Joy Moody Is Out of Time

Joy Moody Is Out of Time by Kerryn Mayne
8/19/25; 352 pages
St. Martin's Press

Joy Moody Is Out of Time by Kerryn Mayne is another excellent character driven, quirky domestic drama integrated with a crime novel. It is very highly recommended, unique, and not formulaic.

Bayside’s bright pink laundromat, Joyful Suds, has been home to Joy Moody and her twin daughters, Cassiopeia (Cassie) and Andromeda (Andie). They run it, own it, and live behind Joyful Suds. All of that is about to change because the twins are turning twenty-one. For their whole lives, Joy has been keeping the girls safe from The People, protected, and isolated. She has told them that they are really from the future and now that they are twenty-one they will be transported to the year 2050, where they will fight as daughters of the revolution against The People.

Joy always meant to eventually tell them the truth, but her circumstances have changed. She has a brain tumor she hasn't told anyone about and is now struggling to know the truth from the lies. Andie has figured out it is a story and even knows the books Joy's fanciful tales were based on, but Cassie believes. The morning after their birthday and failure to transport, Joy is found dead. The girls are now facing circumstances and the real world Joy never prepared them for, but they do eventually find their support system.

The narrative is divided into four parts, Life in a Laundromat, Death in a Laundromat, Dear Customer, and Under New Management, with an epilogue. Their are chapters that explain how Joy came to be the mum of the twins and the reason she has kept them isolated, homeschooled, away from all devices, and told them the fanciful tale of how they are really from the future. For all her care to protect the girls, isolating them from real life was a mistake. It is good their neighbors and friends are there to watch out for them.

The writing is exceptional. I was immediately engrossed in the story and cared about these characters and what happened next. Just when it seems it's going to take a science fiction turn, the plot quickly moves back into reality and a crime novel. Joy's death is initially thought to be suspicious, so the police are involved. This involvement expands as the plot becomes even more complicated later in the novel, due to a note Joy sent before her death. 

This is a character driven story and all of them come to life as fully realized, believable individuals with strengths and weaknesses, including the two antagonists. There are several morally dubious actions, but, that too is realistic as sometimes circumstances lead to bad decisions for a good reason. (And homeschooling done right is not isolating.)

Joy Moody Is Out of Time is a perfect choice for everyone who loved Mayne's excellent debut novel, Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder. Thanks to St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.