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angelsmomreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book : it is so hard to believe it was a debut.the best debut mystery of 2024 @kerrynmayneauthor
This is not a cozy murder mystery , it is a terrific character driven book that is a testament to how childhood trauma follows you through life, and how memory protects children from the darkest moments of their lives.
Lenny Marks a school teacher is introverted and keeps panic attacks at bay by routine , her love of words , Scrabble and her 36 copies of The Hobbit.
She was the last standing from a brutal murder that she has vague memories of, and her life starts to fracture when she gets a letter from the Parole Board that her father was being released.
"Lenny ran her fingers over the smoothness of the envelope. Adult Parole Board Victoria was emblazoned proudly in the top right corner, as if this was a regular and not at all concerning place from which to receive mail.”
There is a rescue dog Malcom ..and how she needed to name him that.
She finally allows Ned the grocery store worker in at the end of the book because of his patience and care.
And she is a surprise character because of all she went through she stands and learns how to.move forward. Many reviewers don't understand the quirkiness of Lenny though slightly humorous is a wall she has erected to protect herself. Just like her word games to soothe her fracturing mind. PTSD is not something that ever goes away it sounds like her foster parents attempted to take her to therapy, but most childhood trauma survivors put up walls to block out memories . When Lenny finds herself in the shed in the back of the school she blacked out ..these scenes which were dark were good representation of how a survivor copes
Lenny Mark's Is the definition of a final girl, the last standing , slaying her dragons and coping through all the tragedy . I think the marketing of this book is wrong, because fans of Scream, Halloween, or even I Know What You Did Last Summer would love the retribution Lenny Marks gets in the end.
Thank you to St Martin's Press and Netgalley for my #advancedreaderscopy
This is not a cozy murder mystery , it is a terrific character driven book that is a testament to how childhood trauma follows you through life, and how memory protects children from the darkest moments of their lives.
Lenny Marks a school teacher is introverted and keeps panic attacks at bay by routine , her love of words , Scrabble and her 36 copies of The Hobbit.
She was the last standing from a brutal murder that she has vague memories of, and her life starts to fracture when she gets a letter from the Parole Board that her father was being released.
"Lenny ran her fingers over the smoothness of the envelope. Adult Parole Board Victoria was emblazoned proudly in the top right corner, as if this was a regular and not at all concerning place from which to receive mail.”
There is a rescue dog Malcom ..and how she needed to name him that.
She finally allows Ned the grocery store worker in at the end of the book because of his patience and care.
And she is a surprise character because of all she went through she stands and learns how to.move forward. Many reviewers don't understand the quirkiness of Lenny though slightly humorous is a wall she has erected to protect herself. Just like her word games to soothe her fracturing mind. PTSD is not something that ever goes away it sounds like her foster parents attempted to take her to therapy, but most childhood trauma survivors put up walls to block out memories . When Lenny finds herself in the shed in the back of the school she blacked out ..these scenes which were dark were good representation of how a survivor copes
Lenny Mark's Is the definition of a final girl, the last standing , slaying her dragons and coping through all the tragedy . I think the marketing of this book is wrong, because fans of Scream, Halloween, or even I Know What You Did Last Summer would love the retribution Lenny Marks gets in the end.
Thank you to St Martin's Press and Netgalley for my #advancedreaderscopy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Abandonment
eggplantia5's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I feel like with Nita Prose's The Maid - there was this rise of books about "quirky" people who are probably on the spectrum but would never be officially diagnosed as such, which gives the author freedom to give their main characters a happy ending by allowing them to "overcome" some of their quirks.
Anyway, this was entertaining enough, but I found the main character never quite felt real to me, and the twist and confluence of events seem far too unrealistic for my taste.
Anyway, this was entertaining enough, but I found the main character never quite felt real to me, and the twist and confluence of events seem far too unrealistic for my taste.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Murder, and Abandonment
katrenia's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is a good choice for someone who enjoys an autistic heroine and loved the television show Friends.
I loved the growth of our character throughout the book as she adapted to new relationships in her life. I didn’t enjoy the last 10% of the book and it isn’t the resolution I would have chosen. But it’s the author’s prerogative to take the story where they want, and it wrapped up nicely.
Trigger warnings for childhood abuse and trauma.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Murder, and Abandonment
Minor: Animal cruelty
kerrygetsliterary's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder was not what I expected based on the title and cover. It's giving cozy and funny mystery a la Finlay Donovan, but it's actually much heavier and definitely not cozy.
That being said, Lenny Marks is possibly one of my favorite characters I've ever read. She's a neurodivergent elementary school teacher with a kind heart. She's a homebody, she plays Scrabble against herself, loves the TV show Friends, and rides her bike everywhere. She reminded me a lot of Eleanor Oliphant, She is intelligent and brave, and just trying to figure out her solitary adult life. I loved watching her story unfold, and it was both heartbreaking and heartwarming. I laughed with her and my heart broke for her.
There were some mystery elements to this book, and some things I predicted and some I did not. The writing was phenomenal and I will definitely read more of Kerryn Mayne's work in the future.
That being said, Lenny Marks is possibly one of my favorite characters I've ever read. She's a neurodivergent elementary school teacher with a kind heart. She's a homebody, she plays Scrabble against herself, loves the TV show Friends, and rides her bike everywhere. She reminded me a lot of Eleanor Oliphant, She is intelligent and brave, and just trying to figure out her solitary adult life. I loved watching her story unfold, and it was both heartbreaking and heartwarming. I laughed with her and my heart broke for her.
There were some mystery elements to this book, and some things I predicted and some I did not. The writing was phenomenal and I will definitely read more of Kerryn Mayne's work in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
noosayag's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
As far as debut books go, this wasn’t half bad. The mystery was tense and the twists were decently satisfying. My problem with this book was the dialogue. Some of these characters just didn’t sound like real human people.
The other parts however, such as Lenny’s crippling repressed memories and the mystery of what HAPPENED to her were written really well, enough to keep me entertained.
And finally, the childish primary school teacher drama was hilariously accurate. Well done 👏
The other parts however, such as Lenny’s crippling repressed memories and the mystery of what HAPPENED to her were written really well, enough to keep me entertained.
And finally, the childish primary school teacher drama was hilariously accurate. Well done 👏
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide, and Abandonment
ree333's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Abandonment
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