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singerji's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ipross's review
Someone once told me that you should never rate the first book by an author too highly, you should give the author something to strive for. I'm not sure I agree with that opinion, but I do try to at the very least look at both the things I enjoyed and the things I was maybe not so big a fan of. Start at a positive and end on a positive.
First, I want to say that as this was my first sojourn into this author's world, as with most other books, I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into. However, that being said, I did find that although I questioned at times how our female lead could possibly have been first on her class (and if this is how they turn them out maybe we should all worry). She has moments of immaturity that is not typically seen in mature people of her age, much less position and stature. However, overall I did find that it worked for the storyline and plot. Had she been the type of CIA agent we typically see in movies and tv shows, the story would not have played out as well as it did. Had she been a stick in the mud spook, the story would have bored me to tears within the first couple of chapters. As it stands, I found it fun, entertaining, and yes even ridiculous at times given her actions. But that's the wonder of Cozy Mysteries, they can venture into the ridiculous and still come out delightful and engaging to fans of that genre.
If you are looking for a hardcore , no holds barred mystery with its blood, guts and multitude of TW this is not the book for you. But, if you're in the mood for a light mystery that doesn't take itself too seriously, that will provide a few laughs on its way to solve a whodunit type of puzzle, then you will definitely enjoy Merit Badge Murder.
First, I want to say that as this was my first sojourn into this author's world, as with most other books, I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into. However, that being said, I did find that although I questioned at times how our female lead could possibly have been first on her class (and if this is how they turn them out maybe we should all worry). She has moments of immaturity that is not typically seen in mature people of her age, much less position and stature. However, overall I did find that it worked for the storyline and plot. Had she been the type of CIA agent we typically see in movies and tv shows, the story would not have played out as well as it did. Had she been a stick in the mud spook, the story would have bored me to tears within the first couple of chapters. As it stands, I found it fun, entertaining, and yes even ridiculous at times given her actions. But that's the wonder of Cozy Mysteries, they can venture into the ridiculous and still come out delightful and engaging to fans of that genre.
If you are looking for a hardcore , no holds barred mystery with its blood, guts and multitude of TW this is not the book for you. But, if you're in the mood for a light mystery that doesn't take itself too seriously, that will provide a few laughs on its way to solve a whodunit type of puzzle, then you will definitely enjoy Merit Badge Murder.
wealie's review against another edition
DNF @48% - Gah all that is bad in representing women and a plot so unbelievable you could drive a combine harvester through it and not touch the sides!
Where to begin, firstly Merit is a wholly unlikable character who is incredibly shallow, obsessed with how she stacks up against other women, someone who makes snap judgements based on looks alone, incredibly changeable and flighty, one dimensional and insecure - i.e. the absolute opposite of what you would expect an ex CIA operative to be. She seems to lack any of the skills you would expect a CIA operative to have as well. The fact she can't tie knots, is quite frankly the worst of her lack of skills that you would expect to be mandatory training for operative work. The other characters in the book, are pretty one dimensional and poorly written also.
However, it's not just the characters that are poorly shaped, the dialogue is clunky and unnatural and the plot is so unbelievable. As if she wouldn't be under intense scrutiny by all the alphabet agencies after the first terrorist dead body is found by her. But no, they add a further two dead bodies of bad guys from widely different backgrounds and then throw in an ex KGB operative for Merit to babysit, who seems to act like a neglected child. Also how did the CIA not get involved in creating a cover for her after she was outed, why did it fall to her to do it and how did she do such a lacklustre job? Really this is just a calamity of bad research, poor characterisation, badly written dialogue, terribly outdated cliches and stereotypes, and a beyond belief plot.
I'm sorry, but after nearly 4 hours of listening to this drivel I could take no more and had to DNF. If you are looking for a madcap fun cozy mystery romp there are so many better examples out there. For instance the Miss Fortune Mysteries by [a:Jana Deleon|351201|Jana Deleon|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1300978964p2/351201.jpg] which I've just devoured the whole series of and was how this woefully bad pretender ended up in my recommendations.
Where to begin, firstly Merit is a wholly unlikable character who is incredibly shallow, obsessed with how she stacks up against other women, someone who makes snap judgements based on looks alone, incredibly changeable and flighty, one dimensional and insecure - i.e. the absolute opposite of what you would expect an ex CIA operative to be. She seems to lack any of the skills you would expect a CIA operative to have as well. The fact she can't tie knots, is quite frankly the worst of her lack of skills that you would expect to be mandatory training for operative work. The other characters in the book, are pretty one dimensional and poorly written also.
However, it's not just the characters that are poorly shaped, the dialogue is clunky and unnatural and the plot is so unbelievable. As if she wouldn't be under intense scrutiny by all the alphabet agencies after the first terrorist dead body is found by her. But no, they add a further two dead bodies of bad guys from widely different backgrounds and then throw in an ex KGB operative for Merit to babysit, who seems to act like a neglected child. Also how did the CIA not get involved in creating a cover for her after she was outed, why did it fall to her to do it and how did she do such a lacklustre job? Really this is just a calamity of bad research, poor characterisation, badly written dialogue, terribly outdated cliches and stereotypes, and a beyond belief plot.
I'm sorry, but after nearly 4 hours of listening to this drivel I could take no more and had to DNF. If you are looking for a madcap fun cozy mystery romp there are so many better examples out there. For instance the Miss Fortune Mysteries by [a:Jana Deleon|351201|Jana Deleon|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1300978964p2/351201.jpg] which I've just devoured the whole series of and was how this woefully bad pretender ended up in my recommendations.
verityw's review against another edition
4.0
This is so much fun! Spies and Girl Scouts and murder and hot guys. I want to read more!
slc333's review against another edition
3.0
I love me a light fluffy cosy crime featuring a retired spy. This one was kinda fun. However I prefer my ex spies to retain the intelligence and competence they required to do their job and unfortunately Merry does not deliver. Despite repeatedly telling us she was a great spy, she is actually pretty dumb. It is still worth a read and I will be checking out the next one to see if Merry improves because it certainly started off well with the dead terrorist in the ropes course and Merry's amusing tips for dealing with the Girls Scouts. And I did enjoy the little glimpses of spy Merry popping out like eating the tuna casserole before dealing with the body in the kitchen.
jadeshea's review against another edition
3.0
Merit Badge Murder begins when ex-CIA agent finds a dead body. The problem is she knows who it is, and she's been in hiding for over a year, so they shouldn't know where she is. But, Merry's past is coming back to bite her in the butt. She must try to figure out the plot before it is too late.
This book was an interesting mystery. But I didn't like how Merry acts dumb at times. I mean, she was in the CIA, you would think that means she would be smart. Then I really hated how they reacted to Lana. That just didn't make sense to me, or fit very well at all. Other than that I liked it, and I would like to read more.
This book was an interesting mystery. But I didn't like how Merry acts dumb at times. I mean, she was in the CIA, you would think that means she would be smart. Then I really hated how they reacted to Lana. That just didn't make sense to me, or fit very well at all. Other than that I liked it, and I would like to read more.
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!
mercyblue's review against another edition
5.0
What a hilarious first novel in what I'm sure is going to be one of my new favorite mystery series'! Merry and her band of Girl Scouts are too funny for words, an ex-CIA operative and second graders? How could hilarity not ensue? While Merry's enjoyment of having the attention of two very hunky men can be a little overbearing at times, it was hard to disagree with her opinions of them. They both sounded gorgeous! And on the plus side this novel had me guessing till the very end! I still didn't know who did it until the killer revealed themselves! This is definitely a novel worth reading, I plan on buying the next book very soon.
missstarlamae's review against another edition
5.0
I love Leslie Langtry, and I adore Merry! This geels kind of lie if Stephanie Plum were an ex CIA agent....only Merry is a little more badass. Plus she has a great nest friend and a wonderful Girl Scout troop. The troup doesn't play a huge roll in the first book of the series, but they're definitly a large presenxe in books to come!