What do you think?
Rate this book
Merry Wrath Mysteries #26
Marked for Murder
From USA Today bestselling author Leslie Langtry comes the latest laugh-out-loud Merry Wrath mystery...
Merry Wrath has been out of the spy biz so long that she's sure the CIA has forgotten all about her. Life in suburban Who's There, Iowa is pretty quiet in comparison to the Company, and as long as her Girl Scout Troop isn't inadvertently burning down her garage (again), Merry is thinking it's time to clean out all the plastique and booby traps she's been hiding in the basement, once and for all. That is, until assassin Hilly Vinton (who isn't an assassin because the CIA doesn't have assassins...but totally is) shows up with an agency-ordered Termination Contract on Merry.
This has to be an elaborate prank. Or so Merry thinks, until she learns that the contract also went out to the Russians, Chechens, and Colombian cartels. It isn't long before Merry's small hometown is flooded with interested bad guys. When these killers start showing up as bodies, Merry isn't sure if she should go on the lam (which has Hilly's enthusiastic vote) or stay to protect Who's There. There are too many questions! Can she solve the murders before the murderer gets her? Should she stay or go? How's it possible that the troop's future-predicting cootie catcher is so accurate? And why does the CIA want Merry Wrath dead?
What critics are saying about Leslie Langtry's books:
"I laughed so hard I cried on multiple occasions! Girl Scouts, the CIA, and the Yakuza... what could possibly go wrong?"
~ Fresh Fiction
"Darkly funny and wildly over the top, this mystery answers the burning question, 'Do assassin skills and Girl Scout merit badges mix…?'"
~ RT BOOKreviews
"Mixing a deadly sense of humor and plenty of sexy sizzle, Leslie Langtry creates a brilliantly original, laughter-rich mix of contemporary romance and suspense."
~ Chicago Tribune
"Langtry gets the fun started from page one."
~ Publisher's Weekly
Merry Wrath has been out of the spy biz so long that she's sure the CIA has forgotten all about her. Life in suburban Who's There, Iowa is pretty quiet in comparison to the Company, and as long as her Girl Scout Troop isn't inadvertently burning down her garage (again), Merry is thinking it's time to clean out all the plastique and booby traps she's been hiding in the basement, once and for all. That is, until assassin Hilly Vinton (who isn't an assassin because the CIA doesn't have assassins...but totally is) shows up with an agency-ordered Termination Contract on Merry.
This has to be an elaborate prank. Or so Merry thinks, until she learns that the contract also went out to the Russians, Chechens, and Colombian cartels. It isn't long before Merry's small hometown is flooded with interested bad guys. When these killers start showing up as bodies, Merry isn't sure if she should go on the lam (which has Hilly's enthusiastic vote) or stay to protect Who's There. There are too many questions! Can she solve the murders before the murderer gets her? Should she stay or go? How's it possible that the troop's future-predicting cootie catcher is so accurate? And why does the CIA want Merry Wrath dead?
What critics are saying about Leslie Langtry's books:
"I laughed so hard I cried on multiple occasions! Girl Scouts, the CIA, and the Yakuza... what could possibly go wrong?"
~ Fresh Fiction
"Darkly funny and wildly over the top, this mystery answers the burning question, 'Do assassin skills and Girl Scout merit badges mix…?'"
~ RT BOOKreviews
"Mixing a deadly sense of humor and plenty of sexy sizzle, Leslie Langtry creates a brilliantly original, laughter-rich mix of contemporary romance and suspense."
~ Chicago Tribune
"Langtry gets the fun started from page one."
~ Publisher's Weekly
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
229 pages, Paperback
Published April 25, 2023
About the author
Leslie Langtry
103 books732 followersLeslie Langtry is a USA Today Bestselling Author of the Merry Wrath Mysteries and the Bombay Family of Assassins Greatest Hits series. She lives in the Midwest with her family and is an active Girl Scout volunteer. Her dream is to someday invent calorie free cake.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 12, 2023
Marked for Murder Earns 5/5 Official Notices … Clever, Entertaining Fun!
