Caffeinated Reviewer

I absolutely loved Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder and was excited to listen to Kerryn Mayne’s newest offering, Joy Mooding is Out of Time. Narrated by Annie Maynard, I was quickly pulled into the story of Joy and her twin daughters as they approached their twenty-first birthday and her death.

From the author of the beloved novel Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder comes another quirky and irresistible crime novel

Strange 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 twenty-first birthday is significant; they will step into their roles as leaders of a revolution and life as they know it will change. Joy was right—everything will change, just not in the way they 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.

Joy Moody is Out of Time delivered a unique tale with found family, mystery, suspense and far-out fantasy. Step into Joyful Suds, a laundromat close to the beach with an upstairs apartment in Melbourne. Here, Joy lives with her twins, Cassiopeia (Cassie) and Andromeda (Andie). Joy owns and runs the laundromat, and the girls assist her. They have never been to school or watched television and rely on their mother, who protects them.

The story begins at the end of Joy Moody’s life on her girls’ twenty-first birthday. A birthday on which they expect to travel to the future and save the world and meet their parents. The story that unfolds is delivered in four parts. They are Laundromat, Death in a Laundromat, Dear Customer, and Under New Management.

As we spend time at Joyful Suds, we know all isn’t right. The parts tell their story from the beginning with some flashbacks here and there. Joy loves her girls, and it’s apparent that in her mind the stories she has told them and how cut off she keeps the girls is to keep them safe. But as they approach the girl’s twenty-first birthday, things unravel, beginning with Joy herself, who believes the story she has told them.

We’ve got a missing girl, Joy’s death and an investigation, an overeager Uncle who claims to want to help the girls, and two very naïve sheltered twins. The first half of the story unfolded slowly, but set the foundation for the intense second half as things are revealed and understanding of what happens dawns.

I was hooked and loved Mayne’s storytelling and world-building. The unique storyline she delivered was refreshing, and her characters are well drawn, allowing the listener to connect even when we disagree. I listened and thought Annie Maynard with her delightful Australian accent added to the tale. She captured not only the tone of the story but each character’s emotions and personalities. I highly recommend listening.

If you love stories with twists, found family and mystery, you’ll want to grab Joy Moody is Out of Time. While Lenny Marks is still my favorite listen, I cannot wait to see what this author brings us next as her books stay with you long after the audio ends.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Kerryn Mayne

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 four children. Kerryn lives in the bayside suburbs of Melbourne with her husband, children and a highly suspect lovebird. She only owns 11 copies of The Hobbit (for now). Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder is her debut novel.

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About Annie Maynard

Annie Maynard is an Australian actress. She is best known for her starring role in the ABC comedy series Upper Middle Bogan as Bess Denyar. Upper Middle Bogan began screening on ABC on 15 August 2013 with Maynard reprising her role across all three seasons.

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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2025 Audiobook Challenge

About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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