Happy pub day to Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder! This was a very well-balanced book. Lenny is presented as neurodivergent, but Mayne pulls it off without infantilizing her the way so many other books do (looking at you, The Maid). It deals with some extremely heavy topics (childhood trauma, loss of a loved one, abuse) while still keeping the tone light and fun so much of the time. And, while it starts off a bit slow, it is never boring - and the second half packs a ton of action and surprising moments.

I will say - I expected this to be more of a cozy mystery from the marketing, which this decidedly is not. It’s a heartwarming, character-driven novel filled with a lot of delightful moments while never trivializing the underlying story. It’s an absolute gem of a debut.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for this ARC. Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder is out today!

4.5/5

Title: Lenny Marks Get Away with Murder

Author: Kerryn Mayne

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Reviewed By: Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder" by Kerryn Mayne

My Perception:

'Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder' is an intriguing read with serious content about past trauma that keeps readers turning the pages until the end and giving one much thought long after the read. This story involves 'the insight into a mind that is part autistic and part traumatized by a past.'

We find Lenny, a 37-year-old primary school teacher, a loner with an imaginary roommate. She receives a letter from the parole board letting her know that her former stepfather is due to be released from jail soon. Where was her mother, who had disappeared simultaneously as the father? Now, I don't want to tell too much of the story, but I will let you know there is a murder in this story as the story unravels a lot of mystery about Lenny's past and her growth as a good human being. Be ready for a good read, as this author gives us information about what had happened in the past, as the story separates fact from fiction. In the end, anyone can accept the conclusion in Lenny's world.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Going into this one, I thought it would be a quirky mystery, but I was definitely surprised by how emotional this book ended up being. It was quite slow and hard to get into at first, but it started to get more interesting as twists were revealed. I loved Lenny’s character and how quirky she was, and I just wanted to give her a big hug. I did find it dragged a bit, but otherwise I really enjoyed this one.

"She owned thirty-six copies, of varying editions, and considered each and every one of them necessary." THIS is when I knew I loved Lenny.

Despite what the description or cover might suggest, this is not a cozy mystery (not saying this in a bad way, just making sure you know what you’re getting into). It reads more like slower paced fiction until about 2/3 of the way through, when the stakes get higher and the story unfolds much more quickly. It deals with heavier topics and is more emotional than cozy.

Lenny is an endearingly awkward, rule-following, Scrabble-playing, 37 year old school teacher — and she has a secret. Bits and pieces of her troubled history are revealed to us until the last quarter, where it all falls into place.

I grew to love Lenny, and I was, of course, rooting for her always. It was sweet to see her come to grips with her past and grow in confidence. The family-secrets aspect of the story was really gripping, especially in the latter half. It’s worth the wait!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-arc!

Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder was not what I expected based on the title and cover. It's giving cozy and funny mystery a la Finlay Donovan, but it's actually much heavier and definitely not cozy.

That being said, Lenny Marks is possibly one of my favorite characters I've ever read. She's a neurodivergent elementary school teacher with a kind heart. She's a homebody, she plays Scrabble against herself, loves the TV show Friends, and rides her bike everywhere. She reminded me a lot of Eleanor Oliphant, She is intelligent and brave, and just trying to figure out her solitary adult life. I loved watching her story unfold, and it was both heartbreaking and heartwarming. I laughed with her and my heart broke for her.

There were some mystery elements to this book, and some things I predicted and some I did not. The writing was phenomenal and I will definitely read more of Kerryn Mayne's work in the future.

I received an ARC of this book. It took me a little while to get into this book but once I did I was captivated! This was a powerful and intriguing story. I highly recommend it!

4.25⭐

Thirty-seven-year-old Lenny Marks lives her life in adherence to a set routine – riding her bike to school where she teaches fifth-grade, shopping from the same grocery store, and spending her free time rearranging her book collection comprising thirty-six (and counting) copies of the “The Hobbit, watching reruns of “Friends” and playing scrabble with her favorite fictional character from the show. She doesn’t have much of a social life and her interactions are limited to her colleagues and the people she meets in the course of her day. Though she would like to have more friends, she isn't too good at reading people or interpreting social cues. Whenever she feels overwhelmed, she copes by playing a game of anagrams.

When Lenny receives a letter from the Parole Board, she is forced to revisit her traumatic past and the childhood memories she has repressed – events that have contributed to Lenny’s worldview and the way she chooses to live her life. But as her past comes back to haunt her, she finds herself compelled to step out of her comfort zone. As the narrative progresses, we follow Lenny’s journey as she slowly begins to emerge from her shell and effect changes in her life.

Revolving around themes of trauma and healing, resilience, friendship and kindness and personal growth, Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne is a beautiful story. Shared from Lenny’s perspective, the narrative is well-paced and engaging. Lenny is an endearing character and I appreciated the author’s respectful and sensitive depiction of neurodiversity. The supporting characters are well thought out and I appreciated how the author has depicted how Lenny’s interactions with each of them - her pleasant and unpleasant experiences- help in her journey of self-discovery.

Please note that the title of this book is a tad misleading. This is not exactly a light-hearted cozy mystery that is implied, but an emotional story about a neurodivergent individual with a traumatic past who, with the help of those who care for her, embarks on a journey of healing and self-acceptance. The author injects a fair dose of humor, a few surprises and a sweet romantic track (which is well-woven into the narrative and does not distract from the primary plotline) to prevent the story from becoming too heavy. I did have to suspend disbelief at certain points in the story, but this in no way detracted from my overall experience.

I adored Lenny and wanted to spend more time with her! 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.

I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Annie Maynard, who has done a brilliant job of capturing Lenny’s sweetness and resilience, her moods and emotions, and breathing life into this story. I couldn’t recommend the audiobook enough!

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the digital review copy and Macmillan Audio for ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Lenny Marks likes routine. The 37-year-old school teacher has a very orderly rhythm to her life: she follows the same dinner menu every week, she enjoys reorganizing her 36 copies of The Hobbit, she watches Friends on repeat, and she plays Scrabble every night with her imaginary roommate Monica. She mentally does anagrams to cope with anxiety. She doesn’t let people get too close to her and counts the Thai restaurant delivery person and Ned at the grocery store among the people she sees most. When she receives a letter from the parole board, her carefully ordered life starts to get messy as memories from her traumatic childhood resurface.

I was not prepared for how much I loved Lenny and this book! Don’t let the breezy cover and title fool you, this is an emotional character-driven story with an unforgettable heroine. The plot is both heartbreaking and heartwarming, but ultimately healing and hopeful. (whew, that’s a lot of “H” adjectives!) Lenny is quirky, awkward, and utterly endearing, and the supporting cast of characters are appealing and well-developed too. I loved the way Lenny grew over the course of the story as she learned to overcome her past trauma and broaden her horizons.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me an advance copy of this book.

Happy Publication Day! Wow, it took me a few chapters to get into this book, but liked it. As you start reading, you come to understand that Lenny has forgotten about her past and is pushing people away because of what happened. It helped me to realize how important our mental health is and how important it is to let people into our lives. There were a few points in the book that I was surprised at how awful people can be to others. I felt like Lenny just needed a trusted, good friend.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy of this book.

This was my first read by Kerryn Mayne and I have to say it took me awhile to get into it. the majority of the story dragged along and I had a hard time enjoying read. Lenny Marks, to me, acted as if she was on the spectrum. Everything had to be done a certain way, routine. Lenny has forgotten things that happened when she was young. After getting a letter from the Adult Parole Board she starts to remember after 20 years. The last third of the story moved a little faster, however some of it was just a bit unbelievable to me.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

What I expected to be a lighter read quickly became more complex as I learned more and more about Lenny’s life. With her mother, stepfather and grandmother out of her life since childhood, her only family is her foster mother, Fay, whom she’s remained close to. She guards her private life and emotions fiercely but is trying to change that at the urging Fay’s urging. Adept in her classroom as a teacher, her efforts outside are awkward. We learn why, and it’s heartbreaking to learn of the physical and mental abuse she suffered and the horrible stories she believes about herself. The author does a great job of slowly unraveling the true story of Lenny’s childhood.
Watching Lenny deal with reality kept my interest as I cheered for her and those around her who were wearing down her barriers. Loved the word puzzles Lenny does in her mind to cope, very clever and imaginative, and the ending was perfect.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for an advance copy, it should be on the reading list of everyone who enjoys a story of finding strength and friendship.
Thanks to NetGalley and

Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne is a delightful, thought provoking book- one of my top five favorites so far this year. Lenny, AKA known as Helena Winters, is a 38 year old, single, fastidious fifth grade teacher. Lenny thinks happiness is overrated, and prefers to live a simple, predictable and orderly life. Lenny also has a secret: she survived a severe trauma when she was 11 years old that altered the entire course of her life. At 13 she was placed in the loving foster home of Fay and Robert Mark's, her survival is largely a credit to the love, patience and guidance provided by Fay and Robert. One ordinary day her stable and steady life is upended by the receipt of a letter from the Parole Boar. At the same time she is trying to follow Fay's loving advice: get a life Lenny. For the first time in decades, Lenny is slowly and with reservations, widening her circle to include the possibility of friends and perhaps romance. Will her past rear its ugly head and ruin her future? I'm not going to spoil the book by telling you. Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder is a story of trauma, betrayal, strength, the power of love, healing and reconciliation- a celebration of life. A very sincere thank you to NetGalley, St.. Martin's Press and Kerryn Mayne for the opportunity to read an ARC; this review reflects my honest opinion. 5 stars.

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy of this debut novel. The author did a wonderful job bringing Lenny to life, and I found her story intriguing. She has been living a very isolated life despite managing to hold down a job, and now she is trying to become more open to new relationships. Her traumatic childhood is slowly revealed over the course of the book, and that provides some suspense. The book is beautifully written, and the story is unique. I think this book would make an excellent choice for book discussion groups, and I highly recommend it. I look forward to reading more from the author.

Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder by Kerryn Mayne

This hands down five star book is exactly why I love debut authors. First try and Ms. Mayne has written a character as endearing as Olive Kitteridge and Molly the Maid. She’s a lovable, awkward misfit who suffers from anxiety and its cousin, paranoia.

Australian primary teacher Lenny Marks had a very rough childhood which is at the root of her stress. Her life, as we see it, takes many clever twists and turns which are all revealed as the story grows. Mostly, it’s her cruel stepfather Fergus who has caused her the most grief.

What you are lead to believe about Lenny’s life at one point vs the reality at another will startle you. Her extreme responses to everyday events are written the best way imaginable -with great humor. I dare to say, you will have a tough time putting this book down once you start it, so hang on for a terrific story about a new protagonist you will want to see again.

This book was so much more than I was expecting it to be. Lenny Marks is wary of getting too close to people but has decided she needs real friendships in her life. She lives alone and is a school teacher who always bicycles to work each day. Her life is filled with order and routine. She has her week planned out completely. She shops on the same day, has a weekly rotation of meals, and watches Friends every day. It is time for Lenny to get a life.

As the story progresses, we learn more about a childhood trauma that Lenny survived and how it affects her life now. She discovers that her memories of the event are wrong.

I was expecting this book to be a little more lighthearted. So, I would like to mention that it deals heavily in themes of abuse, loneliness, and abandonment. It was so beautifully written and made me feel these things deeply. Kerryn Mayne does a wonderful job of crafting a poignant and moving debut novel with a fantastic protagonist.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐆𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 | By Kerryn Mayne was not at all what I expected going in blind, but I LOVED it!

If you liked Eleanor Olephant and Collected Regrets of Clover, this will be right up your alley!

Lenny is awkward, anti-social, and incredibly quirky with a heart of gold (she steals a dog who is being mistreated so she she’s an absolute hero in my book). All of her oddness stems from a very traumatic childhood that will break your heart.

I love an underdog story and I love positive character growth! Lenny stole my heart .. and Ned 🥹 possibly the most adorable man ever! Not to say there wasn’t some really heartbreaking moments, but overall I closed this book feeling like my heart was much warmer

I was surprised by this book- I expected a cozy mystery, but this is a contemplative character-driven story with so much heart. Lenny is a socially awkward school teacher with trauma in her past. As weird as she seems in her actions, she’s also charming, self-aware, and easy to love. A notice from the parole board triggers her to remember painful events of her past, which are revealed in a way that keeps the reader guessing. Lenny reminded me of Eleanor Oliphant a little.

I thought this book was great, but it did drag for me a bit in the first half. Lenny’s quirkiness felt a bit oversold, and the events of the past play out very slowly until the end of the book. Overall, ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me, and super on audio! Thank you to St. Martin's Press and MacMillan Audio for the advance copy of this book!

I started reading Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne and was immediately captivated. I quickly jumped to the audio version narrated by Annie Maynard. An unputdownable story with a quirky, heartfelt character. Mystery, romance, adorable pets and more await you in this must read/listen tale!

I fell in love with Hobbit loving, scrabble playing Lenny Marks, who rides her bike to the school where she teaches and calls her home the treehouse. She is a creature of routine without friends. It’s not that she doesn’t want friends, she’s just not very good at it. Lenny watches Friends on TV for company and pretends Monica is her roommate.

Lenny’s world turns upside down when she receives a letter from the parole board. We slowly learn Lenny’s story and the tragedy that befell her mother as she goes about her routine of teaching, shopping, and saving helpless creatures.

Lenny is very careful not to remember what happened to her mother and stepfather, but the more she tries, the more events push her to remember. The local grocer adds a romantic thread, and the elderly neighbor has secrets. I absolutely loved how memories force Lenny to connect with the world around her and how she saves an animal.

The pacing, rich characters and quirkiness of Lenny made for a memorable tale that was only enhanced by the narration of Annie Maynard. She captured Lenny and the secondary characters brilliantly. Twists and interesting characters kept me listening to this addictive story.

Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder delivers a curious mystery and a tale of secrets, found family, vengeance, and heart. Lenny Marks is a character you won’t soon forget. I highly recommend this unputdownable debut novel.

!This honestly may be my favorite read of the year, thus far. I pretty much read it in one go because I was so invested in the story and loved our MC, Lenny, so much. A socially inept teacher who has an obsession with her comfort show, collects a certain book, and struggles to converse, and make friends?! I perhaps saw a little of myself in Lenny. 😅!

I have seen that this book is being marketed as a cozy mystery.. it DEFINITELY IS NOT THIS! Hooboy.. please do not go in thinking that because there are some triggering topics. Family death, animal abuse, child abuse. Our MC is dealing with some past horrific trauma and it has affected the way she interacts with the world and those around her.

The writing of this book was fantastic. It was easy to read while being clever. We have multiple time lines dealing with what has happened to Lenny in the past and how it affects her in the present. Again, I adore Lenny- she is so wonderfully developed as a character throughout the book- and she is also surrounded by a great cast of characters. (We love a Buffy & board game obsessed Ned 😊 and who doesn’t need a Kirra in their life?!).

If you can handle past trauma, how a person responds to it and how it shapes you, and you appreciate a satisfying “good for her” ending, read this book!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this book for a honest review.

As I started LENNY MARKS GETS AWAY WITH MURDER by Kerryn Mayne, I had no idea what to expect. At first, I wasn't even sure I wanted to continue; with the appealing and very odd Lenny using rituals and routines to keep her precarious, precious life in balance. But I did and I am so glad that I did, because not much further along, I was gripped by breaks in the safe little world and how Lenny handled one change after another, navigating disturbing and difficult passages, and somehow, always remaining her appealing self -- a very different egg, but a lovely one nonetheless. She is a remarkable character, traumatized by her past and also forging a new identity and a genuine life for herself. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.