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Merry Wrath Mysteries #16
Mad Money Murder
From USA Today bestselling author Leslie Langtry comes another madcap Merry Wrath mystery that will leave you laughing til it hurts!
When Merry Wrath inherits an urn of cremains, she isn’t sure which is more surprising—that she was now the owner of a body or the fact that her family’s mythical Aunt June actually existed. Besides the urn and the deceased’s collection of lethal pets, from an assassin caterpillar to a deathstalker scorpion, the ex-CIA agent turned Scout Leader also inherits a mystery:
“If you’ve received this, it means that I need you to find out who murdered me.”
With her best friend and five mischievous little Girl Scouts, Merry takes a trip across the state to her aunt's tiny, rundown hometown of Behold, Iowa. Though, in hindsight, it probably wasn’t the best for the troop to stay at a famous scout camp that has a history of ghosts and aliens. Or to bring the precocious, ten-year old Betty who has started mastering some very sophisticated (and alarming) magic tricks.
Was Aunt June murdered?
Most in Behold think the death was an accident involving June's pet brown recluse spider, but Merry isn’t so sure. There are far more questions than answers about who Aunt June really was. Between a late-night dash for her life over a high ropes course, and dangerous interactions with deadly critters, Merry needs answers before a killer silences her questions…for good.
When Merry Wrath inherits an urn of cremains, she isn’t sure which is more surprising—that she was now the owner of a body or the fact that her family’s mythical Aunt June actually existed. Besides the urn and the deceased’s collection of lethal pets, from an assassin caterpillar to a deathstalker scorpion, the ex-CIA agent turned Scout Leader also inherits a mystery:
“If you’ve received this, it means that I need you to find out who murdered me.”
With her best friend and five mischievous little Girl Scouts, Merry takes a trip across the state to her aunt's tiny, rundown hometown of Behold, Iowa. Though, in hindsight, it probably wasn’t the best for the troop to stay at a famous scout camp that has a history of ghosts and aliens. Or to bring the precocious, ten-year old Betty who has started mastering some very sophisticated (and alarming) magic tricks.
Was Aunt June murdered?
Most in Behold think the death was an accident involving June's pet brown recluse spider, but Merry isn’t so sure. There are far more questions than answers about who Aunt June really was. Between a late-night dash for her life over a high ropes course, and dangerous interactions with deadly critters, Merry needs answers before a killer silences her questions…for good.
- GenresMysteryCozy MysteryCozy
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2020
190 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Leslie Langtry
97 books728 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
October 13, 2020
Mad Money Murder earns 5+/5 Bedazzled Urns...Engaging Entertainment!
Merry’s family always talked about an enigmatic “Aunt June,” but she had little or no background and insights into this woman’s existence. So, why are her cremains being sent to her? The accompanying letter was just as weird, although it explained a few things, the “pet spiders,” “Okay, that’s it for now,” and “I need you to find out who murdered me” are all cause for alarm. “Aunt June’s” lawyers demand Merry meet with them to finalize her inheritance of another home, and Kelly, Merry’s BFF, will not let her go alone. Kelly discovers a great Scout camp, Camp des Morts, is nearby the destination and suggests the girls would love it, so it’s a no brainer...Road trip! Merry, Kelly, and five of the Girl Scouts head off to Behold, Iowa, and are surprised at the shabby exteriors of small number of shops and businesses, but it contrasts with meticulous interiors. Everyone knows what’s going on, the Hickenlooper triplets and residents “seem” friendly, the fried chicken is lip-smacking, and the tales of ghosts and aliens have inspired the scouts for a nighttime hike along the cliffs. Merry, however, is curious about her Aunt-not-aunt’s death, maybe murder, and without an autopsy, it’s gonna be complicated, but it’s the collection of venomous arachnids that might be the most dangerous.
Leslie Langtry has once again penned a “gotta read every page” drama for the sixteenth book in her Merry Wrath Mystery series. The drama was engaging with an investigation that offered the fascinating frustrations over residents all seemingly keeping secrets, odd overheard conversations, and a myriad of possible motives from romantic jealousies and political rivals to disagreements over property and a secret life, but dig deeper and it’s Wow! Is it murder? Well, that’s the consensus, but the victim has set about a series of hidden clues for Merry, and the girls do well to gather information, theorize possibilities, and devise “camp” names for themselves and the suspects. Leslie’s writing style uses a first-person narrative providing the “I” perspective from Merry’s viewpoint. This better suits the entertaining flashback memories from Merry’s CIA days that illustrates her current behaviors, suspicions, or techniques. But it’s the added wit that makes me giggle. I know one needs to suspend disbelief when it comes to the role of the ten-year-olds, but they’re unique as cozy characters go and offer some great comic relief in their fascination with ghosts and aliens. I loved it, and the end was brilliant...Agatha Christie would be proud! A lot of food is mentioned from trips to the convenience store to meals at Fancy Nancy’s Home Cooking including questions as to who could claim “the best in the state.” But, sadly, no recipes for fried chicken, hot beef sandwiches, or Tater Tot casserole. And, what is strawberry pretzel cream cheese salad? Check google!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Gemma Halliday Publishing. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
Merry’s family always talked about an enigmatic “Aunt June,” but she had little or no background and insights into this woman’s existence. So, why are her cremains being sent to her? The accompanying letter was just as weird, although it explained a few things, the “pet spiders,” “Okay, that’s it for now,” and “I need you to find out who murdered me” are all cause for alarm. “Aunt June’s” lawyers demand Merry meet with them to finalize her inheritance of another home, and Kelly, Merry’s BFF, will not let her go alone. Kelly discovers a great Scout camp, Camp des Morts, is nearby the destination and suggests the girls would love it, so it’s a no brainer...Road trip! Merry, Kelly, and five of the Girl Scouts head off to Behold, Iowa, and are surprised at the shabby exteriors of small number of shops and businesses, but it contrasts with meticulous interiors. Everyone knows what’s going on, the Hickenlooper triplets and residents “seem” friendly, the fried chicken is lip-smacking, and the tales of ghosts and aliens have inspired the scouts for a nighttime hike along the cliffs. Merry, however, is curious about her Aunt-not-aunt’s death, maybe murder, and without an autopsy, it’s gonna be complicated, but it’s the collection of venomous arachnids that might be the most dangerous.
Leslie Langtry has once again penned a “gotta read every page” drama for the sixteenth book in her Merry Wrath Mystery series. The drama was engaging with an investigation that offered the fascinating frustrations over residents all seemingly keeping secrets, odd overheard conversations, and a myriad of possible motives from romantic jealousies and political rivals to disagreements over property and a secret life, but dig deeper and it’s Wow! Is it murder? Well, that’s the consensus, but the victim has set about a series of hidden clues for Merry, and the girls do well to gather information, theorize possibilities, and devise “camp” names for themselves and the suspects. Leslie’s writing style uses a first-person narrative providing the “I” perspective from Merry’s viewpoint. This better suits the entertaining flashback memories from Merry’s CIA days that illustrates her current behaviors, suspicions, or techniques. But it’s the added wit that makes me giggle. I know one needs to suspend disbelief when it comes to the role of the ten-year-olds, but they’re unique as cozy characters go and offer some great comic relief in their fascination with ghosts and aliens. I loved it, and the end was brilliant...Agatha Christie would be proud! A lot of food is mentioned from trips to the convenience store to meals at Fancy Nancy’s Home Cooking including questions as to who could claim “the best in the state.” But, sadly, no recipes for fried chicken, hot beef sandwiches, or Tater Tot casserole. And, what is strawberry pretzel cream cheese salad? Check google!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Gemma Halliday Publishing. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
March 20, 2023
Another Merry Wrath mystery. Merry and Kelly make such a great team. The chemistry really does make these stand out and make them seem real. Betty is amazing! This book had a small surprise at the end which was terrific. I love the writing style if Leslie Langtry in this series. If you haven't read any in the Merry Wrath series, start at book one and take off! Hilarity and surprises await you!
September 29, 2020
This book is fantastic. Lots of laughs and mystery as to who murdered Aunt. The Girl Scout troop is along for the ride and certainly keeps everyone on their toes!
September 29, 2020
Love this series! The humor is amazingly weird! Think CIA versus Girl Scouts! The main characters are always getting into trouble, and have amazing ways of getting out of it! If you like quirky characters and surprise endings, then you should read this series. Each book is stand-alone, but I’d start at the beginning to really get to know Merry!
September 29, 2020
This is a very exciting book in the Merry Wrath series! Merry has inherited the ashes, along with a beautiful house and all its contents, of a woman who until now she thought was just a family myth! Aunt June (who Merry and her mother both thought was perhaps a long lost aunt they have only heard stories about), turns out to be a friend of her grandmother whose first name is Aunt and last name is June, a very eccentric lady who left everything to Merry with a note asking her to find her murderer! There just happens to be a very nice Girl Scout Camp in the town way across the state, and Kelly and five of the girls (including Betty) decide to investigate with Merry. There is talk of ghosts and aliens amongst the townspeople, and also a collection of very dangerous “pets” owned by Aunt June (consisting of dangerous spiders, frogs, and other icky creatures), that make up this very interesting and entertaining story! Oh, and Betty is now a very talented magician, which makes this even more one of those must reads that makes you want to read this whole book in one sitting! Another winner by Leslie Langtry.
October 6, 2020
Never a spoiler in my reviews, here are some things you need to know: There is NO book in this series that I haven't enjoyed; you don't have to read them in order, but if you haven't read any of the others yet, you'll certainly want to go back and read the others, this story is so well developed and the characters so vivid, you'll have no problem diving right in! These books have the twists and turns, laugh out loud moments, snarkiness, and mystery that every cozy lover seeks. Merry never fails to take you on a mission that always has you wondering and trying to guess, what could possibly happen next! This mission involves an inheritance, a questionable house, and simply a wild ride until you get to the conclusion! I wish I was in a Girl Scout Troop with leaders like Merry and Kelly when I was a kid! Betty will have you raising your eyebrows and thinking, I'm glad this isn't my kid... overall, the laughs and story will have you swiping the pages until you get to the end because it's hard to find a good stopping place. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and am delighted to leave my honest, unsolicited review. Get this book, you won't be sorry.
August 27, 2020
Merry inherits the cremains of a woman she never met, and must go to Behold, Iowa to claim her inheritance. Kelly discovers there is a Girl Scout camp there, and all of a sudden it's a field trip for the 5 girls available to go along. Many adventures await, including a house that Merry inherits that includes some unusual pets. Include ghosts, aliens, and the world's largest human tooth, and things won't be dull! Especially since Betty is one of the scouts on the trip!
I laughed and gave up trying to figure out how Betty managed to constantly be two steps ahead of the adults! I loved that Merry learned about the differences between the 4 Kaitlyn M.s (including how they each spell their name) as well as getting to know the other 4 girls better.
I loved the twists and turns in the story that didn't end until the last page! Such fun to read and imagine from the vivid descriptions of the author. So hang onto your charge card and get ready for green hair! This one is a delight from start to finish!
I laughed and gave up trying to figure out how Betty managed to constantly be two steps ahead of the adults! I loved that Merry learned about the differences between the 4 Kaitlyn M.s (including how they each spell their name) as well as getting to know the other 4 girls better.
I loved the twists and turns in the story that didn't end until the last page! Such fun to read and imagine from the vivid descriptions of the author. So hang onto your charge card and get ready for green hair! This one is a delight from start to finish!
September 30, 2020
What do you do when you receive an urn that contains the remains of someone named Aunt Jane and you find out that she left her house and all it's contents to you? Well, you check it out of course, but you don't go alone especially when there is a girl scout camp there. So, Merry takes her BFF, Kelly, and 5 of their scouts with them. It turns out that Behold, Iowa, is an interesting town that doesn't like visitors. Add to that the rumors of ghosts and aliens plus the menagerie of poisonous creatures that encompass the entire third floor of Aunt Jane's home. When Merry finds a note from Aunt Jane stating that she wants her to find her killer, Merry is off to solve the mystery. The scouts manage to get into trouble, but also always help albeit in very comical ways. Betty is at her best in this book and has added magic to her arsenal. So, who killed Aunt Jane and what's with all of the secret rooms in the house and, more importantly, why does Merry have green hair. This is a fun, laugh out loud mystery.
September 18, 2020
Another crazy fun mystery for Merry and her girl scouts. I love every one of these, each story is different, perfectly plotted and investigated resulting in edge of your seat, laugh out loud, page turning entertainment! Every story has something entirely new and this is no different. Merry has inherited a house from an Aunt she never knew, along with instruction from the departed to investigate her murder. She takes off for the town a few hours away with Kelly and a few girl scouts to check it out. She meets the town's quirky characters and tries to understand who her Aunt really was. Along the way the girls encounter suspicious activity at the camp where they stay, in town, and at the house. My favorite part of this installment is that Rex makes more than an appearance and comes to town ending up spending time with the girl scouts. Betty doesn't disappoint with her outrageous antics. This is still one of my favorite series ever.
October 6, 2020
I enjoyed this newest book in the Merry Wrath series. Merry has inherited the estate of Aunt June, whom she has never met. She soon finds out that this is a friend of her grandmother whose first name is Aunt and last name is June. The house is in a quaint little town called Behold, Iowa. Aunt June has a strange hobby of collecting poisonous spiders. Merry, Kelly and five of the scouts take off for Behold, as Aunt June’s letter prior to her death claims she is going to be murdered. The town is full of quickly characters, the scouts are up to their usual but strange behavior and everyone is trying to solve the murder. A very entertaining cozy mystery!
April 5, 2022
Wonderful entertaining mystery listening 🎶😉
Another will written murder mystery adventure thriller novel by Leslie Langtry book sixteen in the Merry Wrath Mystery Series. Merry is the heir to a house in a town in Iowa. She also gets a letter asking Merry to look into her murder. But is it murder? Or normal death by a spider bite? Merry, her best friend, and five girl 👧scouts are involved in the investigation leading to a unexpected conclusion. I would recommend this series to readers of mysteries. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa as I do because of eye issues and damage from nerve damage caused by shingles. 🏡🔰👒☺ 2022
Another will written murder mystery adventure thriller novel by Leslie Langtry book sixteen in the Merry Wrath Mystery Series. Merry is the heir to a house in a town in Iowa. She also gets a letter asking Merry to look into her murder. But is it murder? Or normal death by a spider bite? Merry, her best friend, and five girl 👧scouts are involved in the investigation leading to a unexpected conclusion. I would recommend this series to readers of mysteries. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa as I do because of eye issues and damage from nerve damage caused by shingles. 🏡🔰👒☺ 2022
August 29, 2020
Loved this! Merry inherits a house, and a message from the deceased, asking Merry to find her murderer. Merry, Kelly and five of the scouts travel to this strange town, and begin their investigation. The town is full of quirky people, all potential suspects, and it's really hard to narrow down who the bad guy is!
Betty is, as usual, a crack up in this one. She's getting more dangerous, but I love her. Her antics made me laugh repeatedly throughout this book.
I love this series, and this book was great!
Betty is, as usual, a crack up in this one. She's getting more dangerous, but I love her. Her antics made me laugh repeatedly throughout this book.
I love this series, and this book was great!
May 23, 2021
This! This is what was missing from the last book. Back to basics with lots of girls scout troop time, Merry investigating & solving a mystery with some help from Rex & the girls and no stupid Riley running around lying to Merry about everything. Love the weird quirky town where Merry, Kelly & 5 of the troop visit to check out Merry's inheritance, loved how Rex turns up to support Merry & help her out so they are working together instead of Merry hiding things from him. Just delightful after the disappointment of the last book.
January 28, 2021
One best in this series girl scout camp ghosts aliens treasure
This one Merry inherits the remains of aunt June Relative she thought was made up by her grandmother there is girl scout camp in town aunt June lived in so past of troop goes camp in haunted camp with native burial grounds ghost and town people say there are aliens but aunt Judy leaves Merry note to solve her murder and girls help find clues.
This one Merry inherits the remains of aunt June Relative she thought was made up by her grandmother there is girl scout camp in town aunt June lived in so past of troop goes camp in haunted camp with native burial grounds ghost and town people say there are aliens but aunt Judy leaves Merry note to solve her murder and girls help find clues.
July 24, 2024
Madcap Antics
Merry Wrath Ferguson is a Girl Scout leader with her best friend Kelly. If there is trouble her girls are in the middle of it. She learns about Aunt (first name) June (last name) the day she receives her ashes with a letter asking that she investigate her murder. So off she, Kelly and half the troop go to look at the house she inherited and find the murderer. A crazy laugh out loud adventure.
Merry Wrath Ferguson is a Girl Scout leader with her best friend Kelly. If there is trouble her girls are in the middle of it. She learns about Aunt (first name) June (last name) the day she receives her ashes with a letter asking that she investigate her murder. So off she, Kelly and half the troop go to look at the house she inherited and find the murderer. A crazy laugh out loud adventure.
October 7, 2020
Merry inherits a House 🏠
Funny and entertaining storyline about Merry, who inherits a House from an aunt she never knew . Merry gets a letter from her saying that she was murdered! Was she, or is she simply nuts!
Funny and entertaining storyline about Merry, who inherits a House from an aunt she never knew . Merry gets a letter from her saying that she was murdered! Was she, or is she simply nuts!
October 25, 2020
FUN FROM START TO FINISH
Betty really shines in this book. It is like she is Merry.2. She gets into all kinds of the terrible only to fufill her mission. Finishing the way it did was very funny.
Betty really shines in this book. It is like she is Merry.2. She gets into all kinds of the terrible only to fufill her mission. Finishing the way it did was very funny.
May 22, 2021
Just loved it. Doesn't get any better than a good Merry Wrath mystery! I wish I could go back and grow up with Betty. We'd probably end up like Thelma and Louise. I'd like to look inside MS. Langtry's imagination it's both wonderful and very scary at the same time!! This is real winner❤
February 23, 2025
I hated this book. Probably the most stupid, uninteresting book I have ever read. Why are people giving it good reviews? I forced myself to finish because I hate not finishing a book but it was torture. Who is it written for? A ten year old?
August 16, 2025
So many laughs, so great.
I laughed, a lot, out loud. That's unusual for me... but it's uproarious.
A mad entertaining jumble of detective murder mystery vs 10 year old Girl Scout logic.
Hilarious.
I laughed, a lot, out loud. That's unusual for me... but it's uproarious.
A mad entertaining jumble of detective murder mystery vs 10 year old Girl Scout logic.
Hilarious.
September 30, 2020
A great laugh as usual
I am all about Betty. She is the most amazing character. The mystery was good, but the best parts are always the interactions with Merry and the girls.
I am all about Betty. She is the most amazing character. The mystery was good, but the best parts are always the interactions with Merry and the girls.
September 30, 2020
This series is so quirky and fun! I love Merry Wrath and her wacky troop of Girl Scouts!
October 6, 2020
Just another fun read as usual! Love the twists and turns! The Girl Scouts never disappoint:-)
October 7, 2020
I hate finishing a Merry Wrath mystery because then it's over!! Loved it, as always.
October 7, 2020
Leslie Langtry is at the top of my list of authors for fun novels. Her Merry Wrath stories are filled to the brim with fun and mystery.
November 30, 2020
Laugh out loud
This series is the best. A laugh a minute. The characters are brilliant as is the story. Never underestimate the Girl Scouts.
This series is the best. A laugh a minute. The characters are brilliant as is the story. Never underestimate the Girl Scouts.
January 1, 2024
More Fun with Merry Wrath, her best friend Kelly and 5 members of her Girl Scout troop. A rollicking trip to end my reading for 2023.
January 21, 2024
Leslie Langtry's Merry Wrath mysteries make me laugh like no other series I've read.
July 9, 2024
Another good one. I'm kind of confused about everything now since I'm reading them as I can get them. All I know is I sure am enjoying them.
September 28, 2025
This has been my favorite book so far this series! Love me some Betty!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews