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Merry Wrath Mysteries #17
Mind-Bending Murder
From USA Today bestselling author Leslie Langtry comes the latest laugh-out-loud Merry Wrath adventure!
Former CIA agent and current suburbanite Merry Wrath knows she’s having a bad day when she wakes up wearing someone else's clothes in a locked room with a dead body and a dozen copies of the book, Boats of the Midwest. It doesn’t help matters any when the police burst in and arrest her on the spot for the murder of a man she’s never heard of. With an unimpeachable witness placing her at the scene of the crime, her Girl Scout troop trying to bust her out of jail, and a sister-in-law who’s launched a one-woman campaign to send her to prison, Merry knows that this time she’s in trouble.
And Merry finds it’s tough to clear your name when you’re being followed by a wannabe bounty hunter who’s chasing you down and dealing with a group of teenage druids who have just bought a hearse and an old church they call The Chapel of Despair. Added to her trouble are a couple of tattoo artists with a creepy fixation on Lance Armstrong, a witness who works at the Pump & Pawn pawnshop/gym, and most of the town of Bladdersly, Iowa.
Can Merry solve this locked room mystery before she ends up locked in a cell?
Merry Wrath
Merit Badge Murder – book #1
Mint Cookie Murder – book #2
Scout Camp Mystery – short story in the "Killer Beach Reads" collection
Marshmallow S'More Murder – book #3
Movie Night Murder – book #4
Mud Run Murder – book #5
Fishing Badge Murder – short story in the "Pushing Up Daisies" collection
Motto for Murder – book #6
Map Skills Murder – book #7
Mean Girl Murder – book #8
Marriage Vow Murder – book #9
Mystery Night Murder – book #10
Meerkats and Murder– book #11
Make Believe Murder – book #12
Maltese Vulture Murder – book #13
Musket Ball Murder – book #14
Macho Man Murder – book #15
Mad Money Murder – book #16
Mind-Bending Murder – book #17
What critics are saying about Leslie Langtry's
"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
Former CIA agent and current suburbanite Merry Wrath knows she’s having a bad day when she wakes up wearing someone else's clothes in a locked room with a dead body and a dozen copies of the book, Boats of the Midwest. It doesn’t help matters any when the police burst in and arrest her on the spot for the murder of a man she’s never heard of. With an unimpeachable witness placing her at the scene of the crime, her Girl Scout troop trying to bust her out of jail, and a sister-in-law who’s launched a one-woman campaign to send her to prison, Merry knows that this time she’s in trouble.
And Merry finds it’s tough to clear your name when you’re being followed by a wannabe bounty hunter who’s chasing you down and dealing with a group of teenage druids who have just bought a hearse and an old church they call The Chapel of Despair. Added to her trouble are a couple of tattoo artists with a creepy fixation on Lance Armstrong, a witness who works at the Pump & Pawn pawnshop/gym, and most of the town of Bladdersly, Iowa.
Can Merry solve this locked room mystery before she ends up locked in a cell?
Merry Wrath
Merit Badge Murder – book #1
Mint Cookie Murder – book #2
Scout Camp Mystery – short story in the "Killer Beach Reads" collection
Marshmallow S'More Murder – book #3
Movie Night Murder – book #4
Mud Run Murder – book #5
Fishing Badge Murder – short story in the "Pushing Up Daisies" collection
Motto for Murder – book #6
Map Skills Murder – book #7
Mean Girl Murder – book #8
Marriage Vow Murder – book #9
Mystery Night Murder – book #10
Meerkats and Murder– book #11
Make Believe Murder – book #12
Maltese Vulture Murder – book #13
Musket Ball Murder – book #14
Macho Man Murder – book #15
Mad Money Murder – book #16
Mind-Bending Murder – book #17
What critics are saying about Leslie Langtry's
"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
- GenresMysteryCozyCozy Mystery
241 pages, Paperback
Published January 8, 2021
178 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Leslie Langtry
97 books724 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 34 reviews
January 18, 2021
A comical mystery escape from reality. Merry Wrath, ex-CIA agent, has a reputation for having people drop dead around her but this time she is the suspected murderer. A squeaky clean pastor who says he saw her with the victim is the only witness. The trouble is she does not remember anything of that night until she woke up next to the dead person.
This series is a great break from life, easy to read with laugh out loud moments. There is a great twist in the end when the true murderer is revealed. Thanks to Gemma Halliday publishing for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
This series is a great break from life, easy to read with laugh out loud moments. There is a great twist in the end when the true murderer is revealed. Thanks to Gemma Halliday publishing for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
May 3, 2021
Mind-Bending Murder earns 5+/5 Amnesiacs...Always Engaging Entertainment!
“Fasten your seatbelts; it’s gonna be a bumpy night!” Bette Davis had to be referring to Leslie Langtry’s Merry Wrath series. Each adventure is filled with exciting predicaments, clever mystery, misdirection, witty, sometimes snarky humor, surprise reveals, and a troop of preteen spitfires...and “Mind-Bending Murder” is no exception! It’s bad finding yourself in a “windowless room with one door and a dead guy five feet away.” It’s worse being arrested for the guy’s murder by a cop who knows you couldn’t possibly...well, maybe? Merry has no memory of how she got where she is and why she’s wearing someone else’s clothes next to a guy she doesn’t know. There were handcuffs, a night in jail, a friendly warning she’s gonna need a lawyer, and a budding bounty hunter stalking her every movement waiting for her to stray from court-ordered restrictions...still she has no memory. But, it doesn’t stop Merry, and her friends, from sifting through the witness’s statement and crime scene, and what does the book, “Boats of the Midwest,” have to do with murder?
This seventeenth book starts off with the click of handcuffs and doesn’t let up. Merry finds herself in quite an “out on bail” quandary. Despite her CIA past, most know Merry couldn’t have committed this murder, except for residents of Bladdersley (rival to Merry’s Who’s There, Iowa) and the most antagonistic sister-in-law who hopes to see Merry jailed. Her loss of memory adds a great element putting her alongside us readers learning in real time details and clues as they are uncovered. Murder shouldn’t be a laughing matter, but I challenge you to not giggle out loud with Langtry’s wit, a bunch of CIA-worthy Girl Scouts, and continued intervention from the Druids and the bounty hunter deftly played out on the pages. The characters have creatively been developed, building connections and sharing experiences over the series, and despite this book being a standalone treat, I implore newbies to read from the beginning. I love Betty, cringed whenever sister-in-law Ronni entered, and enjoy page after page of mirth, mystery, and murder!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Gemma Halliday Publishing. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
“Fasten your seatbelts; it’s gonna be a bumpy night!” Bette Davis had to be referring to Leslie Langtry’s Merry Wrath series. Each adventure is filled with exciting predicaments, clever mystery, misdirection, witty, sometimes snarky humor, surprise reveals, and a troop of preteen spitfires...and “Mind-Bending Murder” is no exception! It’s bad finding yourself in a “windowless room with one door and a dead guy five feet away.” It’s worse being arrested for the guy’s murder by a cop who knows you couldn’t possibly...well, maybe? Merry has no memory of how she got where she is and why she’s wearing someone else’s clothes next to a guy she doesn’t know. There were handcuffs, a night in jail, a friendly warning she’s gonna need a lawyer, and a budding bounty hunter stalking her every movement waiting for her to stray from court-ordered restrictions...still she has no memory. But, it doesn’t stop Merry, and her friends, from sifting through the witness’s statement and crime scene, and what does the book, “Boats of the Midwest,” have to do with murder?
This seventeenth book starts off with the click of handcuffs and doesn’t let up. Merry finds herself in quite an “out on bail” quandary. Despite her CIA past, most know Merry couldn’t have committed this murder, except for residents of Bladdersley (rival to Merry’s Who’s There, Iowa) and the most antagonistic sister-in-law who hopes to see Merry jailed. Her loss of memory adds a great element putting her alongside us readers learning in real time details and clues as they are uncovered. Murder shouldn’t be a laughing matter, but I challenge you to not giggle out loud with Langtry’s wit, a bunch of CIA-worthy Girl Scouts, and continued intervention from the Druids and the bounty hunter deftly played out on the pages. The characters have creatively been developed, building connections and sharing experiences over the series, and despite this book being a standalone treat, I implore newbies to read from the beginning. I love Betty, cringed whenever sister-in-law Ronni entered, and enjoy page after page of mirth, mystery, and murder!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Gemma Halliday Publishing. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
April 10, 2023
Merry finds herself in real trouble with this. And it's in Bladdersly, no less! Why was Merry would be in Bladdersly? She has to needs to her friends to help her out of this one, but can she trust then to help?
January 1, 2021
Former CIA Agent Merry Wrath is accused of murdering a man she has never met. I loved how Merry went about trying to prove her innocence. I wish the Girl Scouts had been in the book more, but at least the parts they were in was super funny. I really enjoy how the Scouts and Merry play off each other. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
January 18, 2021
I received an ARC in return for an honest review.
The Merry Wrath Mysteries is one of my favorite series. In this book, Merry (former CIA agent who was embarrassingly outed as a spy) is accused of murder in a neighboring town. The problem is that she doesn't remember anything and she doesn't trust the local police in Bladdersly to prove her innocent as the sheriff can't stand her. Bladdersly is a very odd town with many odd folks and customs. When she finds a book on boating that is not what it seems, things really get interesting. All of her friends, family and even some of the Girl Scout troop jump in to help. There are many laugh out loud moments (especially with Betty, Ivan and Ron). This will keep you guessing until the end. I didn't see it coming.
The Merry Wrath Mysteries is one of my favorite series. In this book, Merry (former CIA agent who was embarrassingly outed as a spy) is accused of murder in a neighboring town. The problem is that she doesn't remember anything and she doesn't trust the local police in Bladdersly to prove her innocent as the sheriff can't stand her. Bladdersly is a very odd town with many odd folks and customs. When she finds a book on boating that is not what it seems, things really get interesting. All of her friends, family and even some of the Girl Scout troop jump in to help. There are many laugh out loud moments (especially with Betty, Ivan and Ron). This will keep you guessing until the end. I didn't see it coming.
January 2, 2021
Merry ALWAYS makes me laugh with her Girl Scout troop, and this time she let her teenage Druid Cult in on the story, increasing my laughing! But having Merry accused of murder? And in Bladdersly, Iowa to boot? (Bladdersly is the arch-nemesis of Who's There, Iowa and Merry's home town.) Not funny at all. Worse yet, Merry can't remember a thing about that night before waking up with a dead guy in Bladdersly, and wearing a Best Bye shirt. Good thing she has Betty and Loren (girl scouts in her troop) and others on her side.
For yet another wild and wonderful tale about Merry Wrath, ex-CIA spy extraordinaire, you won't want to miss this book! A treat from Leslie Langtry for the new year!
For yet another wild and wonderful tale about Merry Wrath, ex-CIA spy extraordinaire, you won't want to miss this book! A treat from Leslie Langtry for the new year!
January 5, 2021
Leslie Langtry is one of the best writers of this era. Her Merry Wrath mysteries are books that everyone should read. How can a girl scout leader get into so much trouble? Her midnight zoo visits alone make the books splendiferous!
December 31, 2020
How does Leslie Langtry come up when these Merry Wrath books! This one is very involved with several plots and many twists and turns! There are lots of suspects, but no real evidence. I couldn’t believe the ending even though I was reading it! This series is hilarious, yet a really good mystery. If you like absurd mysteries that make you laugh out loud, read a sentence twice because “that can’t be what it said!” and never guess the bad guy, then you need to read this series! They are stand-alone books, but I’d definitely start with the first one. You need to find out how all of this craziness started!
January 1, 2021
Love this series! This time Merry need to prove her innocence, after waking up in a room next to a dead body. Merry isn't one to just sit around when there's a case to solve, especially when she's the main suspect, so she gets to work, trying to figure out what really happened.
This series is full of fun, quirky characters (and places) and we meet quite a few new ones in this story. The girls are also in it, not as much as I would have liked, but there's still enough of Betty's crazy antics to keep you laughing. Betty is a favourite of mine!
This was another fun addition to the series, and I can't wait to see what's next.
This series is full of fun, quirky characters (and places) and we meet quite a few new ones in this story. The girls are also in it, not as much as I would have liked, but there's still enough of Betty's crazy antics to keep you laughing. Betty is a favourite of mine!
This was another fun addition to the series, and I can't wait to see what's next.
February 3, 2021
Mind-Bending Murder is another laugh out loud Merry Wrath mystery. There is just so much happening in this very fast paced, well written book. There are plenty of suspects and possible motives while Rex' sister seems determined to send Merry to prison. I love that I was completely blind sided by the ending.
January 18, 2021
Thank you to Gemma Halliday Publishing for the review copy of this book. I cannot get enough of the Merry Wrath Mysteries by Leslie Langtry! Mind-Bending Murder is the 17th installment in the series. This book had me in stitches from the very first sentence!
This story begins with Merry Ferguson waking up in an unknown location, with a dead body she doesn’t recognize. All signs point to her guilt, but she knows she’s no murderer. Merry has to fly under the radar to prove her innocence as she goes back and forth between Bladdersly and home with an overzealous bounty hunter on her back just waiting for her to run. Of course, there are appearances from Merry’s troop, Riley, Rex, the Twins, and the teenage droids.
Mind-Bending Murder has definite vibes from the movie The Hangover as Merry works to unravel the events leading up to her waking up with a murdered body and solve the murder before she finds herself in jail. It’s not impossible to begin reading this series here and be entertained, but you will want to go back to the beginning to enjoy all the high jinx in this wonderful series!
This story begins with Merry Ferguson waking up in an unknown location, with a dead body she doesn’t recognize. All signs point to her guilt, but she knows she’s no murderer. Merry has to fly under the radar to prove her innocence as she goes back and forth between Bladdersly and home with an overzealous bounty hunter on her back just waiting for her to run. Of course, there are appearances from Merry’s troop, Riley, Rex, the Twins, and the teenage droids.
Mind-Bending Murder has definite vibes from the movie The Hangover as Merry works to unravel the events leading up to her waking up with a murdered body and solve the murder before she finds herself in jail. It’s not impossible to begin reading this series here and be entertained, but you will want to go back to the beginning to enjoy all the high jinx in this wonderful series!
April 13, 2021
Merry Wrath was a CIA agent, until she was outed and forced to leave the agency. She moved back to her hometown, and connected with her childhood best friend. They become Girl Scout leaders, and several of they girls have interesting skills.
This story begins with Merry, at home, going to bed with her husband, Rex, a police detective, and waking up next to a dead man in a shed, wearing different clothes . She is in a different town, run by police that don't like people from her town at all, and is arrested just a few minutes after waking up, due to an anonymous tip.
She spends the rest of the book trying to clear herself and find the real murderer, discovering some of the oddities in the town she woke up in, and getting help from her friends and family.
I found the book amusing, as usual, but this story seemed to be getting a little too close to becoming more of a parody of the earlier books. The basic premise of the series is a little unbelievable to begin with, so some quirks in the characters are expected. But this story was just a little too quirky.
I'll probably read the next, and see if I like it better than this one.
This story begins with Merry, at home, going to bed with her husband, Rex, a police detective, and waking up next to a dead man in a shed, wearing different clothes . She is in a different town, run by police that don't like people from her town at all, and is arrested just a few minutes after waking up, due to an anonymous tip.
She spends the rest of the book trying to clear herself and find the real murderer, discovering some of the oddities in the town she woke up in, and getting help from her friends and family.
I found the book amusing, as usual, but this story seemed to be getting a little too close to becoming more of a parody of the earlier books. The basic premise of the series is a little unbelievable to begin with, so some quirks in the characters are expected. But this story was just a little too quirky.
I'll probably read the next, and see if I like it better than this one.
January 19, 2021
It astonishes me how Ms. Langtry can write multiple books in this series and have every single one of them very different from each other yet stay within the storyline of the overall series. There is one thing that remains certain throughout every book, never underestimate Merry! This time, Merry wakes up in a storage shed with a dead body of a guy she’s never met, wearing a shirt she’s never seen before, with no memory whatsoever how she got there! In addition, before she can figure out where she is the police (in the nearby rival town of Bladdersly of all places) show up to arrest her for the murder of this stranger, stating they have a witness (who is a beloved preacher in the town) who saw her force the victim into the shed! The entire book I’m on the edge of my seat thinking, how in the world did she get in this predicament? But Merry was an undercover spy and she knows all the tricks to get to the truth in this delightful addition to the Merry Wrath series.
January 26, 2021
It seems like Merry has done it again. She wakes up to find herself next to a dead body, but this time she is in the dreaded town of Bladdersly! She has no idea of how she got there or who the dead body is. Fortunately, she Bladdersly sherriff is off on vacation as he can’t stand her. Sherriff Carnack is temporarily in charge. While Sherriff Carnack doesn’t believe she is the killer, there is only so much leeway he can give her in finding the real killer. The characters from the previous books are all there, along with all the quirky residents of Bladdersly. Not all of the Scouts are featured in the book, but Betty is always involved as nothing much gets by her. A delightful mystery from a series I enjoy.
January 19, 2021
Another home run Merry Wrath cozy mystery. This is a must read series for me, this group never lets me down. Lots of laugh out loud antics and interesting characters. This time Merry is found next to a dead body and accused of the murder. Trouble is, she has no recollection of the events prior to waking up next to the deceased. All the great characters are back, including the twins Randi & Ronnie, Ron and Ivan, Riley, Kelly, Rex, and my favorite, Betty! This is pure entertainment sure to make you laugh and smile.
April 9, 2022
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶😉
Another will written murder mystery adventure thriller novel by Leslie Langtry book seventeen in the Merry Wrath Mystery Series. Merry is accused of murder and the fun begins. Merry and Rex their friends are having no part of Merry being guilty and the investigation begins leading to a unexpected conclusion. I recommend this novel and 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 seventeen in the Merry Wrath Mystery Series. Merry is accused of murder and the fun begins. Merry and Rex their friends are having no part of Merry being guilty and the investigation begins leading to a unexpected conclusion. I recommend this novel and 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
February 24, 2021
Terrible waste of time & money
I have read every book in this series & always found each story provided lots of laughs. But the last couple have been getting less & less reality based & this one hits the absolute bottom. Stupid story, terrible characters & no redeeming features at all. I love when Betty & the gang star, but there’s limits to what ten years old do & again this book was a huge disappointment with their contribution.
I have read every book in this series & always found each story provided lots of laughs. But the last couple have been getting less & less reality based & this one hits the absolute bottom. Stupid story, terrible characters & no redeeming features at all. I love when Betty & the gang star, but there’s limits to what ten years old do & again this book was a huge disappointment with their contribution.
January 19, 2021
I have read & enjoyed every book in this series. This one is by far my favorite. It started with the mystery on page one & end with a surprising who done it. The usual gang helps Merry along the way to figuring things out. I look forward to the next book!
January 20, 2021
Incredibly
Oh my goodness this as so great. Really kept me guessing. I love the humor in this series it is so awesome.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book but loved it so much I bought a copy.
Oh my goodness this as so great. Really kept me guessing. I love the humor in this series it is so awesome.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book but loved it so much I bought a copy.
Read
February 5, 2021Couldn't get past p. 37. Just bad. From the writing to the storyline to the forced humor. Obviously, I am in the minority on this one.
I'm not rating it as I typically have to get to at least p. 50 before I leave a review. This was so bad I couldn't even get that far.
Thank you, next.
I'm not rating it as I typically have to get to at least p. 50 before I leave a review. This was so bad I couldn't even get that far.
Thank you, next.
July 23, 2022
Great Book!
I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the Merry Wrath books that I have read this far! They have a little of everything….mystery,romance, and humor! I highly recommend them to anyone who likes all of these in a one book!
I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the Merry Wrath books that I have read this far! They have a little of everything….mystery,romance, and humor! I highly recommend them to anyone who likes all of these in a one book!
January 20, 2023
This was a bit different from the other 2 or 3 I had read. I got to learn more about the other town and some of its people. Girl Scouts weren't in it quite as much. It was very interesting though. Had no idea of who was guilty.
October 28, 2024
Cara Antics
Merry Wrath Ferguson awakens in a locked shed next to a dead body. Only she can’t remember how she got there and doesn’t know the dead guy. A crazy romp between Who’s There and Bladdersly Iowa. Fun Series.
Merry Wrath Ferguson awakens in a locked shed next to a dead body. Only she can’t remember how she got there and doesn’t know the dead guy. A crazy romp between Who’s There and Bladdersly Iowa. Fun Series.
January 19, 2021
I really loved this book! filled with quirky, interesting characters and a really fun read! I received an ARC from the publisher for purposes of an unbiased review.
January 20, 2021
Great read
Always fun to visit Merry and the troop plus let’s not forget Mr Fancy Pants . Great read . Loved it
Always fun to visit Merry and the troop plus let’s not forget Mr Fancy Pants . Great read . Loved it
February 2, 2021
Great series
If you want a laugh, a mystery and romance, this book is for you. Never a dull moment with Merry Wrath.
If you want a laugh, a mystery and romance, this book is for you. Never a dull moment with Merry Wrath.
February 8, 2021
Another Hilarious Adventure
I love this series and this was another great installment! Thanks for making me laugh out loud...AGAIN. Waiting on number 18.
I love this series and this was another great installment! Thanks for making me laugh out loud...AGAIN. Waiting on number 18.
February 14, 2021
Langtry does it again. Kept me guessing and laughing the whole way. I have to stop reading these in public.
July 17, 2021
3.5 stars
January 24, 2022
Another hilarious book
There was nothing to dislike. I never expected who the killer was until the end. I just love Betty. Can't wait to read the next book.
There was nothing to dislike. I never expected who the killer was until the end. I just love Betty. Can't wait to read the next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews