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.

Lenny Marks is a primary school teacher who sticks to a set routine. She eats the same meals on the same days each week. She rarely goes into public except to grocery shop or to go to work. Her evenings are spent watching Friends and playing Scrabble against Monica (herself). Her only interaction with others is work, Ned McKnight at the grocery store, and the man who delivers her Thai food. She finds her life perfectly acceptable and is happy to never deviate. However, a letter addressed to her using her old name is sent to her school and she finds her routine life suddenly deviating into unknown discomfort.

I really didn’t know what to expect from this going into it, but I certainly didn’t think it would be this. It was great to see Lenny slowly start to go outside her comfort zone, while still maintaining a sense of who she is. I was really rooting for her to be able to see all the good people she had in her life, but once her past was revealed, it was understandable why she would want to keep herself closed off from others.
I wanted to smack the mean girls, Amy and Ashleigh pretty much anytime they appeared on the page. I wish there was a more satisfying conclusion to that side plot.

This story deals with some very devastating and upsetting subject-matter, but I still I found this to be another story that I didn’t want to put down. The relationship develops between herself and Ned, herself and Malcom, herself and Maureen, and herself and Kirra were all so sweet. There was so much understanding and patience from everyone. They allowed her to come into the relationships at her own pace and comfort.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone. It is difficult to read, at times, but certainly worth it.

Just the title was interesting enough to grab my attention and the book itself reminded me of Eleanor Oliphant. Lenny is a unique and lives a very structured life, trying to deal with past trauma. It was interesting to see how much she grew from the beginning of the book to the end.

Thank you Bantam Australia for publishing this debut novel, and Sally Hepworth, for telling this first time author, Kerryn Mayne, to go for it!! I loved the unraveling of the story of Lenny Marks. Lenny has built a very structured life for herself after a tumultuous childhood and the loss of her family. Fortunately, she landed with good foster parents, Fay and Robert, and they are loving and nurturing, but Lenny has a hard time letting people into the private life she leads as an adult. She considers Monica, from the sitcom, Friends, her best friend, and prefers her solitude. Lenny is a teacher and uses the school address as her own going to great lengths to maintain her privacy. When she gets a letter from the parole board letting her know her stepfather is to be released, her whole world begins to unravel to the point where she finally takes a hard look at the tragedies of her past, and finds she has been surrounded by her people all along. It's a beautifully told story I devoured in a couple of days, and Lenny will be with me for a long time.

This book was so fun! It was pretty similar to Eleanor Oliphant but in all the best ways. I think I enjoyed this novel a little bit more. It was very obvious from the start that there was previous trauma. I can see that being hard for some people to read but I really enjoyed it. I'd definitely look at the content warning before you read.

I really enjoyed this book, although some parts were hard to read. It reminded me so much of Elinor Oliphant. I could tell early on we were dealing with some sort of past trauma. Lenny's life is too scheduled and controlled, but I wasn't really getting an "on the spectrum" vibe. Lenny's perfectly ordered life starts to come unraveled when she receives a letter having to do with some traumatic event in the past, which is a triggering event for her. While there is a murder in the book, this is not a murder mystery in the true sense. The overriding themes are confronting your past, coming to terms with it so you can live in the present, and forgiving yourself. This was a fun read in parts, and serious in others, but definitely worth taking the time to read it. Thanks Net Galley for this ARC opportunity!

Lenny Marks, a misunderstood girl with a haunted past. The author developed Lenny's character so well. I found that I wanted to feel bad for her but was also touched by how she viewed and processed life around her. I loved the inner strength she found and the connections she made along the way. The end gave me closure but I would be excited to read a second book that continues on where this one ended.

This book is a debut novel for Kerryn Mayne. I was drawn to this book by the cover and the title. The book was a little different than I had thought it would be from reading the synopsis but in a good way. I enjoyed getting to know Lenny Marks and the other characters in this book. Kerryn takes a serious problem and gives it a new twist with the added bonus of a humorous nature. I really loved the ending of this book as I thought it would end a few chapters before it does. Those extra few chapters made the book for me, in helping me see just how Lenny was able to move on and improve her life. I hope to see more of Lenny and her friends in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley, Kerryn Mayne, and Penguin ebooks for the ARC.

Lenny Marks gets away with murder is an interesting story of a woman with a unique personality and past. This keeps you in suspense and makes it hard to out down.