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From USA Today bestselling author, Leslie Langtry comes the next laugh-out-loud Merry Wrath Mystery...

Ex-CIA Agent turned small town Girl Scout leader, Merry Wrath, thinks she has her hands full getting her troop ready for the Mud Run out at scout camp. But a trip to the movies, where she sees her whole career played out on the big screen, turns her world from little girls to great big lies. Turns out her former handler, Riley, is hiding something and the Agency is on the warpath, thinking Merry has leaked classified intel.

From a bizarre organization called Coats for Cats to redecorating her guest room with bullet holes, her life is turning into a Merry-go-round of misdirection, miscreants and misdemeanors. Can she clear her name, or will the Mud Run turn into a run for her life?

203 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 27, 2017

314 people are currently reading
491 people want to read

About the author

Leslie Langtry

97 books722 followers
Leslie 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.

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5 stars
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274 (31%)
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108 (12%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
Profile Image for Gary Sundell.
368 reviews60 followers
July 13, 2017
Another fun ride with Merry Wrath, her cats, her girl scout troop, her boyfriend the local cop Rex, her former CIA handler Riley and the whole supporting cast. A series that should be read in published order. Poor Merry, her former CIA life just will not leave her alone.
Profile Image for Julie.
2,004 reviews630 followers
July 29, 2024
Mud Run Murder is the 5th book in the Merry Wrath Mystery series.

Preparing a Girl Scout Troop to participate in a Mud Run Competition is rough enough....but to do it with murders and CIA Intrigue going on at the same time is just epic. And to think it all started with an innocent trip to the movie theater!

I am enjoying the humor and fun of this series so much! Merry Wrath is a former CIA operative turned Girl Scout Troop leader. She needs all her wits and experience to handle a troop of 12 little girls. Plus, despite being retired from the CIA, strange and dangerous incidents seem to always happen to her. It makes for a fun and entertaining read every time!

My favorite character? Philby the cat, course! Leave it to Merry Wrath to have a cat that looks like Hitler. :) I love the Girls Scouts in these books. They aren't scared of anything or anybody, and go with the flow....even when things get dangerous!

I can't wait to find out what happens in the next book -- Motto for Murder!
Profile Image for Shelley.
538 reviews126 followers
December 1, 2022
The string of profanities that flew out of my mouth while reading this are likely still floating in the air. There is not one positive thing to say about this piece of steaming shit unless checking it out from the library counts since I didn't waste my money.

This is such a blatant ripoff of the Miss Fortune series and the Stephanie Plum series, only with much shittier writing. Both of those series began before this and unless I missed it the author never gives credit to Jana DeLeon and Janet Evanovich.

Merry is a former CIA agent, the only difference between that and Miss Fortune is that Fortune is still an agent. Merry is also an idiot and completely unbelievable as a government employee. Her boyfriend is a cop named Rex who lives across the street from her in Who's There, Iowa. There's no way that the name Rex just so happened to be coincidence and not named after Stephanie Plum's hamster, and it's the Rex the hamster part that made picturing this Rex as human and not a small rodent. The boyfriend in the Miss Fortune series is also a cop, coincidence my ass. There's also a love triangle of Merry/Rex/Riley that's again a shittier version of Stephanie/Morelli/Ranger although I don't remember Ranger ever reading as a female character the way that Riley does here which makes him also completely unbelievable as a CIA agent gone rogue.

The writing is terrible, he characters are mostly dumb and cringey, it tries way too hard and fails to be funny, and it's insultingly easy to figure out the ending. I hated every page of the book and cussed out the friend who recommended this series.
Profile Image for Diane ~Firefly~.
2,201 reviews86 followers
November 10, 2019
A movie based on Merry's life as a spy is released (and quickly shut down) which leads to lots of suspicion and murder.

What I enjoyed:
* The cats are amazing as always.
* The girl scouts are going to take over the world when they grow up.
* The whole scene with Merry babysitting baby Finn was hilarious

What could have been better:
* Riley comes off as completely incompetent
* I HATE the love triangle.
*
Profile Image for Elisa.
3,227 reviews40 followers
July 3, 2017
Oh my talk about laugh, everytime I start a Merry Wrath mystery I think her life just can't get more funny but then it does, her girl scout troop always adds a great dose of humor and yes there are more dead bodies piling around Merry but it's really not her fault she is RETIRED yes RETIRED CIA lol...

Profile Image for Ash.
21 reviews1 follower
July 26, 2022
I wanted to like this book, because I’d love to have another established cozy series with a smart female protagonist. I even skipped ahead to book 5 in hopes of loving it enough to go back to book 1, which is generally the slowest and least fantastic in such a series. I’m ok with that due to world building, working out the kinks, etc. However, no. Just no. There is no way this slow-witted, completely oblivious, wouldn’t survive a game of Clue character is supposed to be an acclaimed former CIA agent. You mean the same woman who knew someone was trying to kill her but didn’t question the presence a group of people completely out of place, in ski masks no less, staring at her? We won’t even broach the idea of her being a “spy,” but doesn’t even have a home security system and tease state secrets…for a cat. Lastly, the whodunit was so obvious, I got bored waiting on her to figure it out…and of course, she really didn’t. Le sigh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mooncat.
362 reviews2 followers
August 28, 2017
Sigh. I was looking forward to this one. Unfortunately, it didn't meet my high hopes. The case was very confusing and not very thought out. I also felt like it felt the passion of earlier cases.
Merry once again suspected Riley of wrongdoing, something she does in almost every book, only to be proven wrong. Added to that her continued denial of figuring out her feelings for him, instead fleeing into her boring relationship with Rex, whose proposal she accepts. There is no other scene with Riley after that, so we're kept hanging.
Also, it turns out one beloved character is a traitor. Do we get a closure on any of this? No.
So yeah, I'm disappointed. And hope she gets back to her wits in the next one - and ends this love triangle. Of course in Riley's favor.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sandy Bartles.
1,395 reviews37 followers
June 27, 2017
What an exciting story! As usual, this author came up aces once again. I absolutely love Merry, Rex and Riley, and we can't forget the cats, Philby (aka Hitler-doppelganger) and Martini! Merry has to be the funniest ex-CIA agent I have ever read about and she is so great with her young Girl Scout troop. I think I could read a book a day in this series and never tire of it. Keep up the great work!!!

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
Profile Image for Diane Burton.
Author 16 books249 followers
August 30, 2017
When I finished Book 4 in this series, I had to buy this one. (The first chapter included in the back of that book intrigued me so much, I had to find out what happened next. Good marketing ploy. LOL) I've become addicted to Merry Wrath's adventures. Or should I say misadventures? This one starts with a more serious situation--Merry goes to the movies and sees her CIA career splashed across the screen. Holy smoke! Even though she didn't leak any classified info, her former employer thinks she did. The two people in the agency she trusts won't return her calls. That's scary enough. A dead guy in her bedroom adds to her worries. But all that isn't enough to take her mind off the Mud Run her troop enters. Who can resist the prize of an all-paid trip to the best camp in the Girl Scout Council?

As always in this series, the characters are the best part. The girls in Merry & Kelly's troop steal the show. They are smarter and cleverer than eight-year-olds should be. A new parent, Kelly has gotten stricter in her insistence on fair play and no cheating. Merry's boyfriend Rex wants to up their relationship. And her former CIA handler (and best friend) has grown weirder. A few good surprises and twists add to the enjoyment of this book. Is it the end of the Merry Wrath series? I hope not. (Right now, my book budget can take a breather.)
Profile Image for Merry Chapman.
2,563 reviews23 followers
August 25, 2017
Laugh out loud mystery that grabs you when you start! Can't wait for the next one!

