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!

Really enjoyed this book, Lenny is quirky and lovable. The story moves along at a steady pace, and the ending was quite satisfying. A fun read, and I love a happy ending!

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.

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. The narration suited the story and was well done.
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the copy through NetGalley in exchange for a review.

Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder is one of my recent audiobook listens.

I really enjoyed this story about Lenny, who is forced to unearth some painful memories and work through some childhood trauma around the day her mother and stepfather disappeared as her stepfather comes up for parole. As pointed out in the book’s description, this story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming.

Overall, I thought this was a great debut novel and thought the audiobook narrator was excellent as well. My favorite part of the book were Lenny’s relationships with her elderly neighbor and the guy from the grocery store. I also really loved how brave Lenny was as she regained her memories and leaned the truth about that traumatic day. I also admired the personal growth she experienced throughout the novel as well.

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.

In the realm of contemporary fiction, it is a rare gem that manages to weave together a tapestry of emotions ranging from the depths of heartbreak to the peaks of warmth. Kerryn Mayne’s debut novel, “Lenny Mark Gets Away With Murder,” does just that, presenting readers with an unforgettable journey through the life of its protagonist, Lenny Marks.

Lenny Marks is a character etched in routine and simplicity. Her life is a series of meticulously timed events, from her punctual bike rides home from work to her unwavering grocery list that never deviates from the norm. The peculiar detail of owning thirty-six copies of “The Hobbit” arranged by height adds a layer of intrigue to her character, hinting at a depth waiting to be explored. Lenny’s existence is solitary, her only semblance of companionship being the imaginary Scrabble games with Monica Gellar from “Friends.”
However, beneath this facade of predictability lies a turbulent past. Lenny has mastered the art of suppressing the memories of her mother and stepfather’s mysterious disappearance during her childhood—a trauma that left a whispering voice in her mind, accusing her of being responsible. It is not until a letter from the parole board arrives that the walls she has built around herself begin to crumble.

Mayne masterfully captures Lenny’s internal struggle as she confronts her past. The unraveling of her memories coincides with the disintegration of her routines, propelling her into a world where she must engage with those around her. This shift marks the beginning of new relationships and a sense of community that Lenny had long evaded.
As a reader, I found myself deeply invested in Lenny’s character. She is endearing in her quirks and resilience, making it impossible not to root for her. The plot of the novel is a captivating blend of mystery and drama, with a twist that leaves one reeling. The portrayal of Lenny’s interactions with her coworkers ranges from infuriating to heartening, particularly with one coworker who extends the hand of friendship.

Witnessing Lenny’s blossoming relationship is a highlight of the story, offering a glimpse into her potential for growth and happiness. It is a testament to Mayne’s storytelling prowess that she can guide us through such a transformation in a way that feels both organic and profound.

“Lenny Mark Gets Away With Murder” is more than just a novel; it is an experience that tugs at the heartstrings and provokes thought about the complexities of human nature. It is a special story that resonates with the reader long after the final page is turned. In Lenny Marks, Mayne has created a character that is not only memorable but also emblematic of the strength and resilience that lies within all of us when faced with the ghosts of our pasts.

In conclusion, Kerryn Mayne’s stunning debut is a celebration of life’s unpredictability and the power of facing one’s demons. It is a book that deserves a spot on every reader’s shelf, promising an emotional rollercoaster that is both harrowing and uplifting. Lenny Marks may have been trying to get away with murder, but in doing so, she finds a life worth living—and that is the most beautiful twist of all.

