Review by Kathleen Costa
Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of the book and a link to purchase it.
Spy Soliloquy
My name is Merry Wrath, and I used to be a spy. I was good at it, too, embedding myself into various criminal organizations, including a Chechen terrorist group whose leader watches CNN. It was on CNN that my identity was exposed in a tit for tat disagreement between my senator father and the Vice President. I barely got out alive. For services rendered I was provided an “oops” settlement, then I changed my name and moved to Who’s There, Iowa. There I became a co-leader of a Girl Scout troop of precocious pre-teens, which seems more often like I’m training the next crop of spies. I also am now married to Detective Rex Ferguson. It hasn’t been all cookies and roses, though. Several bad guys from my past have popped up seeking revenge, but I have very diverse, yet effective, back up: my detective husband, my former CIA handler, a CIA “not an assassin” assassin, my BFF and co-Scout leader, a quartet of teenage comic book-loving druids, two former Chechen goons, and a troop of very precocious pre-teens. Trouble is always averted, sure, but keeping Betty, Girl Scout and spy wannabe, under control is a challenge, despite being proud of her resourcefulness.
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| Image Source Gemma Halliday Publishing |
She’s the neighbor from hell. In the month that Louise Lutkin has been Merry’s neighbor, she’s called the police several times about her “obnoxious troop,” and now she’s complaining Merry’s cat Philby is trying to melt her brain. What?! Rex suggests she smooth things over with a “Welcome” gift, and Kelly, best friend and calming influence, suggests a plate of Girl Scout cookies...and to let her do the talking! But, when no one responds to their knocking, they venture inside, shocked at the 1970s decor and Mrs. Lutkin dead on the orange shag carpet. They also find Officer Kevin Dooley in the kitchen devouring a strawberry-rhubarb pie shockingly unaware that his hostess is dead in the next room. Could this oblivious, foodaholic deputy be a killer? It took little effort to discover the victim is a bit of conspiracy-theory diva traveling all over seeking mythical creatures, so why did she exchange a vagabond lifestyle for a home in Who’s There, Iowa? Why did she turn her efforts to a “real” decades-old cold case? Or…is there something, or someone, else in the neighborhood that grabbed her interests?
Give a “Spy” a Cookie… Leslie Langtry has outdone herself with another outrageously funny, yet complex, case for Merry and “company” to investigate filled with conspiracy theorists, former goons and an assassin, an eleven-year-old mayor, and Bigfoot sightings. The main mystery is an almost thirty-year-old cold case dealing with the disappearance of a two-year-old boy, Mikey Sorenson, and the possibility he is alive and well and living in Who’s There. Merry, working more closely with her detective husband, also gets her former CIA handler, now PI, involved where they uncover a crime within a crime. Merry hatches a plan to keep the oddball crazies from interfering with her inquiries by using the Bigfoot phenomenon to her advantage…it gets crazy fun from there! Langtry’s writing style may be snippy, snarky at times, but her witty banter and references to her CIA experiences to explain or qualify current predicaments is pure fun! Some suspension of disbelief is required when reading about the Girl Scouts doing adult jobs seemingly absent of parental supervision, but that is the fun in the series…no matter what age, gender, mental competency, or current or previous occupation, you’re important in Merry’s world! This series continues to be at the top of my “best” reads list.
Shhh! I have it on good authority that the next Merry Wrath book is titled Memories are Murder, and although a release date is yet to be determined…Mid-Fall was suggested!
Be a Big Leslie Langtry Fan!
USA Today bestselling author Leslie Langtry pens one of my favorite series: Merry Wrath series. She also writes the very entertaining Bombay Assassins Greatest Hits Mystery and is one of the contributing authors in GHP’s Aloha Lagoon Mystery with two marvelous books: Ukulele Murder and Ukulele Deadly. Something for every cozy taste!
Facebook: Merry’s Troop is a “private” group fans can join.
Be a Big Gemma Halliday Publishing Fan!
Website - Gemma Halliday Publishing
To enter to win an ebook copy of Munchies and Murder, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "munchies,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen July 30, 2022. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! A new episode went up this week.
You can use this link to purchase the book or click here. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:
Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is a 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying her retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband.
"Munchies and Murder" by Leslie Langtry sounds like a light hearted and entertaining mystery book.
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allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Sounds interesting! Count me in!
ReplyDeleteWe have a winner! Lorie Lewis Ham
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