I liked this one even more than "Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder"! "Joy Moody is Out of Time" is another popcorn thriller packed with quirky characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and just enough mystery to keep you flipping the pages.

The premise is such a fun ride. It's part emotional journey, part who-done-it with a side of chaos. The beginning is odd and shocking, but stick with it because it's not what you think. Joy is the kind of character you root for even when things get weird (and trust me, they do). I especially loved the relationships in this one. The way the characters bounce off each other is warm, messy, and very real.

If you're in the mood for something light, a little twisty, and a lot of fun, this one's for you. Definitely a solid pick for your weekend reading stack.

This was another interesting and unique book from Kerryn Mayne. I was a huge fan of her previous book (Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder) and knew I wanted to read this as soon as I heard about it.

Kerryn Mayne has a way of writing books with a lot of heart and heavy topics but presenting them in a way that doesn't actually FEEL super heavy. This book was full of really endearing and quirky characters with a found family aspect that I really enjoyed. Certain parts of the plot were fairly predictable, but it's hard to say whether it was intentionally predictable or not. At any rate, while it started out a little slow for me, once I got sucked into the story, I didn't want to put it down.

I really enjoy this author's writing style; I've not come across another author that manages to mix a mystery with a found family story that is equally dark, tragic, and heartwarming, all in one.

I will say that while I really enjoyed this book, I enjoyed her first book even more.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Joy Moody is Out of Time was one of my most-anticipated books of 2025, and maybe my expectations were too high or there’s something in the air, but this book was two-thirds slow and boring and then one-thirds really interesting and layered. I’m sorry, but I just can’t deal with that kind of whiplash in a book. You can’t wait until a book is about 60% in to become interesting and still expect me to fall in love with it. If anything, it’s going to frustrate me.

Kerryn Mayne is a great writer with great stories to tell. I’m not questioning that. Even while reading this book I can tell this could’ve been a brilliant book because it has an interesting plot, interesting characters, and a touching story at the root of it all; however, it feels like most of the book was focused on backstory that just wasn’t that interesting to me.

I think it just boils down to this book just not being one for me, but Kerryn Mayne still being an author I want to read more of. 2⭐️


I was provided a copy of this title by the SMP Early Readers Program via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Reviews rated three stars or under will not appear on my main social media. Thank you.

🪴| 𝒪𝒽 𝒥𝑜𝓎! 𝒥𝑜𝓎 𝒥𝑜𝓎.𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝖺 𝗎𝗇𝗂𝗊𝗎𝖾 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽. 𝖴𝗇𝗋𝖾𝗅𝗂𝖺𝖻𝗅𝖾. 𝖧𝖾𝖺𝗋𝗍𝖿𝖾𝗅𝗍. 𝖲𝗍𝗋𝖺𝗇𝗀𝖾. 𝖳𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾’𝗌 𝗌𝖾𝖼𝗋𝖾𝗍𝗌. 𝖳𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾’𝗌 𝗅𝗈𝗌𝗌. 𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗌𝗉𝗂𝗋𝖺𝖼𝗒 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗈𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗌. 𝖯𝖺𝖼𝗄𝖾𝖽 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝗎𝗇𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀𝖾𝖽. 𝖦𝗋𝗈𝗎𝗇𝖽𝖾𝖽 𝗂𝗇 𝖿𝖺𝗆𝗂𝗅𝗒. 𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝖺 𝗀𝗈𝗈𝖽 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽. 𝖨 𝖾𝗇𝗃𝗈𝗒𝖾𝖽 𝗂𝗍. 🎧 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧’𝙨 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. 𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙅𝙤𝙮’𝙨 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙗𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙧, ɢᴏᴏᴅ ᴏʀ ʙᴀᴅ.

On the surface Joy Moody seems like a happy mom of twin girls and owner of the pink laundromat with loyal customers. Joy knows all the business owners and residents in her area and enjoys a good rapport with each one.

Behind the scenes, Joy is hiding some pretty dark secrets. As the 21st birthday of the twin girls approaches, Joy knows some big changes will be in store for all of them. Joy has kept the girls sheltered and even home-schooled them. They have never worked anywhere except her laundromat, have never dated or been on trips.

