LENNY MARKS GETS AWAY WITH MURDER by Kerryn Mayne is my most recently loved read. Lenny Marks doesn’t have a social life. She bikes home from her teaching job every day to have a quiet night at home with her Scrabble game and rewatches FRIENDS episodes, pretending Monica Gellar is her friend. Lenny lives a quiet life until she receives a letter and starts getting phone calls about the upcoming release of her stepdad from prison. She can’t remember what happened in her childhood to cause her mother to leave with her stepdad and leave Lenny behind. Just as Lenny begins to develop friendships, her past comes creeping back and she begins to remember.

Why I loved this book:
~I loved the quirkiness and also the mysterious past of Lenny. Uncovering the memories bit by bit kept me coming back to the book and didn’t want to put it down.
~Lenny is one of the best characters ever. I adored her and haven’t cared about a character like this in a long while.
~FRIENDS is my favorite tv show and the references are so fun!
~Malcolm, the dog. Loved him as much as Lenny.

This was a lovely book, and I look forward to more from this author. Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review!

Libby audiobook and NetGalley ARC. I didn’t have a chance to get to this in print, so I did the audiobook. The narration was good. I thought she did a good job bringing Lenny to life. I, however, did not like or connect with Lenny. It was hard not to compare her to Nina Hill or Elinor Oliphant, and I just think those characters/stories were written better.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

Exceptionally well-written, at times heartbreaking yet hopeful, full of heart and humor, this is an impressive debut novel and I look forward to reading more from this talented new author in the future.

Thank you, St Martin’s Press, for the gifted copy of Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder {partner}

Genre: Mystery
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date:  2.21.2023
Pages: 352
Star Rating: ☆☆☆

“Why some things rolled out of her mouth in the fashion they did, she was never quite sure.”

I’ve had this one sitting on my shelf for way too long! I decided to read it and then listen to the audio so I could experience both formats. 

I can’t tell you how badly I wanted to like this book. I expected to fall in love with the FMC the way that I did with other books with a similar theme. But, for some reason, I just could not find my rhythm with the story. I felt bad for Lenny—she deserved better than the life that she had been dealt. 

My main struggle was with the pacing of the story. It took a long time to build up to a key moment, and just when I thought the plot was about to pick up, it would slow down again and stay that way for a while. As a result, the story often felt like it was dragging on without much direction.

Lenny really grew on me, and I ended up enjoying her inner dialogue—something I typically don’t care for in books. I believe Kerryn Mayne has a lot of potential, and I’m excited to see what she writes next.


Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆
The audiobook is narrated by Annie Maynard, a newer voice actor. I really enjoyed listening to her tell Lenny’s story, and she definitely helped with the slower pacing of the storyline. I look forward to listening to more audiobooks she narrates!

I recommend reading Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder if you’re looking for a mystery with a slower buildup.

Lenny Marks is a good woman, a correct woman. She follows the rules. She does what is right.
And yet she has flaws that she can't quite understand.
Is she happy? More like functional. But she gets along okay.
Then one day a letter arrives bearing the name she wore before she became Lenny and this sets off a trip through her memory. We learn much about Lenny over the following pages. Her past, her present and her future all come together in a very surprising ending.
This a a terrific read and I highly recommend it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me this ARC.

Pretty much alone in life, thirty-seven year old Lenny Marks gets through life day by day. A teacher who gives just enough, never more, and this includes never forming any close connections. In fact, she really doesn’t have friends; she has acquaintances.

Thanks to her near obsession with Scrabble, with nightly games played against a fictitious Monica Geller, Lenny often thinks in anagrams.

Mrs. Finlay: rainfly, family, flimsy, snarly, mails, fail, liar

Crestfallen: cleanser, reflects, careens, falters, fester, secret

Manipulates: animal, pulsate, insult, menial, past, lies

Lenny, often annoyed by her own quirks, particularly her social ineptitude, lives in a quaint yet uninspired home. Her weekly meal routine and bleak, colorless future mirror her repressed memories, hidden within her brain due to PTSD. This could be a good opportunity to raise awareness about trigger warnings in the book, as domestic and child abuse are integral parts of the well-crafted narrative. However, as readers immerse themselves in Lenny’s mind, they may find themselves repeating her anagrams aloud, which provides a touch of levity that makes the story more palatable.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

The marketing for Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder is a bit misleading. It's presented as a cozy mystery, but it's definitely not. Instead, this book feels more aligned with Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, focusing on a socially awkward woman coming to terms with her traumatic past and learning to open up to others.

Lenny, a quirky, single 37-year-old teacher, suffers from childhood trauma. When her stepfather is released from prison, long-buried secrets resurface, causing her carefully constructed world to unravel. The heroine's dissociative amnesia, stemming from her trauma, creates suspenseful and intriguing revelations as she slowly pieces together her past.

The story explores heavy topics like trauma, domestic violence, family, and friendships with sensitivity and depth. However, the pacing is quite slow, and I found myself bored at times—nothing significant happens until near the end. If you're expecting a fast-paced thriller, you might be disappointed. This is more fiction with a touch of mystery, rather than the gripping mystery novel the marketing suggests.

Despite its flaws, the book delivers a thoughtful portrayal of healing and connection, which I appreciated.

I really enjoyed this one even though I only initially downloaded it because of the cover ha! I absolutely LOVE the book cover! However, I was pleasantly surprised by the story, and now I look forward to reading more from Kerryn Mayne!

"Okay, but predictable.
The Stranger at the Wedding had a good idea, but it wasn't as suspenseful as I hoped. Some parts felt a bit cliché."

I DNFed this book at about 50%. It is very slow and I just cannot get into it. I also am not connecting with Lenny Marks or the other characters. Maybe it is because I am listening to the audiobook, but I just do not have a desire to pick it up and listen to it. So for now, this is a DNF.

This was my first time reading Kerryn Mayne, and I received Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder as an ARC from NetGalley. The novel presents an intriguing narrative that blends elements of mystery and psychological drama. The plot is engaging, with a slow build-up that gradually reveals the depths of Lenny's past and the trauma she has repressed. Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder is a heartfelt and absorbing tale that follows Lenny Marks, a socially awkward primary school teacher who loves The Hobbit and reruns of Friends. Lenny's life is meticulously organized, with routines that help her cope with the trauma of her past. However, her carefully constructed world begins to unravel when she receives a letter from the parole board about her stepfather. This letter forces Lenny to confront long-buried memories and the dark secrets of her childhood, leading her on a journey of self-discovery and healing. The character development, particularly of Lenny, is well-executed. Her journey from a reclusive, routine-bound individual to someone who begins to open up and confront her past is compelling. However, some of the secondary characters felt underdeveloped, which made it harder to fully connect with the broader narrative. The twists and turns throughout the story keep the reader engaged, but some plot developments felt a bit forced and could have been more seamlessly integrated. The ending, while satisfying, left a few questions unanswered, which might be frustrating for some readers. Overall, Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder is a decent read with a unique premise and a strong central character. Despite its flaws, it shows promise for Kerryn Mayne as a writer. I'm curious to see how her storytelling evolves in future works. #netgalley #LennyMarksgetsawaywithmurder

This book reminds me of the Finlay Donovan series and I am totally here for it. I loved the quirky characters and the humorous elements to the plot.

How is Kerryn Mayne a first time author?!!

She has created an adorable, and quirky character in Lenny Marks. I could not get enough of her!

Lenny creates a very structured life for herself due to a past trauma and her semi autistic-ness. Her inner dialogue is a delight to read!

If you are looking for a quirky but heartwarming story, this is the book for you!

I didn’t reread the synopsis before I started this book so I thought I was picking up a cozy mystery which is my fault. It isn’t and unfortunately I didn’t really connect with the main character. I thought it was a slower read but still well written with a faster paced and interesting ending.

Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder by Kerryn Mayne
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Lenny Marks likes her life orderly. She rides her bike to and from work. She shops for the same things at the same grocery store. And she plays scrabble with her imaginary friend, Monica Gellar. When a letter from the parole board comes and threatens to unravel her life with memories from her past.
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I absolutely adored this book. CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS. This book MAY not be for everyone. But oooooooo how my heart broke over and over and then by the end had slowly mended itself.
The title and cover are slightly deceiving because I started this book thinking it would be lighthearted and funny and some type of cozy mystery. This is hard to define, but there are several serious subjects tackled and Lenny IS our heroine and I just kept wanting to wrap her in a hug and then get us both warm blankets and order thai food and watch friends together. I am hopeless at Scrabble though so not sure if it would even be fun for her to play with me.
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5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I don’t have the eloquent words needed to express how much this book impressed me. It just kept surprising me in new ways. I loved it so much.

Absolutely charming! I love Lenny and sure hope this becomes a series! I love an underdog story and loved the ending to this book!

Overall Rating: 4/5 stars

Lenny Marks is a fifth-grade teacher in her late 30’s, who thrives on routine and consistency. Lenny receives an unexpected letter informing her that her former stepfather will soon be paroled from prison. This news disrupts her life and triggers a series of events that forces Lenny to confront a traumatic past she thought she had buried.

Fans of Liz Nugent’s Strange Sally Diamond and Gail Honeyman’s Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine will appreciate Lenny’s relatable character. She's a compelling protagonist, both flawed and endearing, making it easy to root for her journey of self-discovery.

While I initially anticipated a more suspenseful thriller, the novel takes a more introspective turn. It's a character-driven story that delves into themes of grief, guilt, and the complexities of human relationships.

I absolutely devoured this book and read it in one day. However, the ending felt somewhat disjointed from the rest of the book’s grounded tone. Despite this, it’s still a book I would highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this eARC for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lenny has issues with her memory, and she has issues remembering what happened on the day that her mother left her when she was a child. She does remember the words her stepfather told her that she was at fault. She does have a connection with her foster mother that is unfailing, and her foster mother did go to the bat for her several times. Her foster mother also encourages her to make friends and to go out with other people.
Lenny does have a different thought process with her inner dialogue, although at times her thought process is rather strange. I believe she is on the spectrum, and that can cause her thought process to be different.
Throughout the story, Lenny has different flashbacks of her childhood which is a traumatic childhood, to say the least. My only complaint is that the beginning of the book moved along rather slowly, and her inner dialogue at times is a bit much and she takes over thinking to the max.
The second half of the book is more eventful and gets a faster pace and things really start connecting together so this is a stick-with-it kind of book and kinda trust the process. Thank you St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this one!

I would like to start by thanking netgalley for the arc of this book. There is something so comforting about the way Mayne writes, the heroine, Lenny Marks, is equal parts frustrating and love-able. She cannot remember what happened the night her mother and step father disappears, which causes an underlying tension throughout the first part of the book. You follow her life where she takes the same route home from work at exactly 4 o'clock, buys the same groceries for the same meals and even has the same book, the hobbit, arranged in size order on her bookshelf.

There is one problem though, she has this little voice in her head saying that she is the one that caused something to her mother and stepfather. When a letter from the parole board arrives at her door can the life she recently attained all fall apart?

If you love mysteries, crime, and a little bit of a thriller with chosen family and of course vengeance than this book is exactly what you should read.

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"Lenny Marks is excellent at not having a life.
She bikes home from work at exactly 4pm each day, buys the same groceries for the same meals every week, and owns thirty-six copies of The Hobbit (currently arranged by height). The closest thing she has to a friendship is playing Scrabble against an imaginary Monica Gellar while watching Friends reruns.
And Lenny Marks is very, very good at not remembering what happened the day her mother and stepfather disappeared when she was still a child. The day a voice in the back of her mind started whispering, You did this.
Until a letter from the parole board arrives in the mail—and when her desperate attempts to ignore it fail, Lenny starts to unravel. As long-buried memories come to the surface, Lenny’s careful routines fall apart. For the first time, she finds herself forced to connect with the community around her, and unexpected new relationships begin to bloom. Lenny Marks may finally get a life—but what if her past catches up to her first?" -Goodreads

This book is so full of heart. There is so much going on in this book, but it ties together so perfectly! At times heartbreaking, but also endearing. I absolutely loved this book! Highly recommend it! ⭐⭐⭐⭐