Thank you @macmillan.audio for the early copy. This audiobook was a delightful surprise.

☀️ Genre: Contemporary fiction
♥️ Steamy rating: Mild
⚡️ Profanity: Moderate
🎧 Method: Macmillan Audio
📕 2024 book count: 84

Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder felt a little bit like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, but Lenny’s character was slightly more relatable and likable.

Lenny has a very predictable life. She teaches elementary school, bikes to and from work, plays scrabble with her imaginary best friend Monica Gellar, and does not socialize with anyone except occasionally her foster mother. Lenny is timid and grief stricken by the disappearance of her mother and stepfather when she was 11. Throughout the book, Lenny breaks out of her shell finally welcoming the knowledge of what happened to her mother.

Though this book is much more sad than the description portrays, I found it to be extremely heartwarming. I loved Lenny’s character. I loved seeing her stretch her wings. I just wanted to hug her. Though this was a bit of a cozy murder mystery, especially towards the end, it was mainly about a girl, who experiences far too much trauma for one person and is looking for acceptance and love. It’s no rom-com either. The first half started slow. The second half was amazing.

Triggers: Domestic violence, murder, bullying, cheating/infidelity, trauma, foster care, death of a parent, alcoholism, and animal abuse

I loved this book so much! The audiobook narrator absolutely smashed it! I didn’t want to stop. I was so sucked in by the mystery of Lenny’s past. She felt so real to me, her personality was so unique and fascinating to read about. I loved her obsession with Friends, Buffy, and The Hobbit (all things I love)! I just loved walking with her as she uncovered her past and healed.

Reading it felt like having tea with a stranger, but leaving as the best of friends. Lenny will live rent free in my head and I will forever think of her every time I watch Friends or see a copy of The Hobbit.

Unexpectedly heart wrenching and deep, this story caught me off guard by how much I loved it. I gobbled up every sentence and wished there were more!

If you enjoyed reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, or The Cactus by Sarah Haywood, and enjoy a touch of mystery then this is the PERFECT book for you!

A zillion million stars! (But Goodreads only lets me leave five so I guess five it is.)

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC!

Lenny Marks is one of my favorite characters ever! I did like how her disability was discussed throughout the book from her POV. Lenny kind of drove me crazy at first but I ended up loving her. I love that this story was a funny murder mystery while also adult Lenny came into herself.

I received the audio version of this book and the narrator is Annie Maynard. I thought she was perfect for Lenny and all of these characters! The only voice that kind of made me cringe is her voice for male characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook of Lenny Marks Get! Out now!

Lenny Marks is quirky and socially awkward. She struggles to make friends and has found contentment in the quiet, predictable world she’s created for herself. But when she’s forced to confront her childhood trauma can Lenny open herself up to the world around her? What does her life look like on the other side?
Lenny is an endearing heroine and Kerryn Mayne creates an engrossing world around her. Step in to Lenny’s life and you’ll be rooting for her to find her way, stand up for herself and reach for happiness she never imagined possible.

Lenny Marks owns thirty-six copies of The Hobbit and that was all I needed to know about her to love her.

This book is very much like Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, and if you enjoyed that one, you'll like this one too.

The audiobook production was very well done! I didn't want to stop listening, not only to find out exactly about Lenny's past but to see what else she gets into in the present (and of course to have an Australian accent in my ear). And there's some standout side characters too, with nice complexity. But Lenny gets the most development, and I appreciated the journey she went on to get it.

The ending did throw me a little (I wasn't expecting the title to be so literal), and kind of clashed with how the rest of the novel feels. But I appreciated how it came full circle.

Definitely check this one out if character-driven novels are your thing!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for my audiobook!

Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder is the debut novel from Kerryn Mayne.

"Lenny likes her routine. And she likes her 36 copies of The Hobbit. She's very good at forgetting what happened the day her stepfather and mother left her. Until a letter from the parole board arrives in the mail. Lenny tries so hard to ignore it. But her memories come back. She is forced to connect with people and finds some unexpected friendships. Lenny may finally get a life - but what happens if her past catches up to her first?"

This book initially gave strong Eleanor Oliphant vibes. But the more time you spend with Lenny, the more differences you see. And the more you want to know her story. There are several characters looking out for Lenny, but she doesn't realize it at first. Mayne slowly reveals the events but even Lenny doesn't remember until the end. There are some emotional scenes that are really tough. You want to go back and protect Lenny.
There's also a wild scene near the end and some interesting reveals about the people in Lenny's life. I love her ending. And her interactions with Malcolm, her rescue dog.

