Thank you MacMillan audio for the review copy of Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder; a solid voice performance from Annie Maynard that honors the neurodiversity voices in this book and adds to the development of a thoughtful and impressive, debut novel. The title might suggest humor, even a little Finlay Donovan kind of vibe, but this book is not that (and that's not a bad thing, love Finlay though)... this book is a honest and loving portrayal of a young woman who loves words, who retreats into words and books when she needs to step back (I get that) and a moment in time when the main character Lenny has to work to reconcile her past and her present. As Lenny deals with reconciling her past, and her relationship with her mother, Mayne also gives the reader a sense that Lenny is reconciling a bit of who she could, maybe even wants to be, a sense that dealing with the past fully is well timed to help her connect more with others in her life.


I would like to note that I also vastly appreciate a book that has a positive foster parent rep, all too often I read books that portray foster parents as (all the less than helpful things) and I don't know a single foster parent who isn't like Fay, warm and loving, a stable loving presence. It matters to have this perspective offered in books that tackle on complicated family histories and mystery.

This one is a bit different, and I’m not entirely sure how to categorize it.

Told from the perspective of the neurodivergent heroine, the reader gets to experience the day-to-day life of Lenny Marks as her carefully constructed routines become disrupted by memories from the past. A letter from the parole board forms a crack in the armor Lenny began constructing the day her mother and stepfather disappeared, and things are set in motion that end up impacting how Lenny interacts with the world.

It’s full of quirky moments with some heavier themes.

I especially liked Ned and how he responds to Lenny, Kirra’s persistence in building a friendship with her, Lenny’s connection with her neighbor, Maureen, and the bond Lenny forms with Malcolm, the dog.

I liked how the book opens the reader up to the perspective of a person who sees the world differently, includes discussions of mental health, and depicts some ways the human mind copes with trauma.

I listened to an advance copy of the audiobook (so please excuse me if some of the character names are incorrect in this review). I liked how Annie Maynard’s narration captures Lenny’s world view and enjoyed her voices for the supporting characters as well. Please note that this book takes place in Australia, so the audiobook is told with Australian accents.

I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Macmillan Audio. All review opinions are my own.

I loved Lenny Marks and want to continue following her life. She was a great character, and Annie Maynard did an excellent job bringing her voice and this story to life. I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook.

This novel tells the story through the intricate internal struggles of a smart young neuro diverse woman. Lenny is a quirky teacher who loves her simple life and routines. I thought the author did a wonderful job taking us into Lenny’s complicated mind. She has suffered extreme adversity, and this is shown through her memories of her life when she was a child at the hands of disturbed and dark upbringing in a dysfunctional environment. Which is brought into the story through a parole letter which is causing her stress as she is remembering the past she has hidden from.

I loved how the author brought this past trauma into the present and creates the mystery around us wanting to know more about Lenny and her past story and how it relates to her present. I loved the characters and Lenny's interactions with them. Mayne unlocks Lenny’s past in an addictive manner. This book has ALL the FEELS as Lenny negotiates many obstacles in her life as it stands. I thought Mayne’s treatment of mental illness, trauma, domestic abuse and loss were stellar in this novel and really provided an excellent window into the character's life and those of the surrounding characters.

This novel really grabbed my attention and heart. I would love to read another book by Kerryn Mayne. A lovely, provoking, sad and at many times, funny book. Absolutely recommended to all.
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc audiobook to read and review.

I will post on 6/4/2024
Book Review
Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder
By Kerryn Mayne
Pub Date July 9, 2024
Swipe for synopsis.
Thank you to @macmillan.audio for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was a gem of a book. It was so different than anything I’ve read in a long time. I liked the flow of the story and how small amounts of Lenny’s past unfolded to reveal the trauma, chaos, and abuse Lenny’s childhood had been – and none of it was predictable.
It’s fascinating to me how people cope with trauma; Lenny was suffering from dissociative order. She lives this way until things come full circle and what she thought happened was different than what occurred. The second part of the story is Lenny learning about her actual past and accepting people and love. Her life was changing for the better with therapy and medication.

I just loved Lenny and her rescued dog Malcolm.

This was funny but also heartbreaking because of child/wife/pet abuse related content. Very good description of what it’s like to disassociate due to childhood trauma. I’m not sure what else I can say without giving away the plot.

The narrator Annie Maynard did a great job. I love Australian accents, even if I have to slow my listening speed a little bit to understand.

For fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine or The Maid.

3.5 rounded up - it wasn’t what I expected/was hoping for, but it’s a lovely, hopeful story so it deserves no less than 4 stars (and thus I rounded up).

This one was slow to catch my interest and I found it easier to put down (especially in the first half) than I like. The writing is good, and the author is clearly very talented, but the book could be positioned better to find its ideal audience.

Premise - an Eleanor Oliphant-type (neurodiverse coded, with no explicit on-page diagnosis/acknowledgment of a developmental difference or autism) plods through her everyday social challenges while grappling with guilt from a very dark incident in her childhood that she blames herself for (in the title, so not a spoiler). With the help of warmhearted, quirky people in her community, she learns to socialize and develops her first meaningful relationships.

In an interview, a literary agent once said genre readers want the same thing, but different. This book delivers another book with a different premise but generally the same character/plot progression/internal antagonist/style... the only problem is what it delivers is Eleanor Oliphant but Lenny Marks is marketed as a mystery/thriller and Eleanor Oliphant is women's fiction. I enjoyed EO, but not so much that I want to read it again so soon and certainly not when I'm expecting a mystery/thriller.

That said, it is a lovely work in the EO vein and clearly, based on the 4+ star average rating, tons of people love it! If you’re in the mood for Eleanor Oliphant, A Man Called Ove, Sipsworth, etc. then you should absolutely pick this one up and you will surely love it.

Thanks, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really weird read at first, but once you get deeper into it you realize how emotional it truly is. There were parts I openly wept at and I had a deep sense of empathy for the main character, Lenny, by the end of the book. It truly was as if she had lived two different lives- one as Helena and one as Lenny. Even though she lived a life of unfortunate circumstances, she was lucky to end up surrounded by people who loved her and were trying to under and accept her for who she was. Heart achingly beautiful portrayal of coming to terms with your past and being true to yourself.

I initially thought Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne was going to be a cozy read, but it quickly became apparent that there are some very triggering parts. So, a word of caution: check the trigger warnings if you have strong feelings towards certain themes.

The story revolves around Lenny Marks. She uses her school address as her home address, so when she receives a letter at work from the parole board, it triggers a flood of emotions and memories that disrupt her meticulously structured life.

Lenny's character is quirky but not overdone, which is a refreshing change from some of the other recent books I've read with similar characters. Her friend Kirra at school is the epitome of what a true friend should be, offering unwavering support and loyalty.

The audiobook's narrator was a perfect choice; her accent added a lovely touch to the listening experience. I also appreciated the slow build of the romantic relationship in the story, which felt natural. One of my favorite parts was when Lenny saves a dog, which then becomes her best friend, adding a heartwarming element to the narrative.

Overall, Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder is an engaging read with well-developed characters and a compelling plot. Just be prepared for some emotional moments along the way.

I'm so grateful to NetGalley for the audiobook of Kerryn Mayne's Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder. The narration was absolutely perfect and it's impossible not to fall in love with Lenny from the very first page.

Lenny is a survivor of a traumatic childhood filled with loss and heartbreak. She avoids thinking about her past and instead chooses to live her life simply and without drama. Unfortunately, drama finds her and she is thrust into one situation after another that leaves her reeling. Many of her coworkers are mean girls who purposely exclude her. She rescues a dog from an abusive owner and then has to do her best to steer clear of him or face his wrath. And her stepfather's parole hearing is fast approaching, leaving her anxious and unsettled.

Despite all of Lenny's disastrous situations, this heartwarming story is filled with laugh-out-loud moments and unforgettable, lovable characters.

𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗡𝗬 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗦 𝗚𝗘𝗧𝗦 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗠𝗨𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗯𝘆 𝗞𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗻𝗲 was an unexpected delight! Lenny Marks, a reclusive schoolteacher, lives a life of strict routines and solitude. Her days are spent biking home from work, buying the same groceries, and playing Scrabble against an imaginary Monica Gellar while watching Friends. Her favorite book, *The Hobbit*, is a comforting constant in her life. Lenny’s world is turned upside down when she receives a letter from the parole board, triggering buried memories of her mother and stepfather’s mysterious disappearance during her childhood. As these memories resurface, Lenny’s carefully controlled life begins to unravel, pushing her to connect with the community around her and forge new relationships. This awesome novel by Kerryn Mayne is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Lenny’s journey of self-discovery and healing is captivating. I found myself deeply attached to her character and rooting for her every step of the way. Highly recommended!

I read the book and it was good but I just finished listening to it and it was fantastic. The read made the story so much more engaging and enjoyable. I prefer the audiobook over the paper version.

I loved Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder! Primary school teacher Lenny Marks is perhaps a touch unusual by most people’s standards, but she likes it that way. Her routines, habits, and structured lifestyle work for her, and she sees no issue with that. Throughout the book. Lenny begin to branch out, finding friends in different forms, breaking some of her self-constructed molds, and healing herself and growing along the way.
I adored the way neurodiversity was presented in this novel, in an endearing, and honest way. The way in which trauma was represented was heartfelt, and as individual in its fictional form as it is in reality. As an adorable bonus, Lenny’s affinity for Friends made her a relatable, millennial woman that I would be friends with as well.
I listened to the audiobook version of Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder. The narrator had a great tone, and it almost felt like a friend telling me a crazy story. It was clear when she was differentiating between characters (without being a cheesy version of a female doing a male’s voice!). Overall, Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder was a very comfortable listen! Highly recommend!

4 stars

This is a great debut, and I'm already interested in reading more from this author. Also, the audiobook narration is excellent, so I recommend this version when and where accessible.

Lenny Marks, the titular m.c., is giving Eleanor Oliphant, Sally Diamond, and Molly the Maid in that she's a quirky individual with some heavy notes from the past. While there are dark elements of this novel, Mayne maintains a relatively upbeat tone throughout, and that's one of several ways in which this book departs from the aforementioned related examples.

Lenny's limited social prowess keeps her in more amusing than vicariously painful situations, and her lack of awareness in specific areas really does come off as authentic versus somewhat daft. Her bobbles, along with the inclusion of some worthy secondary characters, also make for a nicely paced effort.

I enjoyed this read and look forward to what Mayne offers up next.

Lenny is a quirky, single 37-year-old teacher, who suffers from childhood trauma.

When Lenny's stepfather is released from prison, dark suppressed secrets emerge from her past and her carefully constructed world falters.

Although this book received stellar reviews, it never resonated with me.

WHY?

1) I was waiting to be charmed by a Molly the Maid/Eleanor Oliphant-type character but that never happened.
😭😭😭
(I did love the references to the show "Friends", though!)
2) The pacing of the book was waaay too slow.

I listened to the audiobook read by Annie Maynard, who did a superb job with the narration.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lenny Marks is a woman who is very awkward and routine driven. She has a bad past that she has blocked out. She starts to slowly come out of her shell and live her life.

This book reminds me of books like Elenor Oliphant is completely fine and Cassie in Reverse. And unfortunately, I wasn’t a huge fan. I was just bored honestly. If you like those mentioned books, you’ll probably enjoy this one.

I don’t think the writing was bad or anything but not much was happening. I thought it would be more of a cozy mystery or something but it wasn’t.

I did like Lenny and there was some humor sprinkled in. I was just a bit bored and probably won’t remember much of this book.

I did listen to the audiobook and I liked the narrator! I thought the voice was clear and the tone was good.

Thanks so much to netgalley and St. Martins Press for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

Lenny Marks was such a delightful and innocent character despite the trauma and challenges she faced as a child. I would characterize her as “neurodivergent” despite never seeing that label, or any label, placed upon her.

As an adult, Lenny is a teacher and enjoys her solitary life watching Friends at the home she referred to as “The Treehouse.” She lives by schedules and routines because they soothe and calm her - something that deeply resonated with me.

Part of her routine is shopping at the same place for her groceries where she developed a relationship with Nate. They share many interests making it easier for Lenny to talk to him.

At work, a few fellow teachers invite Lenny to a trivia night at a bar and Lenny hesitantly agrees to go. Frequently she uses her “roommate” and “friend” Monica to get out of plans or to make it seem like she has someone to hang out with on the weekends.

While at trivia night, Lenny learns Nate is the boyfriend of one of her coworkers which then makes Lenny question her growing friendship with him. Perhaps her coworker will be upset with her and Lenny would never do anything to intentionally to hurt someone else.

Lenny’s past catches up with her as she receives a letter asking her opinion of the impending release from prison of the step father whom was the cause of her trauma.

With her growing number of friends, Lenny is finding confidence she didn’t know previously possess. Will that allow her to face her past? Or will the trauma of her past cause additional trauma in her future?

I feel this really should have been called Lenny Marks the Brave or Lenny Marks the Warrior.

This was much more serious than I had expected and I absolutely loved it! I truly hope to read more about Lenny Marks in the future! I highly recommend this for those who enjoy books including neurodivergent characters, characters who overcome challenges, and those who enjoy domestic dramas and mysteries. A solid four star read which, for me, means I HIGHLY recommend checking it out!

I’m appreciative of being able to both read and listen to the story! The narrator really brought the story to life and brought a wonderful voice to Lenny!

First of all, I’m giving this ten million stars.

When I was looking for a copy of the cover of the book, I came across a few reviews. I think the naysayers are missing the mark(s). (Dad pun intended.) For the record, I need to establish that Kerryn Mayne should not be pigeonholed as an Australian crime writer. Sure, she is a proud Aussie, but her book transcends continental divides. And, yes, there is a crime. As with geography, this text goes well beyond the shoot ‘em up, knock ‘em dead, run from the law tropes of that genre to be a book about a life defensively lived. As a teacher, I often wonder about the events that have shaped my students. Each action, each decision, each incident surrounding a child inevitably serves to scrape away at or add to the sculpting of their identities. Mayne has done a remarkable job of helping us to understand Lenny. The pacing was languid enough to help me understand the nuances of Lenny’s behavior while being engaging enough to keep me reading. There are plenty of comparisons to Rosie or Eleanor, but Lenny isn’t either of those characters. Mayne does a remarkable job of making Lenny uniquely Lenny. She also nails the impact of trauma on children. She takes many difficult moments and weaves them together in a way that brings a depth of understanding without being maudlin or macabre about the most important topics. (A little macabre never hurt a book.) I loved this so much that I’m going to go back and listen to it again.
Thanks, @netgalley & @kerrynmayneauthor

Thank you to @macmillanaudio for the ALC, and @stmartinspress for the eARC and physical ARC of Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder!

This novel was not at all what was I expecting, but it absolutely blew me away. Instead of a thriller this is a literary fiction (with a bit of mystery) that delves into one woman’s grief, mental health, and neurodivergence.

Lenny is such a great character, the references and way her brain operates were comforting, delightful and relatable. The side characters were incredibly well-done and I was so interested in Lenny as a character and even more than the central mystery, Lenny coming to terms with what happened/discovering it for herself.

With a blurb from Sally Hepworth and vibes of Emily Austin, this book is a must-read. The audio was wonderful, and this book was simply magnificent. I didn’t want it to end. I’ll certainly be reading the next outing from Kerryn Mayne.

I loved this book. It was such a quick listen and Lenny Marks is just the sweetest character. There was a lot going on in this book and then sometimes it felt like nothing at all, but I loved the pace and the whole vibe of it.
Lenny has come from trauma and her lifestyle shows it. She is very guarded and keeps to herself. Her best friends are chandler, Monica, Phoebe, Rachel, Ross, and Joey…if you catch my drift.
I honestly want to stop there because I don’t want to give any part of this enchanting story away.
It’s a good book. I feel like it has everything. Read it.
Thank you netgalley for the AAC!

So much more than a "mystery", this novel is an engrossing story with a unique and wonderful protagonist that I found myself rooting for more and more with turn of the page. I'm sure this one will be compared to The Maid by Nita Prose, and there are some similarities to be sure. But Lenny is a character all onto her own, and her backstory is both sad and compelling.

I alternated the ebook with the audiobook and found the narration excellent -- very in keeping with the tone of the book. Highly recommended.