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Merry Wrath Mysteries #21
Mayor for Murder
Former CIA assassin turned Girl Scout Troop leader Merry Wrath, can't believe it's finally here—the Who’s There, Iowa mayoral showdown between the dull and clueless Mayor Van Meter, and uber-ambitious eleven-year old girl scout Ava. It’s a campaign like no other with a debate worthy of any three-ring circus!
To make matters worse, there’s disharmony among the teen druids at the Cult of NicoDerm, CIA assassin Hilly and fifth grader Betty get up to some questionable practices, and a political worker is thrown off the roof of Sugar Lip’s Feeling Lucky House of Delights Ice Cream Parlor. It doesn’t help at all when the mayor goes missing and many think Betty finally acted on her goal to kidnap him. As the authorities close in on Ava and Betty, can Merry solve the murder and find the mayor before the election…or will she be leading future scout meetings in juvie?
To make matters worse, there’s disharmony among the teen druids at the Cult of NicoDerm, CIA assassin Hilly and fifth grader Betty get up to some questionable practices, and a political worker is thrown off the roof of Sugar Lip’s Feeling Lucky House of Delights Ice Cream Parlor. It doesn’t help at all when the mayor goes missing and many think Betty finally acted on her goal to kidnap him. As the authorities close in on Ava and Betty, can Merry solve the murder and find the mayor before the election…or will she be leading future scout meetings in juvie?
- GenresMysteryCozyCozy Mystery
231 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 25, 2022
77 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Leslie Langtry
97 books722 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 31 reviews
January 24, 2022
This has got to be the best laugh-out-loud mystery series ever! Who would think that a former CIA agent would make such a hilarious protagonist! If you love a well written, easy to read mystery that makes you laugh all the way through to finding the bad guy, then this is the series for you!
October 11, 2023
I love Merry and her troop. Lots of great, quirky characters. And, Leslie Langtry happened to weave in one of my favorite songs!! That's a bonus for me. Merry and the gang have a terrific story to tell and I do recommend this series!
January 22, 2022
Mayor for Murder earns 5/5 Red Clown Noses…Entertaining Fun!
Karma knew best when, five years ago, Fionnaghuala Merrygold Czrygy was outed as a CIA field agent embedded in a Chechen terrorist group. She thankfully escaped, took a sizable settlement from the feds, changed her name to Merry Wrath, and headed home to Who’s There, Iowa, to lay low as a Girl Scout leader with her BFF Kelly Albers. Of course, “lay low” is a relative term since her location was discovered by several who sought pay back. But, her troop of ten very precocious pre-teens, more interested in weapons training and enhanced interrogation methods than selling cookies, have come in handy along with her husband Detective Rex Ferguson, former CIA handler, and several quirky friends and family, including a quartet of teenage druids. But it’s Girl Scout Betty, unofficial agent-in-training, who causes the most concern for her overwhelmed parents, for Merry, and for the police…The mayor is missing! Mayor John Van Meter went to get his wife sweater and didn’t return. Sounds like a police matter, so why grill Betty about her whereabouts?
Oddly Betty’s bucket list includes, since first-grade, kidnapping the mayor on various grounds, and now that she’s currently involved in the campaign of Meter’s rival, she’s a person of interest in his disappearance. Ava, the eleven-year-old dynamo, found there’s no age requirement for candidates running for the town’s mayor; they only have to be human. A requirement that seemed obvious until the fiasco of electing a donkey to the office thirty-odd years ago. Betty is her “G. Gordon Liddy”-style campaign manager, so is kidnapping one of her dirty tricks?
Flashback “One Week Earlier…” The mayoral debate was literally a “circus” with Pogo the dancing clown, balloons, and confetti along with a Q & A targeting pets and clowns. The fiasco embarrassed the incumbent and angered his ambitious wife. The next day Merry and her former colleague Hilly witness the falling body of the mayor’s campaign manager, Ricky Dodd. He’s shockingly dressed as Pogo. Does the death have anything to do with the kidnapping? And has anyone seen Betty?
The Results are In! Leslie Langtry has my vote for her twenty-first book in the delightful Merry Wrath Mysteries filled with cheeky pre-teens, conspiracies, and a clown. The mayoral election is finally here, and with Ava in the lead, has Betty crossed the line to make sure she wins? The mayor’s wife’s ambitions, a mystery woman, reptilian attack, and appearance of the FBI add engaging obstruction to the investigation, but it’s Langtry’s humor, snarky banter, fun flashbacks into Merry’s CIA career, well-developed and quirky characters, and an exciting, clever wrap-up that have made me an eager fan. Sure, readers need to suspend disbelief about eleven-year-old girls running for public office, getting covert weapons training, and planning and implementing dirty tricks along with a Laurel and Hardy FBI team, but that’s what’s fun. No need to have read previous installments since very few references are made without a bit of clarification, but be prepared to have your interest piqued for more, especially more Betty!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Gemma Halliday Publishing. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
Karma knew best when, five years ago, Fionnaghuala Merrygold Czrygy was outed as a CIA field agent embedded in a Chechen terrorist group. She thankfully escaped, took a sizable settlement from the feds, changed her name to Merry Wrath, and headed home to Who’s There, Iowa, to lay low as a Girl Scout leader with her BFF Kelly Albers. Of course, “lay low” is a relative term since her location was discovered by several who sought pay back. But, her troop of ten very precocious pre-teens, more interested in weapons training and enhanced interrogation methods than selling cookies, have come in handy along with her husband Detective Rex Ferguson, former CIA handler, and several quirky friends and family, including a quartet of teenage druids. But it’s Girl Scout Betty, unofficial agent-in-training, who causes the most concern for her overwhelmed parents, for Merry, and for the police…The mayor is missing! Mayor John Van Meter went to get his wife sweater and didn’t return. Sounds like a police matter, so why grill Betty about her whereabouts?
Oddly Betty’s bucket list includes, since first-grade, kidnapping the mayor on various grounds, and now that she’s currently involved in the campaign of Meter’s rival, she’s a person of interest in his disappearance. Ava, the eleven-year-old dynamo, found there’s no age requirement for candidates running for the town’s mayor; they only have to be human. A requirement that seemed obvious until the fiasco of electing a donkey to the office thirty-odd years ago. Betty is her “G. Gordon Liddy”-style campaign manager, so is kidnapping one of her dirty tricks?
Flashback “One Week Earlier…” The mayoral debate was literally a “circus” with Pogo the dancing clown, balloons, and confetti along with a Q & A targeting pets and clowns. The fiasco embarrassed the incumbent and angered his ambitious wife. The next day Merry and her former colleague Hilly witness the falling body of the mayor’s campaign manager, Ricky Dodd. He’s shockingly dressed as Pogo. Does the death have anything to do with the kidnapping? And has anyone seen Betty?
The Results are In! Leslie Langtry has my vote for her twenty-first book in the delightful Merry Wrath Mysteries filled with cheeky pre-teens, conspiracies, and a clown. The mayoral election is finally here, and with Ava in the lead, has Betty crossed the line to make sure she wins? The mayor’s wife’s ambitions, a mystery woman, reptilian attack, and appearance of the FBI add engaging obstruction to the investigation, but it’s Langtry’s humor, snarky banter, fun flashbacks into Merry’s CIA career, well-developed and quirky characters, and an exciting, clever wrap-up that have made me an eager fan. Sure, readers need to suspend disbelief about eleven-year-old girls running for public office, getting covert weapons training, and planning and implementing dirty tricks along with a Laurel and Hardy FBI team, but that’s what’s fun. No need to have read previous installments since very few references are made without a bit of clarification, but be prepared to have your interest piqued for more, especially more Betty!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Gemma Halliday Publishing. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
January 25, 2022
Each and every one of the Merry Wrath books are unique yet equally entertaining, and this one did not disappoint! The Mayor of Who’s There has been kidnapped. Of course, all fingers point to Betty, who has been publicly threatening to kidnap the Mayor since first grade! Betty denies it, and is also Ava’s campaign manager, the 11 year old who is running for Mayor and the race is heating up. When the Mayor’s campaign manager is murdered and the Mayor is suddenly missing, things may not be what they seem. Merry and Rex work together to find out the truth before anyone else gets hurt! Hilly is a big part of this book, and I love it when Hilly is around. Things get interesting and bizarre, and you never know what to expect!
January 25, 2022
In Mayor For Murder, eleven year old girl scout Ava is running for mayor with Betty as her campaign manager. This well written mystery has all the shenanigans I have come to expect. It is an over the top campaign with an unusual debate and an interesting political platform. There is also unrest in the Cult of NicoDerm, a political worker is thrown from a roof, Hilly is on the scene, the mayor disappears and more. Merry has her work cut out for her to prove Betty is not responsible. There is never a dull moment in these books. I never have figure out who was guilty before Merry! Another fun read.
January 26, 2022
Merry Wrath, former CIA agent now turned Girl Scout leader has her hands full in Who’s There, Iowa. The inept mayor is up for reelection and his challenger is none other than 11-year-old Girl Scout Ava. The mayor’s campaign manager is thrown off a roof, then the mayor winds up being kidnapped. Many think that Girl Scout Betty (who has been hanging out with CIA assassin Hilly) is the kidnapper. Merry is on the case to find the mayor and clear Betty of the crime. There are the usual quirky characters and the book is very entertaining.
November 28, 2021
It's the last few days before the mayoral race in Who's There, Iowa. Ava is making a strong showing in spite of assorted complications from several different directions! Always a font of silliness and unusual tales, This one is no exception, and won't disappoint readers!
Interconnected surprises (and some not so surprising happenings as well) add up to a fun escape from "real" life. Don't miss this hilarious book!
Interconnected surprises (and some not so surprising happenings as well) add up to a fun escape from "real" life. Don't miss this hilarious book!
January 26, 2022
I received an ARC in return for an honest review.
This is one of my favorite series and authors. In this book, Merry has her hands very full. A member of her girl scout troop is running for mayor. While this is happening, the other candidate goes missing and a campaign manager is killed. Betty, the infamous girl scout who is always up to something, is suspected. Hilly, Merry's assassin friend is there too. Merry has a lot to sort out in this non-stop adventure. It is such a fun read.
This is one of my favorite series and authors. In this book, Merry has her hands very full. A member of her girl scout troop is running for mayor. While this is happening, the other candidate goes missing and a campaign manager is killed. Betty, the infamous girl scout who is always up to something, is suspected. Hilly, Merry's assassin friend is there too. Merry has a lot to sort out in this non-stop adventure. It is such a fun read.
January 30, 2022
Merry and cohorts do it again
Merry never fails to make me laugh. In fact I laughed so loud a couple of times my husband asked me what I was reading. If you like crazy characters and non disruptive murder, you will love Merry Wrath-Ferguson and her zany Girl Scout troop and ex CIA friends. The normal characters in her life make you wish she was your friend. So does her non stop junk food binges. I gain weight just reading her books. A fun read.
Merry never fails to make me laugh. In fact I laughed so loud a couple of times my husband asked me what I was reading. If you like crazy characters and non disruptive murder, you will love Merry Wrath-Ferguson and her zany Girl Scout troop and ex CIA friends. The normal characters in her life make you wish she was your friend. So does her non stop junk food binges. I gain weight just reading her books. A fun read.
January 29, 2022
Mayor for Murder
A clown at Ava and the mayor's talking about what they were running about. The clown left. Later Hellie and Merry were having ice cream and looked outside. A clown fell down to the ground. Both ran out and found it was man. Merry called Rex and there starts the mystery . Ava decide to run as Mayer. Kidnappers, and murders. Loved the book
A clown at Ava and the mayor's talking about what they were running about. The clown left. Later Hellie and Merry were having ice cream and looked outside. A clown fell down to the ground. Both ran out and found it was man. Merry called Rex and there starts the mystery . Ava decide to run as Mayer. Kidnappers, and murders. Loved the book
February 3, 2022
Leslie Langtry never fails to make me laugh with her characters. I love the Merry Wrath series with her girl scout troop, the quirky relatives and coworkers of her husband's and the memories shared from her past. Another fun, fast quick read from a great author. Looking forward to the next book.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟👍👍👏😊❤📖
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟👍👍👏😊❤📖
November 18, 2024
Murder in Every Book
Ava is running for mayor of Who’s There and the troop is helping with the campaign. When the current Mayor’s campaign manager is murdered it puts Merry in the middle of a new investigation. With Betty running a black ops campaign, life is not easy. A laugh a minute.
