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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
stefappleton's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, and Suicide
bookedwithliz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Murder
louisekf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
madlain's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Ableism and Chronic illness
Minor: Infidelity, Stalking, and Lesbophobia
whenimreading's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
This was a surprising story of coping with suppressed childhood trauma, very poignant, heartwarming and mysterious.
Lenny was wonderful, her neurodivergent nature was very sweet. A Hobbit loving fifth grade schoolteacher, commuting everywhere on her bike. Playing Scrabble every night with imaginary Monica Geller from Friends. Trying to step out of her comfort zone and make friends starts the plot of the book - The One Where Lenny Gets a Life.
When Lenny receives a letter from the parole board about her stepfather Fergus, unbeknownst to her, it turns her world upside down.
Narrated by Annie Maynard in a delightful tone throughout added a cozy feeling to the novel. While dealing with heavy topics that Lenny suppressed as a child, we see the world through her rose colored glasses. I loved watching Lenny come out of her shell. The book had great pacing and interesting interactions. Lenny’s Scrabble brain rearranging letters was one of my favorite parts. I enjoyed unfolding the mystery of her upbringing and was gutted for her after finding out the truth (see trigger warnings). It was a shocking revelation but the book takes off in an uplifting and twisty way, it made a huge impression!
TW: PTSD, domestic/child abuse, child death, animal cruelty
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the listening copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
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
jessicat10's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
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
lilibetbombshell's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
How well do you remember your childhood? Are you sure you’re remembering it correctly?
Lenny Marks is alive, but she’s not living. She’d be fine with that if it weren’t for the fact she knows it makes her mom (well, her former foster mom but the closest thing to a mom she’s had in a long time) upset if she doesn’t at least try and engage with the world around her. If Lenny had it her way she’d keep to her strict routines and schedules, never letting anyone get too close to her or know anything much about her. It’s safer that way. No one can abandon you if you don’t let them in, after all.
The themes of abuse, abandonment, fear, anger, loneliness, and loss are all at the heart of Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder. If you think this book is lighthearted at all, be forewarned it’s not. I cried more than once. My eyes are unhappy with me.
Debut author Kerryn Mayne has written a book with an extraordinary protagonist who will rip your heart out from your chest, break it, then repair it before placing it back inside and stitching you back up all shiny and new. Lenny Marks is written as a neurodivergent character who also has a large issue with dissociation surrounding a traumatic event from her childhood. Lenny’s type of neurodivergency isn’t explored or explicitly stated, but Mayne did a terrific job of writing a neurodivergent character without coming across as precious or exploitative. If you don’t fall in love with Lenny I don’t know what kind of person you are, because Lenny is so easy to love. I think that’s why this book has been so widely lauded for breaking people’s hearts and making them cry. You just feel so much for Lenny and what she’s been through. And after all she’s been through, she’s still out there trying her best to survive and do right when so many people who should know better choose to do wrong.
The pacing of this book is lovely, with a natural progression and no filler. Mayne’s writing style is sharp and insightful, with a dark sense of humor and a deep well of emotion. Her characters are well-drawn and her plotting is clear and well-rounded. The dialogue in this book is a delight and one of its best features.
This is definitely women’s fiction, but it’s definitely on the lit fic side of women’s fiction. It’s women’s fiction because the book deals with, in a large amount, issues that widely affect women and their children. The take on these issues is more on the darkly humorous side, which I always enjoy. If you love a tale that ultimately results in revenge, then you’ll end up loving this.
TW for child abuse
TW for mild animal abuse (one scene)
TW for violence
TW for child death
TW for domestic abuse
I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: 5 Star Review/Dark Comedy/Disability Rep/Literary Fiction/Women’s Fiction
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, and Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty, Child death, Domestic abuse, and Blood