Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder is surprising, heartbreaking, and hopeful. I started this book with an assumption of what the plot was going to be and a general idea of where I thought the story was going. I was completely wrong, and I’m so glad. Mayne is a master storyteller. Lenny and her story are going to stay with me,

Thank you, NetGalley!

My thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book.

Helena Winters becomes Lenny Marks when the shattered 13 year old is taken in by loving foster parents Fay and Robert Marks. Her new identity effectively severs her connection to the troubled and abandoned little girl of a previous life so terrible she cannot, and will not, deal with it. All Lenny knows is that her stepfather Peter is in prison. He and her mother Tammy locked her in the backyard shed of their Australian home, a frequent punishment. She was found by police and never saw Peter or Tammy again. When her beloved maternal grandmother, who had taken her in, also died, she was sent into “the system.” Luckily for Lenny, her foster parents provided the refuge she needed to heal.

When the story opens, the nearly 40 year old Lenny owns her own home, which she calls “The Tree House,” inspired by her Tolkien obsession, bikes to the nearby primary school where she teaches, is an avid gardener, and watches the TV show Friends virtually non-stop. In fact, the show’s Monica becomes her imaginary housemate and ready partner for the Scrabble games she is obsesses over. Lenny has many harmless obsessions that serve as soothing rituals. She constantly rereads Tolkien and owns 35 copies of The Hobbit, the most important of which is the tattered copy of her mother’s childhood book. She has set menus for every evening’s dinner. She is friendless, misreading social cues, and misinterpreting intentions. When her foster mother, to whom she remains attached, challenges her to make friends, she sets her sights on the most unlikely pair of silly, superficial, and actually nasty young teachers at her school—the exact type who bullied and excluded her in high school.

All this, as well as Lenny’s profound dislike of being caught by surprise, thrown off routine, visited at home, being in crowds and noisy settings, and especially being touched, suggest that Lenny is neurodivergent. She insists she is finely but she is clearly not happy shut into herself as she is.

The ´blockage’ relates to the story she has invented about her childhood. She believes that her mother chose her brutal stepfather over her, that nobody can like her, and that she can rely only on Fay. Even Fay can’t persuade her to seek help to break through the walls of a trauma that have made her dissociative in self protection.

What changes everything is a letter that Lenny avoids opening until her need to know overcomes her need to avoid. She is invited to send a letter regarding the upcoming parole of her stepfather after 25 years of time served. She refuses, because what he did after she was abandoned doesn’t matter to her any more than his abandonment. All that matters is that her mother left her. As Lenny slowly lowers her guard and becomes involved with an abused dog and some people who genuinely care for her, the truth returns. It nearly breaks her, for the second time in her life, but she is not alone this time.

The author succeeds in relating a story that is at once tragic and life-affirming. Seen through Lenny’s eyes, it is clear that the world and its people often do not make sense, and nothing is as it appears. Except that some things and some people are, and they are the ones worth living for. I found this book a delight to read, wry, well-written, sensitive, compassionate but not pitying, hinting toward several possible conclusions but clinching it with one that is frighteningly real. Remarkably, she manages to make it funny too. It’s definitely a five star read for me.

Quirky thirty-something teacher Lenny Marks wants to please her foster mother by making friends and finding a partner. Unfortunately, Lenny’s past refuses to stay buried.

Lenny’s awkwardness is somehow both endearing and cringeworthy. Nevertheless, I found myself wanting her to succeed whether she is trying to fit in with her work colleagues, committing larceny, or trying to getaway with murder.

The secondary characters are well drawn and their interactions with Lenny reveal whether they are friend or foe, even though at times Lenny can’t seem to tell the difference. I enjoyed the portrayal of the dynamics of Lenny’s workplace.

Lenny’s past is beautifully revealed in bits, but since she is repressing a chunk of it, it never feels manipulative. The people who care about Lenny go to great lengths to protect her, which made me also feel protective of her.

The book relies heavily on various pop culture references; the Friends references in particular felt a bit over the top for my taste.

Lenny’s way of looking at the world grew on me as I got deeper into the story. Even though Lenny is an adult, the story has a coming of age vibe as she tries to come to terms with the past and open herself up to new possibilities. I liked how the book explores the way the past colors the present.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, an imprint of St. Martin’s Publishing Group, for providing an Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley.

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.