This book is tagged as a mystery/thriller, which is not where I’d shelve it at all. While there are definitely some mystery elements, this read to me as more of a contemporary fiction. I loved Lenny as a character - she is perfectly flawed and it was interesting seeing the world through her neurodivergent lens. There are definitely some similarities between Lenny Marks and Eleanor Oliphant but in a gives-the-same-character-personality-vibe way, not in a carbon copy way. The plots of the two books themselves are completely different. Overall, I enjoyed getting to know Lenny and her history, watching her develop friendships and other relationships, and see her grow right on the page.

I thought this was going to be more of a lighthearted read but this dealt with some really tough topics. I loved Lenny’s character and could totally identify with her in many ways (hello Friends addiction!) Her character had some excellent growth and I loved seeing the world through Lenny’s lens. I was stunned to see this was a debut because it was so well done!

Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder
By: Kerryn Mayne

What a wonderful debut novel! I adored Lenny Marks and all the characters surrounding her. I am the mother of 2 neurodivergent children and I relish reading books where I can see a glimmer of them in a main character. Lenny is not a caricature of a neurodivergent person, she is a full-fleshed character with quirks and charms that make her a pure delight. I loved that those around her were not trying to change her. I found the plot engaging and I hope we see Lenny again!

I loved Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder, but I especially loved Lenny Marks. I’m not sure if I could have enjoyed this novel any more than I did. It surprised me somewhat. Not because I didn’t think it was going to be good, because the synopsis certainly piqued my interest, but because it exceeded my expectations and gave me so much more.

I know there are still a few months until the end of the year, but I already know that this book will be making my list of favorite books of 2024. There, I said it. Lenny Marks was a wonderful character. Kerryn Mayne did an incredible job of creating Lenny, with all of her neurodivergent qualities. She was intelligent, regimented, straightforward, and she had lived a difficult life. I wanted nothing more than for Lenny to be happy and secure in life. In my opinion, she deserved only good things.

This story has a mix of heartbreak, humor, mystery, and romance. There were times when it was difficult to read because I could feel Lenny’s pain in the pit of my stomach, but then it had lighter moments where I found myself laughing out loud. However, at the core of the story was a mystery of what had actually happened the day that Lenny’s mother and stepfather disappeared from her life.

We get to witness Lenny in her work life as a teacher. We see her interactions with coworkers, some of whom aren’t the nicest. We see her following her daily schedule, and we even get to see her smitten with a man. We know that she needs routine in order to be comfortable, that she loves Friends, and she has an aptitude for Scrabble. Throughout all of my literary interactions with Lenny, I knew that she was a lovable character whose resilience shone through.

If you are looking for a well-rounded reading experience, please do yourself a favor and pick up this novel. I promise that you will not be disappointed. I am already looking forward to reading Kerryn Mayne’s next novel.

*5 Stars

Lenny Marks is a primary grade school teacher. She loves to play scrabble, talks occasionally to Ned, who works at the corner store in her neighbourhood, she does not socialize with anyone except with her foster mum, tells no one where she lives, rides her bike everywhere, creates anagrams constantly in her head when she’s stressed, and has over thirty copies of “The Hobbit”.

Lenny Marks has also been running away from traumatic memories of her childhood.

A letter from the probation board and her foster mum urging her to make a friend sets Lenny on a slow course of change that opens up her heart to an abused dog, her lonely neighbour, to a colleague at work, to romance, and eventually, to confronting her past. Along the way, there is some messiness, revelations and a consequential decision, and good dialogue, but the journey is interesting and heartwarming, and I wanted to cheer for Lenny with each step forward she makes.

Thank you to Netgalley and to St. Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.

This was good but not great for me - the character and story were unexpected, which was fun, but I wasn’t overly thrilled with it

Childhood trauma wrapped up in the mundane life of Lenny Marks makes for a compelling story, delving deep into the need for community even when we are really good at, and quite enjoy, isolation and routine.

This book was not quite what I expected, in the best way. As a teacher I loved the neurodivergent character who was also a teacher. A lot of people liken this book to Eleanor Oliphant (which I didn't love), and I certainly see the similarities. This debut had my heart and I loved Lenny from the start. It was a little slow moving, especially in the beginning, it it picked up and had some surprises that I did not expect. I felt the title/cover were a little misleading, but that did not affect my enjoyment of the book. I want to meet Lenny in real life! And I look forward to reading more from this debut author.

This was such a quirky enjoyable read! Truly nothing else like it and it was like a cozy mystery with more depth.

This is a well-done story. Lenny Marks did get away with murder (and justifiably so?)

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. All the best to the author.

Traumatic Past Shapes Woman’s Life

Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder is Kerryn Mayne's debut novel, which centers around Lenny Marks, a quirky and reclusive primary school teacher. Lenny has spent her life avoiding the painful memories of her childhood, particularly the day her mother left her. Her carefully constructed routine begins to crumble when a letter from the parole board arrives, forcing her to revisit her troubled past and confront long-buried secrets.

Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder is a notable debut that combines heart, humour, and suspense. Kerryn Mayne's skillful storytelling and deep understanding of her characters make this a must-read for fans of contemporary fiction. The novel is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of facing one’s past to move forward.

I just finished Lenny Marks Is Not a Catastrophe, and I have to say, I really enjoyed it. Lenny Marks is such a fascinating character—she’s got this super predictable life, from her 4pm bike rides to her exact grocery list, and even her impressive collection of The Hobbit copies. It’s almost comforting to see someone with such a tightly controlled routine.

But then, a letter from the parole board shakes things up, and suddenly Lenny’s world starts to unravel. Watching her deal with long-buried memories and start reaching out to others was really compelling. It’s like she’s forced to step out of her cozy bubble and face the messy, unpredictable world outside.

What I loved about the book is how it blends heartbreaking moments with uplifting ones. It’s got this great mix of truth, secrets, and the struggle to reconnect with the world. Kerryn Mayne does a fantastic job making Lenny’s journey feel both personal and universal. If you’re into character-driven stories with a touch of heart and a lot of soul, this one’s definitely worth checking out.

Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder is a character driven novel with elements of a psychological thriller and mystery. We meet Lenny Marks, a teacher trying to live an ordinary, simple life, but whose past has caught up to her. I really enjoyed Lenny as a character, and was interested in her story and growth. This book has heavy themes and on-page trauma, which to be honest I wasn't expecting to be so heavy, but I also found there to be plenty of lighter moments to balance this. Sometimes it felt a little disjointed to me, but I also think that represents Lenny suppressing her trauma as well. I enjoyed the themes of reclaiming one's life and the wit in the writing throughout. Overall, this was a thought-provoking and satisfying read for fans of crime fiction with heart.
Thank you St. Martin's Press for the copy through NetGalley in exchange for a review.

I reviewed it on the app, and it mustn't have posted. I don't remember what I rated it or what my review was. I am pretty sure this book has me all over the place. It started out good, then got slow, then finished good. I believe it finished with me wanting another to read.

Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder is a fast-paced, not-so-cozy mystery that's perfect for any time of the year.

This book will definitely remind you of "Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine," until it doesn't. Lenny is a 37 year old socially awkward schoolteacher with a traumatic past. That part is similar. as are the people around her who decide to befriend her despite her awkwardness How she navigates life, how she copes with her trauma, and how she moves forward with life is all completely different. But those initial Eleanor Oliphant vibes should give you a sense for the book. Don't confuse this book with any kind of murder mystery, because it isn't that type of book. Lenny is a character you will fall in love with, cry with, be surprised by, and cheer for. The whole book is very good and especially from the halfway point, I just couldn't put it down. This is Kerryn Mayne's debut novel and she has knocked it out of the park.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Publishing Group for an ecopy. My opinion is my own.

2.5 stars rounded up — quite possibly the most misleading book I have picked up in 2024.

The title, cover and description of this book all made me think it was going to be lighthearted/cozy/funny, something along the veins of Finlay Donovan is Killing it. This is not that. At all. It's way more dark and depressing than that, literally a story about trauma and Lenny's family being violently murdered when she was a child, her PTSD and live afterwards, and facing her stepfather/family's murderer when he's released after 25 years in prison. Excuse me?? Also, the "murder" that Lenny gets away with doesn't happen until the last 10% of the book. So you'll be waiting for quite some time.

I think this didn't hit the mark for me because I was expecting something completely different from it. The writing was good, but a lot of pieces that I think were intended to demonstrate character growth/development just seemed irrelevant to the plot overall.

Just not for me right now. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a DRC in exchange for my honest review!

This is the author’s debut novel, and I think she did a great job. I have to admit that I was expecting a cozy mystery-ish book and this was definitely not that. Overall it was a solid read although there were times it felt like it was dragging for me. There were definitely some sad and hard hitting subjects. I would recommend this book to others looking for a mystery read. Thanks NetGalley for the eArc.

Kerryn Mayne's debut novel is a captivating and thought-provoking journey into the life of Lenny Marks, a character who instantly pulls you into her world. Lenny, a teacher who finds comfort in routine and solitude, is both relatable and compelling as she navigates the unexpected chaos that disrupts her orderly life. The story beautifully explores her growth and resilience as she faces the buried trauma of her past, making it impossible not to root for her. With its emotional depth, engaging twists, and a protagonist you can’t help but cheer for, this novel is a remarkable introduction to Mayne's storytelling.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was not what I expected. It was better.

Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder follows the title character, a 37-year-old, neurodivergent, fifth-grade teacher as she is confronted with a trauma from her past. Like the heroine, this novel is quirky and unexpected—one of those books that at times genuinely made me chuckle even though it dealt with some fairly heavy themes, including grief and abandonment.

Overall, I adored Lenny Marks. Although the romantic subplot felt a bit forced, I nevertheless found myself wanting to keep reading, to keep cheering for Lenny as she grew into herself and found acceptance.

If you enjoy quirky, offbeat heroines and dark humor, give this one a try. You won't regret it.