One of the girls questions all this and is becoming a bit rebellious. She has doubts about what she’s been told and she wants answers. Her twin sister seems happy with the way things are and just wants to keep the peace.

But when Joy begins to behave oddly and suffer from frequent headaches, the people closest to her begin to notice and very soon Joy’s deepest secrets will be brought into the open. I’m not giving any of the story away, because finding out from the book is the most enjoyable way to solve Joy’s mysteries.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to give my honest review and recommend the book to other readers.

This was a strange story that slowly grabs you and makes you want to know what happens next. It starts with Joy, who seems to have delusions until you learn what is causing the issues and what she is trying to hide. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue at first but the writing is so captivating that, despite the unhurried pace, I wanted to know more. What unfolds is fascinating and satisfying.

I loved Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder and was super excited to jump into Joy Moody Is Out of Time by Kerryn Mayne.
This book was fascinating and engaging.
The storyline is so unique and well plotted.
This is a clever and uplifting story with some unexpected twists that I can’t recommended high enough, exceptional! A must read!

Thank You NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7850427245

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/joy-moody-is-out-of-time-kerryn-mayne/1146167650

📚: Joy Moody is Out of Time by Kerryn Mayne
⭐️: 2.5/5 (rounding up on #goodreads)

I should preface this review by saying that I nearly DNF’ed this book at 30% in, and by the end, I suppose I’m happy that I didn’t. Because of that, it gets a rounded up score - however, still in the “not quite for me” category.

However, all of this could have been avoided by Joy Moody seeing a therapist. The lies and manipulation she does to her (grown adult!) daughters is, quite frankly, enraging. And I kind of hate that I wind up feeling sympathetic by the end.

None of the twists were actually twisty or at all surprising. I think this is supposed to be quirky as a story and it landed as infuriating to me. And the pacing at the front half of the book was painfully slow. All in all a below average read for me.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press via @netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Joy Moody is Out of Time is out now.

Fascinating. Addicting. Unique. I’ve honestly never read anything else like this. Kerryn Mayne delivers such a quirky, compelling story that it hooked me from the start and didn’t let go. The mystery of Joy, her secrets, and the tangled web she leaves behind for her daughters is fast paced and completely absorbing. It blends crime, family drama, and just the right touch of eccentricity in a way that feels fresh and unforgettable. I couldn’t put it down.

From the acclaimed bestselling author Kerryn Mayne, known for her captivating work Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder (5 stars), comes a delightful and unconventional new crime mystery novel that weaves together elements of family drama, time travel, and the complexities of motherhood—JOY MOODY IS OUT OF TIME.

Prepare to embark on a thrilling rollercoaster ride filled with quirky characters and unexpected twists, as Mayne invites readers into a world where intrigue, tragedy, and heartwarming moments collide.

About...

2023: Meet Joy Moody, a dedicated mother and the spirited owner and operator of Bonbeach's Premier Laundromat, Joyful Suds. With her twin daughters, Cassie and Andie, in tow, she has crafted a life filled with joy, laughter, and a touch of mystery.

Joy runs her household and business with a firm but loving hand, opting for homeschooling to nurture her girls’ intellect and imagination. She enforces a strict no-electronics policy, believing that the vibrant world around them holds far more value. Each day, the trio can be found laughing, working, and exploring the eclectic tapestry of friends and neighbors who frequent the laundromat, weaving a sense of community into their lives.

Yet beneath this idyllic surface, Joy harbors a secret that looms heavy over them all. She has spun an elaborate tale for Cassie and Andie, convincing them that they hold a unique destiny intertwined with the future of the world (2050).

Joy often tells them they must remain hidden, their true importance concealed for their protection. The anticipation builds as they approach their 21st birthday, a day they have been led to believe will be monumental—a threshold into their roles as pivotal players in a forthcoming revolution. It is a fantasy that has shaped their childhood, filling it with purpose and excitement.

However, fate takes a devastating turn. On the day of their long-awaited birthday, a dark cloud descends when tragedy strikes: Joy Moody is found dead. Suddenly, Cassie and Andie are thrust into a harsh reality, left to navigate a world that is foreign and frightening without the guiding light of their mother.

As an investigation unfolds, the fragile threads of their existence begin to unravel. The twins find themselves grappling not only with loss but also with a newfound reality that forces them to confront the truth about who they are and what lies ahead.

Joy Moody has run out of time, and her daughters now stand at the precipice of change, facing a fate they never could have imagined.

My thoughts...

In a delightful blend of dark humor and originality, Kerryn Mayne's JOY MOODY IS OUT OF TIME presents an engrossing reading experience that is truly one-of-a-kind. At first glance, the charming front cover invites you into what appears to be a lighthearted comedy.

However, as you delve deeper, layers of intrigue and shadows begin to emerge, revealing a narrative woven with secrets, deception, mystery, and the promise of unexpected twists that will leave you breathless.

Unlike Joy's memory, which was not orderly or consistent over time, her deceit had fused into truth, and she was about to realize what Andie had figured out weeks ago—they were going nowhere. There would be no trip through time, and they would remain in their small courtyard behind the building that was both their home and livelihood.

The story unfolds across four distinct parts:
1. Life in a Laundromat
2. Death in a Laundromat
3. Dear Customer
4. Under New Management
Concluded with an epilogue titled *JOY*.

"Perhaps, though, this was exactly how it was with mothers everywhere. The line between monster and mother blurred until either side was almost indistinguishable. The right things for the wrong reasons, and the wrong things for the right reasons."

This novel is a delectable concoction of fun and heartache, striking a perfect balance between warmth and sorrow. Mayne's skillful storytelling and brilliant characterization usher you into an unforgettable exploration of motherhood and family dynamics.

You’ll encounter a richly woven family drama that is equal parts charming, quirky, and humorous, yet tinged with tragedy. The narrative skillfully blends an intriguing mystery with a captivating cast of enigmatic characters, ensuring that each page is a thrilling invitation to uncover the deeper truths lurking beneath the surface.

Audiobook...

I had the distinct privilege of immersing myself in the book while also enjoying the audiobook, beautifully narrated by the incredibly talented Annie Maynard. Her chipper Austrian accent brought a vibrant energy to the story, infusing it with passion, emotion, and an infectious enthusiasm that made every moment feel alive. It was as though I was listening to my favorite author, Sally Hepworth, herself sharing the narrative, her voice resonating with warmth and sincerity.

Recs...

JOY MOODY is a captivating and unique read for enthusiasts of Kerryn Mayne's gripping novel, 'Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder.' This engaging story will also resonate with fans of renowned authors such as Sally Hepworth, whose poignant explorations of relationships leave a lasting impact; Liane Moriarty, celebrated for her sharp wit and intricate portrayals of family dynamics; and Elle Cosimano, known for her thrilling, humorous narratives filled with unexpected twists.

If you appreciate richly layered characters and compelling plots that delve into the complexities of suburban life, JOY MOODY IS OUT OF TIME is sure to enthrall you.

Thank you..

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and #MacAudio2025 for granting me the opportunity to delve into this captivating book through their advanced reading and listening copy. I am excited to share my sincere reflections on this literary journey.

blog review posted at
JudithDCollins website
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Pub Date: Aug 18, 2025
Aug Newsletter
Aug 2025 Must-Read Books

4.5 stars! I have read this author before and really loved her previous book, so I thought I was prepared for another twisty mystery. But I most definitely was not! There are so many layers to this book, and as each one pulls you in you follow the threads until they ultimately bring you all back to the same point: just what is going on with Joy Moody and her twin daughters Andie and Cassie? Even though we know going in that Joy dies during the story and there's heavy focus on her daughters coping with the aftermath, make no mistake: this book is absolutely about Joy. Her decisions, her mistakes, and her motherly love, all driving her to where the book starts: on her daughters' 21st birthday, waiting for them all to time travel back to an uncertain future in 2050. From the very beginning the author keeps you guessing as to what's really happening, which creates a pleasant amount of tension even while you hope everything turns out okay for the daughters. (Jumping around between timelines added to the tension.) Twisty and engaging, it was very easy to invest in all the characters and the overall plot. Even when it turned bittersweet, there was comfort in the hope that things would end in some version of happiness for Andie and Cassie. Joy and her girls tugged at my heartstrings more than I thought they would, and there were a lot of emotions happening for me as I read. (There's even a villain of sorts to root against.) This whole book was a cleverly constructed puzzle and I found it to be a very satisfying read. If you like mysteries that keep you guessing while hitting on all of your emotions, then this is the book for you! This review was based on a complimentary eARC, all opinions are my own.

For much of their lives, Joy has been lying to Cassie and Andie. What started as a colorful tale to explain how the twins came to live with her grew over the years and was always something she meant to set straight. Joy really did think she had more time. Worse still, Joy is struggling to define the truth from the lies.

And when these lies start to unfold….look out!

I enjoyed Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder, another book by this author. However, this one fell a bit short for me. It is good. It just seems a bit disjointed in places. The pacing is a bit off and it is a bit predictable.

That being said, I did enjoy these characters, especially Joy. She is stubborn and determined but she has such a big heart…well sort of!

I did enjoy the narrator, Annie Maynard. Her voice for Joy was so very enjoyable.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Joy Moody is a mom to twin girls and the owner of a laundromat. The girls are homeschooled, completely isolated from the outside world--no electronics--and work with their mom. Their world is small, limited to their home and immediate neighbors. Joy tells the girls that in 2025, they will be teleported to the future. She manages to convince them not to leave the compound because 'The People" will take them away from her. Not too creepy! What could go wrong? Plenty! And that's when the book got interesting. Full of the kind of quirky characters I would expect after reading this author's first novel Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder, I'm so glad I stuck with it.

Fans of slightly offbeat, quirky characters and found family will lose themselves in this latest by Kerryn Mayne. JOY MOODY IS RUNNING OUT OF TIME is a cozy mystery that enchanted me from the start.

Joy Moody runs the Joyful Suds laundromat with her twin daughters who are about to turn 21. This is a milestone birthday under any circumstances, but for Cassie and Andie it’s particularly meaningful because that is when they will return to the future where they originated. WHAT?!?!?

It seems Joy has raised the girls with the belief that they are hiding in the past from nefarious entities who mean them harm. They have limited exposure to the outside world—no tv, no Internet, no cellphones—so Joy’s fantasy is their reality. When their birthday arrives and Joy is found dead, the carefully crafted story begins to unravel.

Told from multiple POV and across timelines, Mayne creates an entirely spellbinding story with flawed characters that are impossible not to love. Questionable choices made with the best intentions and a supporting cast of colorful characters combine to create a narrative rich with layers and dimension. Annie Maynard’s performance is perfection and breathes life into Mayne’s words. I could not stop listening and binged the book in a single day.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Joy Moody lives a simple life. She runs a laundromat called Joyful Suds and her two twin daughters, Cassie and Andie help her run the business and live a mostly tech-free life. But Joy is in a pickle. Cassie and Andie are coming up on their 21st birthday and that’s the date they are destined to travel to 2050 where they are known as the daughters of the revolution. Except Joy has a secret. Actually, she more than one. And it all explodes on the day the girls are supposed to travel to the future because that is also the day that Joy is found dead.

With Joy’s death comes detectives, people the girls have never met and even more questions about not only the future but also the past.

Where this story started and where it ended up was quite different from what I expected. At the end, several pieces came together yet there was one loose end I wanted to know more about.

Thank you to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for a #gifted early digital copy.

The cover of this book immediately caught my attention—it's no secret that I often pick books by their cover!

At Joyful Suds, a laundromat run by Joy Moody and her twin daughters, strange happenings unfold. Joy has been lying to Cassie and Andie about their origins, intending to reveal the truth but never getting the chance. The twins believe their 21st birthday marks the start of their important roles in a future revolution, but things take a dark turn when Joy is found dead on that very day. Now, without their mother, the girls must navigate a new world that they're unprepared for, as everything they thought they knew is about to change.

The main character, Joy, is incredibly relatable, and you'll find yourself understanding and liking her more with each chapter. It becomes clear why the girls grew up isolated from modern technology and freedom. Their structured lives and discipline play significant roles later on. Joy did her best to prepare them for the world, but we all know that life doesn't always go as planned, and we have to adjust our expectations accordingly. I often think that if I had a condition that affected my independence or awareness, I would make choices similar to Joy's.

This book weaves elements of the past into its narrative, but is primarily set in the present. We experience multiple points of view—Joy's, Andie's, and Cassie's—which helps us grasp the mindset of the girls and the sheltered upbringing they had. I initially suspected there might be a supernatural twist. Still, the author focused on conveying Joy's final days and her preparations for the future. The storyline was engaging, and despite the moderate pace, I found myself racing through the pages.

This book is perfect for anyone who appreciates stories about motherhood and the lengths a mother will go for her children. It's also for those who enjoy themes of community, sisterhood, and the realistic outcomes stemming from the characters' sheltered lives, which unfortunately made them vulnerable to exploitation. Overall, it was beautifully crafted, and I truly enjoyed reading it!

Thank you, St. Martin's Press, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Well, now I have really enjoyed both books by this author, so make sure you read "Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder too". Similarly, this is a book with a lot of twists and turns, and I think even more complex in a good way. It's sort of a cross between a thriller and a cozy mystery and also brought to mind "The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt". Set in Australia, twins Cassie and Andie are raised by the titular Joy, who runs a local laundromat. For most of their lives, Joy has told them a story that they are sent from the future and their real parents will return them to the year 2050 on their 21st birthday. We get to know Joy's reasons for this throughout the book, getting some hints at the beginning and learning more through flashbacks. Their birthday ends without time travel, and Joy dies at the end of the day. Is it murder? Various suspicions arrive, along with the police. Their neighborhood friends are charming and lovely, I kind of want to live there and start my own business. I will keep reading Mayne's books, they are smart, different and enjoyable.

This book is weird in the best way. Joy Moody has always told her twin daughters they are from the future but when she turns up dead on their twenty first birthday the question becomes whether she really believed it. The story mixes mystery with family drama and a little bit of magic. It is funny emotional and completely original. I loved the oddball characters and the way it made me laugh one minute and think deeply the next. A fun and touching read.

Rating: 3.5 stars rounded up.

Kerryn Mayne’s Joy Moody Is Out of Time presents a uniquely imaginative narrative centered on Joy Moody, who runs a vivid pink laundromat while raising her twin daughters, Cassie and Andie, under the guise that they come from the future. As the story unfolds and the truth begins to unravel, the novel explores complex themes of identity, motherhood, and the stories we create to protect those we love.

Strengths:
- The premise is inventive and original, blending whimsy with subtle suspense that effectively sustains reader interest throughout much of the novel.
- Joy’s character is emotionally compelling; her eccentric yet tender love provides a strong emotional core that feels authentic and relatable.
- Secondary characters enrich the story with moments of warmth and humor, enhancing the found-family aspect without detracting from the main narrative.
- Mayne’s writing voice balances lightheartedness and emotional depth skillfully, lending a distinctive tone to the book.

Areas for improvement:
- The pacing slows noticeably in the middle section, which somewhat disrupts the narrative flow before it picks up again toward the end.
- Certain supporting characters could benefit from deeper development to fully realize their potential and add complexity to the story.

This novel will appeal to readers who enjoy emotionally rooted stories with a twist of quirky, time-related mystery.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the advance copy provided via NetGalley, all thoughts are my own.

Joy and her twin daughters run the eclectic (and very pink) seaside laundromat, Joyful Suds. At first glance, the Moody women appear mostly normal, if not slightly quirky. But there’s more to their story than meets the eye.

What started as a way of explaining how the girls came to be with Joy snowballed into something much more. For the past decade, Joy’s convinced the twins that they’re actually from the future. But as one of the twins starts having doubts and Joy starts confusing facts with fiction, years’ worth of lies catch up – and Joy Moody is out of time.
______

This book reminded me a lot of The Maid by Nita Prose and the Vera Wong books. The main character is quirky, and the setting is eccentric. If you liked any of those books, you’ll probably like this one.

Overall, this one was a bit of a miss for me. The concept is unique and interesting, and the author did a great job at telling the story creatively, but ultimately, just not my cup of tea.

If you like quirky mysteries, you might enjoy this more than I did. The retro laundromat is a cool vibe for sure.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Joy Moody is Out of Time hit shelves today, August 19!