Lenny Marks keeps her life small, confined, manageable, and comfortable for herself. She recognizes that she's different - she enjoys her work with students as a teacher, but she's much less comfortable in the teachers' lounge. The woman who was a foster mother to her encourages her to try to socialize more and develop some friendships, but it isn't easy for Lenny. Then she receives a letter from the parole board asking for a "victim statement", and the mystery of Lenny's past begins to be slowly revealed. And I don't say "slowly" lightly - this is a slow burn of a book in terms of learning what happened in Lenny's past. As Lenny is trying to establish new relationships and navigate the changes those bring to her once-orderly life, she's also beginning to come to terms with her past. I enjoyed this book - I liked Lenny, and it was easy to empathize with her need to reconcile her present with her past in order to move on with her life. Kerry Mayne writes with heart and humor, and much like real life, she's surrounded Lenny with a mixed bag of characters - some are squarely in her corner and working for her best interests, some are not, and some are just confounded by her and can't be bothered to try to figure her out. I had the Kindle version and the audiobook, and while I read a bit of this on my Kindle, I mostly listened to the audiobook and was happy I had it - Annie Maynard's narration was excellent, and helped keep my head in the Australian setting where it belonged for the duration of this most enjoyable book.
Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for providing copies for an unbiased review.

In LENNY MARKS GETS AWAY WITH MURDER by Kerryn Mayne, Lenny Marks lives a rigid life, as the routine offers her a measure of comfort and control (readers will understand that Lenny is neurodivergent). Additionally, there is trauma in Lenny's past, so following her schedule allows her to regulate her feelings. Lenny comes to a crossroads, though, and she is forced to consider who she can trust and what she has ability to influence.

Information is slowly revealed to the readers; what is the significance behind the parole letter? What happened to her parents? Does Lenny bear responsibility for childhood events? We long for Lenny to become free of her circumstances and of her past, to accept herself as she is, which is more than enough.

The audiobook is narrated by Annie Maynard, and her skillful delivery pulls in listeners.

(Thank you Macmillan Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.)

Overall I enjoyed this book, and physically reading it may have been a better choice for me. Throughout about half of it, I was struggling a bit to figure out what date they were talking about, was a listening to the present now? Lenny is a very quirky character, which makes her endearing, however sometimes it hard to keep up with the she is thinking/doing because of all her quirks. By about half way I was able to keep up with it, but it wasn’t easy to start with. The title clearly gives something away, but it wasn’t what a was thinking and there were plenty or twists and unexpected surprises throughout the end of this one.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC copy of this cute little story.

I wouldn't call this a thriller, not even really a mystery either.
Basically it felt like a cute, coming about story that we followed along with Lenny on thrughout her childhood and now adult life. I think it was just kind of bland to me overall, however the audio was done well!

I enjoyed the narrator and it made it a fun, quick listen!

Loved this one! Lenny is a fantastic character with a great voice. Her backstory slowly unfolds as she does her best to avoid the past. The story is interesting, but it's really the character of Lenny that makes this novel such a great read.

Pick this one up if you enjoy books like The Maid by Nita Prose or Cassandra in Reverse by Holly Smale.

I’ll be heading to the bookstore to pick up a physical copy to add to my shelf! I have a feeling this is one I’ll want to read again.

This book was kind of like a cozy mystery, but a little bit edgier. Lenny doesn’t do well in social situations, but she has been trying, especially with her coworkers. I can’t say much else without spoiling. I will say though, that Lenny is incredibly strong, and a very admirable character!

I struggled getting through this. I don't know if it was because of the style of how the author wrote it or because it was solely in 3rd person POV. I was engaged in the beginning, but quickly lost interest soon after.

This is a fun ride of a story. Lenny, the main character, seems to be on the spectrum but aside from being "different" seems to have a good life, she is a school teacher and she has a home she loves and a great relationship with her Foster Mom, Faye. When a mysterious letter arrives and starts to bring back long suppressed memories of violence her life starts to change and unravel. This is part thriller, part coming-of-age story with a dash of romance thrown in. All of the parts work well, the writing is top notch. The plot rolls out nicely and the reader can't help but fall in love with Lenny and feel her emotions as she works through everything that happened to her in her child hood and early teen years.

Thanks, St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio, for the ebook and audiobook review copies via NetGalley #macaudio2024 (and to author Emma Gray for recommending it).

