I received a complimentary copy of this book "Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder" and all opinions expressed are my own. I found this book slow at the start but then it got more interesting. It is a bit quirky and unusual. We go through Lenny's life and what leads to her quirkiness. Not sure I like the title of the book, I think it would turn some people off. But overall I liked the book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This book is a unique one, I could say so much but I don’t want to give any spoilers. But read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC.

It took me a minute to get into this book but once I did I really liked it. The story is quirky, sad, and engrossing. It took quite a bit of the book to grasp some understanding of the catalyst behind the character's motivations. I would caution anyone who is easily triggered by abuse, particularly child and spousal, to approach this book with extreme caution.

I will say that I thought the ending was strange and not really in keeping with the protagonist at all. There was absolutely no need for Lenny Marks to get away with murder and didn't make sence that this particular character would even contemplate murder at all. I would have changed the ending, but other than that I thought it was a great book.

3 1/2 stars

I guess the title tells it all, but I was still surprised by the turn of events. There's a lot to like in this story, but too many coincidences take away the impact.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: July 9, 2024
T/W: domestic violence, animal cruelty
Lenny Marks lives a quiet, predictable life. She bikes to and from work as a school teacher every day. She plays Scrabble and watches “Friends” on a loop. She thinks she has it all together, until her life slowly starts to unravel. A letter from the parole board to tell her that her stepfather is being released from jail unleashes the memories Lenny didn’t know she was holding on to, which leads to a downward spiral in both her personal and professional lives. Now it is up to Lenny to connect with those around her for the help she desperately needs, but at what cost?
“Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder” is the debut novel by Kerrin Mayne. Like “The Maid” or “Strange Sally Diamond” or even “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine”, Lenny Marks is a neurodivergent protagonist, whose routines and schedules keep her on an even keel, and help manage her traumatic past. Lenny is full of eccentricities and with the inability to understand and interpret social cues, she finds herself unsure of who to trust, which leads to a life of isolation and solitude.
“Murder” is a very touching story, but it is not a light read by any means, when it comes to subject matter. Lenny has been through a lot in her young life, and she has come out the other side, which makes her an easy character to root for. As she explores the complexities of human relationships, the reader is along for the ride, following all of the emotional ups-and-downs that Lenny experiences firsthand.
Mayne’s debut fits nicely in the widely growing genre of “neurodivergent protagonist”, but it also flows through the entire emotional gamut- laughing, crying, cheering, and everything in between. As a debut, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but Mayne definitely has what it takes to be an author to watch. I hope she returns with more novels and, more specifically, more Lenny, because I will be first in line to read them!

I absolutely loved this book. I loved Lenny, and many of the other characters. Of course there are awful characters too, but they were described perfectly.

I loved Malcolm the dog, Scrabble games with Monica, the word play Lenny does. She came to life for me. I feared for her, rooted for her, and was ultimately happy for her. This does deal with memory issues and trauma. It is heartbreakingly sad, but also uplifting.

I think it will be published in July, 2024

I didn't know what to expect going into this book, but I did NOT expect to love it quite this much. What an incredible debut. I can't remember the last time I had so much vested in the main character. Lenny is a fully fleshed out character with a crushingly sad backstory and although it was heartbreaking to be in her head sometimes, I loved watching her come into her own. This book had a little of everything including mystery, romance, and women's fiction. I had difficulty putting it down and am a little sad to be finished while at the same completely satisfied with the ending.

When I started this book my immediate thought was “another book about a lonely socially inept person who will overcome it all by the end”. I wasn’t wrong but the premise of this one was unique and attention grabbing. I finished this book in one weekend and only because I forced myself to put it down on the first day. I don’t want to give any spoilers or hints just a strong recommendation to give this book a try.

I loved the premise for this book and I loved the quirky main character. However, it moved so slowly. I struggle with books that are slow paced. I prefer medium to fast paced books. This book dragged in so many spots and could have been significantly shorter. I liked the cast of characters, I liked the plot. I liked the black and white thinking of the main character and the tension points this creates for her in her life. However, this book needed to cut a lot out and move faster.

