Scan barcode
isalaur's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
Former CIA spy, outed by the Vice-President and let go by the CIA, relocates with a new identity to small town Iowa and becomes a Girl Scout troop leader to a bunch of second graders.
The book opens with a dead Al Queda leader found by Merry on the ropes obstacle at Scout camp. Soon after that a dead cartel leader shows up, Merry’s former handler shows up with a former KGB agent. All this while Merry has observed a gorgeous detective moving in across the street and Merry’s best friend since childhood is bringing over a casserole.
This is a zany and amusing, while wildly improbable, murder mystery with some very amusing lines and scenes. It’s a bit too out there for me and Merry claims to have been a great agent but she doesn’t appear to have retained any of her skills if that’s the case. Nevertheless is is a fun and quick read.
The book opens with a dead Al Queda leader found by Merry on the ropes obstacle at Scout camp. Soon after that a dead cartel leader shows up, Merry’s former handler shows up with a former KGB agent. All this while Merry has observed a gorgeous detective moving in across the street and Merry’s best friend since childhood is bringing over a casserole.
This is a zany and amusing, while wildly improbable, murder mystery with some very amusing lines and scenes. It’s a bit too out there for me and Merry claims to have been a great agent but she doesn’t appear to have retained any of her skills if that’s the case. Nevertheless is is a fun and quick read.
cjeanne99's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Cute idea - entertaining execution (just ignore the plot inconsistencies).
Former CIA agent Merry Wrath, living incognito in her hometown of Who There, Iowa - where - oddly - no one remembers her except her best friend Kelly. Merry and Kelly are leaders of a troop of 24 Brownie Girl Scouts.
Merry is a touch of Stephanie Plum and a bit of Izzy Spellman. Three dead bodies show up in Merry's vicinity - bringing her under the scrutiny of her new neighbor, Detective Rex, and her former CIA boss, Riley, who has come to town to find out why three assassins have been found near Merry. Russian operative Svetlana comes to stay with Merry for “safe-keeping”. Svetlana attends a troop meeting and enraptures the girls with her knot tying skills and the fathers with her appearance.
An attempt is made on Svetlana’s life, leading Riley and Merry to conclude that she is the target, not Merry. More Russian spies are in town - we end up with a shoot out at a nearby elementary school that is closed for construction. Turns outSvetlana is behind the attempts on Merry’s life from the first two dead bodies - no idea why the Japanese operative was dead in her kitchen. As Riley and Merry are in a stalemate in the school gym, Svetlana shows up with the Girl Scout troop. The girls are quite excited to witness people with guns and Svetlana and an accomplice getting arrested.
Former CIA agent Merry Wrath, living incognito in her hometown of Who There, Iowa - where - oddly - no one remembers her except her best friend Kelly. Merry and Kelly are leaders of a troop of 24 Brownie Girl Scouts.
Merry is a touch of Stephanie Plum and a bit of Izzy Spellman. Three dead bodies show up in Merry's vicinity - bringing her under the scrutiny of her new neighbor, Detective Rex, and her former CIA boss, Riley, who has come to town to find out why three assassins have been found near Merry. Russian operative Svetlana comes to stay with Merry for “safe-keeping”. Svetlana attends a troop meeting and enraptures the girls with her knot tying skills and the fathers with her appearance.
An attempt is made on Svetlana’s life, leading Riley and Merry to conclude that she is the target, not Merry. More Russian spies are in town - we end up with a shoot out at a nearby elementary school that is closed for construction. Turns out
blckandread's review against another edition
3.0
Good ... but not my cup of tea
The book was good. It just wasn’t for me. I wasn’t particularly fond of the protagonist. There were a few plot holes. And did I mention I didn’t really like the protagonist? The ending is set up well for the next book. The dialogue is well done. It just lacks a little razzle dazzle (in my opinion). If you’re into cozy mysteries, this might be the book for you.
The book was good. It just wasn’t for me. I wasn’t particularly fond of the protagonist. There were a few plot holes. And did I mention I didn’t really like the protagonist? The ending is set up well for the next book. The dialogue is well done. It just lacks a little razzle dazzle (in my opinion). If you’re into cozy mysteries, this might be the book for you.
hugbandit7's review against another edition
5.0
Leslie is one of my favorite authors and I think she has the makings of another hit series. I know it has to be hard to top the Bombay Assassins series (at least in my mind) but this book is full of similar wit and craziness that will have you hanging on until the very end.
The characters are a bit zany and I didn't expect the curve thrown at the end as to who was the "evil" character. Merry is going to be an interesting character to watch, having to deal with her past as a spook with the CIA and trying to fit into suburbia with her best friend Kelly....which includes leading a girl scout troop. And there are even a couple of potential love interests for Merry....her ex-handler Riley and the hot detective, who also happens to be her neighbor, Rex.
The characters are a bit zany and I didn't expect the curve thrown at the end as to who was the "evil" character. Merry is going to be an interesting character to watch, having to deal with her past as a spook with the CIA and trying to fit into suburbia with her best friend Kelly....which includes leading a girl scout troop. And there are even a couple of potential love interests for Merry....her ex-handler Riley and the hot detective, who also happens to be her neighbor, Rex.
codex99's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Fun fast read. Great for anyone who has ever been a scout or guide leader!
Funny story line and characters are likeable. Not too much romance.
Funny story line and characters are likeable. Not too much romance.
roraima's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
caitkom's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this was a good read, fun and light. There were a couple inconsistencies that bothered me. Like that she was living in her hometown but no one recognized her. Also the police man that was stationed outside her house that she went to high school with...those kinda bugged me. Otherwise it was fun to read. I look forward to the next one.
jayceeash's review against another edition
5.0
I found Leslie Langtry about a year ago as usual because one of her other books was free. I read that whole series so of course wanted to try this first one in the new series and am so glad I did! This author writes well and is so damn funny! I often find myself laughing out loud and truly enjoy it. The story has some mystery, romance, murder, and laughter. An easy and fun read!
linnybeebooks's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic read!
I'm a Girl Scout leader and a huge mystery/romance fan. This was the perfect combination of my favorite elements- and it made me laugh again and again!
I'm a Girl Scout leader and a huge mystery/romance fan. This was the perfect combination of my favorite elements- and it made me laugh again and again!