but are you kidding me.
Just. It still is this open ended thing feeling thing where we are supposed to just, with absolutely NO valid reason, hope for him to be rehabilitated which is so just gross. I'm really angry about this being his reasons for him being who he is. I can't.
Are we kidding me with this? Her brother was insanely abusive physically and emotionally to his wife, to his sister, and almost to his mothers best friend if someone didn't step in first, for the majority of the books but we are supposed to just like blame his father being absent for this? Sure Belinda finally leaves Roy in the very end but are you kidding me.
Just. It still is this open ended thing feeling thing where we are supposed to just, with absolutely NO valid reason, hope for him to be rehabilitated which is so just gross. I'm really angry about this being his reasons for him being who he is. I can't.
stephaniek219's review
5.0
*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.
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.
cstenson20's review
5.0
I could not put this series down! I started out reading DGS from the Rose Gardener series, and I knew I wanted more so I decided to start the story of Magnolia Steele. It did NOT disappoint. This series had no problem s keeping me hanging off the edge of my seat. I could't get enough. I was up until 2 or 3 am every night for a week because I could't wait to read what would happen next. SO many twists I could never see coming! I love an unpredictable book. And I just love Magnolia and her personality. Reminds me of how reserved I used to be until I met the right people. I can't wait for more when the next parts of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie come out. I'm a sucker for a good mystery with some romance and this is EXACTLY what I look for in a book.
musingsbysophie's review
4.0
Oh no more Maggie!!!!
Really great last book wrapping up this chapter in her life, I really didn’t like magnolia to start with... she bugged me with how selfish she could come off but she really grew throughout the books and faced her demons.
I didn’t click with her characters as much as I have with basically every single character in Denise’s other series Rose gardener mysteries (but I am obsessed with them) however there has been a considerable amount more books there. I feel like from the ending there could be some strings still to tie up (maybe more books in the future??) I would actually enjoy seeing these characters again. I really liked the plot and how the story developed.
Really great last book wrapping up this chapter in her life, I really didn’t like magnolia to start with... she bugged me with how selfish she could come off but she really grew throughout the books and faced her demons.
I didn’t click with her characters as much as I have with basically every single character in Denise’s other series Rose gardener mysteries (but I am obsessed with them) however there has been a considerable amount more books there. I feel like from the ending there could be some strings still to tie up (maybe more books in the future??) I would actually enjoy seeing these characters again. I really liked the plot and how the story developed.
mrvm's review
3.0
I hate to say it but, at least for me, this wasn't the best book that Denise has written. I loved the first two books in this series and couldn't wait to unravel the mystery, and Denise is very good and writing fantastic chats and having exciting twists and turns but this book fell flat. There was hardly any chemistry between any of the characters, I don't just mean Magnolia and they but she ends up with, I mean all of the characters. Usually Denise paints a picture of the different relationships in detail but instead we are told that they have chemistry or are in love. This didn't work very well because you are left figure out why these people are together or why she trusts this person but not the other people.
My main issues with this are:
1) Denise you are such a good writer and so above love triangles, please stop having them in your books! Love triangles are a horrible plot device and take away from the actual story. So should only be used it you have nothing to write about, also very little chemistry between everyone.
2) I felt like there was a lot of time going over information that we already knew, so the book seemed to drag.
3) way to many people and relationships to keep straight, and most of them had nothing to do with the mystery.
4) This is the 4th and final book and I feel like I have no clue who any of the main characters are.
I love all of Denises books and I have liked this series but I was not into this book at all.
My main issues with this are:
1) Denise you are such a good writer and so above love triangles, please stop having them in your books! Love triangles are a horrible plot device and take away from the actual story. So should only be used it you have nothing to write about, also very little chemistry between everyone.
2) I felt like there was a lot of time going over information that we already knew, so the book seemed to drag.
3) way to many people and relationships to keep straight, and most of them had nothing to do with the mystery.
4) This is the 4th and final book and I feel like I have no clue who any of the main characters are.
I love all of Denises books and I have liked this series but I was not into this book at all.