Lenny Marks likes routine. The 37-year-old school teacher has a very orderly rhythm to her life: she follows the same dinner menu every week, she enjoys reorganizing her 36 copies of The Hobbit, she watches Friends on repeat, and she plays Scrabble every night with her imaginary roommate Monica. She mentally does anagrams to cope with anxiety. She doesn’t let people get too close to her and counts the Thai restaurant delivery person and Ned at the grocery store among the people she sees most. When she receives a letter from the parole board, her carefully ordered life starts to get messy as memories from her traumatic childhood resurface.

I was not prepared for how much I loved Lenny and this book! Don’t let the breezy cover and title fool you, this is an emotional character-driven story with an unforgettable heroine. The plot is both heartbreaking and heartwarming, but ultimately healing and hopeful. (whew, that’s a lot of “H” adjectives!) Lenny is quirky, awkward, and utterly endearing, and the supporting cast of characters are appealing and well-developed too. I loved the way Lenny grew over the course of the story as she learned to overcome her past trauma and broaden her horizons.

I both read and listened to this one, and the audiobook version is really great too. Narrator Annie Maynard does a great job at bringing Lenny and her story to life!

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for providing me advance copies of this book.

This book was so much more than I was expecting it to be. Lenny Marks is wary of getting too close to people but has decided she needs real friendships in her life. She lives alone and is a school teacher who always bicycles to work each day. Her life is filled with order and routine. She has her week planned out completely. She shops on the same day, has a weekly rotation of meals, and watches Friends every day. It is time for Lenny to get a life.

As the story progresses, we learn more about a childhood trauma that Lenny survived and how it affects her life now. She discovers that her memories of the event are wrong.

I was expecting this book to be a little more lighthearted. So, I would like to mention that it deals heavily in themes of abuse, loneliness, and abandonment. It was so beautifully written and made me feel these things deeply. Kerryn Mayne does a wonderful job of crafting a poignant and moving debut novel with a fantastic protagonist.

The audiobook was narrated by Annie Maynard, and she is brilliant. Her narration really brings to life Lenny's story and adds emotion to the telling.

Thank you, Macmillan Audio, for this ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I started reading Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne and was immediately captivated. I quickly jumped to the audio version narrated by Annie Maynard. An unputdownable story with a quirky, heartfelt character. Mystery, romance, adorable pets and more await you in this must read/listen tale!

I fell in love with Hobbit loving, scrabble playing Lenny Marks, who rides her bike to the school where she teaches and calls her home the treehouse. She is a creature of routine without friends. It’s not that she doesn’t want friends, she’s just not very good at it. Lenny watches Friends on TV for company and pretends Monica is her roommate.

Lenny’s world turns upside down when she receives a letter from the parole board. We slowly learn Lenny’s story and the tragedy that befell her mother as she goes about her routine of teaching, shopping, and saving helpless creatures.

Lenny is very careful not to remember what happened to her mother and stepfather, but the more she tries, the more events push her to remember. The local grocer adds a romantic thread, and the elderly neighbor has secrets. I absolutely loved how memories force Lenny to connect with the world around her and how she saves an animal.

The pacing, rich characters and quirkiness of Lenny made for a memorable tale that was only enhanced by the narration of Annie Maynard. She captured Lenny and the secondary characters brilliantly. Twists and interesting characters kept me listening to this addictive story.

Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder delivers a curious mystery and a tale of secrets, found family, vengeance, and heart. Lenny Marks is a character you won’t soon forget. I highly recommend this unputdownable debut novel.

Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder is a debut novel about learning how to heal, cope, process, trust, find strength and contentment to be able to move on. Well this book totally fooled me! I was thinking I was going to be reading a cozy, lighthearted mystery, but boy was I wrong, and I’m okay with being wrong.

Lenny Marks, the MC, is one of those quirky characters that you can’t help but love, especially as her story unfolds. She is a teacher that is all about her routine, humorous, a little quirky, tends to take things literally and is looking for acceptance. Through dual timelines, we learn more about her past, including a very traumatic childhood. After receiving a letter from the parole board sends a rush of memories and emotions back. She’s always been good at disassociating from her past, so much so that she gets confused between what happened and what she imagined happened.

Lenny is a very well developed character and I appreciated seeing the character growth from beginning to end. While working through the trauma she discovers her strengths and makes some new connections and relationships. The only people who were really there for her were her foster family, the only ones who were able to give her a safe and loving home as a child and were still there for her as an adult, they had a special connection which I appreciated being included in the story. I also loved that FRIENDS was her comfort TV show and played a role throughout the story.

Wow, this one was a shocker, in a good way, and had some twists I didn’t see coming. It had the perfect balance of heartbreak and heartwarming. I think the author did an amazing job, especially as a debut. It is clear that the heavy topics were well planned out and were presented in a sensitive and thoughtful way. I would definitely recommend this book!

I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook. Annie Maynard delivered a remarkable performance from start to finish. Her narration enhanced the experience, bringing the characters to life with impeccable tones and inflections while creating a believable narration.

Lenny Marks may break your heart. This novel starts off in a familiar way. I was worried that it would just be another book about an odd duck getting friends. It was so much more. It was about the things we do to protect ourselves. Lenny Marks protects herself by never putting herself out there. She protects herself by inventing a life.

I adored Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder, a book written by Kerryn Mayne. I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated by Annie Maynard. I loved Lenny so, so much and was rooting for her throughout the entire novel. Upon looking at the cover and description for this novel, I was torn between thinking this was a thriller, a cozy mystery, or some sort of psychological novel. And in a sense, it is all of that... and none of that. This book is charming and engaging, funny and quirky, yet also pretty serious at times.

Lenny's life is turned upside down when she starts hearing from a parole board about her stepfather's impending release from prison. Memories from her childhood start coming back in bits and pieces, as trauma does, and as a result, she has choices to make and growth to pursue as she heals. She is so endearing and lovable as we learn more about her life, her relationships, and her habits. At times, the book is a bit slow but the quirky elements of Lenny's personality add a fun dimension to this book.

Though much of this book was about memories and the past, there are some very real twists and turns that happen as a result of present circumstances and Lenny's memories. And as you could expect, there is a murder! :)

I found this book to be engaging, heartwarming, and captivating. I wanted to keep listening to it long past my commute, run, or chore session. The narration was top notch, and only enhanced the listening experience.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

This new release about Lenny Marks is an endearing character study. Early chapters suggest she is somewhere on the spectrum. Read on and you will realize what a trooper she is. A 5th grade teacher and thirty-something homeowner who has dealt with some major trauma. Here are four things I loved about this book:

🚴‍♂️She is organized with her daily routines clocked out and a weekly rota for meals. Lenny also helps out with yard maintenance for her next door neighbor.
🤗Watching 'Friends' is her comfort zone. An imaginary Monica is her favorite Scrabble partner. Her "housemate Monica" comes up often in conversation and helps Lenny to feel less alone.
🐕Malcolm the rescued Rottweiler is a wonderful addition to Lenny's household. Our family had a female Rottweiler in the 90's, so we are a bit partial to the breed.
🎧Annie Maynard is a brilliant narrator for this down under drama. I felt like I was there!

👎There were some ethical dilemmas in this one that I found a bit troubling. So, not a five-star read for me personally.

If you enjoyed books like Ginny Moon and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, then I think you will also want to try this one.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: Lenny Marks lives a quiet, routine life, but, when she gets a letter from the parole board about her stepfather’s release from prison, her life is upended as memories from her past come back to haunt her.

Thoughts: The title screams thriller and the cover screams cozy mystery, but this book is neither of those things. Not in a bad way - I really enjoyed this book and think it is a fantastic debut - but maybe not marketed quite accurately. Anyway, Lenny is a super endearing neurodivergent character, and I want to give her a hug and be her friend! This book is her story of healing from past trauma and finding joy in her life with her community. While there are quirky and humorous aspects, the subject matter is quite heavy at times so I recommend checking out the content warnings. A note on the audio: I really loved the way the narrator brought Lenny to life, she did a great job!

Read this if you like:
🚲 quirky characters
🚲 found family
🚲 healing from trauma
🚲 slow burn
🚲 character driven

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 343 / Genre: Fiction
Audiobook Narrator: Annie Maynard
Duration: 9 hours 41 minutes
Release Date: Tomorrow! July 9, 2024

Lenny Marks lives a quiet, repetitive, lonely life. But she’s determined to break out of her shell and finally get a life, as her foster mother has been encouraging her to do for ages. She’s on a mission to make friends with the girls at work and do things outside of the solitary bubble she’s created around herself. But there’s a lot more to Lenny than just a shy woman on the spectrum. She has some real trauma in her life and memories she’s buried so deep down that she doesn’t even remember them any more. But when a letter arrives announcing the impending release from jail of her stepfather unless she comes forth and speaks against the decision, the floodgates start leaking and her past and present finally collide.

I really enjoyed this book. Lenny’s lack of social skills coupled with her good intentions add humor to her personality quirks and the real trauma of her childhood adds drama and intrigue to the story.

I listened to the audiobook and Annie Maynard did a great job narrating. I just love that Aussie accent!

Thank you, @NetGalley, @Macmillan.Audio, @StMartinsPress, and KerrynMayneAuthor for my gifted copies of this book. I loved it.

This was a cute, quirky read with characters that are fun and vibrant, but overall it fell a bit flat for me. I found myself a little bored along the way, but that may just be a "me" thing! Lenny is a unique FMC that I'm sure plenty of readers will love — it took a whiiiile for the story to ramp up, so hang in there if you're on the fence in the beginning, it does get better. Overall, just okay for me but like I said, others seem to be loving it so give it a try yourself!