Annie Maynard does a fabulous job with the audio. You feel like you're there with Lenny - in the past and in the present.

I think Lenny will surprise some people this year. I hope you enjoy getting to know her, too.

Nice debut from Mayne.

Thank you to NetGalley for the audio ARC of this book! I thought the narrator did a good job and this would be a good option for those who like audio books! Lenny is a socially awkward elementary school teacher. I think her character was meant to be similar to Eleanor Oliphant. The book was more of a mystery book which was not what I was expecting. I did enjoy the book though.

Super unique premise, protagonist and unpredictable storyline. However, I found this title a little slow to start and that pushed me backward. Lenny is a different read and one that will certainly stay with me.

Tricky tricky title... You expect Eleanor Oliphant like Lenny Marks to get away with legit murder and you are going to be tasked to figure out how she did it. If that's what you are hoping, slowly put the book down and pick another one. But if you are into whimsical stories, this will work.

Lenny was a Scrabble master; she could come up with many many words in a second for given letters. But also she played Scrabble against Monica form Friends. Lenny loved The Hobbit, and she had 36 copies of it. Lenny loved to cook but only the same dishes. She was like our beloved Eleanor Oliphant and Nina the Maid. She was literal in everything she did. She thought she wasn't supposed to cross certain lines. She lost her mother and stepfather when she was little. One day she was at home, next day she was at her grandmother's house. Now she started to remember what happened on the day her life changed and she was afraid.

Lenny "grew up" into a different person by the end of this book. I know people fall in love with characters like her in books, but usually look away or show no patience when they meet likes of Lenny in real life. I hope this will change their perspective in real life too

Excellent story that I was intrigued by from start to finish. Unexpected elements that enriched the story and had me rooting for Lenny throughout. Definitely not the story you would predict by the cover, but better, with depth and heart.

Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder by Kerryn Mayne.

Lenny is an eccentric teacher who tries to make friends with her coworkers but also wants to keep to herself. She enjoys watching Friends reruns and playing Scrabble with her "friend, " Monica.

Lenny has blocked out much of her childhood until a letter from the parole board arrives. Is murder ever acceptable? As Lenny remembers moments of her childhood, she needs to rely on others around her.

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the early copy!

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, for my free audiobook for review.

The audio narration by Kerryn Mayne truly brought this story to life for me. What initially sounded like a read about a quirky character has evolved into something much deeper. Our heroine, Lenny, is someone I found myself wanting to give a comforting hug. Beneath her unconventional exterior, she is filled with unresolved trauma, and the narrative skillfully explores the lengths the mind goes to suppress a painful and tragic past. I enjoyed the unexpected curve balls that emerged throughout the story, keeping me engaged and invested.

Listening to the audiobook provided the perfect medium to experience Lenny's journey. Kerryn Mayne's narration gave me a richer, more immersive understanding of Lenny as she gradually unravels and shares her story. I particularly appreciated how the narrator captured Lenny's deep-seated love of reading - she epitomizes the notion that you can never have enough editions of a beloved book.

As the story progresses, I witness Lenny finding her voice and cultivating the courage to come to terms with her past, correct her misconceptions, and move toward a more hopeful future. This multifaceted character development was highly compelling and resonated with me. Overall, the audiobook format enhanced my enjoyment and engagement with this complex and layered narrative.

What an interesting book. I loved the story, the characters, the narration. It is just a must read or must listen to book! Don’t skip over this one!

Can a book be whimsical, as well as emotional and thought provoking? Of course it can! And this book pulls off the combination with ease.

I loved Lenny’s character. She’s quirky, socially awkward, and kind-hearted. As the story unfolds, we gradually learn why Lenny is such a loner, and that maybe she isn’t as alone as she thought.

This story tackles some unexpectedly complex topics, while keeping the overall tone light and witty. We’re left with a lot to think about, but not a lot of weight to carry.

I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by Annie Maynard. I thought she did a fantastic job bringing Lenny’s character to life.

Lenny Marks is a neurodivergent 5th grade teacher with a mysterious past.

And by mysterious, I mean, really terrible things happened to her as a young girl and her recollection of those events is murky at best and completely lost at worst.

Most fervently, she doesn’t remember what happened the day her mother and stepfather disappeared. But when a letter arrives in the mail, memories of the terrible things that happened in her past begin to slowly make themselves known.

Lenny has made a comfortable if contained life for herself with her 36 editions of The Hobbit, Scrabble games with her pretend roommate Monica Gellar, and comfort watching episodes of Friends.

It’s the tension created by this ordered, careful life juxtaposed against the chaos of her childhood that drives the engaging narrative.

It’s important to go into this one knowing nothing more than I’ve given. Don’t poke around or read too many reviews because this one ever so slowly unfolds revealing piece after piece - sometimes sad, sometimes shocking.

I loved narrator Annie Maynard’s Aussie accent - brilliant and engaging. Her voice alone would classify this one as a cozy mystery.

Lenny is a fantastic storyteller, with her tale unfolding in both the present as she tries to navigate friendships and social situations, and the past as she slowly places each piece of the jigsaw until the pieces are all finally in place.

Be aware the book deals with heavy, traumatic topics and some graphic violence, all in service to the plot.

At times it felt like a bit too much - some coincidences and circumstances feel a little forced - but overall I enjoyed it and highly recommend the audiobook.

Thanks to @netgalley @stmartinspress and @macmillanaudio for the audiobook ARC. This one comes out July 9, 2024.

Kerryn Mayne's Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder is a cozy crime-fiction-mystery that unfolds at a slow pace.

Lenny Marks leads a meticulously ordered life, disrupted only by a haunting past she can't quite remember. When a parole board letter stirs dormant memories, Lenny's carefully constructed world begins to unravel. The narrative, a slow burn that picks up around 65% and then it was wonderfully paced and I couldn’t put it down. It carefully sets the stage for Lenny's journey of self-discovery and community connection.

This isn't a fast-paced read but a character-driven story where Lenny, with her endearing quirks and vulnerabilities, shines brightly. The novel's strength lies in Lenny who is very charming and the colorful cast of characters who bring humor and heart to the story.

The narrator did an amazing job with this story! I really enjoyed listening to this narrator.

Thank you to @stmartinspress, @netgalley and the author for an arc of this story in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: July 9, 2024

I kept hearing about this book, but didn’t read the description before starting it. And I’m glad I didn’t! I really was t sure what I was in for but I had heard so many good things about it already I wanted to take a chance.

I ended up really enjoying this book. I loved Lenny’s personality. She’s quirky and different. She was one of those characters you just wanted to reach into the book and give a hug. She has gone through so many things and the majority of it she is still carrying into her adult life. After her “breakthrough”, I think we see a positive change in Lenny, which made me really happy for her.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, the writing was good and I enjoyed the story too! NThe narrator did a great job as well.

***Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio***

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book but the title made me curious.

At first I was drawn into the story waiting to see how it will unfold. Then I just got kind of confused what was going on. Thought it would come all together in the end but felt there were loose ends at the end and I’m still confused.

I liked Lenny as a character and felt she had a lot of potential.

The Narration was done well.

Lenny Marks leads a quiet life filled with routines and playing scrabble against an imaginary friend Monica Gellar. She does not have many friends, has 36 copies of The Hobbit, and does not remember what happened the day her mother and step father disappeared.

As per usual, I did not remember the blurb of this book between the time I obtained the book (or audiobook in this case) and the time I listened to it. So when I started reading, I was not aware of the ride I was in for. This starts with a socially awkward, neurodivergent, women satisfied with her life but wishing to branch out. This book, however, takes a sudden turn when a childhood trauma becomes unlocked and we learn about Lenny’s past and the mystery it holds. Mayne does a great job at slowly peeling back the layers to reveal just enough to keep the pace of the book moving and leaving the reader wanting more until the final twist. I appreciated her character development of the main character especially for a debut novel. I would not go into this book thinking it is a mystery, it is more a personal story, that is filled with heart, and trauma, and healing, wrapped in a mystery.

Thanks to St. Martin's and Macmillan Audio for the gifted ebook and audiobook.

I liked this book. It’s entertaining and generally well written. I didn’t love it though, and here’s why:
- I went in with the wrong expectation - I was expected Finlay Donovan and got Eleanor Oliphant. Not BAD, but unexpected. I also think the “oddball” trope is a bit overdone these days. My expectations were based in large part on the title, but the “gets away with murder” aspect doesn’t happen until the end of the book and isn’t the primary driver of the plot or character behavior.
- The book deals with some heavy topics and includes one scene of graphic violence that I had to sort of dissociate from while listening to not get upset.

Audio: The novel is narrated by Australian actress Annie Maynard. I love that an Aussie narrator was selected to stay true to the book (set in Australia) and she does a FABULOUS job. She IS Lenny. If you decide to pick this one up, I’d recommend the audiobook.

Before picking this up, I’d recommend reading the synopsis to make sure you’re in the mood for it (I really think I was in the mood for something else) and review content warnings to keep yourself safe.