
By: Kerryn Mayne
ISBN: 9781250340504
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: 08/19/2025
Format: Other
My Rating: TBR (ARC)
From the author of the beloved novel Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder comes another quirky and irresistible new crime novel
PraStrange things are happening behind the bright pink facade of Bayside’s premier laundromat, Joyful Suds; home to Joy Moody and her twin daughters.
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.
The girls have long believed they are vital to the future and must stay hidden to stay safe. Joy has told them that their impending 21st birthday is significant; they will step into their roles as daughters of the future revolution and life as they know it will change. Joy was right - everything will change, just not in the way the expected. On Andie and Cassie’s birthday, Joy Moody is found dead and her girls face a world they are not prepared for without their mother. Joy Moody is out of time… in more ways than one.
Praise
“As uplifting as it is dark, Joy Moody Is Out of Time will knock your socks off.”
–Sally Hepworth, New York Times bestselling author of Darling Girls
“Utterly original. An engrossing tale of lies and secrets that will keep you guessing to the very end.”
–Amanda Hampson, bestselling author of The Tea Ladies
“Unique and quirky, this is a charming who-done-what mystery with a cast of original characters.”
–Sarah Bailey, bestselling author of The Housemate
“Mayne combines her signature dark humour with insightful observations about what it means to be a mother, to create a page turning suspense that will have readers guessing to the very last page.”
–Lisa Ireland, author of The One and Only Dolly Jamieson
“Highly entertaining and with an incredibly unique premise, Kerryn Mayne has done it again - crafted a witty, gripping read with characters like no other.”
–Holly Craig, author of #1 bestselling novel The Shallows
“Riveting family tale meets cracking crime mystery.”
–Elizabeth Coleman, author of A Routine Infidelity
“If you google ‘beautifully-crafted, enigmatic characters with too many secrets for one person to possibly keep,’ Joy Moody will pop up, right next to Lenny Marks. This is a gem of a novel.”
–Michael Thompson, award-winning author
“Mayne's skillful storytelling and brilliant characterisation will take readers on an unforgettable journey - a must-read for fans of Liane Moriarty and Sally Hepworth.”
–Kelly Rimmer, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
“By turns quirky and suspenseful, and always keeping the reader wrong-footed, this book is for readers who liked Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder, the suburban edginess of Liane Moriarty, or the deep characterisation of Paula Hawkins.”
–Books & Publishing

Praise for Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder:
“Prepare to fall hard for Lenny Marks…[a] touching, absorbing debut.”
–firstCLUE
"With humor, heart and characters you come to love, this is a book you will devour now, and keep thinking about later!"
–Sally Hepworth, New York Times bestselling author of Darling Girls
“If you're looking for a quirky, clever heroine with razor-sharp wit, keen observations, and a heart that is too big for this world, look no further than Lenny Marks...Highly recommended!”
–Jamie Day, bestselling author of The Block Party
“Beautiful, painful and ultimately completely satisfying, this is a story of an unlikely heroine who rises up to heal the deepest of wounds. I’ll be thinking about Lenny for a long time.”
–Annabel Monaghan, bestselling author of Nora Goes Off Script
"Devilishly fun...top marks for Lenny Marks!"
–Benjamin Stevenson, bestselling author of Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someon
About the Author
Author photograph by Kelly Dwyer Portraiture

Kerryn Mayne is an author, former wedding photographer and current police officer. When not at work attempting to solve crime, she is writing about it or preparing an endless stream of snacks for her children. Kerryn lives in the Melbourne suburbs with her husband, four children and a highly suspect lovebird. She only owns 12 copies of The Hobbit (for now).
Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder was her debut novel, released in February 2023. Lenny Marks was shortlisted for a Ned Kelly debut crime award and shortlisted for an Indie Booksellers Award.
Lenny has also been shortlisted for an International Thriller Writers 2024 Best New Novel award and an ABIA award for Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year 2024.
Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder will be released in the USA with St Martins Press on 9th July 2024.
Joy Moody Is Out Of Time is her second novel and was released with Penguin Random House Australia on 27th February 2024.
Kerryn is still in disbelief that she is a real life, actual, published author.
You can find her attempting to be hilarious on Instagram as @kerrynmayneauthor. She forgets about Facebook, but is sometimes there as well. Don’t ask her about X or Tik Tok, she has no idea.