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.

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. I listened to this book and the narrator did a wonderful job with it.


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

I thoroughly enjoyed this one! I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, as early reviews are a little scattered, but this one was honestly adorable. I did the audio and the narrator was phenomenal and really put so much emotion into Lenny’s feelings and expressions. The story evolved thorough but maintained its air of lightness throughout, which is hard to do, considering the title reigns true.

Lenny has been *through it* and her life is slightly fucked up because of it.. Fucked up in the way that she can’t entirely remember her past or what happened to people in her life. I don’t know if I would classify this one as a thriller per se, as I never really felt like Lenny was unsafe, but it is certainly a mystery. My kind of mystery. It got side story, background, likeable and unlikeable characters and Lenny Marks is just so wholesome.

Lenny Marks will be biking onto shelves and earwaves July 9th and you should definitely spend some time with her, I promise she won’t disappoint even though she will feel like she will.

ARC from Macmillan audio, these are my own thoughts and opinions. Thanks for the arc!

This book was everything I want in a cozy mystery! The character was lovable & you’re spending the whole book rooting for her. It has romance subplot and so much DRAMA. I love Lenny. I think she helped heal my inner child a bit. I also did not expect to cry, let alone while listening to it at work, but I definitely did. Highly suggest the audio version - accents. That’s all.

Posted on all platforms 6/28

Solid five stars!

Lenny is neurotic, traumatized, hilarious, literal, loyal, and so many other things. Most of all, she was a delight to read. I absolutely loved getting to know her in this book, and have never rooted harder for a protagonist to come out better on the other side.

The ancillary characters were all so well-written, I felt like I was picturing them going about their lives as I was listening. Malcolm (the dog) was such a wonderful addition to both the story and Lenny’s life.

If you enjoyed Finlay Donovan, you will love Lenny Marks!

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. The narrator had just the right voice to portray the innocence of this character who had a hard time moving on from the trauma from her childhood. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review.

Lenny Marks is not like other people. She bikes everywhere, eats the same meals every week, and plays Scrabble against an imaginary Monica Geller while watching Friends. Her favorite book is the Hobbit and she owns 36 copies of it. As a grade 5 teacher, she works at being friendly with her co-workers, but honestly prefers to be at home. When a letter from the parole board arrives, she attempts to ignore it but memories start emerging and her life begins changing in important ways. This is set in Australia and the narrator, Annie Maynard, has a lovely accent. The characters range from awful to very likable. It did take me a bit to warm up to Lenny even though I generally enjoy neurodivergent characters. The relationship between Lenny and her neighbor was especially meaningful for me. The plot and pacing were decent although this story went into much darker places than I anticipated, so please check for trigger warnings if you are concerned. The biggest issue were my mismatched expectations. I thought this would be a funny, almost cozy read and that is not what this is. This deals with some very serious trauma and even though the ending was very satisfying, there were some questionable actions taken that some readers may struggle with. A lot of the Friends references were not effective as I did not watch much of the show (gasp) as I lived out of the United States and was pursuing my college degree when it was popular. While I think there are necessary discussions around trauma response, mental health, and building community, this may appeal to a more select audience. Please feel free to read and judge for yourself. 3.5 stars.

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.

The narration by Annie Maynard is perfect. She portays Lenny so that both her vulnerability and strength are evident.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this advanced copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

Thank you so much @macmillan.audio! It's so fun being a part of your Audio Influencer Program! You're the best!⁠ 🖤 ⁠
⁠
The funny thing is that I picked this book because I thought this would be a light-hearted mystery which I sometimes need after reading dark thrillers all the time & it was that-- but it was also dark & heartbreaking too. So-- in other words, it didn't give me the break I was hoping for, but it still had it's silly moments & overall I enjoyed it. ⁠
⁠
If you liked The Maid, you'll like Lenny. I got the same kind of vibes. She's very socially awkward & you can't help but love her & just want the best for her.

Loved this! Lenny Marks reminded me so much of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely fine and that is a good thing!

We get to know Lenny and at the beginning of the book she's very rigid and a bit unaware. She's without friends and is a teacher at a school. Lenny follows rules, until she doesn't. That is when things begin to be a little less clear and her life really begins.

I was completely smitten with Lenny Marks, her story and her growth. The narrator was wonderful, the story just flowed and I couldn't wait to see what Lenny would get up to next.

Advance listener copy provided by Macmillan Audio and NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

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.

I have never cheered for the demise of a villain so much in my life. GO LENNY!!! I absolutely positively loved this audio book. The narrator was fantastic. Lenny is one of those inspirational characters that digs deep in your heart and doesn't let go. Lenny girl, I am so honored to know you.

Lenny Marks is my new favorite character. She is a 37-year-old 5th grade teacher. She is excellent at creating and maintaining routines. She owns 36 copies of The Hobbit that are arranged by height. She is also excellent at over analyzing social interactions, but she struggles to remember the day her mother and stepfather disappeared.

One night Lenny breaks her strict routine, and her life starts changing as fast as her memories begin to resurface. I thought this was going to be a cozy mystery based on the cover. Instead, it was a moving story about Lenny navigating life and a traumatic past.

Calling all fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman and The Maid by Nita Prose this book is for you! This book had a slow start and the Australian accent of the narrator took some getting use to but this book was absoultely beautiful and amazing! This story tackles the difficult topic of coming to terms with your past and learning to open your eyes to see where you are going in the future

Lenny Marks considers herself alone with no friends while she waits for her mother to return after 25 years of being missing. Lenny is corky and doesn't want to depend on anyone but herself in case she becomes overbearing. This explores dealing with a traumatic past and owning your own quirks.

I really loved the character of Lenny and her character growth was so well done! Her story had my heart breaking and cheering on her acceptance of her past while embracing her future.

I listened to the audiobook and the narration by Annie Maynard was absolutely perfect! She truly brought the character for Lenny Marks to life and had me crying, laughing, and cheering Lenny on.

I was pleased to be approved for the advanced reader copies of the book and audio book. I believe the narrator brought this book to life and made Lenny shine. While I thought this would be a mystery about a murdered getting away with it,it is actually a book about Lenny who is a very quirky teacher and had massive trauma in her life. She lives in her head a lot while trying to fit in and failing. This is a book is not a cozy mystery, it’s Lenny coming to terms with the child abuse she endured, being abandoned by her mother and grandmother and the news of someone being released from jail. All while trying to have a life, do the right thing and hopefully make friends with the other teachers at school.this is a slow moving book but at the end as things come to light it does pickup.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

"Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder" by Kerryn Mayne is a captivating mystery that immerses readers in the intricacies of its protagonist's life. Lenny Marks, the central character, grapples with a series of events that unravel her world in unexpected ways. Kerryn Mayne weaves a narrative filled with suspenseful twists and turns, keeping readers engrossed as they uncover the layers of Lenny's story.

A standout feature of the novel is its audiobook narration by Annie Mayne, whose skillful delivery brings Lenny's inner dialogue to life with remarkable realism. The narrator captures the nuances of Lenny's thoughts and emotions, enhancing the storytelling experience and drawing listeners deeper into the character's complex psyche.

Mayne's writing is sharp and introspective, delving into the depths of Lenny's mind as she navigates guilt, deception, and the consequences of her actions. The portrayal of Lenny's inner world feels authentic and thought-provoking, adding depth to the mystery surrounding her.

Overall, "Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder" offers a compelling exploration of human nature through its realistic portrayal of its protagonist and the mysteries that unfold around her. Whether in print or through the immersive audiobook format, this novel provides a rich and absorbing narrative that will leave readers pondering long after the final chapter.

Engaging, entertaining, and original. A recommended purchase for collections where quirky women's fiction is popular.

Okay so I thought this was going to be a cozy mystery, and this is not that! So if you came here for that, know it isn’t at all cozy and only by the barest of definitions a mystery.

That said I did really enjoy the book! Lenny is surprisingly a likable character even with all her trauma quirks. The cast of characters surrounding her are amazing. Now when it comes to the ‘mystery’ part I felt it dragged in places and the murder part was like oh yeah wait I should include that. Almost like you build up to the climax the entire book… and then are dropped off a cliff hit the bottom and the story is over. The getting away with murder part was not believable for the time period. Now all that said I don’t necessarily need believability on all my books, but this had some serious themes it was dealing with and it’s not fantasy.

Anyways all that aside I did actually enjoy it even though maybe it seems I didn’t. The author has quite a way with words and a story and I was shocked this was a debut.

Please check trigger warnings for child abuse, parental death, murder obviously, suicide, animal abuse. That’s all I can think of at the moment.

Thank you @macmillan.audio for the early copy. This audiobook was a delightful surprise.

☀️ Genre: Contemporary fiction
♥️ Steamy rating: Mild
⚡️ Profanity: Moderate
🎧 Method: Macmillan Audio
📕 2024 book count: 84

Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder felt a little bit like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, but Lenny’s character was slightly more relatable and likable.

Lenny has a very predictable life. She teaches elementary school, bikes to and from work, plays scrabble with her imaginary best friend Monica Gellar, and does not socialize with anyone except occasionally her foster mother. Lenny is timid and grief stricken by the disappearance of her mother and stepfather when she was 11. Throughout the book, Lenny breaks out of her shell finally welcoming the knowledge of what happened to her mother.

Though this book is much more sad than the description portrays, I found it to be extremely heartwarming. I loved Lenny’s character. I loved seeing her stretch her wings. I just wanted to hug her. Though this was a bit of a cozy murder mystery, especially towards the end, it was mainly about a girl, who experiences far too much trauma for one person and is looking for acceptance and love. It’s no rom-com either. The first half started slow. The second half was amazing.

Triggers: Domestic violence, murder, bullying, cheating/infidelity, trauma, foster care, death of a parent, alcoholism, and animal abuse

I loved this book so much! The audiobook narrator absolutely smashed it! I didn’t want to stop. I was so sucked in by the mystery of Lenny’s past. She felt so real to me, her personality was so unique and fascinating to read about. I loved her obsession with Friends, Buffy, and The Hobbit (all things I love)! I just loved walking with her as she uncovered her past and healed.

Reading it felt like having tea with a stranger, but leaving as the best of friends. Lenny will live rent free in my head and I will forever think of her every time I watch Friends or see a copy of The Hobbit.

Unexpectedly heart wrenching and deep, this story caught me off guard by how much I loved it. I gobbled up every sentence and wished there were more!

If you enjoyed reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, or The Cactus by Sarah Haywood, and enjoy a touch of mystery then this is the PERFECT book for you!

A zillion million stars! (But Goodreads only lets me leave five so I guess five it is.)

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC!