by Kathleen Costa

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of Make Believe Murder, and a link to purchase it from Amazon.

From Spy to Ex-Spy to Scout Leader
Fionnaghuala Merrygold Wrath Czrygy was a covert operative for the CIA on missions from Columbia to Uzbekistan to the Middle East dealing with various arms dealers, international killers, and terrorists: a worthy career in service of her country. However, due to some Republican on Democrat backstabbing, her identity was leaked to the NY Times by the Vice-President of the United States, so it became extremely important that she abort her mission and immediately head underground for her personal safety. And where else better to hide, change her identity, and find a new rewarding career? Iowa…Merry Wrath…Girl Scout leader of Troop 0348. She was surprised to learn how remarkably well her spy skills translate to wrangling a dozen or more precocious young girls. However, she has been frequently discovered and in great peril, but of course, with her legendary juvenile back-up, the bad guys don’t know what they’re in for!

Make Believe Murder earns 5/5 Cosplaying Teens…Totally Engaging Fun!
It seemed oddly familiar to Merry being trapped, secured to a chair with a hood over her head, and then just plain annoying to discover it’s not the Russians or terrorists seeking revenge but some teens engaged in cosplay set to sacrifice her…instead she gets dubbed Bird Lady Protector. But, the most odd is the surprise arrival of former colleague, assassin-not-an-assassin, and vacation-challenged Hilly Vinton who says she just wants to hang out. Things turn from odd to suspicious when Merry is convinced by her former handler, now private investigator, that Hilly is always on the job, never takes a vacation, and there has to be a more covert reason for her showing up. A reason may have presented itself when credible evidence is found to validate Merry’s for-awhile-now suspicion that her nemesis Svetlana “Lana” Babikova is really in town…then, the dead body in the backyard, and another for good measure, confirms all is not what it seems.

Take that! Leslie Langtry has penned another entertaining “spy-not-spy” romp with a writing style filled with vivid description, lively dialogue illustrating the various personalities, and the kind a “snark” that just makes me sit back and giggle. The mystery is incredible entertaining, engaging and complex. Just like a spy novel with loads of twists, who’s who, and misdirection leading to a satisfying “I didn’t see that coming” conclusion where the bad guys once again, of course, are thwarted. A favorite, and unique to the cozies I read, is how, in a first-person narrative, Merry’s past exploits with the CIA punctuate her skill, illustrate motivations, and explain how trouble just can’t leave her alone. Adding a delightful quirky twist is the precocious Girl Scout troop who themselves revel in the suspense, honing their own skills, often suggesting such outlandish ideas, although Merry tries to keep Hilly from sharing too much of her assassin how-tos. Ok, I don’t see parents allowing their daughters to be trained as super spies at such a young age, but it is the most fun..so, suspend your disbelief and enjoy! Other intriguing stories include Merry and her husband Rex, the town’s only detective who’s tried to keep Merry from getting involved with very limited success, her friend county examiner Soo Jin and her new boyfriend State Trooper Ruiz, along with teen druids, a missing special corn crop, a nosy journalist, and a vulture and two cats! Wow! What a marvelous book!

Be a Big Leslie Langtry Fan!
Along with this favorite twelve-book Merry Wrath series, Leslie Langtry also pens the very entertaining eight-book Bombay Assassins series and is one of the contributing authors in GHP’s Aloha Lagoon Mystery with two marvelous books: Ukulele Murder and Ukulele Deadly.

Facebook – Leslie Langtry
Website – Leslie Langtry

Be a GHP Fan!
Facebook – Gemma Halliday Publishing
Website – Gemma Halliday Publishing

To enter to win an ebook copy of Make Believe Murder, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “make believe,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen November 16, 2019. If entering via comment please include your email address. 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. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Also check our 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 this book from Amazon. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the link:

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.

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.