Despite this being a story about a socially awkward woman coming to terms with the trauma and abuse she experienced as a child, I found this book to have an amazing cozy vibe. I loved going through Lenny's mundane days with her. You can't help but root for her and you definitely won't be able to forget her.

4.5 Stars for this debut, highly recommend.

This was such a wonderful surprise of a book! It was so well written and deftly handled some dark & sensitive topics. (Murder, suicide, domestic abuse) . It’s funny, witty, heart-breaking and endearing all at the same time. You will be shaking your head & rolling your eyes but cheering for Lenny. By the end, I wanted to wrap her up in a big hug. Lenny Marks was a bit like Eleanor Oliphant crossed with the Maid.

Thank you to Net Galley for the advance read. ❤️ Comes out in June-do not miss it.

Lenny Marks is a socially awkward outcast with a huge heart and an immaculately structured life. Receiving a letter one day that she tries but fails to ignore forces her to delve into her past and open up the memories she has tried so hard to ignore. This sets her on a path that motivates her to branch out, attempting relationships with others and breaking down the walls she has spent her lifetime building. This was a comedic but also dramatic story that pulls in every emotion in the human soul. Brilliantly delivered, this was a fun, well-paced, greatly plotted tale with a highly memorable character that is almost impossible not to like. Four Stars.

Thank you, Netgalley and St. Martins Press for this ARC.

This book was absolutely not what I was expecting and I mean that in the best way possible! This was such a great book and so incredibly well written. 5 stars.

"There was no moon yet that night, making a heavy black curtain for Lenny to play out one of the major scenes in Lenny Marks Gets a Life. She’d title it “The One Where Fergus Goes to Hell”."

When I was invited to read this book I wasn't quite sure what to expect. The title sounds thriller-ish but the synopsis does not give off thriller vibes. Either way it sounded interesting so I gladly jumped in.

Lenny Marks is a remarkable character. She's smart, organized, hard working and completely set in her routine. Despite all this, she doesn't have friends, children or a significant other. She thinks her life and her routine are sufficient as is, thank you very much. And while she has done well for herself, there are definitely some improvements she could make, if she could only muster a little faith in herself and accept some friendly help.

Lenny has difficulty seeing herself and others clearly. She suffers from self doubt and self blame stemming from years of childhood verbal abuse at the hand of her mother's boyfriend, Fergus.

Sadly, a violent event in her childhood left Lenny an orphan. As many do, she developed coping mechanisms to prevent herself from remembering the worst of that fateful morning. She can still hear her stepdad's voice blaming her and all these years later, she can't remember what happened but she does believe it was her fault.

I enjoyed this book. We first see Lenny as a survivor who is going through the motions but not truly living. After receiving a letter from the parole board about her stepdad's possible release, we see her unravel until she hits her rock bottom. As the saying goes, the only way to go from there is up. Lenny's "rebuilding" was full of surprises. I was proud of every moment that she stuck up for herself. I also liked the side characters who were there for her even when she tried to push them away.

Thank you for the ARC! Review to be shared on Bookstagram, Goodreads, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Kerryn Mayne, does it again

I mean, did we expect anything else?

I completely fan-girled out last year after reading "Joy Moody is Out of Time", and fell in love with Kerryn Mayne’s writing style. Right then, after concluding, I knew that Mayne, would join my list of "auto buy authors" .

I love the way Mayne throws us right into the chaos. The plot is present early on. The character development is on point and each one of the characters come to life between the pages.

This is a MUST READ for everyone who loves thrillers, comedy, and even drama.

Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder, is out July 9th!!! you know what to do! Head on over to your favorite bookstore and pre-order this book!


Teaser :

Lenny Marks is excellent at not having a life.

She bikes home from work at exactly 4pm each day, buys the same groceries for the same meals every week, and owns thirty-six copies of The Hobbit (currently arranged by height). The closest thing she has to a friendship is playing Scrabble against an imaginary Monica Gellar while watching Friends reruns.

And Lenny Marks is very, very good at not remembering what happened the day her mother and stepfather disappeared when she was still a child. The day a voice in the back of her mind started whispering, You did this.

Until a letter from the parole board arrives in the mail--and when her desperate attempts to ignore it fail, Lenny starts to unravel. As long-buried memories come to the surface, Lenny’s careful routines fall apart. For the first time, she finds herself forced to connect with the community around her, and unexpected new relationships begin to bloom. Lenny Marks may finally get a life–but what if her past catches up to her first?

Equal parts heartbreaking and heartwarming, Kerryn Mayne’s stunning debut is an irresistible novel about truth, secrets, vengeance, and family lost and found, with a heroine who's simply unforgettable.

Lenny Marks is unique and charming with her quirky habits. Her heart is deeper than she shows and she just wants to belong and be loved. But Lenny first must face the past and work through the impact it has on her present. With Fay her foster mother, Kirra her coworker, Ned the grocery store friend, and Malcolm the Dog by her side, Lenny finds her path to happiness and opens the door to the world one step at a time. This book reminded me of Eleanor Oliphant in some ways but Lenny was a little more my style and I would love to watch Friends reruns with her any day of the week (I’m also writing this review while watching Friends.)

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the arc.

I recently read Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne, and I must say, it left quite an impression on me. The story revolves around Lenny Marks, a woman who lives an extremely structured and isolated life. But when she receives a letter from the parole board, her life takes an unexpected turn.

The author has expertly woven the past and present to create a compelling narrative that keeps the reader engaged throughout the book. The character of Lenny is beautifully crafted, and her journey from a reclusive and lonely individual to someone who finally starts to open up to the people around her is heartwarming.

Mayne's writing style is simple yet captivating, and the pacing of the story is just right. The plot has enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing, and the ending is both satisfying and surprising.

Overall, Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder is a gripping and emotional read that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and enthralling novel.

Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder is just the kind of book that I typically love. Little did I know that this gem of a book would be one of my all-time favorite books.

Kerryn Mayne has created a cast of characters that I found hard not to fall in love with.

Lenny Marks doesn't really fit in. She is a bit of an oddball but if we are honest, aren't we all? Some of just hide it better than others. Lenny is an elementary school teacher who is desperately trying to fit in with the "cool young teachers" but isn't getting the hang of social cues and norms.

Mayne has a special way of leading readers through the story. She slowly reviews details in layers that results in perfection. Just when you think you know everything, Mayne gives another nugget of details which results in an amazingly told story.

I will be anxiously awaiting any future releases from Kerryn Mayne. Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder won me over.

5 Star Review. I would give this 1o stars if I could

Possible triggers: Spouse abuse, child abuse, drug use, domestic violence, murder, animal abuse and some others that I won't mention in case I give away too much.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lenny Marks has her routines. She cycles to her job as an elementary school teacher every day. She watches re-runs of Friends constantly. She plays Scrabble against her imaginary opponent (and roommate to the outside world) Monica. She avoids, as much as possible, contact with the outside world. Her only regular interactions are with the food delivery guy and Ned, who rings up her groceries. She has never been able to make friends and spent most of her childhood in a foster home. She's still close to her foster mother, Fay. Lenny does wonder why her mother abandoned her when she was 11 and why her grandmother, Zanny, also didn't want Lenny to live with her. But it's best not to think about those things. When she begins receiving letters and phone calls from the parole board, she tries her best to ignore them. It seems her evil stepfather, Fergus, is about to be released from prison. As he had something to do with her mother leaving (Lenny is sure her mother blames her for Fergus being locked up), Lenny refuses to engage with the authorities. At the same time, she's starting to think two new teachers at her school, Amy and Ashleigh, might actually become friends. That's until she finds out Amy is the girlfriend of her grocery store contact, Ned, who was also staring to become a friend. Slowly but surely, between kidnapping an abused dog and helping her elderly neighbor with yard work, Lenny is being drawn into a world that she doesn't really understand.

I really enjoyed getting to know Lenny. Her attempts to make friends (and her bafflement when she's still ostracized) were heartbreaking. She has a lot of trauma to remember and work through. I liked seeing how Lenny viewed the world differently but still managed to achieve whatever she set her mind to.

This was such a great story and very hard to put down once I started reading it. Lenny is a very interesting character and I loved getting to know her and the other characters in this book. This is such a compelling story and I enjoy the way it unfolded to find out what happened in Lenny's past. I don't want to give away too much of the story away, but you will not be disappointed in this one!