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?
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.
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.
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!
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.
merry wrath nearly drops her popcorn in shock at the movie theater, watching her entire career unfold on a 45x60 screen in the latest spy thriller. her former employer thinks that she leaked classified intelligence and she’ll have to clear her name before she gets a new last one.
rex ferguson asks his girlfriend to move in with him right around the time there’s a murder in his driveway. he moves in her in anyways because her place becomes a crime scene. his focus is centered on closing his case and hopefully one of their houses.
🎥 neighbors 🎥 cozy mystery 🎥 small town 🎥 love triangle
SPOILERS
merry usually has the upper hand against any opponents, but she’s currently being outsmarted by her cat. the local veterinarian prescriped her cat tramadol, but it should be prounounced TRAUMAdol with how resistant her cat was to taking the medication.
her date night gets cancelled by a dead body showing up in a driveway that actually isn’t hers for once. she goes to a movie alone to see the latest spy thriller only to realize that the details were spot on to her classified assignments.
the victim is dewey barnes. the cause of death by a small caliber pistol at close range. the second victim is tim pinter, his body found he broke into her house. he’s ex-CIA, but he didn’t leave voluntarily.
i don’t like that she immediately suspected riley of selling her out. she calls him but she keeping getting sent straight to voicemail. she keeps thinking that she’s seen him around town but she can’t get a clear enough visual.
rex wants to take their relationship to the next level, asking her to move in with him. i don’t see the compatibility there. first of all, he sets up the guest room for her rather than them sharing the same bed?? he doesn’t let the cats into his room and riley did that often. i thought it was odd that he asked her to move in before a proposal.
riley wrote a book that was used to make the screenplay, thinking he could publish it one day after the content was declassified. i suspect that it’s a romance book, using it as an outlet for his feelings for her.
she gets taken off the street while she was going for a run. they hold her cat hostage, wanting her to retrieve the script. i was hoping she’d tell them to fuck themselves. riley kisses her when he realizes that she’s safe definitely crossing into cheating territory.
i’m surprised she doesn’t want to stick her nose in police business. she says she misses the action from the CIA but then the next minute she wants a regular life. also, i don’t understand her reluctance to clear her own name. she knows the CIA think that she was the one responsible for the leak but you think she’d want to expose the real culprit.
maria gomez was behind the movie production. she was promoted a year ago which gave her access to sensitive intel and she wanted the information to go public to even the playing field. i think she could have easily still leaked the information without having to involve her supposed close friend’s career history along with it. not that she should have done either. she’s definitely not going to be a bridesmaid now.
the exaggerations and inconsistencies are still going strong in the writing. i don’t understand how a highly trained operative was bested at laser tag. the main character is very immature for her age and i hope she has some character growth soon. she’s slowly acting more responsible like offering to babysit her best friend’s newborn but she still has a long way to go.
i did switch to the audiobook and i really liked the narrator. i’ll probably continue on with the series because i want to see her end up with riley as endgame. ah okay so rex proposes to her with a square diamond that he’s been carrying around for six months. i still think there’s going to be a twist.
Audiobook 6 (cataract surgery, I don't see well temporarily). There are two cats in the story: Philby and Martini. I may not have spelled them correctly because I was listening, rather than reading the book. The narrator had a clear female voice. It was a challenge for her to do all the characters, but she was passable, just not a voice actor. The author started out with an interesting possibility for a good story, but lost her way and didn't quite get it developed. I suggest that if you are interested in the books, you can read the first one. After that you don't have to read them in order. Relationships develop, but if you don't mind a shifting timeline, you'll be O.K. I borrowed this audiobook from the library, which does not have every book in the series. This is definitely an adult book with some questionable judgement in adult behavior, including the humor, so I wouldn't play this book to young children or my mother, even though some have shelved it as a cozy. There is some mild inappropriate language, like douche bag, for example. This review was written by a life member of the Girl Scouts! Been there, done all that. . .😊
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. *
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...
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.
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.
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.
When Merry goes to see a movie at a theatre, she stunned to realized that it's her life as a spy on the big screen. The movie shuts down abruptly during the viewing and across the country. Merry is concerned the CIA will think she was behind the movie, which it turns out is based on an yet-to-be published book, which will send them after her. So she starts digging to see who was behind it. In the meantime, her scout troup is excited about the upcoming mud run and training hard.
This is the fifth in the Merry Wrath mystery series (there are currently 36) and for the most part I liked it. It can be read as a stand alone but it's fun to read them in order. It's written in first person perspective in Merry's voice so we can to hear her thoughts (and she has a lot!). I liked the writing style ... it was conversational as if Merry was speaking to us. It was a quick fun read and I look forward to continuing on with the series.
I found the relationship between Merry and Rex, her boyfriend of a couple years, a bit unrealistic. I'm assuming they are in their mid to late thirties and have had sleepovers. But when Merry has to stay at Rex's, he puts her in the guest room? And she doesn't question that? In general, they tend to act like the neighbours they are rather than a couple.
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.)
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!
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
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!
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.
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.
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 🗽
I’ve reviewed previous books in this series and give it a solid C+, but this book was just terrible. I only parts I liked were the Girl Scout Troop’s antics. The main story was convoluted, and every one of the CIA agents were acting extremely out of character. The resolution was flimsy, at best, and the on going Rex vs Riley story is just tired. I find it hard to believe a woman smart enough for the CIA would allow this nonsense to continue for two years. Or that the men wouldn’t have grown tired of her self induced naivety just moved on.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
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.
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?
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.