Monster Mash Murder

Merry Wrath Mysteries #28

by Leslie Langtry

From USA Today bestselling author Leslie Langtry comes a hauntingly hilarious mystery...

What’s scarier than ex-CIA agent Merry Wrath’s Girl Scout troop? How about the spookiest Halloween haunted house ever? And the girls have found the perfect place to hold it—a disturbingly dilapidated Victorian with something in the basement that gives off some serious we're-all-gonna-die vibes. Tween mayor Ava bought the house with city funds, which has drawn the ire of grumpy city inspector, Gilbert Moody. Who also happens to be the only one in town who is not afraid of the most terrifying Girl Scout in Merry's troop, the infamous Betty. This cranky civil servant has the paperwork to condemn any building, and he’s not afraid to use it!

Merry’s got a horrifyingly full plate this fall, from her Chechen brothers-in-law moving in with her after their pregnant wives kicked them out, to the troop illegally adopting a sullen turkey vulture named Reggie. And now her favorite ice cream parlor, Sugar Lips’ Feeling Lucky House of Delights has been condemned! Moody would be feeling her wrath…if he hadn’t been murdered by zombies inside the haunted house!

Following a cryptic series of confusing clues and dodging a hail of bullets, Merry needs to find the killer fast if she's going to save this Halloween!

What critics are saying about Leslie Langtry's

"I laughed so hard I cried on multiple occasions! Girl Scouts, the CIA, and the Yakuza... what could possibly go wrong?"
~ Fresh Fiction

"Darkly funny and wildly over the top, this mystery answers the burning question, 'Do assassin skills and Girl Scout merit badges mix…?'"
~ RT BOOKreviews

"Mixing a deadly sense of humor and plenty of sexy sizzle, Leslie Langtry creates a brilliantly original, laughter-rich mix of contemporary romance and suspense."
~ Chicago Tribune

"Langtry gets the fun started from page one."
~ Publisher's Weekly

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

229 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 17, 2023

About the author

Leslie 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.

Reviews

[Debi Paglia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hilarious romp with Merry, Kelly, Hilly, Betty and the rest. Who knew that a troop of Girl Scouts getting together a haunted house fundraiser would include murder. This story contains it all: “tween” girl problems, a vulture, a haunted house, lots of suspects and murder. If you haven’t read this series yet and like to read humorous mysteries, then go get book 1, Merit Badge Murder and read this series!

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Another GREAT entry in the saga of Merry Wrath and her band of misfit scouts. Oh my gosh, it is laugh out loud as usual. Perfect for Halloween. What could be better than a full on haunted house (done right by our fav scouts) and a crime scene. Best series ever and don't miss this one!

[Carole Craddock · Rating 5 out of 5]

The girls are doing a haunted house to raise funds for the zoo. Just the thought of this makes it terrifying! Merry and Kelly have their work cut out for them just in keeping the girls in check over what is reasonable (like not using actual dead bodies and real blood), especially when they find a recent murder victim in the house. Zombies, vampires, werewolves, alien autopsies, all are scary but the real terror is the planning and actions of a bunch of Girl Scouts planning a haunted house! Oh, not to mention Hilly, the real life assassin whose actions are always unpredictable, and Betty who keeps getting more and more dangerous. This is a great edition to the Merry Wrath series, full of fun, lots of laughs, and a bit of "oh no's" all wrapped into one fantastic book.

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I love it when children get involved in solving mysteries and this group in particular, nobody else can get away with what they can. This leads to some hilarious moments and unique situations or glitches, then add in Halloween and you are in for an experience like no other. I love the characters, especially the children who steal the show. The mystery was fun, trying to solve clues left behind by the murder victim. There wasn't a lot of suspects but to be honest I was more interested in how the girls were going to pull off the haunted house or what crazy ideas they would come up with next, then eliminating suspects, no I don't mean that literally but then again with this scout troops it's more than possible. A fun series that is entertaining and one where anything can happen and usually does. I can't wait to start the next book.
Merry's girl scout troop decide to hold a fund raiser for the local zoo by scarring everyone out of there money. They turn a run down abandoned house into a haunted house but the local building inspector throws a spanner into the works, when he denies them a permit. When he is found dead it looks like there troubles are over but for Merry it's just the start. The building inspector also loved Halloween and uses his decoration of zombie and werewolf mannequins to leave clues to his killer identity. Can Merry unmask the killer? Or will her investigation end spooktatularly?

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just in time for Halloween, Merry Wrath and her girl scout troop are ready to have a Haunted House for a fundraiser. Through the Mayor's office (troop member Ava is the Mayor) a house is purchased, renovated, and the scene of a murder in the space of two days. Then there's the decorating, planning, and solving the murder. Good thing the fundraiser is for the Obladi Zoo's new aviary where Mr. Fancypants lives! Wackiness ensues, but it's all about the Halloween holiday and decorations with Merry and Kelly (and Rex) trying to solve the murder...so controlled wackiness.

This was a fun book with an interesting mystery tied into a murder. The scout troop focused on the fundraiser, and the adults solved the mystery without Girl Scout assistance. A good balance of the usual characters kept the fun going and allowed the troop to concentrate on making the best haunted house ever!

Fast paced and more true to a possible real life than other recent books in the series, I greatly enjoyed the book and recommend it for all ages. Leslie Langtry's wit and extensive imagination can't be beat!

[Robin Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merry’s Girl Scout troop is at it again! It’s Halloween time and somehow Mayor Ava has purchased a spooky old Victorian house for them to use as a haunted house fundraiser. Building inspector Gilbert Moody is threatening to condemn it. He’s a very grumpy type, and he’s not even afraid of Betty, which is very unusual! Things are crazy at home as well. Merry has her two Chechen brothers-in-law staying with them as their pregnant wives need a break. The only good thing about that is they are fabulous cooks! When Moody turns up missing, they go to his home and investigate. Turns out that the entire house is decorated with zombies and other scary Halloween items. Amongst the frightening items is the body of a dead Moody! There is the usual cast of crazy characters and Merry must solve the murder to save their Halloween!

[K Huskić · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. Betty was her usual terrifying, self. She will forever be my favourite.

In this story, the girls are trying to put on a haunted house to raise money for the zoo. After buying the perfect property, they discover a dead body inside it. Nothing new in this town!

With Rex’s coworkers unable to help, Merry helps him investigate, though she would have investigated anyway.

The books in this series are always a lot of fun to read. The girls were amazing as usual, if not a little scary. There’s always a lot happening, and I like that I can’t always figure out who the bad guy is.

I enjoyed this one!

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. Merry and her girls are fixing up what they say will be the best haunted house ever. But murder makes it real spooky when Mr. Moody is found dead among the zombies. What could be more Halloween? While the girls work on the house, Merry works to find the real monster who killed Moody. He wasn't well liked but enough to kill him?

Love Merry's brothers in law. So funny but great cooks. Glad to see a lot of Rex in this one. I missed the narcolepsy kitten though. Another fun, fast-paced read. Lots of twists and surprises.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merry's Girl Scout troop has good intentions when they decide to set up a haunted house to raise funds for the zoo. After all, what could go wrong when a group of preteens purchase a foreclosed home to stage their haunted house?

This is another truly original story in the Merry Wrath Mysteries series. It has both humor and mystery to keep you entertained. Thanks to Gemma Halliday Publishing for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Lynn W Stubenrauch · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fun!

This is one of those books you just have to make yourself put down, or else you'll want to read it all in one big gulp. It's so cute and funny. These characters keep getting more and more interesting. There are genuine laugh out loud parts, and my heart is smiling the whole time I'm reading. I absolutely adore this series. Already I'm wishing and hoping for the next book!

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh this was so incredible. I loved every bit of it. As usual the humor mixed in with the mystery was exceptional. I especially loved the bit about Betty glitching and the reason why that was eventually revealed. Can’t wait for the next book.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Bonnie J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy from the publisher.
This is one of my favorite series and it just keeps getting better. The scouts are running a haunted house for charity. A dead body is found in the haunted house. Merry, Kelly, Hilly, the bros-in-law and others are all a part of this story. The Halloween mystery is fun. As usual, there are many laugh out loud moments. Great series!

[Nancy Haddock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another crazy fun book

Merry Kelly, Hilly. The Scouts. Hubby, the in-laws, and Kevin and the Hamlets. At Halloween time. This series always lightens my spirits with some laugh- till- I- snort humor. Outrageous, improbable, thoroughly delightful reads, and it's time to snag the next installment!

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monster Mash Murder has assassins, a haunted house, Halloween, and murder! This well written book is over-the-top perfect as a Halloween read. Merry and the scouts have their hands full. I laughed, I giggled, and I just kept reading! Don’t miss this addition to the Merry Wrath Mysteries.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Langtry does it again!

28 books & I am still loving this series. I don’t know how she does it. Fantastic writing, awesome characters that make me laugh out loud. I look forward to the next one.

[Bobby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

As always Betty and the girls make you laugh and with the help of Merry and Kelly the find the person or person's that did the murder. From the first page to the last you don't won't to put it down. Can't wate for the next book.

[Vicki Tibbitts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeps getting better

This series just keeps getting better and better. I love the aging of the Girl Scouts. With all of Merry's friends and CIA Associates bringing much needed comic relief to each story, these are enjoyable and interesting to read.

[Lesley Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book

These books are just so funny. The cat in the Halloween Werewolf mask makes me chuckle and the other animals that are involved in Merry's mysteries. The girl scouts are all a bit psycho and terrifying but good fun. I can't wait to read the next book.

[Crystal Rutherford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Merry and girls

I loved how the props were described and used for the haunted house. I would have had fun going to one like that!

Can't wait to read more of their adventures!

[M.A.SPRIGGS · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read

Lots of fun and adventure when the girls set up a Halloween scary house which leads to a dead body of a city inspector. With numerous potential suspects Merry has her hands full investigating while keeping the girls under control. So much fun! Highly recommend.

[stephanie huntington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and entertaining

[Doris Brase · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best ones yet, especially if you are a fan of Betty. I don't like haunted houses on Halloween myself. The one the girls put together would have terrified me and I used to have a girl scout troop.
Ron and Ivan are full of surprises as well. Hard to put down.

[Stanley Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best!

I am a huge fan of this series and this is the best one yet. I couldn’t stop laughing. There is a surprise involving one of the secondary characters at the end. Wow!!!

[Heather Maydak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monsters, Mayhem, & Fun

As always Leslie does not disappoint. Merry & her Girl Scouts combine murder with mischief for an all-around gun read.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

funny

So creative! I learned a thing or two about zombies and werewolves! Love the cat. Love the brothers in-law! Love Rex! Another great read!

[Barbara Edwards]

I enjoy these when I want an easy relaxing read. Leslie's books meet this request.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this fun, quirky twist and turn Halloween themed book.

[Vickie Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

If you want a fun series to read. You should read these stories. They will keep you laughing all way to the end.

[Kathie Poritz -Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monster Mash Murder

Hilarious fun read especially during Halloween. The most original book I've ever read. Be careful not to choke from laughing.

[Sondra Wayman · Rating 5 out of 5]

always good

These are just fun escape mysteries. And a good read! I know I didn’t guess the ending! Love the series!