This series just keeps getting funnier and funnier! Trouble always seems to find Merry Wrath a retired CIA agent who is hiding out in Who's There, Iowa. Dead bodies seem to find her anyway. With the help of her former handler, Riley and her boyfriend, a policeman in town, Rex, she has always managed to catch the murderers. This time is different since she goes alone to a movie and sees her classified life splayed out on the screen. Who could have know all this and leaked all this secret classified material and why are there dead bodies showing up in her boyfriend's driveway and in her own house. Can she trust anyone in the CIA and why do they think she is the leak, are they coming after her? And can Rex help her since he is on the case? And her girl scout troup, can they win the Mud Run these little girls with incredibly sneaky minds? So much fun, mystery and laugh out loud humor throughout will keep you from putting this one down once you start reading!
Profile Image for Short, Sweet and Cozy.
1,496 reviews
April 20, 2024
Mud Run Murder is the 5th book in the fun and exciting Merry Wrath Mysteries by Leslie Langtry. This is my favorite book so far! The cozy mysteries are well done and the.characters are very likable. Merry Wrath is retired CIA and lives in a small town in Iowa. Merry and her best friend Kelly are leaders of a Girl Scout Troop. That adds a lot of humor and fun to the stories! The troop is participating in the Mud Run Competition and they are ready! They also have a laser tag competition with a Boy Scout Troop! Coroner Soo Jin Body helps out with both events. Merry is dating Detective Rex Ferguson and the relationship is progressing. Merry's former boss at the CIA Riley Andrews is in town because of a movie about Merry's career. This is causing a lot of problems! The story moves at a good pace and is very hard to put down! I loved it! I bought the boxset and the audiobook from the library. #MudRunMurder #MerryWrathMysteries. #GemmaHallidayPublishing
836 reviews10 followers
June 28, 2017
Hail, Hail the Gangs All Here!!

The Merry Wrath books are always tons of fun & highly addicting. In Mud Run Murder Merry is back in another action packed, laugh filled adventure. This time Merry has to deal with the dead bodies that keep piling up both human & animal, her current boyfriend Rex wanting to take their relationship to the next level, old boyfriend/handler Riley's betrayal, & competing in a mud run with her 3rd grade group of Girl Scouts. As the plot thickens & becomes more entangled I couldn't stop laughing at some of the bizarre situations Merry gets herself into, especially her first babysitting job with goddaughter Finn - the cats & diapers are to die for! Her Girl Scout pack is so diabolical! Definitely future operatives in the making. This is a must read for all Merry Wrath fans!
Profile Image for Sandra.
3,341 reviews12 followers
September 8, 2020
As always the girls are the absolute highlight and have me laughing out loud and reading snippets to my family. My heart was a little broken about what happened with the only one of Merry's friends that I actually liked. Merry can be a little bit annoying, I am not a fan of Riley- especially how he seems perfectly willing for Merry to take the blame and I have never really liked Kelly as she seems to actively dislike Merry altho I do see why she gets frustrated with Merry. But I enjoy these books nonetheless - mostly because of the troop and the cats. And they are light & funny and I like Merry when she is with interacting with her troop & cats.
264 reviews1 follower
July 5, 2017
Mud run murw

Merry Wrath,an her merry band of Girl Scouts are back for another round of mayhem.

One night,Merry goes to the movies alone and finds herself watching a movie about her CIA missions.

Then there's some unexplained murders,a cutthroat laser tag game between her scouts and an older boy scout team.
Her exhandler,Riley is sulking around town. Merry finds someone trying to enter her house,she proceeds to shoot up her guest room.
Her police boyfriend,Rex,moves her into his house.
This book is a fun read and I look forward to the next installment.
6,726 reviews5 followers
September 29, 2021
Entertaining listening 🔰😀

Another will written romantic thriller adventure mystery novel by Leslie Langtry in the Merry Wrath Mystery Series book five with lots of interesting fun loving will developed characters. The story line is set in Iowa where Merry and her boyfriend keep finding murdered bodies. The CIA is looking around for whom is the big question. I would recommend this series and author to 👍readers of mysteries. Enjoy the adventure of reading or listening to books 📚 2021 🗽
Profile Image for Mari Hinton.
416 reviews12 followers
July 5, 2017
Another hit

I absolutely love this series . I would like to know where Mrs. Langtry comes up with her ideas. This is just awesome series that is ' very enjoyable.
Merry has to have the worst luck that always a riot. Not only is she trying to help her troop win a mud run, but she is trying to figure out how she is involved in movie and which man does she want to be with.
Great book and looking forward to the next one.
Profile Image for Tonya Peterson.
1,596 reviews3 followers
September 4, 2024
The best mud race

This book was probably the most hilarious and confusing book so far in this series. Try to imagine a group of 9 yr old girls trying to outdo the older boyscout in a mud race, lol. You would think they would have had no clue where to start and leave it to Merry. Well, think again. Marry, on the other hand, is trying to figure out who filmed her life and put it out for everyone to see and have the CIA after her.
Profile Image for Sheri Matthews.
65 reviews
July 7, 2017
Love this series. CIA agent turned girl scout troop leader has more difficulty keeping her 9yo girls in line than she did her CIA targets. Leslie Langtry has turned this series into one of my favorites. Great laughs, precocious 9 year olds, cutie pie boyfriend and a stressed-out, new-mom best friend. Fun read!
Profile Image for Shannon Binegar-Foster.
2,783 reviews19 followers
July 11, 2017
Incredible

Oh my gosh. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time Between the laser tag and the comments from Betty I was in tears from laughing. The twists in this one were riveting. Some I was not too pleased about. I loved this one so much. I am excited to see what the future holds for Merry.
Profile Image for Kristi.
268 reviews2 followers
September 12, 2017
Can not wait until the next one

Love those girl scouts , twist on who the mastermind was in this one trying not to give anything away. But one of my favorite of the series and can not wait to find out about Riley The next one
Profile Image for Lyn Jenkins.
628 reviews1 follower
March 27, 2018
Mud runs and possible Russians

OH BOY! Poor Merry has ended up in a load of trouble this time and for once it isn't her fault. Handlers and friends can be a whole lot more trouble than they're worth. Cats on the other hand are pretty spot on.
432 reviews5 followers
December 8, 2021
3.5 stars
The girl guides steal the show again, I love them so much. I laughed myself silly on their antics.
So it's just a running thing now all the inconsistencies in these storylines and character details, right? Like an in joke?
Profile Image for Carolyn G. Manuel.
1,070 reviews
January 23, 2022
Movie Night

Merry ends up going to a movie theater for the first time in years. Just one problem. The movie is about her life as a spy. Now the Mud Run Competition is second to dead bodies.
Profile Image for Susan.
1,169 reviews43 followers
July 1, 2017
Love this series! A quick, fun read that'll keep you laughing. Keep them coming! Oh, and I'm still Team Riley!
Profile Image for Cindy.
67 reviews3 followers
October 16, 2017
Mud Run Murder is yet another laugh out loud, fun to read Merry Wrath mystery from Leslie Langtry! Recommended!
Profile Image for Sabrina.
683 reviews4 followers
April 29, 2018
Great read

As always a fun read. Great dialogue, suspense, action and just plain laugh out loud funny . Can’t wait till get started reading the next installment
Profile Image for Katie.
130 reviews6 followers
January 24, 2021
I literally burst out laughing at the part where the girl scouts start pulling our random weapons at a lazer tag event. Langtry definitely knows how to make these mysteries fun!
Profile Image for Selina Spencer.
13 reviews
August 29, 2021
Fun and fast read

I just Love this series, very close to Janet evanovich. A must read, it will make you laugh. Can’t wait to read the next book.
643 reviews6 followers
February 27, 2022
Engaging cozy mystery, the babysitting scene had be laughing so hard. Looking forward to reading more in series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews

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