Despite its title, this book is not just a cozy murder mystery but a heartwarming and heartbreaking novel about overcoming adversity and childhood trauma. It was such a unique story full of unexpected surprises. You just can’t help but fall in love with Lenny, who is a delightful heroine with excellent character development. It was a bit of a slow burn in the first half, but the second half really picked up and was worth the wait. If you are a fan of “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” or “The Maid,” then you will love this book. I can’t believe this is Mayne’s debut novel, and I look forward to reading her future books.

I greatly enjoyed listening to the audiobook, narrated by Annie Maynard. She really brought the characters to life, and I was completely engrossed in her storytelling. She had such a pleasant accent, which made listening to the audiobook extra enjoyable. Highly recommend this one on audio!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review!

Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder
Kerryn Mayne ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This book is not a murder mystery book! It’s about a funny, unique, and quirky neurodivergent character. It is about new found friendships, family, trauma, and overcoming adversity.

Lenny Marks is a character full of habits and quirky ways. She rides her bike from work at the same time, has a habit of rearranging words in her head, plays scrabble with her imaginary bestie, Monica from Friends. She’s going about her normal life when she gets a letter from the parole board and then everything from her past starts to unravel. Lenny spent a lonely childhood full of trauma and she just buried that in her mind, never remembering it again. Now, her life starts getting weird with someone from the past causing her to remember details she couldn’t remember. She manages to make some friends along the way, but she sees them as people just trying to be nice to her because she’s different. She overcomes a lot of obstacles after finding out the truth of her past and finds some healing.

This book was so delightful and heartbreaking to listen to. It’s full of some good moments where the neurodivergent MC and her quirky ways make you laugh, but it’s also full of some heartfelt and really sad moments. For fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, this one is for you too.

The audiobook narration was a little tricky to get used to. I didn’t know if the accent was throwing me off too much, but adjusting the reading speed to a lower rate (which I hardly ever do 😬), seemed to help me stay engaged with the storyline. Nevertheless, it did not take away from the poignant and memorable story. I was able to feel the lighter and funnier moments, along with the deeper more darker moments. This novel will have you rooting for the MC and leave a lasting impression on you.

New author for me - I was able to listen to this one via audio.
This one was quite a surprise and overall enjoyed it quite a bit. I think the title/cover can be slightly misleading, but glad I gave it a try. Lots of heartwarming moments and Lenny was just so interesting to get to know. This story was a journey - (a good work to describe it). Overall the audio - was great and kept my interested. This one was a mystery with family secrets and childhood trauma, quirky characters and found families. A debut novel for this author - I'm excited to see what's next.

Thank you @kerrynmayne and @macmillanaudio for the #gifted copy of this audiobook.

Lenny Marks, a socially awkward school teacher in her 30s from Australia, has few close friends and finds solace in her collection of thirty-six copies of "The Hobbit." Her carefully structured life starts to fall apart when she receives a letter from the parole board about her stepfather’s release from prison. As Lenny faces her past, she transforms from an underestimated introvert into a resilient heroine.

I really connected with Lenny’s journey. Watching her grow from a socially awkward introvert into someone strong and resilient was both relatable and inspiring. I loved how she calms herself by finding words within words—it’s such a unique and endearing trait. The way the novel handles themes like domestic and child abuse is done with such sensitivity that it left a lasting impression on me.

I enjoyed every moment of this story and was amazed to learn that it’s Kerryn Mayne’s debut work. She’s definitely an author I will be following. A big thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance copy—I couldn’t stop listening!

Thank you @kerrynmayne and @macmillanaudio for the #gifted copy of this audiobook.

Summary: Lenny Marks is excellent at not having a life. She keeps to herself, bikes home every day from her job at the school, buys all the same groceries, and has 36 copies of The Hobbit. Her nights consist of watching countless Friends reruns and playing Scrabble against an imaginary version of one of the characters. And Lenny excels at not remembering what happened the night her mother and stepfather disappeared though a little voice in the back of her mind tells her that it's all her fault. When a letter from the parole board appears on her doorstep, Lenny's world turns upside down and she bursts out of the patterns she made for years to push herself into her community and spark new relationships to form. But as Lenny Marks finally gets a life, will her past come knocking to steal it all away?

Thoughts: What a fantastic book. This took some twists and turns I was not expecting after reading the description, but I enjoyed this one. I went through so many emotions between the heartbreaking and heartwarming moments. Lenny's inner monologue was refreshing and real sometimes reminding me of my inner thoughts. I loved the connections she made with those around her, whether in her community, at work, or the one she had with her foster mom. It was neat how the author wove Lenny's past throughout the story to see more snippets of how her life unfolded to her present. The narrator, Annie Maynard, did such a wonderful job bringing Lenny and all of the other characters to life in this book. I would suggest listening to this one if you are able. This will be a book that I'll recommend to others.

Read if you like:
🔍Unique Mysteries
💔Family Secrets & Confronting Childhood Trauma
🐾Unexpected Heroines
😊Neurodiversity Rep

"Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder" by Kerryn Mayne is her debut novel. It is not a cozy murder mystery. It's more of a memoir about Lenny, both her present and her traumatic childhood.

Lenny is a neurodivergent young adult, and it seems to me that she is on the autism spectrum, though this is not specifically stated in the book. She has a lot of issues with social interactions. Some of her behaviors really bothered me. I could not really identify with her. This character goes through some major changes as her childhood memories return.

Malcolm, the dog, is my favorite character.

Characters - 5/5
Writing - 4/5
Plot - 3/5
Pacing - 3/5
Unputdownability - 3/5
Enjoyment - 3/5
Narration - 4/5
Cover - 4/5
Overall - 29/8 = 3 5/9 rounded up to 4 stars

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio by St. Martin's Press and Kerryn Mayne for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Bravo Kerryn Mayne! These are my first thoughts after just finishing your book! I loved Lenny! The character development is insanely good. While the plot-line is unbelievable, at least I could not have nearly-killed and then killed the same man, its a story and therefore I read it as such. Ms. Mayne tells a story in the best possible way, its not too wordy, its easy to follow, every loose end is tidied up. The title and jacket cover are perfect for the book. Not forgetting the narrator, Anne Maynard may be new favorite audiobook narrator. She hits all the inflection marks perfectly and is charming to listen to.

This title is a tad misleading - when I saw this book, I figured I was in for a cute, cozy mystery and this was SO much more than that! Lenny Marks is an unforgettable character - I can't believe this is the author's debut novel because of how developed and well written this character is! I l just wanted to hug her!

I wish this were marketed a bit differently or titled differently because this book is funny, quirky, emotional and even heartbreaking at times.

In this story we learn about the very routine life of Lenny Marks - She is in her 30s, single, is a school teacher and is incredibly comfortable in her every day routines of biking home at 4pm, watching her favorite TV show "Friends" while having Scrabble matches with her closest imaginary friend, Monica Gellar. She has over 30 copies of her favorite book "The Hobbit" and as we learn of Lenny’s childhood and past trauma, we begin to understand why Lenny has so many routines and is comfortable being alone.

Her BEST coping mechanism which I found delightful and endearing (and impressive!) is rearranging the letters of words into as many anagrams as she can come up with - “Parole Hearing: orangerie, orphanage, helping, reaping, roaring…”

As the story unfolds, we learn more of her past and I just wanted to reach into the pages and hug her and some of the cast of characters that come into her life throughout the novel. This is a book about grief, loss, family, mental health, friendship, and yes maybe a little bit of murder.

Highly recommend and the audio was fantastic! Thank you to @netgalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion!

I didn't really know what to expect when I ventured into the world of Lenny Marks. The first thing I notice is the she's neurodivergent and I think that this book seems like it will be a solid rep. But then, so many things start happening and it quickly becomes clear that Lenny has so much more going on. She has endured some horrific experiences in her past and they've definitely changed her. She seems to suffer from a form of PTSD and it's heartbreaking. Even sadder is watching her try to fit in with her co-workers and seeing how they treated her. Granted, you only need one or two solid friends but she deserved better than the treatment she received at the hands of some of these people.

Seeing how Lenny comes to terms with some forgotten memories as the book unfolds really is touching and heartbreaking. It's almost unimaginable to picture dealing with the things she's survived. Yet she keeps moving forward and trying to do better each and every day.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The audio was really amazing. It pulled me into the story and I was engrossed. I flew through this story in just a little over a day. The narration truly was quite well done.

Thank you to NetGalley for early copies of both the audiobook and ebook.

Oh how I adored Lenny, and reading this book! Lenny was such a fun character, and I was drawn in from the very beginning. The author did such a wonderful job with this character and her story. I laughed many times as I read this one and the audio narration was spot on! I look forward to reading more books by this author. Thank you, NetGalley and McMillan audio for the ARC of this audiobook.

The book starts off as quirky read as we get to know Lenny. We learn about her very regimented life and how socially awkward she is.
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Lenny Marks keeps her life pretty much the same every day: She rides her bike home at the same time every day. She eats the same meals every week. When she gets a letter from the parole board, her whole life gets turned upside down because memories from her childhood she's been pushing away all these years start popping back into her head.
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Lenny has a big heart and as the story unfolds, we discover her background is a lot deeper than one would first imagine. Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder takes some twists that you won’t see coming and definitely provokes a lot more emotions than you think it will. As a mega “Friends” fan, I love her obsessions with the show. (I can relate, Lenny!) In the end, this book will warm your heart and you’ll be rooting for Lenny! Highly recommend for fans of The Maid and The Curious Incident of the Dog at Nighttime. 
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I loved Annie Maynard’s narration and felt her smooth Australian accent added beautifully to the story. This was Kerryn Mayne’s debut novel and I look forward to her future books!

What a quirky and adorable read! With Eleanor Oliphant and Sally Diamond vibes, socially awkward Lenny Marks surprises us all with her ability to grow and expand as a character. Lenny Marks is set in her ways. She heads to work and comes home at the same time every day on her bicycle. She purchases the same groceries and take-out and watches / reads the same stories. Her past, although most forgotten, always haunts her. When a parole letter arrives in the mail, Lenny’s memories return. I love all of the references to Friends. The storyline was easy to follow, and I did not want to put this down. Sometimes when you read a book without expectations, they blow it out of the water. This was one of those books. There were a couple of twists that I did not see coming. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was fantastic. What a wonderful debut! I cannot wait to see what Mayne comes up with next!

What a sleeper of a book. I appreciated Lenny and her growth. A neurodivergent loner gets out of her comfort zone to take on the world. OK not really the world but works to change that comfort zone, accept her past and embrace the possibilities.

This comes across as a cross between a rom com and a cozy mystery, but it deeper than that. Lenny is hiding from a mysterious letter and you cannot imagine my guesses for what it held.

Lenny has something in her past that she needs to address and heal. In order to do this Lenny embarks on a journey that has her accept help from others to find her way forward.

She is a unique and dare I say quirky character. She’s finds comfort in the TV show friends and plays scrabble against her imaginary roommate Monica Geller. She had me rooting for her from the start.

It is a bit of a slow burn, but definitely worth the time.

Annie Maynard narrates this one and hit it out of the park bringing Lenny to life. She balances Lenny’s quirks and charm with her anxiety and stress and finds a way to make her lovable.

This is one of my favorite July reads.

I couldn’t quite get into this story. The beginning and the ending were intriguing enough for me to keep going. It was interesting in parts and a bit twisty.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC audiobook
First off, the narrator was fantastic! I have to say this book isn't at all what I expected. I thought it would be more of a nerdy introvert accidentally kills somebody and gets away with it kind of quirky read. Similar to the Finlay Donovan series. I had no idea the book was going to play out the way it did. Lenny has changed her name and leads a quiet life as a way to cope with her traumatic past. I really don't want to say more and spoil it. Overall I enjoyed this book.

Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne is an absolute gem of an audiobook that I couldn't stop listening to—I finished it in just one day. It was the perfect companion for a road trip, keeping me alert and utterly engrossed the entire time.

Lenny Marks, with her meticulous routines and low-profile lifestyle, immediately resonated with me. Her penchant for solitude and her unique quirks, like her extensive collection of "The Hobbit" arranged meticulously, made her a character I connected with deeply. You can never have to many copies of your favorite book! Kerryn Mayne has crafted Lenny with such authenticity and depth that she felt like someone I knew.

The story itself is a brilliant blend of mystery, suspense, and heartfelt emotion. The way Lenny's past starts to unravel with the arrival of a letter from the parole board is both chilling and captivating. As buried memories resurface, Lenny's journey becomes one of self-discovery and redemption, filled with unexpected twists and turns that kept me listening intently until the very end.

Mayne's writing is both heartbreaking and heartwarming, skillfully navigating themes of truth, secrets, vengeance, and the complexities of family dynamics. The supporting characters are just as richly drawn, adding layers of intrigue and warmth to Lenny's narrative.

The narration in the audiobook is top-notch, capturing Lenny's introspective nature and the evolving emotions with nuance and clarity. It truly brought the story to life in a way that kept me hooked from start to finish.

Overall, Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder is a stunning debut novel that left a lasting impression on me. Kerryn Mayne has created a heroine who is unforgettable, and I highly recommend this audiobook to anyone who enjoys a compelling mystery with depth and heart. Five stars without a doubt!

I loved listening to the audiobook narrated by Annie Maynard! She didn't distinguish too much between the speakers, but her accent was delightful to listen to as she read with animation and enthusiasm.

I enjoyed reading this emotional rollercoaster of a read! Lenny was such a quirky character with her 36 copies of The Hobbit and reciting anagrams in her head as a coping mechanism. I was interested to know what terrible thing she did because she was such a quiet character. The suspense kept me reading until the end. I liked that she had Fay, Kirra, Ned, and Maureen to help her during her rough days. The ending was a bit traumatic, but it was wonderful to see Lenny moving away from the abuse and trauma in her past and moving forward to the future.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for the ARC and Audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

"Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder" by Kerryn Mayne is a delightful cozy mystery that introduces readers to the charmingly eccentric Lenny Marks, a fifth-grade teacher with a fondness for routine and a knack for unintentionally socially awkward interactions. I adored Lenny's quirky character. While it is never said, Lenny has to be neurodivergent!

Lenny's character captures the imagination with her organized and quirky demeanor, reminiscent of beloved literary figures like Eleanor Oliphant or Fern from Sally Hepworth's "The Other Sister." Lenny is crafted with care, balancing her idiosyncrasies with a relatable vulnerability, especially as she grapples with mysteries from her past that haunt her present.

This was such a fun read. It is not my normal fast-paced edge of your seat thriller, but it kept me guessing and wondering what Lenny's secret was.
Despite its cozy feel, "Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder" keeps readers engaged with its layers of intrigue and the cast of characters that surround Lenny, including her faithful companion, Malcolm the dog. As Lenny navigates through her everyday life and confronts the shadows of her past, the narrative twists and turns, leaving clues that lead to the resolution.

"Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder" is expertly narrated by Annie Maynard.
She does an amazing job narrating the story and adds to the overall interest.

Kerryn Mayne has crafted a story that blends charm, intrigue, emotion, and a touch of whimsy, making it easy to root for Lenny as she unravels the mysteries that surround her. Lenny Marks is sure to find a place in readers' hearts. If you're looking for a book with an entertaining mystery and quirky protagonist, this one is definitely worth picking up.
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I went into this expecting a light, fluffy cozy mystery — instead, I came away rewarded with a deep character study layered with trauma and satisfying personal growth. Lenny Marks is a teacher in her late 30s, firmly rooted in routines, personal rules for life, and a quiet existence enriched by replays of Friends and games of Scrabble with her imaginary flatmate. Her orderly. life is shaken up when she receives a letter in the mail from the parole board. Slowly, her past is revealed, and you begin to understand how much of Lenny's unique character traits are shaped by her past trauma. Lenny is a character that's easy to root for, and I enjoyed seeing her begin to find friendships in those around her. Lenny's mental word games that she plays in times of stress were especially enjoyable. This was a solid debut for Kerryn Mayne and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

My only complaint with this book, and it's a small one, is that the cover art and (to a lesser degree) title seem out of sync with the disposition of the book. I almost took a pass on it because I wasn't in the mood for something fluffy, but I'm thankful I gave it a shot because there's much more emotional depth to this story than you would expect. Annie Maynard does a solid job on narration and the audio production is done well. 4.5 stars rounded up.

A big thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Kerryn Mayne for providing an advance copy for my honest review.

🎧 4.5/5 ⭐️ Highly enjoyed this book it came together so well. Quirky character with a troubled past that suddenly starts to come together and help her understand herself, her past, her future and who really matters. Reminds me a little of the book The Maid in terms of character similarities but a completely different storyline. Enjoyed the mystery and the way her history unfolded, very much like her memory. As always the dog helps make the book, a rule worth breaking for sure.