Merry Wrath always believed with her wicked “spy” skills she was prepared for anything life throws her way, but the “Terminate, By Any Means Necessary” order sent out by her former employer, the CIA, was a shock. What did Merry do to deserve such a final notice? She’s been out of The Agency for years, and despite a few disgruntled spies and terrorists, she’s not in any way a national security risk. Ok, Betty, one of the Girl Scouts, might be, but not Merry. Her friends step in to provide any level of support, armed or otherwise, and help devise a Plan A … or B, or … since the CIA outsourced the order to all contractors makes Merry a “marked” woman. Who’s There is going to be the destination for many terrorists, assassins, and cartel leaders, so getting the order rescinded is a priority or Merry just might be selling celestial cookies upstairs.
Leslie Langtry has always created unique and perilous situations for Merry and her crew to manage, but in this twenty-sixth predicament, it’s a “friendly fire” dilemma. She’s joined by her “real” friends and a few former enemies and, of course, don’t count out the girls, now sixth graders, especially the incomparable, and often, outlandish Betty. It’s a clever surprise using a “termination” contract at the center of the investigation, which is complicated by secrets, assassins, and the CIA unwilling to discuss the order. Langtry’s series is always a delight, written well with the entertaining insights into Merry’s past “covert” experiences, her snarky retorts, and plenty of quirky fun with pre-teens, Chechen brothers in law, and spies of all sorts, and in this book, a diverse illustration of what makes a friend. The drama maintained an engaging complexity with motives not immediately forthcoming, tragic collateral damage, SUV stalkers, plenty of “Plan As,” and more than one perilous moment to keep me turning the page. Fans, like myself, can always count on extra entertainment through the Scout meetings providing a few giggles and some eye rolling, and here there’s also snickerdoodles, road trips, too many suspicious characters to count, and all I can say is the “Agatha Christie” reveal was an audible “What?” and “Cool!” This is definitely an exhilarating read reminding me I once dreamed of being The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Gemma Halliday Publishing. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
Merry Wrath always believed with her wicked “spy” skills she was prepared for anything life throws her way, but the “Terminate, By Any Means Necessary” order sent out by her former employer, the CIA, was a shock. What did Merry do to deserve such a final notice? She’s been out of The Agency for years, and despite a few disgruntled spies and terrorists, she’s not in any way a national security risk. Ok, Betty, one of the Girl Scouts, might be, but not Merry. Her friends step in to provide any level of support, armed or otherwise, and help devise a Plan A … or B, or … since the CIA outsourced the order to all contractors makes Merry a “marked” woman. Who’s There is going to be the destination for many terrorists, assassins, and cartel leaders, so getting the order rescinded is a priority or Merry just might be selling celestial cookies upstairs.
Leslie Langtry has always created unique and perilous situations for Merry and her crew to manage, but in this twenty-sixth predicament, it’s a “friendly fire” dilemma. She’s joined by her “real” friends and a few former enemies and, of course, don’t count out the girls, now sixth graders, especially the incomparable, and often, outlandish Betty. It’s a clever surprise using a “termination” contract at the center of the investigation, which is complicated by secrets, assassins, and the CIA unwilling to discuss the order. Langtry’s series is always a delight, written well with the entertaining insights into Merry’s past “covert” experiences, her snarky retorts, and plenty of quirky fun with pre-teens, Chechen brothers in law, and spies of all sorts, and in this book, a diverse illustration of what makes a friend. The drama maintained an engaging complexity with motives not immediately forthcoming, tragic collateral damage, SUV stalkers, plenty of “Plan As,” and more than one perilous moment to keep me turning the page. Fans, like myself, can always count on extra entertainment through the Scout meetings providing a few giggles and some eye rolling, and here there’s also snickerdoodles, road trips, too many suspicious characters to count, and all I can say is the “Agatha Christie” reveal was an audible “What?” and “Cool!” This is definitely an exhilarating read reminding me I once dreamed of being The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Gemma Halliday Publishing. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
April 26, 2023
Once again, Leslie Langtry had made me laugh so hard, there were tears! Oh what fun this series is with each book eliciting such laughter as you try to uncover the mystery. With Merry Wrath, former CIA in hiding in Who's There, Iowa she thought she would be safe. Well not always, and this time, assassins sent by her former boss the CIA ( they don't have assassins), were given a Terminate by any means necessary order on Merry. She had no idea until her Assassin friend Hilly shows up and tell her. Thinking it is a prank or joke she doesn't take it seriously until the assassins start coming out of the woodwork. With her Chechen brothers-in-law, Gregori a mob boss and other miscreants who settled in Who's There they vowed to help and protect her from assassins. With a couple who met an untimely death, someone is protecting her yet implicating her. With her former handler Riley, now a PI in town trying to find out who put out the order and why and with the scary head of HR Marilyn showing up things are very complicated and the CIA top brass are not forthcoming with information. Marilyn is a strange person to be on your side, but she doesn't like not knowing about the order since she knows about everything that goes on in the CIA. Then you have Merry's girl scout troupe who love to learn how to be assassins and other dark arts from Hilly. They all vow to protect her, especially Betty who is the granddaughter of a major mob boss. Add to that and a mysterious bodyguard shows up and no one knows who hired him. This book keeps on going with so many twists and dead-ends and lots of sneaking around and loads of laughs you just can't put it down! I can't wait for the next book, since the author keeps topping herself with each book in the series. I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
April 25, 2023
What is the third largest demographic area of known International terrorists and CIA present and past employees in America? If you answered Who's There, Iowa, you are clearly a Merry Wrath aficionado and are in for fun treat! This newest entry into the long running series by Leslie Langtry presents new and old characters as a termination contract from the CIA has suspects coming out of everywhere trying to collect the bounty.
Serious questions are raised about Hilly, and as good a friend as she is to Merry, red flags start to appear. But with so many other possibilities and a mysterious bodyguard, it's hard to figure out who to believe and who to trust.
Awesome characters, fascinating theories, and a plot that twists and turns all add up to a terrific book that had me racing to the end to get the answers. One of the all time best books in the series, you don't want to miss the excitement! And Kevin and Hamlet (well, several of them) discover a fascinating new ability that is sure to make hamsters more popular than ever!
This is a series that constantly amazes me! Each book has similarities and continuity as expected so the series flows forward yet touches on the past, just like real life. But the unexpected part that amazes me? After reading 26 books, I am still laughing and anxiously waiting for THE NEXT BOOK! With witty characters that are both predictable (in a general way) and totally surprising, this book touched on past books, yet was in no way predictable! Hilarious, full of surprises, and terrific cast of characters make this an all time favorite of mine. I loved it!
Serious questions are raised about Hilly, and as good a friend as she is to Merry, red flags start to appear. But with so many other possibilities and a mysterious bodyguard, it's hard to figure out who to believe and who to trust.
Awesome characters, fascinating theories, and a plot that twists and turns all add up to a terrific book that had me racing to the end to get the answers. One of the all time best books in the series, you don't want to miss the excitement! And Kevin and Hamlet (well, several of them) discover a fascinating new ability that is sure to make hamsters more popular than ever!
This is a series that constantly amazes me! Each book has similarities and continuity as expected so the series flows forward yet touches on the past, just like real life. But the unexpected part that amazes me? After reading 26 books, I am still laughing and anxiously waiting for THE NEXT BOOK! With witty characters that are both predictable (in a general way) and totally surprising, this book touched on past books, yet was in no way predictable! Hilarious, full of surprises, and terrific cast of characters make this an all time favorite of mine. I loved it!
March 20, 2023
This is the twenty-sixth installment of the Merry Wrath Mystery series. I liked this so much more than the previous book. It was so nice not to deal with much of Betty. This installment has Merry facing a termination notice on herself.
I found it over the top, entertaining, and just silly. Sometimes you just need that.
What drew me to the series was Merry Wrath being single and a Girl Scout leader in rural Iowa. Now she’s married and still looking out for her community but somehow always winds up in crazy predicaments.
I enjoy the escapism, the ineptitude, and fellowship she develops with the locals.
I was given advanced readers copy and am not required to leave a positive review.
I found it over the top, entertaining, and just silly. Sometimes you just need that.
What drew me to the series was Merry Wrath being single and a Girl Scout leader in rural Iowa. Now she’s married and still looking out for her community but somehow always winds up in crazy predicaments.
I enjoy the escapism, the ineptitude, and fellowship she develops with the locals.
I was given advanced readers copy and am not required to leave a positive review.
April 25, 2023
I received a copy from the publisher.
I love, love, love this cozy series. You can start with any book. Just jump right in and you'll be hooked. Merry thinks she can finally breathe easier about her former days in the CIA until her friend Hilly pays her a visit. Hilly is a CIA assassin and she's been ordered to take out Merry. What?! Who the heck ordered this? Now the town is being overrun by baddies. What is going on?! There are a lot of laugh out loud moments in this great mystery. Especially when the girls from her girl scout troop get involved. This is such a fun read. Can't wait for the next one. Keep them coming.
I love, love, love this cozy series. You can start with any book. Just jump right in and you'll be hooked. Merry thinks she can finally breathe easier about her former days in the CIA until her friend Hilly pays her a visit. Hilly is a CIA assassin and she's been ordered to take out Merry. What?! Who the heck ordered this? Now the town is being overrun by baddies. What is going on?! There are a lot of laugh out loud moments in this great mystery. Especially when the girls from her girl scout troop get involved. This is such a fun read. Can't wait for the next one. Keep them coming.
May 10, 2023
Merry and the Girl Scouts are back again in another over the top adventure. Things are going rather smoothly until Hilly Vinton, CIA assassin (who isn’t really an assassin because the CIA doesn’t have assassins) comes to tell her that the CIA has put out a termination order on Merry and Hilly has taken the job! Merry takes this as a joke until assassins from all over the world start coming to their sleepy town of Who’s There, Iowa. Merry is undecided on whether to go out on the lam or stay in her hometown to solve the mystery. The usual cast of crazy characters are still there with chaos ensuing at every turn!
April 18, 2023
One of the best books of the series! Right from the start, this book is full of excitement, suspense, danger, and of course the usual hilarious antics of Merry, her gang of Girl Scouts, Hilly, and all the regular characters of the series. Merry is in danger. The CIA has put an extermination order out on her and guess who has been assigned the job to take her out? Throughout the whole book Merry is dodging assassins, and trying desperately to figure out exactly why she has been targeted. Bravo to Ms. Langtry for another absolutely enticing and enjoyable book in the series!
April 23, 2023
In Marked for Murder, the CIA issued a public termination notice on Merry. That makes Merry's life more than a bit complicated as she tries to discover why while evading attempts on her life. I find the books in this series to be a perfect escape when I need a break from my life. I love getting lost in Merry's world - complete with unusually abled girl scouts, CIA assassins, Chechnyan brothers-in-law, and more. I was immediately drawn into this well written mystery and could not put it down!
August 3, 2023
love Merry Wrath and all
I always laugh reading about Merry and all these characters, especially Betty who deserves her own book. I love this series. The books make me laugh and the stories always go off in all sorts of directions. Most of all, I love that they showcase smart women. You need to read this series from the beginning to appreciate the storyline but it’s a very fun series.
I always laugh reading about Merry and all these characters, especially Betty who deserves her own book. I love this series. The books make me laugh and the stories always go off in all sorts of directions. Most of all, I love that they showcase smart women. You need to read this series from the beginning to appreciate the storyline but it’s a very fun series.
April 9, 2023
The CIA has put out a termination order on former agent Merry Wrath and now her home town is filled with assassins. Merry has been retired for years and no one has any idea why this has happened. Merry, however, is determined to find out what's going on before the assassins succeed.
Creative, unusual and fun. The series is full of laughter, and where else can you read about cadaver hamsters?
Creative, unusual and fun. The series is full of laughter, and where else can you read about cadaver hamsters?
April 30, 2023
This was a fun Merry story! I enjoyed it more than the last few.
A termination contract on Merry is sent out, and people from all different organisations begin hunting her. The attempts to kill her are hilarious, but when bodies start piling up, she becomes a suspect as well as potential victim.
Betty will forever be my favourite, and as usual, she made me laugh in this one. She's kind of scary but awesome. Hilly, too. I'm loving Hilly being in these stories more often.
A fun read! Look forward to the next.
A termination contract on Merry is sent out, and people from all different organisations begin hunting her. The attempts to kill her are hilarious, but when bodies start piling up, she becomes a suspect as well as potential victim.
Betty will forever be my favourite, and as usual, she made me laugh in this one. She's kind of scary but awesome. Hilly, too. I'm loving Hilly being in these stories more often.
A fun read! Look forward to the next.
May 17, 2023
Merry makes my day!
Merry and the gang are out to find another killer, and the action never stops. Neither does the laughter! Mr. fancy Pants makes an appearance, and Kevin's hamsters get into the act, too. This is not your traditional cozy mystery series, but it's in a class by itself! If you like wacky fun and slightly scary Girl Scouts, read the Merry Wrath mysteries!
Merry and the gang are out to find another killer, and the action never stops. Neither does the laughter! Mr. fancy Pants makes an appearance, and Kevin's hamsters get into the act, too. This is not your traditional cozy mystery series, but it's in a class by itself! If you like wacky fun and slightly scary Girl Scouts, read the Merry Wrath mysteries!
April 26, 2023
This was a wild ride, as usual. I think this one is my favorite in the series. What a great idea, having Merry marked for murder. But she must work fast to find out who and why this has happened. And who can she trust?
May 22, 2023
INE of my too 3 favorite series this one great
Seriously one of best series got adventure humour mystery spurs girl scouts who will rule the world one dat assailants cats zoo king vulture and murder who don't it . plus hamburger fries and ice cream shit of if druid works at .
Seriously one of best series got adventure humour mystery spurs girl scouts who will rule the world one dat assailants cats zoo king vulture and murder who don't it . plus hamburger fries and ice cream shit of if druid works at .
June 16, 2023
Wonderful
Merry is marked for murder but who put the hit out? Assassins are practically crawling out of the woodwork to do the job. These books are funny and the characters are very strange especially Kevin and Hamlet his fifty hamsters. Well worth five stars.
Merry is marked for murder but who put the hit out? Assassins are practically crawling out of the woodwork to do the job. These books are funny and the characters are very strange especially Kevin and Hamlet his fifty hamsters. Well worth five stars.
March 10, 2023
Oh gosh this was fantastic. I loved it so much. Quite a lot of drama in this one.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
April 24, 2023
Five stars is never enough. This is an awesome book. I thoroughly enjoy each and every book. Lots of action and adventure. Many laugh out loud moments. I hope there are many more.
April 30, 2023
Good series
There is no other series like this. The cast of characters is beyond what anyone would believe. Yet, every character in this series is perfectly believable.
There is no other series like this. The cast of characters is beyond what anyone would believe. Yet, every character in this series is perfectly believable.
May 3, 2023
I always love another Merry Wrath mystery. This is one of the funniest series, it's an absolute must read for me. This book will keep you guessing and laughing all the way.
May 14, 2023
Merry does it again
This book was a fantastic read! I laughed and laughed. I was totally surprised at who put out the order on Merry.
This book was a fantastic read! I laughed and laughed. I was totally surprised at who put out the order on Merry.
May 22, 2023
If she's not in a coma and hallucinating all of this, then I really don't understand the turns the story is taking into the absolutely ridiculous.
May 26, 2023
Funny and entertaining, one of my favorite series
June 2, 2023
Another hilarious story! I love Merry’s Girl Scout troop, and all of the quirky characters!
June 3, 2023
Great
Betty is up to it again. Merry and all her friends work to keep her a live. The fun began from the first to the last page.
Betty is up to it again. Merry and all her friends work to keep her a live. The fun began from the first to the last page.
August 20, 2024
Merry's Mystetie
I love the way she is all ways trying to solve the murder
herself, but one up in deep trouble. Then how her zany
Girl Scout troop plans her rescue and they finally get
Them selves out of trouble. Lots of action and
Funny antics.
Debra H.
I love the way she is all ways trying to solve the murder
herself, but one up in deep trouble. Then how her zany
Girl Scout troop plans her rescue and they finally get
Them selves out of trouble. Lots of action and
Funny antics.
Debra H.
August 19, 2024
Another great read with Merry and her group of Girl Scouts!
January 28, 2026
I enjoyed the plot and characters in this story. I did not love the ending/culprit. I found it to be so implausible that it soured the entire book for me.
February 9, 2026
Love this series!!! Every book makes me laugh out loud and keeps me guessing. Marked for Murder was no exception.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews