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Merry Wrath Mystery Books in Order

36 Books
2014 – 2021 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start with the Merry Wrath Mysteries

For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to start with the book that launched the series: Merit Badge Murder (2014). This introduces readers to Merry Wrath, a former CIA operative who was forced into early retirement after her cover was blown. She relocates to the quirky, fictional town of Who's There, Iowa, hoping to live a quiet life under witness protection. Instead, she becomes a Girl Scout troop leader and quickly finds herself solving bizarre murders with the help of her mischievous scouts.

While USA Today bestselling author Leslie Langtry writes each mystery with a self-contained whodunit plot, the relationships, recurring characters, and Merry's romantic life develop significantly from book to book. Reading them in order ensures you don't miss out on character growth, inside jokes, and the hilarious evolution of her troop (especially the spy-craft-loving scout, Betty).

Chronological vs. Publication Order Caveats

For the most part, the publication order of the main novels aligns perfectly with their internal timeline. However, the series includes several novellas that were originally published in multi-author anthologies before being released years later as standalone digital editions. This creates a discrepancy between their original release dates and when they became widely available as individual titles.

Specifically, the novellas fit into the chronological timeline as follows:

  • Scout Camp Mystery: Originally published in the Killer Beach Reads anthology in 2015, this story chronologically fits as Book 2.5, taking place between Mint Cookie Murder and Marshmallow S'More Murder.
  • Fishing Badge Murder: Originally published in the Pushing Up Daisies anthology in 2017, this story chronologically fits as Book 25.2, taking place shortly after Method Actor Murder.
  • Match Box Murder: Released in late 2023, this novella chronologically fits as Book 28.4.
  • Mashed Potato Murder: Released in late 2024, this novella chronologically fits as Book 31.5.

The Complete Chronological Reading Order

To follow Merry's adventures, troop antics, and romantic developments seamlessly, read the books and novellas in this recommended chronological order:

  1. Merit Badge Murder (Book 1)
  2. Mint Cookie Murder (Book 2)
  3. Scout Camp Mystery (Novella, Book 2.5)
  4. Marshmallow S'More Murder (Book 3)
  5. Movie Night Murder (Book 4)
  6. Mud Run Murder (Book 5)
  7. Motto for Murder (Book 6)
  8. Map Skills Murder (Book 7)
  9. Mean Girl Murder (Book 8)
  10. Marriage Vow Murder (Book 9)
  11. Mystery Night Murder (Book 10)
  12. Meerkats and Murder (Book 11)
  13. Make Believe Murder (Book 12)
  14. Maltese Vulture Murder (Book 13)
  15. Musket Ball Murder (Book 14)
  16. Macho Man Murder (Book 15)
  17. Mad Money Murder (Book 16)
  18. Mind-Bending Murder (Book 17)
  19. Mascots Are Murder (Book 18)
  20. Mosquito Bite Murder (Book 19)
  21. Manga and Murder (Book 20)
  22. Mayor for Murder (Book 21)
  23. Mardi Gras Murder (Book 22)
  24. Munchies and Murder (Book 23)
  25. Memories Are Murder (Book 24)
  26. Method Actor Murder (Book 25)
  27. Fishing Badge Murder (Novella, Book 25.2)
  28. Marked for Murder (Book 26)
  29. Mythic Melee Murder (Book 27)
  30. Monster Mash Murder (Book 28)
  31. Match Box Murder (Novella, Book 28.4)
  32. Merry Christmas Murder (Book 29)
  33. Museum of Murder (Book 30)
  34. Mistaken Identity Murder (Book 31)
  35. Mashed Potato Murder (Novella, Book 31.5)
  36. Mingling With Murder (Book 32)

What to Know Before You Start

Leslie Langtry draws heavily on her own real-life background for this series, having spent over 15 years as a Girl Scout volunteer, including a decade as a troop leader. This experience shines through in the scout dynamics, bringing a hilarious realism to the troop's chaotic antics. The scouts frequently apply Merry's old espionage tactics to their everyday activities, making them formidable allies when Merry is trying to track down a murderer.

The tone of the series is lighthearted, funny, and wildly over the top. It features a cozy setting in the fictional town of Who's There, Iowa, filled with eccentric neighbors, persistent ex-husbands, a very handsome police officer, and an assortment of weird situations. Despite the murders, the stories remain cozy, focusing on humor and community rather than explicit violence.

Frequently Asked

QCan the Merry Wrath Mystery books be read as standalones?

Yes, each book contains a complete, self-contained mystery that is resolved by the end. However, reading them in order is highly recommended to follow the ongoing character development, relationship arcs, and scout troop antics.

QWhere does the novella Scout Camp Mystery fit in the reading order?

Chronologically, Scout Camp Mystery is designated as Book 2.5. It should be read after the second novel, Mint Cookie Murder, and before the third novel, Marshmallow S'More Murder.

QWhat is the order of the novellas in the series?

The four key novellas fit chronologically as follows: Scout Camp Mystery (#2.5), Fishing Badge Murder (#25.2), Match Box Murder (#28.4), and Mashed Potato Murder (#31.5).

QWho is the target audience for this series?

The series is perfect for fans of cozy mysteries, comedic whodunits, and lighthearted small-town stories. It is particularly popular with readers who enjoy humorous espionage elements and funny suburban interactions.

QIs Who's There, Iowa a real place?

No, Who's There is a fictional small town in Iowa created by Leslie Langtry. The town serves as a charming and humorous backdrop for Merry's post-CIA life and her eccentric neighbors.