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Merry Wrath Mysteries #20
Manga and Murder
From USA Today bestselling author Leslie Langtry comes a comic book convention turned crime scene!
Welcome to Druid-Con!
It’s Who’s There, Iowa’s first Druid-Con, a comic book themed convention organized by the teens of The Cult of Nicoderm (a group of four local teens who’ve taken the idea of extracurricular activities a bit too far). Ex-CIA agent turned suburban Girl Scout troop leader Merry Wrath doesn’t know how she was talked into making an appearance at the con as a giant beetle, but once she finds out that her favorite TV horror show host Deliria is going to be there, things are looking up!
Meet Beetle Dork & Deliria…
Always ready to take advantage of any opportunity, the little girls of Merry’s scout troop are at the con in full force and princess dresses, hoping to help ambitious eleven-year-old Ava with her campaign to be the youngest mayor in Who’s There’s history. Unfortunately trouble comes in the form of a confrontation with rival teen druids from wealthy Kennedy’s Landing. And while busy dealing with Betty, the troop's troublemaker who is forging VIP passes and selling conspiracy theories, Merry misses witnessing a show-stopping murder!
…Before it’s too late!
When lovable loser and druid leader Stewie is accused of the murder by a witness, and Betty’s parents consider sending her away to boarding school in Texas for her various and sometimes disturbing pranks, Merry knows she has to move quickly to clear the Dred Demon Stewie’s name and rein in her scout before her troop loses its most awesome (and terrifying) member.
Welcome to Druid-Con!
It’s Who’s There, Iowa’s first Druid-Con, a comic book themed convention organized by the teens of The Cult of Nicoderm (a group of four local teens who’ve taken the idea of extracurricular activities a bit too far). Ex-CIA agent turned suburban Girl Scout troop leader Merry Wrath doesn’t know how she was talked into making an appearance at the con as a giant beetle, but once she finds out that her favorite TV horror show host Deliria is going to be there, things are looking up!
Meet Beetle Dork & Deliria…
Always ready to take advantage of any opportunity, the little girls of Merry’s scout troop are at the con in full force and princess dresses, hoping to help ambitious eleven-year-old Ava with her campaign to be the youngest mayor in Who’s There’s history. Unfortunately trouble comes in the form of a confrontation with rival teen druids from wealthy Kennedy’s Landing. And while busy dealing with Betty, the troop's troublemaker who is forging VIP passes and selling conspiracy theories, Merry misses witnessing a show-stopping murder!
…Before it’s too late!
When lovable loser and druid leader Stewie is accused of the murder by a witness, and Betty’s parents consider sending her away to boarding school in Texas for her various and sometimes disturbing pranks, Merry knows she has to move quickly to clear the Dred Demon Stewie’s name and rein in her scout before her troop loses its most awesome (and terrifying) member.
- GenresMysteryCozyCozy Mystery
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 14, 2021
About the author
Leslie Langtry
100 books731 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 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 21, 2026
New and beloved Goodreads friends: I promise that I will read and review books outside of this series! It's just that right now these zany, hilariously bizarre, chaotic yet surprisingly well-plotted mysteries are giving me the mood boost that I desperately need. But I can stop anytime I want to! It's not as if I'm hopelessly addicted and spent every cent of my Amazon gift card on buying all 39 books and every short story/novella... ;)
As always with this series, Manga and Murder gives us a ton of humor, ranging from you're-smiling-even-as-you-roll-your-eyes-silliness to sharp and clever wit and everything in between.
The murder mystery, centering around a C (sounds more like D or F) list celebrity who's killed at a ComicCon ripoff and another person who dies shortly thereafter, branches out in all sorts of strange directions and is often not really about the victims at all, but it's a fun ride that ultimately ties together - for the most part! I was really surprised by the resolution. In fact, I almost never correctly guess 'whodunit' in this series, which might reflect on both the decline of my armchair sleuthing skills and the skillful writing ;)
The wry comparisons between the over-the-top luxurious 'cult' led by a smarmy trust fund kid and the ragtag one that Merry helps are amusing, and I laughed out loud when Merry got pulled over in a very wealthy town for the grave crime of...driving a less than perfect car :) There are about three different attempts on Merry's life, so the action never really stops.
As always, the real treat comes from spending time with these vibrant, amusingly quirky and cheerily semi-insane (yet somehow often relatable?!) regular characters and some suitably unlikable suspects.
