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Merry Wrath Mysteries #25
Method Actor Murder
From USA Today bestselling author Leslie Langtry comes the next wacky, wild, wonderful Merry Wrath mystery...
Whether they like it or not, culture is coming to Who’s There, Iowa in the form of community theater! Merry Wrath, former CIA operative turned suburban Girl Scout Troop leader has high hopes when Ye Olde Opera House is renovated, and newcomers Ophelia and her husband Dante arrive from off-off-off Broadway (…Street in Peoria) with their stage pig, Iago, to put on a production of Derek the Sparkly Unicorn Ninja, which was written by the mysterious SeBasquetian deCatalonia Braveheart.
But chaos is the name of the game when half the town and their hamsters show up for auditions, Merry has been volunteered as Stage Manager, and her precocious troop are planning death-defying stunts and dangerous special effects. It certainly doesn’t help that Ophelia emotes like a deranged drama queen and Dante seems to think there’s a Tony Award for seducing women. When one of the thespians takes Method Acting a bit too far and ends up an actual corpse on stage, Merry has to work fast to find a killer before the curtain falls on another victim!
Whether they like it or not, culture is coming to Who’s There, Iowa in the form of community theater! Merry Wrath, former CIA operative turned suburban Girl Scout Troop leader has high hopes when Ye Olde Opera House is renovated, and newcomers Ophelia and her husband Dante arrive from off-off-off Broadway (…Street in Peoria) with their stage pig, Iago, to put on a production of Derek the Sparkly Unicorn Ninja, which was written by the mysterious SeBasquetian deCatalonia Braveheart.
But chaos is the name of the game when half the town and their hamsters show up for auditions, Merry has been volunteered as Stage Manager, and her precocious troop are planning death-defying stunts and dangerous special effects. It certainly doesn’t help that Ophelia emotes like a deranged drama queen and Dante seems to think there’s a Tony Award for seducing women. When one of the thespians takes Method Acting a bit too far and ends up an actual corpse on stage, Merry has to work fast to find a killer before the curtain falls on another victim!
- GenresMysteryCozy MysteryCozy
255 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 24, 2023
97 people are currently reading
2324 people want to read
About the author
Leslie Langtry
97 books725 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 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 8, 2023
Method Actor Murder Earns 5/5 Curtain Calls … Sidesplitting Fun!
Ok, you need to suspend disbelief that a twelve-year-old Girl Scout could be elected mayor of a small midwestern town, but if the by-laws aren’t specific enough, well, guess what? Welcome, Mayor Ava! She has been doing good things for the residents of Who’s There, Iowa, like getting Ophelia and her husband Dante to renovate Ye Olde Opera House and then getting them to agree to produce the play, “Derek, the Sparkly Unicorn Ninja.” Well, she’s definitely formidable. Besides there seems to be a need for more local “creative outlets” evidenced by the whole town showing up for the auditions.
Ophelia, a far off Broadway director (actually in Peoria), and her husband Dante, known for immersing himself into a role as a student of the method acting, are far from your normal theater personalities. Case in point: over-the-top wardrobe, exaggerated manner, and pet pig Iago. But, who’s to complain with the type of quirky neighbors living in Who’s There which includes reformed hoodlums, a drug lord, pregnant taxidermists, a cult of teenage druids, and a full-of-himself wannabe from a neighboring town. Merry and Kelly have been roped into being stage manager and assistant which puts them “center stage” when the “Method Actor” ends up dead. But, who will mourn his passing: his wife, his pet pig, or any one of the “rumored” other women?
Curtain’s Up! Leslie Langtry has added some entertaining theatrical shenanigans to the regular “irregular” mischief in this twenty-fifth adventure in Merry Wrath Mysteries. The town is all excited about the production penned by Betty under a pseudonym, which is unique, acrobatic, and full of ninjas. But, “Evil Boy Scout” Dante’s extra-curricular relationships just may have been his final performance. Merry’s investigation, of course, is not so straight forward, as is with anything in Who’s There. With a whole cast of suspects and some surprising motives, the entertainment comes fast and furious with Betty’s antics, official intervention, and more than a few perilous moments. Langtry’s writing is always engaging with its descriptive language, fascinating story, diverse, if not quirky characters of varying ages, and fun snarky retorts. Couldn’t put it down!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Gemma Halliday Publishing. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
Ok, you need to suspend disbelief that a twelve-year-old Girl Scout could be elected mayor of a small midwestern town, but if the by-laws aren’t specific enough, well, guess what? Welcome, Mayor Ava! She has been doing good things for the residents of Who’s There, Iowa, like getting Ophelia and her husband Dante to renovate Ye Olde Opera House and then getting them to agree to produce the play, “Derek, the Sparkly Unicorn Ninja.” Well, she’s definitely formidable. Besides there seems to be a need for more local “creative outlets” evidenced by the whole town showing up for the auditions.
Ophelia, a far off Broadway director (actually in Peoria), and her husband Dante, known for immersing himself into a role as a student of the method acting, are far from your normal theater personalities. Case in point: over-the-top wardrobe, exaggerated manner, and pet pig Iago. But, who’s to complain with the type of quirky neighbors living in Who’s There which includes reformed hoodlums, a drug lord, pregnant taxidermists, a cult of teenage druids, and a full-of-himself wannabe from a neighboring town. Merry and Kelly have been roped into being stage manager and assistant which puts them “center stage” when the “Method Actor” ends up dead. But, who will mourn his passing: his wife, his pet pig, or any one of the “rumored” other women?
Curtain’s Up! Leslie Langtry has added some entertaining theatrical shenanigans to the regular “irregular” mischief in this twenty-fifth adventure in Merry Wrath Mysteries. The town is all excited about the production penned by Betty under a pseudonym, which is unique, acrobatic, and full of ninjas. But, “Evil Boy Scout” Dante’s extra-curricular relationships just may have been his final performance. Merry’s investigation, of course, is not so straight forward, as is with anything in Who’s There. With a whole cast of suspects and some surprising motives, the entertainment comes fast and furious with Betty’s antics, official intervention, and more than a few perilous moments. Langtry’s writing is always engaging with its descriptive language, fascinating story, diverse, if not quirky characters of varying ages, and fun snarky retorts. Couldn’t put it down!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Gemma Halliday Publishing. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
March 8, 2023
This was my first book by Leslie Langtry and my first book in this series, obviously. 😁
I won this book from Goodreads, thank you for that but this review is all mine!
Starting with book #25 was kinda hard however I was able to keep up and figure out what was going on.
This one Merry and her Girl Scout troop are involved with the opera house that has just been renovated. Ophelia and Dante who are a couple and the new owners of said opera house are always there. Merry is in charge of the opera house and getting the rehearsals started on the new play, Derek the sparkly unicorn ninja.
This is where a murder happens and Merry sets out to find out who the killer is.
I loved the Girl Scout troop, that is different from anything I’ve read so far. I love cozy mysteries and this one didn’t disappoint. Now I need to go back and start with book #1. This is how they get you! Read book #25 so I now have to go buy books 1-24!! 🤣 maybe they will be on KU? 🤞 crossed??
Thank you Goodreads for my book and allowing me to give my honest thoughts.
I won this book from Goodreads, thank you for that but this review is all mine!
Starting with book #25 was kinda hard however I was able to keep up and figure out what was going on.
This one Merry and her Girl Scout troop are involved with the opera house that has just been renovated. Ophelia and Dante who are a couple and the new owners of said opera house are always there. Merry is in charge of the opera house and getting the rehearsals started on the new play, Derek the sparkly unicorn ninja.
This is where a murder happens and Merry sets out to find out who the killer is.
I loved the Girl Scout troop, that is different from anything I’ve read so far. I love cozy mysteries and this one didn’t disappoint. Now I need to go back and start with book #1. This is how they get you! Read book #25 so I now have to go buy books 1-24!! 🤣 maybe they will be on KU? 🤞 crossed??
Thank you Goodreads for my book and allowing me to give my honest thoughts.
January 22, 2023
This latest book in the Merry Wrath series is just downright cute! Merry, Kelly, the girls, and almost the entire town are involved in a play at the newly renovated Ye Olde Operahouse called, Derek the Sparkly Unicorn Ninja. The play was written by a name nobody recognizes, but by the name of the play itself and the fact that Betty is playing the lead, Derek the ninja, can you guess? Merry has been designated stage manager, and she has no clue what she has gotten herself into! When one of the new owners of Ye Olde Operahouse is found unconscious in the middle of the stage, things take a turn and Merry finds herself in the middle of another investigation. Is the play over the top? Of course it is, just look at the name! But, doesn’t this fit in well in Who’s There? Oh, and Philby is in love with a pig… bet you didn’t see that coming! This author’s imagination always has me wondering, what will she come up with next?
February 10, 2023
So much fun!
I have read all 25 of the Merry Wrath Mysteries and I can't wait for the next one! Book 25 was really enjoyable. Loved the plot, the mystery, and of course, all the characters. Every one of the stories in these books are funny and silly, and I never guess who the bad guy is. It's just a good romp with what now feels like old friends. Quirky with a capital Q and hilarious. If there is such a thing as a Feel Good Murder Mystery, these are it! By the way - this author has another outstanding series about a family of assassins, the first of which is, 'Scuse Me While I Kill This Guy. Again HILARIOUS! I highly recommend any and all of Leslie Langtry's books!
I have read all 25 of the Merry Wrath Mysteries and I can't wait for the next one! Book 25 was really enjoyable. Loved the plot, the mystery, and of course, all the characters. Every one of the stories in these books are funny and silly, and I never guess who the bad guy is. It's just a good romp with what now feels like old friends. Quirky with a capital Q and hilarious. If there is such a thing as a Feel Good Murder Mystery, these are it! By the way - this author has another outstanding series about a family of assassins, the first of which is, 'Scuse Me While I Kill This Guy. Again HILARIOUS! I highly recommend any and all of Leslie Langtry's books!
January 24, 2023
Merry, her scouts and the town of Who’s There are back again! Thanks to Mayor Ava, Ye Olde Opera House has been renovated and under the direction of newcomers Olivia and Dante. They have come from off-off-off-off Broadway (in Peoria). Olivia is overly dramatic and Dante thinks his main job is seducing as many women in town as he can. Merry is somewhat forced into the job of stage manager. The auditions and rehearsals are very chaotic with most of the town involved. When a dead body is found on the stage, there are loads of suspects! This is one of the best in the series so far!
February 1, 2023
I think this has been the best in series, besides being really good mystery not figuring out who the murder was until the lead charcter Merry figured it out, great, then there were really funny parts, learn new meeting to being banged, and poor Stewie and the unmentionable thing that happen to him that part was so funny. then character are all so unique well developed , they are old friends. makes me want to be a girl scout leader and when I was girl scout my troop was little like this troop minus Betty .
February 1, 2023
Loved this book!!!!! As I love all of Ms. Langley’s books!! Have to say, I’ve never written a review for her before, but had to in this case. This is about the workings of behind the scenes of a play, with murder and mayhem involved. But the thing that I love about the book is not only does it involve the workings of a play, it also mentions “OKLAHOMA!”, where I live and have seen MANY MANY times!!!
However, do yourself a favor and start the series from the beginning, it will be so worth it!!!
However, do yourself a favor and start the series from the beginning, it will be so worth it!!!
January 8, 2023
Enter the wacky world of Merry Wrath and Who's There, Iowa. Merry gets roped into being stage manager for a theater production written by one of her girl scouts, and being preformed by just about everyone in Merry's address book. Welcome chaos, laughing out loud, and many quirky characters. I love this series, the hilarious situations Merry gets into, and the way she always figures it out! There's much to enjoy and surprises along the way. Don't miss this terrific 25th installment!!!
January 24, 2023
I received a copy from the publisher.
This is one of my favorite series ever. I hope it never ends. In this latest adventure, Merry is roped into helping her girl scout troop with a play that one of them (Betty) wrote. What could possibly go wrong?! This is a really fun, laugh out loud read. The characters are so much fun and even Hilly, the CIA assassin who's not an assassin (wink-wink) is back to help. This is a must read.
This is one of my favorite series ever. I hope it never ends. In this latest adventure, Merry is roped into helping her girl scout troop with a play that one of them (Betty) wrote. What could possibly go wrong?! This is a really fun, laugh out loud read. The characters are so much fun and even Hilly, the CIA assassin who's not an assassin (wink-wink) is back to help. This is a must read.
February 8, 2023
Method Actor Murder is another terrific entry in a terrific series. Merry and the residents of Who's There, Iowa, have another wacky adventure when "culture" comes to their town. So many funny scenes. Ophelia was a hoot. Betty is beginning to scare me. The mystery was full of twists and red herrings and kept me guessing. Merry as Stage Manager is as funny as ever. Love the pig. Highly recommend, as I do all the books in this series.
January 15, 2023
Method Actor Murder is another zany adventure with Merry and her girl scouts. With Merry as the stage manager for a play written by Betty, what could possibly go wrong? I always laugh a lot when reading one of Ms. Langtry's books. They are a perfect escape from everyday life. You do not want to miss this adventure in community theater!
January 16, 2023
So, the town is putting on a play, which Betty wrote. That right there should really tell you how ridiculous it is.
The play is hilarious itself, but the auditions, the rehearsals, Hilly trying to help, and everything that was apparently Merry's job as Stage Manager, were all beyond silly.
It was really fun to read, I enjoyed it! I was smiling or laughing as I read the whole story. Still love Betty! She's scary but awesome.
The play is hilarious itself, but the auditions, the rehearsals, Hilly trying to help, and everything that was apparently Merry's job as Stage Manager, were all beyond silly.
It was really fun to read, I enjoyed it! I was smiling or laughing as I read the whole story. Still love Betty! She's scary but awesome.
January 26, 2023
This was such a fun ride. Betty was a hoot. I loved all the characters. We had such a large variety of personalities. This really made it fun trying to figure our who the killer was. If you've never read this series, you can start here or with the first one. I recommend all this authors work. She is so funny.
February 7, 2023
Oh gosh this was so darn funny. I think the best part was the whole town having a part in the play. I laughed so much while reading this. Leslie's books are always a mood lifter.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
June 4, 2023
Excellent, very funny
These books crack me up, Philby the cat with a Werewolf mask, a pig called Iago, oh my gosh what a giggle. I can't wait to see what other madcap mischief happens in the next book. Worth five stars easily.
These books crack me up, Philby the cat with a Werewolf mask, a pig called Iago, oh my gosh what a giggle. I can't wait to see what other madcap mischief happens in the next book. Worth five stars easily.
January 24, 2023
A hilarious read!
January 28, 2023
I sure enjoy these books. I do a lot of laughing. I'm looking forward to hopefully catching up on the ones I've missed.
February 3, 2023
Love this series. Can't wait for next book. Fun easy read, characters are well written and really fun to picture.
February 10, 2023
Rave Review for an Insane play
Lots of fun and nonsense. I laughed a lot , especially at Betty's antics. Community theater may never recover from this production.
Lots of fun and nonsense. I laughed a lot , especially at Betty's antics. Community theater may never recover from this production.
March 1, 2023
Interesting and entertaining
April 4, 2023
Love this series! Can't wait to read the next book.
September 12, 2023
Highy entertainig!
October 4, 2023
Loved it! Another great entry in my favorite series.
January 24, 2023
Laugh out loud fun!
Another fantastic edition to the series. This time Merry & the scouts are involved in community theater and of course a murder mystery. Well written, awesome characters. If you have not started this series, you should. I look forward to more awesome books in this series!!
Another fantastic edition to the series. This time Merry & the scouts are involved in community theater and of course a murder mystery. Well written, awesome characters. If you have not started this series, you should. I look forward to more awesome books in this series!!
April 28, 2024
In stressful times, this series provides a fun, soft place to land and lighten up. I so appreciate Leslie Langtry working to keep the Merry Wrath books coming!
Reading this series is a bit like escaping to Starrs Hollow, with all the fun, quirky characters. But for me, the best scenes always involve the girl scouts. Cannot get enough Betty!
Reading this series is a bit like escaping to Starrs Hollow, with all the fun, quirky characters. But for me, the best scenes always involve the girl scouts. Cannot get enough Betty!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews