Reading this debut novel by author Kerryn Mayne made me very uncomfortable. It’s abundantly clear throughout “Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder” that protagonist Lenny Marks doesn’t connect well with others and doesn’t know how to read people’s verbal or nonverbal cues, as though she is on the autism spectrum. The reality is, however, that her childhood was so traumatic that she disassociated herself from reality and suffers from post traumatic stress disorder and suffers from severe memory gaps. She’s unable to bond easily with others having suffered many losses during her youth.

Reading about Lenny’s repeated, difficult, awkward experiences made my skin crawl. I kept wanting her to stand up for herself, grow a spine, and stop behaving so cowardly. The details of her childhood trauma are revealed in snippets, sprinkled slowly and sparingly as the novel progresses. The true extent of the horrors aren’t revealed until near the end of the book, when the Lenny finally remembers everything and admits the truth of what happened to herself. The novel’s structure is interesting and different, and it works effectively to keep the reader guessing. I think the book could have used a bit more editing, however, making it less repetitive in theme and hence shorter, thus making it even more impactful.

Nevertheless, the ending was fabulous and could not have been any more satisfying! Thank you NetGalley, Ms. Mayne, and St. Martin's Press for giving me an advanced reader’s copy for my review. My opinion is voluntary..

Just finished *Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder* by Kerryn Mayne, and I loved it. It’s quirky, heartbreaking, and hopeful all at once. Lenny is such a unique, lovable character—you root for her even when you’re not exactly sure what’s going on. The mystery unfolds in a really unexpected way, and there’s just the right mix of humor and emotional depth. If you liked *Eleanor Oliphant* or *The Rosie Project*, this one’s right up your alley.

Kerryn Mayne’s Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder is a darkly comedic debut that blends psychological tension with unexpected heart. Lenny Marks, a reclusive, rules-obsessed primary school teacher, has spent two decades carefully crafting a quiet, controlled life; until a letter from her estranged stepfather threatens to unravel everything, including the secrets surrounding her mother’s long-ago disappearance. Lenny is a masterclass in complex characterization, quirky, socially awkward, and deeply wounded, yet incredibly sympathetic.

I rarely read synopses or blurbs, so I had no idea what was waiting for me within the pages of Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder, but it surprised me. Lenny made me fall in love with her right away, and as the story unfolded, my love for her continued to grow. The side characters were fantastically frustrating, and the plot was engaging.

She is quirky, odd, and has imaginary friends. She arranges her 36 Hobbit books by height (the only proper way to shelve them, if you ask me). She keeps to herself and avoids speaking with almost everyone. Lenny's "oddness" stems from the trauma of being left behind as a child when her mother and stepfather disappeared. As the story continues, memories begin to surface, and Lenny starts to understand who she is and who she wants to be. Lenny is much more than a neurodivergent character with a backstory. There is real trauma she is dealing with. If you have any triggers, I recommend checking content warnings.

I think fans of character-driven stories that are a little dark but hopeful will enjoy this. Think Eleanor Oliphant and, on some level, Strange Sally Diamond.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was not what I expected, but it was better than I could have imagined. Lenny Marks is an endearing protagonist who processes her childhood trauma throughout the story. Overall, this is a heartwarming and thoughtful book with real characters. I would highly recommend this book.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

Lenny Marks lives a very routine life. Everything is done at a specific time, in a specific way, and that is the way it is. Lenny did not have a great upbringing, so this is how she copes, by everything being very black and white. However, when she receives a parole board letter in the mail - addressed to her at school because no one knows where she lives, that carefully crafted routine starts to unravel.

As time passes, can Lenny form new relationships, start trusting people and start living her life, not just existing?

It was really fun! Lenny was quirky. There were found family aspects and Friends references.
Lenny reminded me a bit of some of Fredrik Backman's characters. I liked that the story felt unique and layered.

Lenny Marks Get Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne
Genre: Mystery I Thriller
Narrator: Annie Maynard
Length: 9 hours, 41 minutes
Release date: February 21, 2023
Thank you @NetGalley and the author for the e-arc

I enjoyed the audio narration by Annie Maynard, I love hearing different accents. She really captured me with her tone of the different situations that Lenny found herself in. I recommend the audio for this one.

I am still going strong on my NetGalley clean out, I thought saw this cover and it looked adorable so it was one of the first books that I requested on NetGalley. This book starts out cute enough, we follow Lenny Marks, a school teacher in Australia that would rather be at home with her extensive collection of Lord of the Ring editions than socialize. She rides her bike to school and really just keeps to herself. I will say, until about 50% into the novel I thought this was going to be a cute slice of life novel or one about going out of your comfort zone a bit. Guys, I was so wrong. As the title entails, there is a murder that happens. I can't speak too much on it because it's a massive spoiler, but I say all of this to say that I need to stop judging books by the cover and ACTUALLY read a synopsis. lol. I felt like I had whiplash because of the drastic difference between the first and second half of the book. Overall, I liked it, but I think had I known what I was getting into I would have potentially had a higher rating.

This was a charming book with such an interesting main character. Funny and mysterious but also complex and emotional. It's a well written novel that is engaging and easy to get pulled into.

I've been saying for weeks that I needed a good thriller, something to put my brain into spooky season and this book hit the spot more than I thought it would.

While it's not spooky per se, it is a thriller; it will mess with your head one second and have you laughing out loud the next; Lennie is the kind of character that I wish I could have as a best friend.

Through stealing dogs, breaking into houses, and realizing so many parts of her life are connected, Lenny leads us on a rollercoaster of a ride, and I loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for providing a copy of this e-book, I have voluntarily read and reviewed it, and all thoughts are my own.

Lenny Marks is an interesting character; she is truly unforgettable. I think this book would be a good choice for a book club. The story stayed with me a while after I read it. I highly recommend.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital copy. All opinions are my own.

This book was different than I thought it would be, and in such a good way. Lenny was a delight to get to know and so endearing. I enjoyed spending time with her and look forward to reading more from the author.

Thank you to Kerryn Mayne, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a digital copy of the book for an honest review.

This was much different than I thought it would be! I loved getting to know Lenny. Go ahead and start a new life. Steal that dog! The world is your oyster.

I really enjoyed Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder. At first, I expected a light, quirky read—and while it definitely has that vibe at times, it also surprised me with how emotional and layered it became. Lenny is a socially awkward, routine-driven woman who lives a quiet, controlled life… until a letter shows up and forces her to confront a past she’s worked hard to forget.

Lenny's voice is one of the best parts of this book—she’s funny, sharp, painfully honest, and completely endearing in her own way. I found myself laughing at her dry humor one minute and tearing up the next as she started to process her trauma and slowly open herself up to the world again.

The book handles some heavy topics, including abuse, memory repression, and loneliness, but it does so with care and compassion. I loved watching Lenny’s world shift as she began to connect with people around her and face the truth of what really happened in her past.

If you liked Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, this one will be right up your alley. It's full of heart, a little messy, and a beautiful reminder that it’s never too late to heal.

4 stars from me!

I excpected a book more along the lines of Finlay Donovan or a cozy mystery and got more of an Eleanor Oliphant, but I am not disappointed! I enjoy a neurodivergent main character and this was a unique premise!

This debut novel by Kerryn Mayne is an emotional rollercoaster wrapped in a quirky, unforgettable package. From the moment you meet Lenny Marks—a character with routines as precise as her bookshelf arrangement—you’re sucked into her world of oddities, heartbreak, and secrets. She’s the epitome of someone “getting by” while avoiding the demons of her past, and you can’t help but root for her as she unravels the mystery that’s haunted her for so long.

Lenny’s charm is her relatability: her sarcastic humor, her stubbornness, and her love for *Friends*. But beneath her carefully controlled surface, there’s a heartbreaking depth that Mayne reveals with finesse. The story takes readers through the unraveling of her life after receiving the letter that dredges up her long-suppressed memories. It’s equal parts suspenseful and emotionally powerful, forcing readers to question truth, guilt, and survival.

What makes this book so compelling is the balance Mayne strikes. One moment, you’re laughing at Lenny playing Scrabble with imaginary Monica Gellar, and the next, you’re clutching the book as secrets from her past start to emerge. The tension builds beautifully as Lenny forms new relationships and faces her fears, leaving you glued to the page as her carefully constructed world begins to crack.

With themes of family lost and found, the shadows of trauma, and the courage to break free, *Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder* is an incredible journey of self-discovery and healing. It’s both heartbreaking and heartwarming—a story that lingers long after you’ve closed the book. Perfect for readers who love a mix of quirky protagonists and a haunting mystery.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted e-copy.

Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder is pretty much the opposite of what I assumed it would be based on the cover and the title. Lenny is a teacher that leads a very routine and fairly solitary life. She only has the woman next door as a friend, although she really wants to be friends with two of the other teachers at work. She goes to the market, watches Friends, steals a mistreated dog, and as we start getting bits and pieces of Lenny’s past, we start to understand more about her personality and quirks. One day a letter from the parole board arrives, asking to talk to her and things start spiraling.

Lenny just stole my heart in the way that only the most special characters do. I just wanted to jump into the book and help her navigate things!

The fact that this book is a debut blew me away. It’s rare that a debut is written with such incredible emotion and insight into a character - it’s also rare that I enjoy character driven books as much as I loved this one.

Kerryn Mayne has earned a fan, and I’m going to just sit her waiting for her next book to come out.

This story follows the very routine life of Lenny Marks (formerly Helena Winters) who is 37 years old, single, and is a school teacher. Her favorite television show is “Friends”, and her favorite book is “The Hobbit”. As we learn of Lenny’s childhood and past trauma, we begin to understand why Lenny has so many routines and is comfortable being alone.

Keep on reading and you will love the twists and turns that come throughout! Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC!

An absolutely delightful book with a quirky and quite extraordinary main character. It was a joy to follow Lenny's journey from a life of loneliness to one filled with friends and hope and l0ve. This author's debut certainly hit it out of the park and I will be on the lookout for her next book. Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press.

📚 BOOK REVIEW: Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder by Kerryn Mayne 📝

Lenny Marks lives a quiet, carefully controlled life, with identical meals, color-coded Hobbit collections, and imaginary Scrabble games with Monica Geller. But when a letter from the parole board forces her to confront her childhood trauma, Lenny's world starts to crack wide open, revealing a past she’s spent decades trying to forget.

Based on the title alone, I expected something similar to Finlay Donovan, but this was more of a quiet, quirky emotional unraveling than a zany caper. Lenny gave me Molly the Maid vibes: endearing, socially awkward, and layered with hidden trauma. As her memories return, Lenny slowly works to figure out who she really is—learning to open up to others and finally allowing herself to rely on the people who care about her. I listened to this one - and while I wasn’t deeply invested the whole time, more just along for the ride, I loved the moment she kidnapped the dog. Big fan. 🐶

Ultimately, this felt like a slow-burn, cozy "finding yourself" story with a hint of rom-com and a satisfying, heartwarming ending. If you enjoy character-driven fiction with emotional depth and a quirky, lovable main character, this one’s worth a read!