My coworker exited our boss’s office on the verge of tears. He was brilliant but remarkably abusive and brutal on his staff. “Whatever you do, don’t be nice to me,” she stated flatly. I knew exactly what she meant. What is it about kindness and comfort that makes you crumble into tears? When you don’t make eye contact with the hurt, you can ignore it and press on through your day.

I was reminded of this while reading Lenny’s story, as she has spent her whole life keeping people from comforting her, going so far as to forget why she needs comfort in the first place. She’s fine. She has frozen dinners, a tiny apartment, a good job, and a SOLID routine. There’s nothing else she needs. Sure, it would be nice to have a few friends, but with Monica, Phoebe, Rachel, Ross, Chandler, and Joey to keep her company, it’s not like she’s lonely.

Except, you know where this is going. Events unfold, forcing her to remember what happened to her mother and stepfather when she was young. As Lenny unravels, the kind people on her periphery start stepping up to demand she let them in. Fans of ELEANOR OLIPHANT IS COMPLETELY FINE will enjoy this “heartbreaking and heartwarming” novel.

I truly enjoyed this story about Lenny Marks, a woman who underwent a traumatic childhood resulting in some compulsive behaviors in adulthood. I enjoyed having a neurodivergent main character a la "Elenor Oliphant" or "The Maid," and seeing how Lenny navigates through life. When she starts to stray from her normal routine, it seems that everything that she has every believed to be true is put into question. Lenny is a character who I will not forget easily. There was such incredible development of her, and the reader got piece by piece of her history, with the full events behind many of Lenny's actions finally being revealed. I just wanted to give her a hug! The narrator did such a fantastic job of bringing Lenny to life, I really enjoyed her so much. The side characters were so charming as well, with Malcolm the dog definitely stealing the show. I truly enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading more from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

Lenny Marks is one of the quirkiest characters I have read about recently and that is what makes this story so good.

This one is a slow start, so if you find yourself wanting to stop, hang in there. Once it gets going, it really picks up and you can’t help but keep reading.

A letter upends Lenny’s life. As she learns more and begins to truly remember what happened versus what she thought happened, you will cheer her on.

This book will break your heart and warm your heart and I am so glad I had the opportunity to listen to it.

This book shines on audio. The narrator is perfect and not only brings the characters to life but also the events in Lenny’s life. I enjoyed listening to this one so much.

Thank you to MacMillan Audio for the ALC. all views are my own.

4.5⭐️

Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder is a delightful and affecting tale with far more depth than I’d anticipated. Lenny Marks lives a small, carefully curated existence, avoiding socializing and the unexpected as best she can. That is, until something throws her off her axis and forces her to confront how she came to be this way- and if there is perhaps a better option out there. I found Lenny quite relatable, sometimes hitting a bit close to home, and I couldn’t help rooting for her more and more as the story progressed.

Annie Maynard did an excellent job narrating the audiobook.

Thank you Kerryn Mayne, St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

This is a hard one to rate. Because of that, I’ve waited several weeks to write a review.

The setting is Australia, and the protagonist is an antisocial school teacher: Lenny Marks, age 37. Lenny is content with two friends, Maureen, an elderly neighbor, and Ned, a local grocer.

However, Lenny’s, sometimes, pretend world and cozy surroundings, begin to disintegrate when she discovers her friend Maureen unconscious on the floor. Flashbacks of Lenny's suppressed memories begin to surface in the upcoming chapters.

My Concerns
While, at times, I could relate to Lenny's feelings, and the story kept me wondering, it didn’t keep drawing me back. The wonderful narration by Annie Maynard certainly helped hold my interest, but the story and character development didn't quite work for me.

Final Thoughts
Lenny Marks will resonate differently with each reader. The slow-burn nature and the gradual revelation of past traumas may appeal to some, while others might find the pacing and character development lacking. Despite its flaws, Kerryn Mayne's debut offers glimpses of brilliance and promises potential for future works.

In conclusion, this is a book worth exploring, especially for those who appreciate a narrative that weaves between past and present, unveiling the complexities of its protagonist's psyche. Whether it hits the mark or almost hits the mark, it's a commendable first effort by Kerryn Mayne.