"Mastermind For Murder" By Leslie Langtry: Review/Giveaway

Review by Tracy Condie

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. 

There is a sleeper cell in Who’s There, Iowa, says middle schooler and girl scout, Betty. Now how is it that a middle schooler would know about a sleeper cell? Well her contact vetted the information, so of course it has to be correct. Welcome to the world of Merry Wrath Mysteries, where a retired CIA operative is a sassy scout leader and part time sleuth. One might say that Merry is a murder magnet. Actually, quite a few of the locals think that, but when you have spy craft 101 skills, shouldn’t you use them? This is book number 38, and it is every bit as entertaining as the previous 37. This cozy mystery has a good dose of silly that is balanced out with a nice bit of sassy and a touch of suspense. Silliness like a pet detective who dresses in costume to locate missing pets, such as a giant horsefly to attract and catch a pair of tarantulas.

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Image Source Gemma Halliday

While I haven’t read all the books, this is the first one I’ve read that doesn’t have girl scout hijinks. Merry’s middle school scouts have the sort of talents that could be used to overthrow a small government. I bet you’re thinking that this is a bit of hyperbole, but I am just repeating what Merry has said on multiple occasions. This time, the story involves Merry and her CIA assassin friend, Hilly, who has a fondness for dumping bodies in dumpsters and using the most unusual euphemisms for wet work. I dare you to try and not laugh out loud when reading a phrase like “hopscotch some hippos.”

That isn’t the only unusual aspect to this story. The victim, Jane Smith, is one of the five reclusive residents of Wild Acres, a strange little housing development of five homes. Strange is a good word for the residents of Wild Acres, strange and suspicious and they all had motives. One raises moths, another is a pirate with a hook and an OnlyFans online channel. There is a lady with huge hands, and a man who is sure that spiders are out to get him.

Not everything in the story is over the top. Merry is married to a perfectly normal police detective named Rex, and her lifelong bestie Kelly works in a detective agency.

This is a fun cozy and a series that never disappoints. There are plenty of clues and a few misdirections, not to mention the zany characters. This book is also a great reminder that cookie season is just around the corner.

To enter to win an ebook copy of Mastermind For Murder, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "mastermind,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen March 7, 2026. 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!

You can click here to purchase this book.

Tracy Condie is a paralegal by day and cozy armchair sleuth by night. When she is not working or reading, she enjoys preparing the recipes found in culinary cozies or researching recipes of meal items described therein and sharing reviews of both books and food on Instagram and on KRL. She lives in Corona, California with her husband and dog Zoolie, and looks forward to visiting with their grown sons when their time permits.

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.