And, also as always, there's a subtle but unmistakable heart underlying the madcap antics. In this one, it comes in the form of Merry's genuine concern that Betty, a somewhat scary but brave and brilliant girl from her beloved Girl Scout troop, will be sent away to boarding school. (To be fair, Betty is...a lot, but the troop and this series would never be the same without her!) It's also kind of touching to see how staunchly loyal and protective Merry is towards "her" cult, ie the misfit teens who fancy themselves practitioners of the dark arts despite being soft, awkward adolescents. As insensitive, blunt, impulsive, and amusingly weird and "maturity challenged" as Merry can be, she's a wonderful person overall -- courageous, loyal, resourceful, helpful and actually very moral, albeit in her own special way :) The deep affection she feels for the people in her life comes through clearly in this and many other installments without the author having to hit us over the head with it.
My one complaint about this one is that there wasn't quite enough of the Girl Scout troop and way too much Kelly for my personal taste. Am I the only superfan of this series who doesn't especially like Kelly? (*crickets chirping*) In a book featuring characters with so much (sometimes almost TOO much!) personality, Kelly is just...there. I find it ironic that she labeled one of Riley's new employees as "kind of boring" in this book because, um, so is she?! If she were there to be the calm, sane voice of reason amidst these wacky characters, I'd totally get that, but I think Rex already fills that role. And what little personality Kelly does have is kind of unpleasant to me, and not necessarily in ways that the author intends?! She's just kind of arrogant and perpetually annoyed and judgmental and just not very pleasant company to spend all these pages with. It's not something that ruined my overall enjoyment of this book, but I'd rather see less of Kelly and more of almost anyone else. But that's just me :)
Overall, despite this one giving me too much of the uninteresting and vaguely unpleasant Kelly and not quite enough of the Girl Scout troop, it was a really entertaining and ultimately satisfying ride! Rounded up to five stars :)
As always with this series, Manga and Murder gives us a ton of humor, ranging from you're-smiling-even-as-you-roll-your-eyes-silliness to sharp and clever wit and everything in between.
The murder mystery, centering around a C (sounds more like D or F) list celebrity who's killed at a ComicCon ripoff and another person who dies shortly thereafter, branches out in all sorts of strange directions and is often not really about the victims at all, but it's a fun ride that ultimately ties together - for the most part! I was really surprised by the resolution. In fact, I almost never correctly guess 'whodunit' in this series, which might reflect on both the decline of my armchair sleuthing skills and the skillful writing ;)
The wry comparisons between the over-the-top luxurious 'cult' led by a smarmy trust fund kid and the ragtag one that Merry helps are amusing, and I laughed out loud when Merry got pulled over in a very wealthy town for the grave crime of...driving a less than perfect car :) There are about three different attempts on Merry's life, so the action never really stops.
As always, the real treat comes from spending time with these vibrant, amusingly quirky and cheerily semi-insane (yet somehow often relatable?!) regular characters and some suitably unlikable suspects.
And, also as always, there's a subtle but unmistakable heart underlying the madcap antics. In this one, it comes in the form of Merry's genuine concern that Betty, a somewhat scary but brave and brilliant girl from her beloved Girl Scout troop, will be sent away to boarding school. (To be fair, Betty is...a lot, but the troop and this series would never be the same without her!) It's also kind of touching to see how staunchly loyal and protective Merry is towards "her" cult, ie the misfit teens who fancy themselves practitioners of the dark arts despite being soft, awkward adolescents. As insensitive, blunt, impulsive, and amusingly weird and "maturity challenged" as Merry can be, she's a wonderful person overall -- courageous, loyal, resourceful, helpful and actually very moral, albeit in her own special way :) The deep affection she feels for the people in her life comes through clearly in this and many other installments without the author having to hit us over the head with it.
My one complaint about this one is that there wasn't quite enough of the Girl Scout troop and way too much Kelly for my personal taste. Am I the only superfan of this series who doesn't especially like Kelly? (*crickets chirping*) In a book featuring characters with so much (sometimes almost TOO much!) personality, Kelly is just...there. I find it ironic that she labeled one of Riley's new employees as "kind of boring" in this book because, um, so is she?! If she were there to be the calm, sane voice of reason amidst these wacky characters, I'd totally get that, but I think Rex already fills that role. And what little personality Kelly does have is kind of unpleasant to me, and not necessarily in ways that the author intends?! She's just kind of arrogant and perpetually annoyed and judgmental and just not very pleasant company to spend all these pages with. It's not something that ruined my overall enjoyment of this book, but I'd rather see less of Kelly and more of almost anyone else. But that's just me :)
Overall, despite this one giving me too much of the uninteresting and vaguely unpleasant Kelly and not quite enough of the Girl Scout troop, it was a really entertaining and ultimately satisfying ride! Rounded up to five stars :)
October 26, 2021
There is never a dull moment when Merry Wrath is involved. Throw in some teen druids and a fifth grader who sells conspiracy theories and watch the crazy begin.
August 5, 2023
I love Merry and the gang! Merry gets herself into some pretty interesting situations, but I didn't expect this one. But, I did like how we see how much she loves her troop and how much they love Merry. She definitely goes for the underdog, too!
November 7, 2021
Manga and Murder Earns 5/5 Iced-Tea Scoldings…Engaging, Clever, Fun!
The Cult of NicoDerm has nothing to do with smokers, a quartet of nerdy teenagers just thought it sounded cool, and its small membership only consists of said four teenagers, their High Priestess, who also is the receptionist at Merry’s former colleague’s PI firm, and the Bird Goddess herself…Merry Wrath. The teens had regained the rights to the one edition of their graphic novel Beetle Dork, loosely based on Merry’s CIA exploits, and despite Merry’s protestations, it has bonded them together. The leader Stewie, self-proclaimed Dred Demon Odious, has big plans to host Druid-Con and pleads for Merry’s participation, but she learns it’s gone past the planning stage with posters already posted, three hundred tickets already sold, and announcement that “Burd Gddess” will be the “star of the two-day event” already made. Merry is not amused, however she quickly retracts her emphatic “No!” when she learns her childhood idol Deliria will be in attendance. She plans to just stay long enough to meet the “mistress of dark,” then leave, but Merry’s plans almost always go awry. She must make the key note greeting and sign autographs along with wrangling her troop of Costumed Girl Scouts and acting the referee between the two rival Druid gang. But, murder—not again!
Merry Magnificent! Leslie Langtry has again penned a rousing romp of costumed figures, antagonistic reporters, an eleven-year-old weapons expert, an additional dead body, and Merry at her finest. The mystery is a lot of fun with everyone pointing fingers toward Merry, of course, and Stewie, who some believe may have wanted to create some newsworthy notoriety for his Druid-Con, gets handcuffs instead of handshakes. Of course Betty, the troop’s agent-in-training, chimes in with ideas to start torturing and interrogating immediately, but Merry’s techniques are a bit more conventional; she looks closely at the victim’s husband and business agent, fanatic fans, and the competing druids. Absolute fun! Leslie’s writing style always has well-plotted drama, vivid description, informative banter, and the snarky retort that has made this series a personal favorite. Betty is back in rare form as we get a closer glimpse into her family dynamic, and, as much as Merry is impressed and may see herself in Betty’s antics, she needs to be reminded of what are Girl Scout-approved life lessons. Readers may need to suspend disbelief with the antics of a troop of eleven year olds, but it is always a delight following the interactions and questionable interests of Betty and young Ava’s run for mayor. Great perilous moments, of which there are plenty, sparking memories of the similarities and contrast to Merry’s CIA past and highlighting Merry’s spy skills. Entertaining mystery. Shocking whodunit reveal. Well-developed characters. Witty humor filled with my kind of sarcasm. Friends. Fiends. Fun.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Gemma Halliday Publishing. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
The Cult of NicoDerm has nothing to do with smokers, a quartet of nerdy teenagers just thought it sounded cool, and its small membership only consists of said four teenagers, their High Priestess, who also is the receptionist at Merry’s former colleague’s PI firm, and the Bird Goddess herself…Merry Wrath. The teens had regained the rights to the one edition of their graphic novel Beetle Dork, loosely based on Merry’s CIA exploits, and despite Merry’s protestations, it has bonded them together. The leader Stewie, self-proclaimed Dred Demon Odious, has big plans to host Druid-Con and pleads for Merry’s participation, but she learns it’s gone past the planning stage with posters already posted, three hundred tickets already sold, and announcement that “Burd Gddess” will be the “star of the two-day event” already made. Merry is not amused, however she quickly retracts her emphatic “No!” when she learns her childhood idol Deliria will be in attendance. She plans to just stay long enough to meet the “mistress of dark,” then leave, but Merry’s plans almost always go awry. She must make the key note greeting and sign autographs along with wrangling her troop of Costumed Girl Scouts and acting the referee between the two rival Druid gang. But, murder—not again!
Merry Magnificent! Leslie Langtry has again penned a rousing romp of costumed figures, antagonistic reporters, an eleven-year-old weapons expert, an additional dead body, and Merry at her finest. The mystery is a lot of fun with everyone pointing fingers toward Merry, of course, and Stewie, who some believe may have wanted to create some newsworthy notoriety for his Druid-Con, gets handcuffs instead of handshakes. Of course Betty, the troop’s agent-in-training, chimes in with ideas to start torturing and interrogating immediately, but Merry’s techniques are a bit more conventional; she looks closely at the victim’s husband and business agent, fanatic fans, and the competing druids. Absolute fun! Leslie’s writing style always has well-plotted drama, vivid description, informative banter, and the snarky retort that has made this series a personal favorite. Betty is back in rare form as we get a closer glimpse into her family dynamic, and, as much as Merry is impressed and may see herself in Betty’s antics, she needs to be reminded of what are Girl Scout-approved life lessons. Readers may need to suspend disbelief with the antics of a troop of eleven year olds, but it is always a delight following the interactions and questionable interests of Betty and young Ava’s run for mayor. Great perilous moments, of which there are plenty, sparking memories of the similarities and contrast to Merry’s CIA past and highlighting Merry’s spy skills. Entertaining mystery. Shocking whodunit reveal. Well-developed characters. Witty humor filled with my kind of sarcasm. Friends. Fiends. Fun.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Gemma Halliday Publishing. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
October 26, 2021
Typical of the Merry Wrath series, this one was unique and very entertaining! The book revolves around her awkward teenage friend, Stewie and their little cult, the Cult of Nicoderm. Stewie is holding his own ComiCon and talks Merry into appearing as “Beetle Dork” -- only because her favorite childhood television star will also be appearing. However, she never gets to meet her because she is murdered at the event, and Stewie is the main suspect! Merry is convinced he is being framed. However, it’s not looking good for her teenage friend, and Merry must hurry to prove his innocence before he is convicted of a murder Merry knows he couldn’t have committed! This is a humorous one that’s just kind of cute and a lot of fun to read!
September 2, 2021
She's back! Funny, smart, and not dithering, Merry is helping "her" Cult of NicoDerm by portraying "Beetle Dung" at their promotional Con. Have I lost you? How about this...Merry is helping the teenage cult that worship her and call her "Bird Goddess" as she investigates a new competing cult. Complicating matters include murder, that very wealthy cult with better Con merchandise and prizes, traitors, and Betty.
What a fantastic visit with Merry and Who's There, Iowa. Great familiar characters and some new faces combine with funny and also terrifying scenes in this excellent new book. You won't want to miss this one!
What a fantastic visit with Merry and Who's There, Iowa. Great familiar characters and some new faces combine with funny and also terrifying scenes in this excellent new book. You won't want to miss this one!
October 5, 2021
Merry Wrath mysteries are must-reads! Every book in this series is fantastic. The great cast of characters are all here, from Merry and Rex, Riley, Kelly, and the best scouts ever! Betty is trying to be just good enough to not be sent away to boarding school all while working to get Ava elected the next mayor. This book prominently features the Cult of Nicoderm (Bird Goddess is a must) and the first ever Druid-Con! Prepare to laugh and be thoroughly entertained.
October 23, 2021
Magna and Murder is another fascinating mystery for Merry Wrath and her scout troop. At the first ever Druid-Con in Who's There, Iowa, Merry's favorite horror show host is murdered. There is a lot of drama with a rival cult claiming convention piracy, Stewie accused of the murder, and Betty's parents wanting to send her away. I could not stop reading to see if Merry can find the murder and rein in Betty. This well written mystery had me chasing all the wrong suspects!
October 27, 2021
I received an ARC in return for an honest review. This is my favorite series and this latest book doesn't disappoint. This time Merry is involved in a sort of comic-con, costume and all, when the celebrity guest is murdered. Of course, her girl scout troop is involved along with all our favorite characters. Hilarious happenings ensue as they try to solve this who done it. While you don't need to read all books in this series or in order, you'll definitely want to. This is such a fun series.
January 4, 2022
4 1/2 stars of fun
Merry is one of the most outrageous characters in crime fiction, and I love seeing what she's up to. The Girl Scouts are a scream, and I'm eager to see how Ada's campaign shakes out. The wacky characters are well balanced by the more conventional ones, the plots move right along, and I love the laugh-out-loud moments! Long live this series!
Merry is one of the most outrageous characters in crime fiction, and I love seeing what she's up to. The Girl Scouts are a scream, and I'm eager to see how Ada's campaign shakes out. The wacky characters are well balanced by the more conventional ones, the plots move right along, and I love the laugh-out-loud moments! Long live this series!
October 29, 2021
Another Fun Merry Wrath Story!
I guess this is the last one but I wish there were going to be more. A fun read with many laugh-out-loud puns and really ridiculous comments. Check out her assassin series. Hilarious!
I guess this is the last one but I wish there were going to be more. A fun read with many laugh-out-loud puns and really ridiculous comments. Check out her assassin series. Hilarious!
January 8, 2022
Love these books. They’re fun & make you laugh out loud. Merry & the gang have a lot to figure out in this one. A Druid con, convertible, a goat & more. What could go wrong? Pick up a copy to see how it all unfolds.
January 24, 2022
A really fun read
These Merry Wrath books are so funny, each one just makes me laugh. There is murder and mayhem in them all. The main characters are quite mad. They are definitely worth five stars. I highly recommend them to anyone that likes a laugh.
These Merry Wrath books are so funny, each one just makes me laugh. There is murder and mayhem in them all. The main characters are quite mad. They are definitely worth five stars. I highly recommend them to anyone that likes a laugh.
February 3, 2022
Another Laugh outloud mystery
No one can write like Leslie. Her imagination for rambunctious girl scouts is astounding. Even when things look bad there is a real snigger in store for one when Merry is investigating.
No one can write like Leslie. Her imagination for rambunctious girl scouts is astounding. Even when things look bad there is a real snigger in store for one when Merry is investigating.
March 13, 2022
always funny
As usual I spent most of the book laughing out loud at the antics of the girl guide troop. I love the series and all the other books by Leslie Langtry and can never stand the wait for the next one
As usual I spent most of the book laughing out loud at the antics of the girl guide troop. I love the series and all the other books by Leslie Langtry and can never stand the wait for the next one
November 17, 2024
Laugh Out Loud Series
Merry Wrath Ferguson, former CIA agent, is a Girl Scout leader and solves mysteries. Her best friend and co-leader, Kelly, and former handler, Riley, are private investigators who have her back. A fun series that is full of twists and turns.
Merry Wrath Ferguson, former CIA agent, is a Girl Scout leader and solves mysteries. Her best friend and co-leader, Kelly, and former handler, Riley, are private investigators who have her back. A fun series that is full of twists and turns.
October 26, 2021
Oh my gosh this was incredible. I have loved this series from the beginning. It just keeps getting better and better.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
October 28, 2021
Good series
If you need a laugh and a murder mystery fix, this is the book for you. Series is so well written, you will be hooked immediately.
If you need a laugh and a murder mystery fix, this is the book for you. Series is so well written, you will be hooked immediately.
Read
October 31, 2021Great
Back with Merry and the girls bought it read it all in the same day could not put it down
Back with Merry and the girls bought it read it all in the same day could not put it down
April 11, 2022
Good to the last drop.
As always Leslie Lengthy did not disappoint.
Engaging characters, twist and turns and much who done it. When you see Merry you know a body will show up.
As always Leslie Lengthy did not disappoint.
Engaging characters, twist and turns and much who done it. When you see Merry you know a body will show up.
July 7, 2022
Interesting and entertaining
January 4, 2023
Light, easy read. Continues the story of Merry Wrath and her girl scouts.
January 22, 2023
Some interesting twists in this one. Lots of running around and getting to get to a new close town for some happenings.
February 14, 2024
Love these stories.
April 17, 2025
normally, I love these books. But the numerous continuity errors really ruined the story for me
October 27, 2021
When Stewie is arrested for murder, Merry (of course) needs to investigate and clear his name. This involves some investigations of a rival cult that wants to steal Merry away from Stewie's group.
Poor Betty's parents have had enough of her shenanigans, and it's up to Merry to try to straighten her out. A little, at least. I really don't think Betty will change, and seeing as she's my favourite character, I really don't want her to!
Another crazy story in the life of Merry Wrath.
Poor Betty's parents have had enough of her shenanigans, and it's up to Merry to try to straighten her out. A little, at least. I really don't think Betty will change, and seeing as she's my favourite character, I really don't want her to!
Another crazy story in the life of Merry Wrath.
November 7, 2021
Again Leslie Langtry doesn't disappoint. Book 20 Manga and Murder is a fun fast read. I finished in in 1 day. I absolutely love her characters, the girl scout troop, druid cult, her pets, husband and friends.
Looking forward to book 21. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟👍👍📖🤩
Looking forward to book 21. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟👍👍📖🤩
November 5, 2021
The crazy, wacky world of Merry Wrath is back for another wild adventure! Every one of these books is amazing. If you like funny, strange, creative stories that involve an ex-spy, a Girl Scout troop, some strange pets, small Midwestern towns and excellent mysteries, then the Merry Wrath cozy mystery series is just what you need!
December 14, 2023
Another entertaining mystery/adventure with Merry Wrath, former CIA operative and current Girl Scout troop co-leader…
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews