👉🏻 For my friends looking for a light paranormal mystery with an age-gap friendship.

A NEW LEASE ON DEATH by Olivia Blacke

Thanks, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, for the advanced review copy via NetGalley. (Available now)

When Ruby rented Cordelia’s completely furnished apartment, it wasn’t just the couch and books left behind when the previous tenant died. Cordelia is still there, too. She has trouble communicating with her younger new roommate since Ruby can’t read cursive (Cordelia attempts to message her via bathroom mirror steam), but they work through it. After all, this new crime-solving duo has to come together to solve their neighbor’s murder.

This was a light and fun read full of unlikely hijinx and “how is she going to get herself out of this one” situations. I liked Ruby’s sunshiny and gullible personality and identified with Cordelia’s “older sentiment” since I, too, spell out words and use proper grammar, even while texting. I will admit the “Cordelia is SO OLD” jibber jabber got old fast, as she was only 40. But to a 20-year-old, I guess that is so ancient she’s practically dead. Oh, wait. She is.

This is a cute mystery book that will be part of a series. As I was reading it, I thought to myself that it would make the perfect series, and then I saw in the description that this is book 1, so the author does a really good job of setting it up to continue. The main character lives in Boston. She has just moved into a new apartment. She got a great deal on it because the previous owner died in the apartment. And then her neighbor dies too. And suddenly she finds out that the ghost of the woman who lived there previously is still hanging around and they can communicate. And together they try to solve the neighbor’s death. Oh, and the chapters switch back and forth so you get the ghosts perspective too. Such a cute idea!

Thank you to Minotaur books for a gifted copy!

Loved the cover, which is what initially drew me in. I loved the relationship between the two main characters, a curmudgeony dead recent tenant and the new lively young tenant. They work together to solve a crime and I can't wait for the next book where, hopefully they solve the death of the dead tenant. A little bit dark with some mystery and humor.

A New Lease on Death is the first ghostly mystery in the new Supernatural Mysteries series. Ruby Young has recently moved to Boston to escape a bad breakup, but the last thing she expected to find was a ghost haunting her new apartment. The former occupant, Cordelia Graves, died in the apartment and still hangs around. When Ruby’s across the hall neighbor turns up murdered, Ruby teams up with ghostly Cordelia to figure out what really happened. This unlikely duo may just be able to do something the Boston PD can’t.

This premise of this book interested me because I’ve enjoyed the few books I’ve read that seem similar to this. I think this book did a good job setting the scene for a series and I enjoyed getting to know Ruby and Cordelia. Following along as they stumbled about solving the mystery was entertaining, but something was missing for me in this book. I can’t put my finger on what it was exactly, but it could have had something to do with the pacing of the story and all of the background info. I know the background info is importantly, but the story might I’ve gotten a little lost for me in it. I am definitely open to reading the next book in this series to see how it progresses though. I think this series is just finding its footing and I really would like to see how Ruby and Cordelia team up in the future. If you think a mystery solving ghost seems cool this book is one to check out.

A New Lease on Death, by Olivia Blacke, is the first book in the new Supernatural Mysteries series. This story is fun and fast with just enough mystery and hijinks to keep it engaging. The story is not necessarily a cozy mystery, though the cover may appear to reflect that. It has some darker, more detailed aspects to the story that make it more graphic and lend it gravitas, but it’s also humorous and unusual with its paranormal aspects. It is entertaining, surprisingly thought-provoking, and the mystery is not easily solved making it quite captivating. I recommend A New Lease on Death for a unique, comedic, cozy mystery-esque story.

Olivia Blacke caught me off with the the first few pages of her new novel - A New Lease on Death. Well, with the title and the image on the cover, you might have an inkling of what you’re going to find inside…

Ruby moves into a Boston apartment that’s advertised as fully finished. It is, but the last tenant died in the bathtub. And all her items are still there. There’s another death and Ruby decides to investigate as the police don’t seem to think it is a crime.

I really liked Ruby as our lead character. She’s determined to do the right thing. But along the way she gets herself into some sketchy situations. Our supporting player is Cordelia and she’s a bit harder to get to know. She doesn’t talk much in the beginning of the book but things change for her too. And we know much more about her life as the book progresses.

A New Lease on Death is a mix of amateur detecting, supernatural elements, friendship and doing the right thing. I enjoyed the detective parts. I did wonder about Rudy's reasoning for and the impetus for her jumping in both feet. The who dunnit was a good one and it was one I hadn’t considered. Nicely done.

A New Release on Death is also setting up everything for a new novel using these characters. And there’s a burning question that I would love to know the answer to. All in all, it was an entertaining story. 3.5

I love a good Cozy Mystery and this was just that. Not on was it Cozy but it was also comedic
I see that this is the first in a series so I am hoping that we will get the next instalment soon

3.5 Stars

This was a fun take on a murder mystery. I liked both Ruby and Cordelia. I don't think the mystery itself was anything groundbreaking, but I liked the mystery solving duo enough that I read it in one sitting.

This book was so enjoyable. I was dragged into the pages from page 1 until the end because of the subject matter (afterlife) and what it is like being a spirit. I really felt bad for Cordelia because she had no idea how she had come to be a ghost and she had no idea why she was still around. As Cordelia began to ‘take care of’ Penny, they both became aware of how much they enjoyed being in each other’s company. As Penny looked into the death of her neighbor, she began to learn how lonely Cordelia had been. Cordelia’s life was quite unremarkable and while Penny discovered more about her roommate, she began to ponder that maybe Cordelia had not taken her own life…maybe something or someone got rid of her before she could tell any secrets. This lively cast of characters made this book so fun. I look forward to more books by author.

To be honest, this book took me a while to get through. I was initially intrigued with the premise of a ghost helping to solve a murder, but then where it should have been a faster pace it slowed and then right at the end it threw the sped up curve ball.
I enjoyed some of the witty ‘banter’ between the main characters, but I feel like the characters could have used more development. Too many things left out or not explained.
Will I pick up the next book in the series? Most likely as I would like to know the answer to the next “who dun’it.”

Thanks to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC.

What a cute and unique cozy mystery!! I LOVED the main character and all of her quirkiness. I also did not guess the killer at all which is usually fairly obvious in other cozy mysteries that I have read.

Thank you to St. Martin's for my copy of A NEW LEASE ON DEATH.

I really enjoyed this one. It was a nice light a funny mystery that made a great distraction for the current state of the world. If you're in the mood for something sweet and cute but also dark and morbid, this one is for you!

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing this ARC for my voluntary and honest review!

This was a really interesting concept and I really enjoyed the dynamic between Ruby and Cordelia. The pacing of the murder mystery was a little off for me, being quite rushed at the end. Overall a fun read and I’m excited to see where the story goes next. 3.5/5

This was an interesting twist on the 'whodunit' genre. The good: the author did a great job in developing personalities and characters. I found myself pulling for everyone as the story progressed. The less good: I spent a long time getting through the book because it didn't keep my interest enough to keep me wanting to take the time to finish it. Cordelia's power's seemed to conveniently develop as if the author needed to create them to keep the story moving.

It was a decent story and had a good final hook to create interest in a sequel but it felt like there were a lot of chapters and words added that didn't contribute to the final outcome.

I'm a fan of Olivia Blacke's Record Shop Mystery series, so I was excited to receive an advance copy of the first book in her Supernatural Mysteries (from Minotaur via NetGalley). It's a solid little cozy, pairing up the former and current residents of a small and dismal apartment. The catch is, one is alive and the other is dead. They have to navigate their shared space and communication barriers to stop a killer who is on the hunt for the next victim.



I'm ambivalent about this one. It's not bad, but for me, it dragged, and I really didn't like any of the characters. Cordelia, for all that she said she wanted the mystery solved, didn't give Ruby key information. Cordelia was critical and miserable and not a whole lot of fun to be around; I get it, she's dead, but still. The other characters weren't developed enough to be interesting.



Why you should read this book: The who and the why will keep you guessing.



Why you might not want to read it: There's a fair amount of repetition, and I found myself wanting to skip ahead.



3.25 out of 5 stars

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Pub Date: 10/29
•
A New Lease on Death was a different take on living with a ghost. Ruby moves into a new apartment; only that apartment is still inhabited by its former tenet Cordelia’s ghost. It isn’t until the newborn across the hall is murdered that Ruby and Cordelia find a way to team up and catch the killer.
•
This was a really cute start to a new series that I definitely plan to follow. I really enjoyed both Ruby and Cordelia and how they worked together. I found myself chuckling numerous times at their quirks and figuring out how to communicate with one another.
•
The mystery itself was not anything super complex with some mind blowing shocking twist, but I did enjoy how Blake brought me from start to finish. This is more of a slow burn. I will say though, that ending with that cliff hanger was the perfect way to end this book and lead into the start of a series. I am excited to see where the next book takes Ruby and Cordelia.
•
Overall, this was a fun read and I look forward to reading more of their story. Into ghost stories? Definitely check this one out. Huge thank you to NetGalley, Olivia Blake and St. Martins Press for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Solid 4 Stars!

What a fun, no-brain-needed book! This was so cute! And clearly the start of what’s to be a fun series. The author did a wonderful job with well-rounded, joyful, main characters, That said, it felt like the first couple episodes of a late 80's/early 90's sitcom - but I really enjoyed it!

You have a ghost who sees her fellow murdered neighbor and she wants to help him find out who did it. You have a living character who senses the ghost and communicates in all of the cheesy ways to help her solve the mystery. Again, so silly that it's fun! It's totally an easy read and I cannot wait for book 2!

Thanks to NetGalley and he publisher for the advanced copy in turn for a review.

A New Lease in Death was the perfect story for spooky October. Would you move in to a house knowing someone died there? And would you stay if your roommate was a ghost? I’m a hell no on both of those questions. I mean the ghost in this story seems very lovely and everything but I still think I’ll pass. If you’re looking for a supernatural twisty turn story here it is. Think Casper the friendly ghost.
Cordelia has died but still resides in her apartment she loves. Watching her “ roommate” Ruby killing off her previous plants is frustrating but not as bad as not being able to communicate with the living. Ruby seems to sense Cordelia’s presence and will talk to her, but she can’t hear or see her. When the neighbor Jake dies outside the apartment the police say suicide but Ruby knows that’s simply not true. Ruby decides to do some investigating herself to find out what actually happened and hopefully catch Jake’s killer.
As Ruby finds out details about Jake she’ll also learn about Cordelia and her death. She feels Cordelia around her and wants her help in solving the murder. Ruby will be putting her life at risk but in the end she might help solve a crime….or two.

Ruby Young is happy to get a real bargain on an apartment. Of course, you get what you pay for. The apartment may have its faults, but it did come fully furnished. This is because the former tenant killed herself and no one came forward to claim anything. Over time Ruby slowly gets hints that she is not totally alone. The ghost of Cordelia Graves is still hanging out and keeps showing Ruby that she is present. The problem is It's hard to communicate. After the body of another tenant named Jake is found dead right outside the building, the two women decide they need to find his killer. The police are not too worried due to the reputation of the neighborhood.
Ruby and Cordelia start on a journey that is filled with suspense and humor. It's hard to know who to trust. Ruby is only 20 and Cordelia wants to help her get ahead in life.
Even though most to the plot centers around the mystery, the author reveals some of Cordelia's back story and how she came to be a ghost. The secondary characters are well written also and play important roles. The paranormal parts are important and seem believable. It's funny the effect that Cordelia has on electronic devices, so she has to be careful when Ruby is doing research.
Ruby is steadfast to solve the mystery. She can be charming to find out clues from other people. Cordelia finds her a bit annoying at first, but comes to trust her.
This book is fun and easy to read. If you want something lighthearted and entertaining, A NEW LEASE ON DEATH is perfect. The ending suggests there will be another novel with Ruby and Cordelia. I will certainly be looking forward to it.

This was a cute murder mystery. Cordelia is a ghost and Ruby is the woman who now rents her apartment.

I think Ruby and Cordelia made a really good team even with it being hard to communicate. Cordelia as the story went along became protective of Ruby. I really like how they found different way to communicate with some being unconventional.

I was completely wrong about who was the killer and why Jake was killed. At one point, I really believed it was Bobby or Scotty.