LENNY MARKS GETS AWAY WITH MURDER by Kerryn Mayne follows Lenny Marks. Lenny Marks enjoys her routines and mostly keeps to herself. She has a few acquaintances, except her friend Monica. She has repressed her memories from her childhood. As the story unfolds, due to a letter from the parole board, she tries to fulfill her mother's request for a fuller life and to uncover her repressed memories.

Although this book was a bit of a slow burn, this book was intriguing, and I empathized with Lenny and her tragic story. The arc of unveiling Lenny's past was terrific. This book has some trigger warnings, so protect your peace and review those before diving in (abuse, trauma).

Thanks sincerely to St. Martin's Publishing Group and Netgalley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed were my own.

Lenny Marks is an awkward, repressed but amazingly intelligent person, who is dealing, or not, with her repressed past. The story is sad, sometimes endearing and painfully tragic. Such a good read. Not hearts and flowers, but deeply touched by her stamina, determination and strong sense of right and wrong. Excellent read.

This was so good. I went into this book expecting a story similar to like Eleanor Oliphant. Umm… no. Lenny Marks may have some some similar personality characteristics, but that is where the similarities end. Serious content with a very touching story.

a bittersweet read that made me feel so much for what lenny went through, i was expecting something like a thriller just from the title but i was surprised to find that this book is much darker than that, i think it was well written and i enjoyed the ending

Lenny Marks is a unique individual. She has strict routines, likes being alone, is obsessed by The Hobbit, and is socially awkward. It’s implied that she’s on the spectrum, but as the story develops we also learn that childhood trauma and its dissociative after-effects play a role.

I was impressed by the writing in this debut novel. Although the plot bogged down a bit midway through, overall the story grabbed me. There was both humor and sadness, a bit of mystery, and good character development.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for offering this book to me.

Lenny teaches 5th grade. She is a loner. She was abused by her step-father who also murdered her mother and brother and was imprisoned. Now, he's up for parole, and it is throwing Lenny for a loop.

4.5 ⭐️ This book was a delight! I thought it was going to be a cute, funny story, like “Elinor Oliphant is Completely Fine” meets “Findlay Donovan is Killing It”. But wow, I was shook by how it was a sneaky, little psychological thriller. You quickly realize all of Lenny’s quirks are from some mysterious trauma from her past, but slowly discovering what exactly happened was where it was so engrossing. The story unfolded layer by layer and got more and more interesting. I loved all the side characters, how they all related to one another, and all the little twists at the end I never fully saw coming because I didn’t even realize the author was dropping clues I should have been paying attention to. I am a romance junkie, so the small, sweet love story woven throughout was icing on the cake for me and tied it all together. While it started a little slow for me (and the anagrams got a little annoying), towards the end, I couldn’t put it down. Will definitely look for more books from this author!

Thank you @netgallye for a copy of this eARC in exchange for review.

I really enjoyed getting to know Lenny in this debut. She has a difficulty making friends, follows a strict routine, and has completely forgotten about her childhood. At 37 years old, she lives a life of solitude that works for her. Once she receives a letter from the parole board, her life takes a turn as she spends her time remembering things from her past and trying to have a life like her mother has requested. Its filled with emotion, strength, and a high spirit looking for change for the better without losing themselves. A misunderstood woman with a big heart and a thirst for finding their real selves. I am looking forward to reading more of Kerryn Mayne's work and hopefully seeing a continuation to Lenny's story.

Lenny Marks may now be one of my favorite novel characters. Quirky and confusing, and as obsessed with ‘Friends’ as myself. A heartwarmingly tragic story, I loved every moment!

Yes! Yes! Yes! I loved this book! It gave me Eleanor Oliphant vibes and I just loved Lenny and all her quirks. I wanted to find out what had happened to her, and how it would all turn out. I felt like I was living next door to her and wanted to be her friend. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more from this author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Lenny Marks enjoys her routines and mostly keeping to herself. She has a few acquaintances, her closest one being Monica from friends. Lenny has a past that starts to unravel when she receives a letter from the parole board.

This book wasn’t what I was expecting at all. It isn’t your run of the mill mystery but genuinely a heart-wrenching evolution of Lenny’s life, sprinkled with a mystery and happy moments. I fell in love with Lenny and her story. She’s the type of person you feel the need to protect and speak up for.

I highly recommend anyone pick up a copy of this book and give it a go. It’s a bit slow to start in the beginning but as the story progresses we learn more about Lenny’s trauma and her past and her character development is magnificent. Even the depth of the side characters is done so well. Definitely take a look at the trigger warnings before you read it just in case! (abuse, trauma, descriptive injury) This is my first Kerryn Mayne novel and I was not disappointed!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Publishing Group for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely loved the first 90% of this book. The more I got to know Lenny, the more I cared about her and cared what happened to her. This book is so well written; the author captures the thoughts, feelings, misgivings, and inner dialogue of this neurodiverse 37-year-old perfectly. It was easy to cheer for Lenny. But often I wanted to sit her down and become her life coach. I have so much respect for her courage in “getting out there.” Unfortunately, the ending did not work for me. I can’t say too much without including spoilers; I just felt like some of her final choices were not in keeping with the Lenny I knew throughout most of the book. I would definitely read this author again.

Many thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this amazing book.

As a neurodivergent adult I was excited to reafbthis book. I felt the author did a great job, but was hoping for a bit more.

The characters were engaging and I really enjoyedbthebstory, butbwas just expected something more.

Recomnend.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

I loved Lenny Marks and her little world. The tree house. The school. Her relationships. All of it. I wish it had been longer but I can always start from the beginning. My only critique is that everything kind of started slow and then came to be revealed all at once, but that’s kind of how things might naturally unfold. Overall excellent read.

I think you'll like Lenny Marks. She might not think she's likeable, and in her quest for anonymity she might not welcome you as a friend, but Lenny is a very complicated woman who carries secrets and burdens. You should go ahead and like her, anyhow. She's funny and clever and does and says things that belie her craving for isolation.

Lenny had a horrible childhood, and at the time, had no way to change that. But Lenny waited and bided her time, waiting for just the right moment to make things right. And did she ever!

The peripheral characters are all interesting and some are downright fascinating..

I won't give out any spoilers, but you really should read this book. It kept me riveted!

The strong voice is fun and interesting and unique. I stopped at 5% but it’s a solid three to four stars for the target and five for the right readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

Lenny Marks is a shy, structured school teacher. She does things by the book and rarely strays from her routine. She travels by bicycle. She is talked into a trivia night out with the faculty and finally decides to go. She sees the manager of her grocery store there, but he is dating a co worker. She tells people he roommate is Monica. Monica is on Friends. Lenny is waiting for her mother to return.
One day a letter from the Parole Board arrives at school for a Helena Winters. AKA Lenny. It is a letter that changes her life.
I loved this book. Lenny changes so much by the end. Her resilience and the way she copes to survive is eye opening. What the mind will do to protect itself is surprising.
Thank you NetGalley. You recommendation was, as usual, wonderful. Thanks to Penguin books for making this available.

Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder
A Novel
by Kerryn Mayne
This was a delightful book. Eleanor Oliphant was very precise in all she did. I laughed and cheered her on as she began to become.

Lenny Marks reminded me a little of Sheldon from Big Bang Theory and it was super cute. I enjoyed the concept of trauma induced amnesia. The verbal and mental abuse Lenny endured in her childhood were so vividly described. I love that Lenny came out as the winner and slightly healed in the end.