⭐️⭐️⭐️

A very solid debut! Although this one started a bit slow for me, I absolutely loved the way the story unfolded, and the ending hit me in all the feels. Lenny is one of those characters that will stick with me for a long time (and Maureen and Ned are also very well developed characters). There are moments that might be unsettling to some so some may want to check out the trigger warnings before reading. I can't wait to see what Mayne writes in the future!

“Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder” is an absolute gem, reminiscent of “Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine” in the best possible way. The blend of literary fiction, mystery, and thriller elements kept me hooked from start to finish. Lenny’s character is so well-crafted and endearing, with a depth and complexity that makes her unforgettable. The story is both gripping and heartwarming, a perfect balance that leaves you satisfied yet wanting more. Highly recommend!

#MiniReviews:

Thank you so much St. Martin’s Press & Macmillan Audio for my gifted copies.

Super short sweet reviews to close out the week.

🚲 Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder:

It took me forever to get into this one. I love the quirky MC trying to figure out life, but nothing really gripped me about Lenny. I just read it to read it. I felt like it was a good journey, but I didn’t know where we were going. People are gushing over this one, so don’t miss out. Audio was great in my opinion, book just maybe wasn’t for me.

Everyone is hyping it up, but Lenny Marks missed the mark for me. (I’ll see myself out on that one)

Out July 9th.

This book by a new to me Australian author has been getting a lot of hype but honestly I was kind of underwhelmed. I emphathized with the main character, Lenny who is abandoned by her mother and grows up in foster care but I just felt like nothing was really happening plot-wise in the story and I ended up DNFing at around 50%. Perhaps more happens later on but I couldn't get invested in this one sadly. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder by Kerryn Mayne
Narrator: Annie Maynard
Rating: 4 stars
Pub date: 7/9

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for my complimentary audiobook.
Lenny Marks, a 37-year-old school teacher, leads a meticulously routine life, biking home at 4pm every day, buying the same groceries, and owning thirty-six copies of The Hobbit, her favorite book. Her only semblance of companionship is playing Scrabble against an imaginary Monica Gellar while watching Friends reruns.

The novel slowly unravels Lenny’s past trauma, stemming from the day her mother and stepfather disappeared. Lenny’s carefully constructed world begins to crumble when a letter from the parole board arrives, forcing her to confront long-suppressed memories and reengage with the community around her.

Kerryn Mayne’s debut leads readers through Lenny’s journey of self-discovery and healing. If you are a fan of Eleanor Oliphant, then you’re going to love this one!

The unexpected twists and Lenny’s gradual opening up to new relationships make for a heartwarming read. I was pleasantly surprised by the story because the book’s title and cover suggest a quirky detective story, but this novel is far from it. Instead, it offers a profound exploration of truth, secrets, and the complexities of family and identity. I listened to the audiobook version and loved the narration by Annie Maynard! She did an incredible job bringing all of the characters to life.

Lenny Marks’ character will linger with readers long after the last page. Her struggles and resilience are deeply relatable, making you wish you could reach through the pages to give her a hug. Lenny Marks is sure to be a favorite character of the year.

Lenny has suffered a childhood trauma.
This story is emotional, quirky and interesting. The narrator did a wonderful job.

Kerryn Mayne’s Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder follows Lenny Marks, who leads a highly structured life to avoid her traumatic past. When a letter from the parole board forces her to confront buried memories, Lenny’s carefully controlled world unravels. As she navigates new relationships and uncovers the truth about her family's disappearance, Lenny’s journey from isolation to connection is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Mayne's debut is a gripping tale of secrets, truth, and the transformative power of community.

Lenny Marks is a neurodivergent woman with carefully built routines, a love for Friends and The Hobbit, few relationships….and a secret, dark past she has blocked out from her mind. A person from her traumatic childhood is back and everything threatens to unravel with her carefully crafted life, but with this, she also finds a community rallying behind her.
Equal parts humor and heart, this story makes it impossible not to love Lenny. I was surprised at how fun this was to read. The narrator was great and instantly made Lenny a character whose story you didn’t want to stop listening to.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I listened to this one and enjoyed the story, characters, and really liked the narrator.

Lenny is in her late 30s, and has her specific daily routines and doesn't deviate much. As Lenny begins to remember more about her past, she's developing new friendships and getting out of her routine.

I loved Lenny -- she was such a sweet and endearing character, I also really loved Ned. I loved all the references to Lord of the Rings and other bookish things, as well as trivia -- right up my alley. I loved all the references to Friends too -- they were so sweet.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a charming book with some heavy topics and a very lovable main character. I am really excited to see what Kerryn Mayne writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

If You liked Eleanor Oliphant, this book is for you!

Lenny is a lovable neurodivergent character who finds herself in a series of tough situations, but always stays true to her heart.

This book had a very original character and fast-paced storyline. I couldn't put it down and loved all of the characters in the story.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this audiobook!