Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the debut book by Kerryn Mayne, with the audio perfectly narrated by Annie Maynard. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Lenny Marks leads a very orderly life, working as a primary teacher, doing the same things every day. She doesn't have any real friends, but is content watching Friends on tv. She calms herself rearranging letters into anagrams in her mind. She's also good at not remembering her past, until la letter from the parole board arrives in the mail and long-buried secrets come back. Her routines fall apart, she's connecting with others for the first time, but will it all fall apart for good?

Lenny Marks is a character you will fall in love with from the first page. Mayne has written a debut with a quirky character, but it's not all light-hearted. It has some dark humor, which I love, but is also heartbreaking and heartwarming. I loved following along Lenny's journey as she tries to come to grips with her past and live her best life. There are wonderful supporting characters in this story as well. I had the pleasure of a total immersion experience, with both the audio and digital, and loved the narrator's accent. Fabulous debut - can't wait to read more from this author!

for some reason, i thought this book already came out because it feels like I've been seeing it everywhere but that might just be me...

anyways, to me this book was nothing special, it had its interesting parts but for most of it i was falling in and out of sleep and there wasn't really a point in time when my attention was captured and held. and from the title you would think it comes into play before 80% of the book but over half of it is just worldbuilding and backstory.

it does make for a complicated character but i feel we were so focused on the past that the end was rushed and i think i need some aspirin from the 360 whiplash i got by the end of this (not the good kind)

even though i didn't have the best experience with the book its actually not that bad, just not something i would re-read or recommend to friends.

Content warnings: abuse, death of family, suicide, homophobic hate.

Lenny Marks lives a very regimented life. She eats the same things each week, exercises the same way most days, goes to work at the local elementary school and comes home. She doesn't really have friends, although she is trying to befriend (the wrong) fellow teachers.

At first, you'll ask yourself why she's like this. As the story unfolds, the why is shared, bit by bit, until you want nothing more than to save Lenny. But she has to do that for herself.

Despite all of the tough topics in this book, there also is hope, friendship and love. Reading this book will make you feel brave enough to be like Lenny and take a chance.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.

Lenny Marks has difficulty connecting with people and spends much of her time alone. She also has difficulty reading social cues and is content with her solitary existence. Since childhood, she had imaginary friends, such as the young boy she read to when hiding in her home's closet. Now, Lenny has reached the age of thirty-seven and leads a quiet, routine, disciplined lifestyle. She successfully teaches a Grade 5 class and arrives home on her bicycle at the same time each day. She proudly owns thirty-six copies of The Hobbit, which she proudly rearranges on the shelf. Meals are carefully planned for each day and will follow the same order in the next weeks. In the evening, she plays Scrabble with her imaginary friend and roommate and binges on reruns of Friends. Lenny no longer lives alone, as she stole a mistreated dog from a neighbour. She names her dog Malcolm, he same name she called her imaginary childhood friend.

Lenny is uncomfortable in the school's teacher's room. She rarely speaks to her colleagues and, when she does, often says the wrong thing. She is aware that she is socially inept and worries about her inappropriate responses, which seem rude. She is anxious about losing her teaching position and her inability to fit in. She is also stressed that she would be fired if charged with stealing the dog. She imagines she is friends with two prep teachers while ignoring their ridicule. One fellow teacher extends friendship, but Lenny fails to understand her support. She dislikes being touched. At times of stress, she arranges words into anagrams in her mind.

Lenny has been compared to Eleanor Oliphant and Molly the Maid, whom I enjoyed. I never fully engaged with the Lenny character, making me the minority. She may be neurodivergent or on the spectrum, but her quirks may be due to a dissociative state from trauma caused by a miserable childhood. Her stepfather was cruel and abusive. At age eleven, both her mother and stepfather disappeared from her life, and she believed her mother chose him over her daughter. Next, she lived with her grandmother, but it seemed she was not wanted there either. Her subsequent placement was a happier one. Her foster parents treated her with kindness and love and encouraged her to be more outgoing.

A letter arrives from the state prison. Her stepfather is being released, and they want Lenny's input. Lenny was unaware or had forgotten the reason for his imprisonment, but the letter emotionally led her on a downward spiral. Some of the memories of her early life had been blocked out, and horrendous events started to return in bits and pieces. A social worker fills in the rest of the shocking details. She hears a voice repeatedly telling her it was all her fault. What does this mean?

Lenny has always been suspicious of anyone offering friendship, but she has several people who have befriended her despite her reluctance to feel worthy. Among her friends are an elderly neighbour with MS who fills Lenny in on some of her family background, her only friend from school, her foster mother, and the assistant manager from the grocery store where she shops. They have accepted her despite her peculiarities. Lenny is now learning to stand up for herself, although she must deal with past sadness and learn to accept help and help others. She even takes a leadership role when necessary.

There is a murder near the end of the story. Who and why? What is the outcome?
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this compelling psychological drama. It addresses childhood trauma, a disassociative state, dysfunctional family dynamics, emotional abuse, neurodivergent behaviour, loneliness, coverups, revenge, violence, psychopathic traits, trust, and resilience. A heartwarming and heartbreaking story. The book is due to be published on July 09.

Psychological thriller is not usually my book genre of choice. However, Vi Keeland is always an automatic one-click author for me. Since she wrote a thriler, I read it. I must say, it completely held my attention. I do like a book that makes me think. This one did exactly that.

The story is interesting. What stars out as a simple story of a hockey wife supporting her star husband through his playing career quickly spirals into a nightmarish situation from which many of the characters struggle to recover. There are a myriad of emotions to sort through, everything from sorrow, guilt, and anger to hope, love, and joy.

The pacing of the plot quickly shifts between past and present. The details are intrcate and intriguing. Just as I was sure I had a handle on what was going on, there was a twist that made me question my theory about who the villains are and who the victims are. All of the major players in this novel are morally gray and are suspect at several instances in the story.

Vi Keeland deftly weaves a unique tale where the reader gets to witness the best and worst behavior humans can display. She skillfully lulls the reader into thinking they have it figured out and then hits hard with the truth that only the most diligent of thriller readers will come close to guessing.

I would suggest you grab your comfort snacks, beverages, blankies, and pillows, burrow into your favorite reading space, and get ready for the best thrill read of Summer 2024.

I loved Lenny Marks! As it's been noted in other places, this is similar to Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine - our neurodivergent protagonist is forced out of her comfort zone and confronts trauma from her past. This book gets a little darker than Eleanor Oliphant, and goes in a slightly different direction, but I loved it and was cheering for Lenny the whole way! Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance digital copy.

TThis is a debut novel by Kerryn Mayne and one that I truly enjoyed. Lenny Marks is a quirky character with a traumatic past that you can’t help but fall in love with her. I found myself cheering for Lenny and found her to be a courageous, kind and thoughtful person. She also seems extremely literal at times and tends to view the world in black and white. In some respects, she reminded me of Molly Gray from the Maid, by Nita Prose.

Lenny Marks has spent most of her life avoiding a traumatic past but it all seems to start to fall apart once she receives a letter from the parole board. As the story evolves, the reader learns additional details about Lenny’s past and all the challenges she had to face as a young child. To survive, Lenny may have developed some alternate stories about how she grew up and the reader won’t know the full story until the very end when it all comes together.

The book focuses on friendship, family and courage with lots of twists and unexpected secrets.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

#LennyMarksGetsAwayWithMurder #DebutNovel #KerrynMayne

Title: Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder
By: Kerryn Mayne

Genre:
Fiction, Mystery, Crime

Summary/Review:
Lenny is a socially awkward, elementary school teacher trying to deal with childhood trauma. Lenny has buried her past extremely deep, until she receives a letter from the courts and then all her memories come flooding back. I really wanted to fall in love with this novel and the character much like “The Maid.” However, the first half of the book was really slow for me. I enjoy character depth, unpredictable plotlines, and unexpected twists which this novel lacked. The end of the book created more of a mystery feel like I anticipated. Given the title and the cover, I assumed this book would be more of a cozy, somewhat suspenseful mystery, but for me, it was slower and I struggled to muddle through. For these reasons, I would rate the novel 3 out of 5.


Thank you Karryn Mayne, Macmillan, and Netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

#reluctantreaderreads
#Karrynmayne
#Lennymarksgetsawaywithmurder
#fiction
#Nerodivergent
#netgalley
#advancedreadereditions

Thank you to NetGalley &St. Martin’s Press, for the opportunity to read Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne in exchange for my honest review.

"Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder" is presented as a 'cosy mystery', but it doesn't quite fit that genre. The main character, Lenny, is a quirky, single 37-year-old teacher dealing with childhood trauma. While her journey of coming to terms with her past and opening up to others has its moments, it often feels implausible and inconsistent, making it hard to fully connect with her.

The pacing of the book is slow, which may test the patience of some readers. Additionally, the direction of the final section felt unsatisfactory, despite the extensive setup throughout the story. However, the Friends references scattered throughout the book are delightful and always made me smile.

In summary, "Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder" is a mix of enjoyment and frustration. It has its strengths but is hindered by pacing issues and a disjointed narrative.

Things I liked
Corky characters, reminded me of Nina Hill
The slow burn in learning Lenny’s past

Things that didn’t work
Felt too long
I thought there were too many twists added at the end.

Overall a 3.5 read

I spent this whole book trying to decide if I liked it or not; it’s definitely unique! Lenny Marks is a fifth-grade teacher, a regimented woman who doesn’t go out, hates being touched, and pretends Monica Geller from “Friends” is her roommate, down to playing Scrabble with her. She eats the same things each week, rides her bike everywhere, has a crush on the cashier at her local market, and most importantly, has a very traumatic past.

I found Lenny to be a very similar character to Molly from Nita Prose’s “The Maid”. Lenny seems neurodivergent like Molly - she doesn’t understand other people and is fine with being alone, she is a rule-follower and she has a strange habit with words.

One day at work, she gets a letter at from a parole board, letting her know her stepfather is being released from prison. Lenny doesn’t care - her biological father is out of the picture, her mom left her with her grandmother, who died, leaving Lenny with foster parents.

Lenny keeps getting more angry letters that are not from the parole board, but she ignores them. That was a mistake. Now her abusive stepfather may be trying to track her down, right when Lenny is starting to try to make friends for the first time in her life. This is really the only mystery/thrill on the book, even though it’s labeled that way. I didn’t really see much of the dark humor element either, except for Lenny’s eccentricities. I would classify this as women’s fiction, but it was cute and I loved the Friends references and Lenny as a character. 3.5 stars, rounded up for being a debut.

(Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Kerryn Mayne and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on July 9, 2024.)

I am a huge fan of Eleanor Oliphant, which is probably why I liked this so much. This is similar in how the main character doesn't understand social interactions and is dealing with her own issues, but that's where the stories diverge. In this one, Lenny Marks is also dealing with a tragedy that happened when she was a child and that she needs to come to terms with. I think maybe the story tried to take on too much, but I loved Lenny Marks, and I loved how she chose Monica from Friends to be her real fake friend. During the book, Lenny is making a friend, and she is amazed that she doesn't have to make her up. Very charming. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review.

Mixed feelings on this one--I was engrossed in the character and her life (especially once I switched to audio and had that lovely British accent to listen to), but I was confused by the title for a long time. Over halfway through the book, there is a big reveal that illuminates some things, but the title still doesn't make sense until the very end. So is it a spoiler? Not really, because there are no hints to what will happen until deep into the novel. It's a weird choice and threw me off (both the title and what inspired it).
So the characters and writing--fabulous. The plot? Not my favorite. And the choice Lenny makes at the end doesn't make any sense to me. This seems to be a novel about trauma and healing from some very heavy circumstances (that she has repressed), but then it's super cavalier about new trauma that occurs within the book's pages. I can't say more about that without actual spoilers, but I thought the drama near the end was unnecessary and inauthentic. It undermined the novel's premise, which had been beautifully done up to that point.
I'm sure many will love this novel. I will be thinking about it for awhile, at the very least. And I am rooting for an imaginary person, hoping she continues to find healing and growth.
Thanks to @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio for the free e-galley and audiobook.

This book has been touted for fans of Eleanor Oliphant, The Maid, and may of the works of Fredrik Backman.

I have read all of those and I can honestly say that giving any of those books five stars means THIS book should get 10.

I've never read a character like Lenny Marks. She's quiet, shee keeps to herself, she follows a very strict routine. She keeps her world very small due to great deal of childhood trauma (and has been diagnosed with dissociative disorder as a result of such.). My heart broke reading this. It also rejoiced in watching this woman learn how to fight back and stand up for herself (and her stolen dog) after so many years of being abused and made to feel worthless.

It's such an empowering story of overcoming ones past and letting people in when you've walled yourself off for so long.

I cannot recommend this book enough. It's absolutely beautiful. You will laugh, I assure you. But, you'll also want to keep a box of tissues at hand (which honestly, I think this book should come with a coupon for!)

Thanks so much to the author and Netgalley for this advanced copy. I can't wait to see how many others are going to discover and fall in love with this after it has been released.

One might look at the cover and read the synopsis of this book and think cozy mystery with a quirky protagonist, but that would be far from the truth. LENNY MARKS GETS AWAY WITH MURDER is an onion; a literal onion. There are layers upon layers to peel away in order to get the the heart of this story and Kerryn Mayne paces the book in a way that allows us to experience the reveals alongside Lenny while simultaneously falling in love with her.

Lenny is a 37-year-old, single fifth grade teacher who thrives on routine and predictability. Her wardrobe is comprised of four dark, drab colors. She rides her bike home from school at the same time every single day. She lives with an her imaginary roommate, Monica Gellar - a tribute to her devotion to "Friends", owns thirty-six copies of the Hobbit, and buys the same groceries every single week. Is she neurodivergent? Perhaps. But maybe her dependence on routine is more related to the severe trauma of her childhood. Trauma so debilitating that she can't remember the events surrounding the disappearance of her mom and step-father. Her carefully woven protective shell begins to disolve after receiving a letter from the parole board.

As Lenny's memories begin to resurface, she is faced with reliving the horrors of her past and coming to grips with the realities that have been hidden for so long. In order to cope, she must agree to let people in and form connections with the people around her. As each layer is removed, the reader learns more about Lenny and what she's been carrying for far too long.

It's hard to believe this is Ms. Mayne's debut novel as it is nuanced and expertly crafted. It is well paced and the character development is exquisite. I wanted to wrap my arms around Lenny and let her know that she was safe. Getting to know Lenny's story gave me the same feelings I had when reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (this is high praise!!!). In both cases, the characters are permitted to slowly discover the truth about the things that happened to them that made them who they are. And in both instances, it made the characters more sympathic and unforgettable.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

Don’t let the title & cover trick you! They made it seem like it’d be a cozy mystery, however it absolutely is not. But that’s not a bad thing. What happens is a wonderful story about Lenny, a woman most likely on the spectrum, quirky & organized. A lot of the book focuses on Lenny making friends & coming out of her shell, all while avoiding a letter from an unhappy past. Slowly what actually happened to Lenny as a child is revealed.

I enjoyed this quite a bit. It is a character driven story. Lenny is very endearing. There’s so many secrets revealed a long the way, some I didn’t see coming at all. I think a lot of people will really feel for Lenny & enjoyed following her. I loved the ending! For a debut novel this is a very strong start for the author. I will definitely keep an eye out for any future works.

Thank you St. Martins Press for inviting me to read the ARC of this book through Netgalley, for an honest review.

🚲

Read if you like:
* The Maid by Molly Prose
* The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth

Lenny Marks leads a very solitary life. Her most interaction with people is her daily elementary teaching job where she tries to avoid her colleagues at all costs. She owns 36 copies of 'The Hobbit' that she arranges by height to alleviate her anxiety, and her favorite show is 'Friends', whom she imagines are her real friends.
Everything changes one day when she gets a letter from the Parole Board at work, informing her that her stepdad is being released from prison and inviting his 'victims' to dispute the process with the parole board.

This book very much reminded me of 'Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine', as Lenny is quirky, socially awkward, and most likely on the spectrum. So the title is a bit misleading as we don't know if she really commits a murder. It's also like Eleanor in that the cause of the trauma is not revealed until the very end. She lives a lot inside her head with an imaginary friend Malcolm, who she reads to, and a younger version of her former self, who encourages her to get therapy. At 70% into the book you still don't know what trauma happened to her as a child. She has a mysterious scar on her thigh, flashbacks of packing her suitcase, of living with her grandmother, and of being locked in the shed. Some serious editing might have moved this section along and kept me engaged but it's a long time before there is any payoff or resolution to explain any of her behavior. And then of course there is the requisite 'Lenny exhaled a breath she didn't know she'd be holding', uggggg.

The writing is good, and you feel sympathy for Lenny and hope she works things out with all the new friends and potential romance suitors in her life, but it could be tightened up a bit.

I read an early copy of "Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder" by Kerryn Mayne on NetGalley. Lenny had a traumatic event happen when she was a child and as a result of that she is very reserved and follows her routine exactly. That is until she receives a letter in the mail that she can't ignore. This book made me laugh and cry and Lenny is unforgettable!

My thanks for the ARC (advance reader copy) goes to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Women's Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Australian Fiction
Spice Level: No sex on page (kinda fade to black)
Language: Some swearing including about a half dozen f-bombs
Threat Level: References childhood trauma and abuse, adults are also threatened and bullied
Representation: Neurodiverse main character, gay side characters

LENNY MARKS GETS AWAY WITH MURDER superficially reminds me of THE MAID because of the neurodiverse main character and the mystery element—and I think the same demographic will like both books.

Even though this book is listed as a mystery/thriller, I would call it more general fiction or women's fiction because the central theme is about Lenny Mark's healing journey and coming into her own. The mystery supports this, but it is also in the past and she's reconciling events.

I found Lenny to be interesting as a character, especially as the book developed and we saw more of her childhood. People in her life deeply care for her, and that is so wonderful to see. There are others who are dismissive and cruel. I hate "mean girl" behavior in adults—and that's in here as a means of highlighting how some people don't change and their actions affect others.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it.

Happy reading!

CONTENT WARNING: child abuse, alcoholism, animal abuse, parental abandonment, suicide attempt, domestic violence, murder, trauma

If I was judging this book based solely off the title and the cover, I’d have thought that this one was a cozy mystery, or maybe even something along the lines of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It. So imagine my surprise when this book turned out to be more like Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine goes to Australia. Mind you, that surprise was a great thing, because not only did I love Eleanor Oliphant, I also discovered that this book was a fantastic read. Don’t get misled by the cover and the title, this book is a powerhouse, and Lenny Marks will be taking up space in my head for a while.

When we first meet Lenny, we are introduced to her and the strict routines that she lives by. There is very little change in her life: she rides her bicycle home from the elementary school where she teaches at the same time every day; she eats the exact same rotation of meals every week; has an obsessive love for The Hobbit, of which she has 36 copies; and her social life includes playing Scrabble with her imaginary best friend, Monica Gellar (from the show Friends), while watching reruns of said show.

The routines came across a little obsessive to me, but Lenny’s character is so sweet and likable that she was immediately endearing. It quickly becomes evident that there is something in Lenny’s past that contributes to her way of life in the present. Lenny is obviously highly intelligent, and one of her most commonly used coping skills is to create anagrams of words in her head. I must admit that I was so impressed by the number of words that she was able to come up with in her head, since I love anagram puzzles, but I can only do it when I see the words written out in front of me. And she really only ever created anagrams of words with negative connotations, which spoke about her mental state and coping ability.

Lenny struggles significantly with interpersonal relationships, with friends and significant others, and basically with anyone that she comes into prolonged contact with. It made it even more puzzling to me that she chose a career in teaching, yet she didn’t seem to have any issues interacting with the students that she works with. Maybe because children are more direct, and she seems to have more trouble with inferring meaning from other people.

When a letter from the parole board arrives for Helena Winters, Lenny’s birth name, Lenny’s routines and anagrams aren’t enough to block out flashbacks from her past. As she learns more about her early years and the circumstances that led to her abandonment by her mother and stepfather, she is forced to let down some of her walls and create bonds with the people around her. This was where the book really started to get interesting. Not only because Lenny starts to really connect with other people, but also because she starts to connect with the past and with some aspects of herself that she’s suppressed for more than half her life. It was fascinating to see her change throughout this story. She really went through a lot of pain in the story, but it wasn’t for nothing—it was the kind of pain that needed to occur for growth, and she grew immensely throughout the book. While it was really difficult to see her going through all of this, it was wonderful to see the changes that took place in Lenny over the course of the story.

Much like I felt about Eleanor Oliphant, this is an absolutely fantastic book, but it’s the kind where there are some really heavy triggers that should be noted before reading. I was especially disturbed by the scene involving abuse of a dog, although even that served a purpose in the story by allowing Lenny to practice new and different behaviors. All of the triggers in the story have a reason for being in there, and don’t ever cross the line into trauma porn. The second half of the book moves a bit faster than the first half, but there’s a lot more happening in the second half, as we delve deeper into Lenny’s past, and it becomes a part of her current reality as she learns how to integrate new information, ask for help from the people around her, and become a healthier version of herself. I adored everything about this book, and the audiobook version is narrated wonderfully by Annie Maynard, who has a strong Australian accent, but it isn’t too heavy to understand her clearly, and she had me rooting for Lenny the entire time. This is the kind of book you’ll adore if you liked Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, stories about underdogs overcoming immense challenges, mysteries from the past, and how trauma manifests in various ways.