A review by whenimreading
Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder by Kerryn Mayne

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. 
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