This book sounded delightful and I loved a lot of the books it was compared to. However, this book was a struggle for me to push through and I ended up DNFing at 50%. I just couldn’t connect to Lenny or the story and it felt like it was going nowhere. I know a ton of people have loved this book but it just wasn’t for me.

Kerryn Mayne's "Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder" is a hauntingly poignant novel that blends suspense, mystery, and a deep exploration of trauma and healing. Mayne deftly explores the theme of connection and community as Lenny is drawn into relationships with those around her. These new connections are beautifully rendered, providing a stark contrast to Lenny's solitary existence and highlighting the possibility of redemption and healing through human connection. The novel’s supporting characters are richly developed, each playing a crucial role in Lenny’s journey toward reclaiming her life and confronting her past. The suspense in "Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder" is masterfully maintained, with Mayne gradually revealing the truth about Lenny’s past in a way that keeps readers on edge. The pacing is great, balancing the unraveling of the mystery with Lenny's emotional growth. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that this is not just a thriller; it’s also a deeply emotional exploration of trauma, memory, and the power of facing the truth. Mayne’s writing is both lyrical and precise, capturing the nuances of Lenny’s inner world with sensitivity and grace. The novel’s atmosphere is tense yet intimate, drawing readers into Lenny’s mind and making her struggles feel immediate and real. In conclusion, Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder is a gripping and emotionally resonant novel that will stay with readers long after they’ve turned the final page. Kerryn Mayne has crafted a story that is as thrilling as it is touching, with a protagonist whose journey from isolation to connection, and from fear to acceptance, is both compelling and moving. This is a novel that not only entertains but also invites readers to reflect on the ways we cope with our own pasts, and how facing our darkest memories can ultimately set us free.

What a great read with a main character who is quirky (in the best of ways) Lenny Mark's journey warmed my heart (and at times broke it). What a great character to remind us to be more tolerant and accepting of all.

At the start of the book, I figured Lenny was another charmingly on the spectrum protagonist, which has become a bit of a character trope lately. Thankfully, though, she turned out to be a little more fleshed out than it originally seemed.
When she receives correspondence that somebody from her past is being released from prison, Lenny begins to increasingly struggle to maintain her neat, orderly life. As things continue to unravel, she's forced to confront issues she's avoided facing for years.
Somewhat predictable, but cute and entertaining.
Thanks to #netgalley and #stmartinspress for this #arc of #lennymarksgetsawaywithmurder by #kerrynmayne in exchange for an honest review.

Lenny Marks lives an organized routine life. She owns thirty-six copies of The Hobbit (currently arranged by height). She plays Scrabble with her imaginary friend (Monica Geller from Friends). She eats the same things on certain days of the week and buys exactly the same groceries every week. She does have a job but doesn’t really make friends with her coworkers. She is very content with her well-ordered life until a letter from the parole board arrives for her at work. She is hoping that if she doesn’t open it, it might just go away. She also can’t seem to remember what happened the day her mother and stepfather went away when she was a child. When she has to open the letter, memories begin to come back, and she starts to fall apart. Now it is necessary for her to connect with the people around her, but she is frightened that her past may affect the people in her life. Lenny is a very complex character, and I found her story fascinating.

Also reviewed on B&N (1IrishEyes430) and Kobo (IrishEyes430)

Lenny Marks lives a very simple life dictated, in large part, by routine. She lives alone, though realizes that it's unusual for a woman her age to have no friends. As far as her colleagues know, she lives with a very tidy roommate named Monica...invented by Lenny and inspired by Monica Geller from Friends. She didn't grow up with parents, but was raised by a loving foster mother. She has only vague memories from her childhood, and she's pretty sure that she's to blame for her separation from her mother. A letter from the parole board arrives at her home and she does all she can to ignore it, but it brings up troubling memories from her past. This is a chilling mystery that is well-balanced by the hope and relationships in Lenny's world. Highly recommended!

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

Wow, what an amazing debut! I love reading new authors because I have zero expectations going into it. Coupled with a seemingly innocuous cover, I truly did not know what I was getting myself in to. Kerryn Mayne hit all the right notes, and I appreciated her bringing a layer of anxiety into the mystery/thriller genre. Do yourself a favor and go into this one blind -- you will not be disappointed!

Lenny was such an emotional character and one to connect to through many facets of her emotions. From the start, you see the parallels to parts of yourself and grow as you see her finding connections through her experiences.
While she starts off small, she learns to rely and embrace those around her to get through a painful and life changing moment in life. Good read.

We love Lenny. She’s socially awkward, has a good heart, and means well. Her best friend lives in a comedy TV series, which she rewatches ad nauseam. She’s a fantastic school teacher, even though some of her tactics are unorthodox. She rides her bike everywhere, too afraid to drive after losing her foster father. And she kidnaps a dog to save him from further abuse. She’s doing the best she can to deal with her mother’s abandonment. Her foster mom Fay wants Lenny to be more social. So she tries to be buddies with the two most vapid coworkers she could choose. But one evening, she builds up her nerve to attend trivia night at the local pub, and finally, things seem to be moving her way.
This is a beautifully written story of a survivor who doesn’t realize she’s survived. You want to hug her at each turn, and you hate it when the book ends. There are so many layers to Lenny, and watching her come out of her shell is endearing, precious, and heart-wrenching all at the same time. Ms. Mayne, please keep writing. There’s an audience out here starving for the books that still linger in your creative mind.
Thanks so much to St. Martin’s Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The publishing date is July 9, 2024.

A well-written, non-cozy mystery that tales us on a journey of self-discovery and healing. An intriguing read with an interesting premise.

If I can tell you anything at all about this book it is that Lenny Marks is an extraordinary human being and I am truly sad to part ways with her. 😢

Lenny Marks lives a life of order and routine and that's just how she likes it. Sure, it can be lonely, but if there is one thing that Lenny has learned in life it's that people let you down so it's better to keep a safe distance before the hurt happens. She knows all too well about that.

Unfortunately, her foster mother, Fay, worries about her. Lenny is 37 years old and needs to get out more, meet people, have a life she deserves. To Lenny this sounds like an absolute nightmare but she has to agree with her on some levels so she decides she'll attend trivia night with co-workers and from here her life transforms in ways she could never have imagined.

I can't even tell you all how much I loved this debut. I felt every emotion while reading this. It's impossible not to grow attached to Lenny. What a beautiful blossoming flower she is and I loved watching her petals unfold on the page. Lenny isn't the only one to love here. Ned, Kirra, Fay, and Maureen were all exquisitely drawn characters. All with a heart of gold. 💛 I just love a book that takes a tragic story and makes it a thing of beauty. My heart is so full and happy right now. I'm not one for book series but I would happily read another book on Lenny and where her new life leads her. All the love and all the stars for this one! 💖⭐

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my complimentary copy.

Well definitely not what I was expecting, through your the book I felt like it was a repressed memory from traumatic events and maybe she really did do it but ohh the twist, and how in the end for me she got closure. Some shocking information but it helped in a sense. I would recommend this book as it's one that is complex in its story and hard to explain in words that would do it justice

I tried this book but just didnt hit home with me. I started it two times but each time it must have not been the right time for me. Others love it so please don't avoid it because of this review.
Thank you Netgalley for the chance.

Lenny Marks is a character you'll root for in this funny, heartwrenching, and heartwarming story. It's a great story of how a traumatic childhood can stifle the chances for a happy, normal adulthood. Lenny is loveable and kind, and as she found her backbone (and buried childhood memories) the story - and Lenny - kept my interest from beginning to end. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an early copy of this story.

LENNY MARKS GETS AWAY WITH MURDER by Kerryn Mayne is set in Australia and Lenny is a wonderful, emotion-stirring character. A bit awkward socially, she is a teacher who values neatness, order and repetition. At 37, Lenny is a loner by preference, "pretending there were people in her life seemed to quell the concerns of others," although she does gradually bond with grocer Ned and her older neighbor Maureen. It is difficult for her to interpret the adult "mean girls" at her school, and bullies prompt some sad moments, but the novel has plenty of humorous episodes, too. Readers will want to wrap their arms around Lenny and cheer as she ultimately stands up for herself and deals with childhood trauma. Suggest LENNY MARKS GETS AWAY WITH MURDER to anyone who enjoyed The Maid by Nita Prose.

4.5 stars

Thanks, St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio, for the ebook and audiobook review copies via NetGalley #macaudio2024 (and to author Emma Gray for recommending it).

My coworker exited our boss’s office on the verge of tears. He was brilliant but remarkably abusive and brutal on his staff. “Whatever you do, don’t be nice to me,” she stated flatly. I knew exactly what she meant. What is it about kindness and comfort that makes you crumble into tears? When you don’t make eye contact with the hurt, you can ignore it and press on through your day.

I was reminded of this while reading Lenny’s story, as she has spent her whole life keeping people from comforting her, going so far as to forget why she needs comfort in the first place. She’s fine. She has frozen dinners, a tiny apartment, a good job, and a SOLID routine. There’s nothing else she needs. Sure, it would be nice to have a few friends, but with Monica, Phoebe, Rachel, Ross, Chandler, and Joey to keep her company, it’s not like she’s lonely.

Except, you know where this is going. Events unfold, forcing her to remember what happened to her mother and stepfather when she was young. As Lenny unravels, the kind people on her periphery start stepping up to demand she let them in. Fans of ELEANOR OLIPHANT IS COMPLETELY FINE will enjoy this “heartbreaking and heartwarming” novel.

Such a good read that I enjoyed! I'm so glad that I got the chance to read it early and will definitely be recommending it to multiple people who enjoy these types of novels. I enjoyed the characters and especially enjoyed the writing by this author. I'm excited to see what the author comes out with next as I'll definitely be reading it! Thank you to the publisher for my early copy of this book!

This was a fun book, and I really appreciated the opportunity to read it! I will recommend this book.

Really enjoyed this book. Felt familiar to Clare Polly’s rules for committing but I liked the thriller element to it

Lenny Marks? More like Lenny Marks Gets Away with a Decent Read. This book is a cheeky romp through murder and mischief, but it never quite crosses into must-read territory. The plot has enough twists to keep you entertained, but the characters? Let’s just say they don’t exactly leave a mark. If you’re looking for a light, fun read with some sharp humor, this is your ticket. If you’re after something with more depth, well, Lenny’s still running away with that.