Ava is running for mayor of Who’s There and the troop is helping with the campaign. When the current Mayor’s campaign manager is murdered it puts Merry in the middle of a new investigation. With Betty running a black ops campaign, life is not easy. A laugh a minute.
January 28, 2022
Politics at its Best
It's laugh out loud funny. A good spoof of a city election while having a couple of dead bodies appear, leads Merry on a good chase looking for the killer. Having Betty fired up and Hilly hanging around throws in even more curves.
It's laugh out loud funny. A good spoof of a city election while having a couple of dead bodies appear, leads Merry on a good chase looking for the killer. Having Betty fired up and Hilly hanging around throws in even more curves.
March 2, 2022
Black & Gold Forever
Another fun trip through the streets of Who's There Iowa. Lots of humor and enough who dun it to keep things interesting. All wrapped up in the flare of small town Iowa. A good read!
Another fun trip through the streets of Who's There Iowa. Lots of humor and enough who dun it to keep things interesting. All wrapped up in the flare of small town Iowa. A good read!
January 3, 2022
An 11 year old running for Mayor is silly enough, but with Betty as Ava's campaign manager? It was sure to be over the top. Plus the current Mayor disappears, something Betty has wanted to do for so long, so she's definitely on the suspect list.
This was a truly funny story, and I really can't wait to see what happens next. It's sure to be eventful!
This was a truly funny story, and I really can't wait to see what happens next. It's sure to be eventful!
January 5, 2022
Another Girl Scout thriller complete with cookies and a giant bird!
January 9, 2022
Another fun story with lots of twists and turns. I didn’t figure it out until the author revealed it towards the end. I look forward to reading more.
January 28, 2022
This series just keeps getting better and better. I laughed see o hard I cried several times. I adore the humor my set with mystery.
I reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
I reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
February 6, 2022
Nailed it!
Another hilarious tale in Who's There!
I read it cover to cover in 3hrs, my only complaint is having to wait for the next one!
Another hilarious tale in Who's There!
I read it cover to cover in 3hrs, my only complaint is having to wait for the next one!
February 6, 2022
Ava's campaign for mayor is in full swing. With Betty as her campaign manager, what could go wrong? This is another hilarious adventure for the gang.
February 8, 2022
Perfect
It's a wonderful screwball mystery Amazing cast of crazy people The main character s flashbacks of her CIA career are priceless
It's a wonderful screwball mystery Amazing cast of crazy people The main character s flashbacks of her CIA career are priceless
March 27, 2022
Read all 21 books in a month. Now to wait for the new one to come out next month.
March 28, 2022
This Series has just become too silly
I have really enjoyed this series until the last coup,e of books - there is such a thing as just over the top silliness. Think I’m done.
I have really enjoyed this series until the last coup,e of books - there is such a thing as just over the top silliness. Think I’m done.
April 11, 2022
Loved it! Literally laughed out loud!
April 20, 2022
Merry Did it again
Ava is trying to win the Mayoral race. With
twist and turns at every corner. True to form a who done it to the end.
Ava is trying to win the Mayoral race. With
twist and turns at every corner. True to form a who done it to the end.
April 25, 2022
Some funny moments in this cozy mystery with Merry Wrath!
May 25, 2022
Another fine offering
Many laugh out loud moments in another missing and murdered person mystery. Love the snark and the ever surprising Betty of many talents.
Many laugh out loud moments in another missing and murdered person mystery. Love the snark and the ever surprising Betty of many talents.
May 27, 2022
I love leslie langtry!
Merry is the best character I've read in a series. Shes solving more murders in the midst of a troup girl running for mayor.
Merry is the best character I've read in a series. Shes solving more murders in the midst of a troup girl running for mayor.
July 9, 2022
As always fun and entertaining
January 23, 2023
Another good one in this series. It was a fight to be the mayor after some murders.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews