I don’t read the synopsis immediately prior to reading the book (I read it when I first acquired it) so I thought this would be a mystery or lighthearted tale but it’s so much more. Yes, there is a murder, but it takes awhile to set the scene and it’s all so well done you almost forget you’re waiting for it to occur. Mayne puts you squarely into Lenny’s world, and her head, and you feel as if you’re with her through every awkward interaction, the slow reveal of the past, and how it has shaped her life. A fantastic but heartbreaking read about coping with loss and finding your way after.

Once Lenny Marks and her world of habits grabbed a hold of me it was hard to put this book down. We all have our own unique personality and our past can definitely create who we become, whether we are able to recall all the bits and pieces that helped to form us. As Lenny’s childhood memories were gradually triggered, the comfort zone that she had built for her protection began to spin out of control. This story was heartbreaking and hopeful, and Lenny; a character to be remembered.

I’m so happy to have had the chance to read the Advanced Reader’s Edition e-copy of the debut novel Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne; thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press.

Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne releasing 7/9 is a propulsive mystery told from the unique neurodivergent voice of Lenny who has repressed trauma that slowly threatens to rattle her perfectly ordered life. Told in flashbacks, the story blends heart and humor while carefully exploring truth, secrets, found family, and vengeance. Lenny is a heroine you won’t soon forget! Readers who like The Maid, Finlay Donovan, and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine should pick this one up!

This was quite an interesting debut for author Kerryn Mayne. A story about a woman named Lenny, who sticks to strict daily routines, who watches Friends all the time (me too!), and plays scrabble with an imaginary friend. Things start taking an emotional turn when a letter comes to her work and starts opening “doors” to her past. Quite interesting indeed

Give me a quirky character any day. I adored Lenny Marks. It's a bit of a slow burn, but enough happens in the here and now, and the glimpses into Lenny's past to keep you intrigued and entertained. Lenny is very repressed due to the trauma she endured as a child, and she doesn't always understand social cues and so forth, so my heart ached for her many times when she misread situations. Both Kirra and Ned were lovely side characters whom I would love to have read more of. All in all, Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder isn't your hard-core thriller, but neither is it a cozy mystery. It lies somewhere in the middle, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Lenny Marks gets away with Murder was such an enjoyable book. Lenny is a bit awkward and quirky but that is what makes her so likeable. As she navigates her traumatic past and as she tried to build a "normal" life, she finds unexpected friends along the way.

This book was so unexpected! I didn’t know what to expect, but definitely not what was delivered!

Lenny is such a quirky, endearing, & likable character. On the surface this is a point in time life story about a woman and her ordinary life but… it is much more than the ordinary you would believe from the surface. Especially when we are introduced to bits and pieces of Lenny’s dramatic and traumatic past.

I loved the side characters in this story and the themes of found family, self worth and finding one’s passion in life.

Thank you to m MacMillan Audio for my ALC and St Martin’s Press for my ARC in exchange for my review!

Don't be fooled by the title of this book. Kerryn Mayne has written an extremely entertaining novel that on first glance might tempt you to put it into the "cozy mystery" category. It does have components of that genre, but quite soon you will realize that the title character, Helena "Lenny" Marks, has many interesting and complicated layers and an unexpected depth to her somewhat lonely life.

Without giving too much away, suffice it to say that Lenny's quirks, social awkwardness, and lack of confidence might signal a lean toward the neurodivergent. However, Miss Lenny learned far too early in her childhood to hide behind those attributes. For there was much for the young Helena to contend with within her early family life. Those life challenges required her to hone every and any self-preservation skills within her youthful abilities.

I thoroughly enjoyed "Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder" and hold high hopes that Kerryn Mayne will delve into her creative imagination sooner than later and create more adventures for Lenny and the cast of friends and family that populated this first book!

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read a galley proof of this entertaining book. It was recently published (July 9, 2024).

#LennyMarksGetsAwayWithMurder
#KerrynMayne
#AustralianAuthors
#NetGalley

The writing was good, but the pacing felt off for me.
At times there was nothing happening and then the next everything happening at once.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I guess this is what happens when you don't read the synopsis, and find this book NOT what you thought based on its cover.

Lenny Marks gets Away with Murder follows Lenny who has experienced life-changing trauma, and lives a simple life. She maintain order in her home, work and life. The reader learns of Lenny's horrible upbringing as she navigates the every changing landscape of her present life. Lenny is NOT good with people or making friends but she good with words. The wardrobe provides her the outlet to absorb words from books.

This debut novel is emotional, leaving you with nothing else but to root for Lenny.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press

I had to DNF. I felt like the story was very slow. I couldn't connect with Lenny and I didn't like her very much. I tried to push through but I just couldn't get through this.

The first half of this book took me over a week to get through, but the second half took me two hours! It was a great book, I just wanted more earlier on in the book. There were few “surprises” that I figured out early on, but a few that caught me off guard. Overall, I enjoyed this one!

🚲 What an amazing debut!!!

🚲 This book is nothing short of phenomenal. Every aspect of it, in my opinion, is flawless. Lenny, the protagonist, is exceptionally well-developed—one of the most memorable characters I’ve encountered in a while. Although I haven’t personally experienced what she goes through in the story, I felt a deep connection to her. Her struggles resonated with me, and I found myself enthusiastically rooting for her.

🚲 Lenny’s childhood traumas, some explicitly described and others subtly hinted at, have profoundly shaped her adult life, leading her to self-isolate and detach. If you’re sensitive to childhood trauma, consider researching trigger warnings before diving into this book.

🚲 The narrative takes unexpected turns—some heartbreaking, others uplifting, and a few downright surprising.

🚲 Witnessing Lenny’s transformation from the beginning of the story to the end was simply amazing. With the support of her found family (which is a favorite trope of mine), she begins to reshape her life. And the love story? It was so heartwarming that it brought tears to my eyes.

🚲 Lenny is a powerful character and this is an unbelievable debut. I can’t recommend this book highly enough!
 
Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for an eARC of this book, which I have read and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder is one of the most delightfully surprising reads of my year, and I just loved it.

I don't even know how to adequately describe this book - a bit of quirky character drama, a bit of mystery and a lot of heart for sure. You find yourself immersed in Lenny's world and Lenny is impossible not to love and to root for.

Having suffered a massive trauma as a child, Lenny is a slightly odd adult woman navigating her life and working hard to maintain order. I absolutely adored following along with Lenny as she went about her days with her own very specific way of seeing the world. And as her repressed childhood memories continue to try to surface, I was totally engrossed in seeing what had really happened and how it was going to explode in her present.

This is truly just a book that is fun, easy and satisfying to read. When you want something that feels comfortable and good this is the book you need to pick up. You will fall in love with Lenny and have some fun seeing how she course corrects her existence when things start to go a little astray.

Many thanks to the publisher for my copy.

I’m torn on this one - it’s definitely a 4, possibly 4.5 from me. Almost from the first page I found myself invested in Lenny - her quirkiness, her habits and her complete misreading of people. At first I had Eleanor Oliphant vibes and that never fully went away although Lenny is different. Her story is one of profound tragedy, masked by coping mechanisms that went too far until they couldn’t contain reality any longer. Her evolution and conclusion were truly remarkable and heart warming. You should always bet on Lenny.

I wanted to like this novel more than I did. The content was inappropriate frequently.
The plus about the story was that it represented a look inside the mind of a child who has spent time in foster care and has experienced trauma. I am glad that I read this book. But I cannot with a good conscience recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to preview this book

The story revolves around Lenny Mark, an unassuming man who becomes the prime suspect in a murder investigation. The plot kicks off with the discovery of a body, and all evidence points to Lenny, who appears to have the perfect motive and opportunity to commit the crime. As the investigation unfolds, readers are taken on a journey through Lenny’s past and present, uncovering hidden truths and unexpected connections. Mayne’s skillful storytelling and unique blend of humor and suspense make this book a must-read for fans of the genre. Whether you are looking for a thrilling whodunit or a story with rich character development and engaging dialogue, this novel delivers on all fronts.

I made it about halfway though this and nothing had happened… I was so bored I couldn’t do it. I dnf this book.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Great read. Lenny was an enchanting main character. The overall story was mostly sad but the feel was positive. All of the supporting characters were written well. The story flowed naturally and it made for an easy read due to comfortable writing.

4.5 stars rounded up.
Lennie Marks is one of those quirky characters that worms their way into your heart and soul over the course of a single novel. She absolutely broke my heart and made me want to scoop her up in a big hug (which she would have hated!). I started reading what I thought would be a light mystery, and was surprised by a much darker story of bullying and abuse and the effects on a child that continue during adulthood. Readers should be aware that Lenny's story features abuse, suicide, and bullying yet wraps these topics up in a resilient character's survival story. That said, Lenny and the family she has found in adulthood are some of the most loveable characters I have read recently. I was angry on her behalf, wanted to fight her battles for her, and was rooting for her throughout.

Comparable reads are Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and Ellie Haycock is Totally Normal.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital ARC of Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne. The opinions in this review are my own.