My first read from Olivia Blacke but it won't be my last. This was a very interesting story with a unique plot. After Ruby moves into a new apartment, she is haunted by the ghost of the person who lived there beforehand who's name was Cordy. Ruby and Cordy end up working together to solve a murder. This was a fun book to read right before Halloween to help me get into the spirit. It had just the right blend of humor, mystery and paranormal activity. Thanks so much to the author and NetGalley for giving me an ACR! The cliff hanger was a bit of a surprise, but it will make me excited to read the sequel and get back to my old character friends to see how this all plays out.

Thank you Minotaur Books and SMP! I enjoyed this start to a new cozy series! Iknow that fans of cozy, supernatural themes mysteries have a new favorite in A New Lease on Death.

Though the pacing slows at times, the supernatural twist and the growing bond between the two unlikely partners make this a fun, cozy read for fans of light mysteries with a paranormal flair. Ghosts and cozies aren't my usual genre but the charming cover and the fun plot and character development made for a nice escape read in October! The mix of ghostly sleuthing and real-world detective work keeps the mystery engaging, while the witty banter between Ruby and Cordelia adds charm.

I love a good mystery, and having the dead help solve a mystery is a first for me. I’m used to the gritty, much darker mysteries, so I’m still getting used to the idea of cozy mysteries. But, this was cute and a quick read.

When Ruby rents a fully furnished apartment it comes with a few things she wasn’t expecting: the ghost of the former tenant, Cordelia Graves, and a dead body on the sidewalk in front of the building.

The book has some fun quirky moments and I like that Cordelia’s ghost wasn’t tied to one spot. However, the book dragged in places and the ending felt rushed. But the killer wasn’t who I expected it to be and I enjoyed it enough that I’d be interested in reading the second book when it comes out.

Cozy mysteries aren't really my favourite genre, but this was a fun, super quick read! I liked Cordelia as a main character and I didn't mind Ruby as the other POV. I liked how the author explored the dynamic of a ghost and a human and how they managed to communicate with each other despite some big limitations. I was intrigued by the murder mystery and enjoyed following Ruby and Cordelia's investigation.

This was a very fast read for me, however I wish there was a bit more action that happened. It felt a tiny bit monotonous at times, and I found the ending to be very rushed. While the twist was unexpected, I also felt disconnected from the characters involved that it felt pretty out of left field in a not great way. I also hate when authors leave a book on a cliffhanger, so that also was a bit disappointing.

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

this was a fun, quick spooky season read. the story was fresh and kept me engaged. it caught my eye as it was a premise i'd not heard of before and I thought it was so well executed.
I will be looking forward to more from this author.

A New Lease on Death by Olivia Blacke is a quirky paranormal mystery set in a Boston apartment with more than just drafty windows and faulty heat. Ruby Young, a new tenant, quickly discovers her new place comes with an unexpected roommate—a ghost named Cordelia Graves, who died in the same apartment a few months ago. Cordelia is bored and frustrated by her post-death existence, but when their across-the-hall neighbor, Jake, is killed in an apparent mugging, Cordelia suspects foul play and ropes Ruby into helping solve the mystery. Despite their unlikely partnership—Ruby’s a scatterbrained twenty-something with a knack for killing houseplants, while Cordelia is a no-nonsense spirit—the two form a friendship as they dig deeper into Jake’s death and uncover darker secrets lurking in their building.

Olivia Blacke delivers a fun, fast-paced whodunit with plenty of humor, heart, and supernatural flair. The dynamic between Ruby and Cordelia is both hilarious and endearing, making this an enjoyable read for fans of cozy mysteries with a paranormal twist. The mix of ghostly sleuthing and real-world detective work keeps the story engaging, and as the mystery unfolds, readers are sure to be hooked until the very end.

I was actually pleasantly surprised by this book. It had the air of cozy mystery with a the perfect touch of ghostiness. Ruby is quite the character and she can definitely be described as a lot but honestly she seems like she would be so fun to hang out with. Cordelia being a ghost is also fun and I'm amused by the fact that she doesn't seem to have many restrictions as far as ghosts go. The two make an interesting team as they figure out how to communicate across the veil but it was fun. Curious to see how the next book plays out. Well done Olivia Blacke.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read A New Lease on Death by Olivia Blacke in exchange for my honest review.

A New Lease on Death blends supernatural mystery with quirky humor. Ruby, a 20-year-old who just moved to Boston on her own with no plan on how to survive a brutal Boston winter with no job or money, teams up with her ghostly roommate, Cordelia, to solve their neighbor's murder. The concept is fun, with Cordelia's sharp, witty commentary about the afterlife adding humor. Her struggles as a ghost and interactions with Ruby are the highlights of the story.

However, the book falters with its slow pacing and lackluster character dynamics. Ruby feels more like a stereotypical Gen Z caricature, and the generation-gap humor between her and Cordelia often falls flat. The murder mystery itself lacks tension, and the repetitive writing drags the story down.

Many will enjoy A New Lease on Death’s moments of charm, but pacing and character issues hold it back. It’s a light, quirky read for fans of cozy mysteries, but it didn’t fully hit the mark for me.

A New Lease on Death by Olivia Blacke

“If l’d known I would become a ghost, I would have painted my nails before I offed myself. Now I was doomed to spend the rest of eternity in dire need of a manicure and some hand lotion.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

First off, this book was sent to me by @minotaur_books books in exchange for an honest review.

I am calling all cozy mystery lovers because this is a gem. I know! Me liking a cozy mystery?! I am just as shocked as you are.

But this one has a paranormal twist that I ate up!

So what did I like about it?

1. The characters are loveable and goofy in the best way, with great development throughout.

2. The “who done it” mystery had me on my toes the entire time.

3. The paranormal/ghost element to the story had me enthralled!

4. It was an easy, gripping read and I enjoyed the dashes of humour throughout.

Now why only 4 starts?

1. The plot dragged a little in the middle.

2. The ghosts powers are a little too convenient at times. But there are some limits in place and I enjoyed how the author used that to further the development of the character and plot.

Overall this is a fantastic one for those that want to read a book for spooky season, but don’t want it to be spooky. And for those who love a cozy mystery.

A New Lease on Death will hit store shelves on October 29th.

I had a lot of fun reading this book! Opening with a very catchy scene and immersing you in the mystery of Cordelia, the ghost, and her roommate, Ruby, as they try to solve a murder.

The concept and ghost rules worked so very well. Forming an unlikely friendship- Ruby can’t actually see Cordelia, and anything Cordelia says, Ruby can’t hear. The inventive ways they try to communicate throughout the book created wonderfully charming and silly moments between them. I loved the camaraderie and connection they established across planes. It was funny and cozy but the whodunnit mystery really had me eating up the pages.

This book had almost everything I like about paranormal murder mysteries. It was reminiscent of another favorite series of mine, and I’m always down for ghost solving crime stories. The Boston setting was also a nice touch!

A New Lease on Death has fantastic series potential and I cannot wait to read more about this dynamic duo.

Thanks to Minotaur Books for the eARC to review.

A New Lease on Death is a new twist on the ghost as an investigative tool. I really enjoyed the camaraderie between Cordelia and Ruby. The mystery was intriguing and leaves us with more to learn. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Ruby and Cordelia’s relationship grow as they solve Jakes murder. Bring on the next installment.

A New Lease on Death by Olivia Blacke
Rating: 4 stars
Pub date: 10/29

Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books for my advanced copy!

Ruby Young, a 20-year-old starting fresh in Boston, lives with Cordelia Graves—who’s dead but still very much hanging around her old apartment. When their neighbor Jake is killed in what looks like a mugging gone wrong, Cordelia is convinced there's more to the story and ropes Ruby into helping solve the mystery.

This super fun mix of supernatural mystery and dark humor kicks off what looks to be a great series. The book is told from two points of view: Cordelia, the sarcastic ghost who can’t leave the apartment, and Ruby, the new tenant who’s surprisingly okay with living alongside a ghost. Even though Cordelia can’t do much physically, Ruby steps up to handle the real-world investigating, and the two form an unexpected partnership.
The story is heavy on internal thoughts since Cordelia can’t talk to anyone except Ruby, and Ruby’s pretty much on her own in the city. It could get a bit repetitive at times, but their funny, quirky personalities kept things entertaining. The pacing slowed down here and there, but the humor and their growing friendship made up for it.

Overall, this is a cute and cozy mystery with a ghostly twist. If you’re into lighthearted, character-driven stories, this one’s worth checking out. Can’t wait for the next book in the series!

What a quirky, fast-paced book - this was such a fun read! If you're looking for a mystery that has it's fair share of humor and friendship, look no further :) Also, fans of Lucy Score's Riley Thorn series will for sure enjoy this one!

A New Lease on Death has got to be one of the most unique mysteries I've read in a while. While, yes, the heart of the plot is solving this mystery, the book is so much more. I soaked up every single Ruby + Cordelia moment and my heart is so warm following their budding friendship.

A New Lease on Death releases October 29, 2024. Thank you to NetGalley, Olivia Blacke and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for giving me the chance to read this ARC!

A New Lease on Death is a fun paranormal mystery based in Boston. Ruby has moved into a shady part of town because she can afford the rent for an apartment that comes fully furnished. Never mind that the neighbor's dead body has been found outside and then she discovers that the previous tenant died in her bathroom and that her ghost still remains. Cordelia is surprised the new young woman can sense her presence. They find a way to communicate, although not quite clearly at all times, and set off to solve the murder of their neighbor.

Cordelia and Ruby are opposites in almost every way. In real life, they would never be friends. But in death, Cordelia grows to like being around her young roommate. Since she is a ghost, her sleuthing is easier than Ruby's. Ruby finds herself in predicaments that Cordelia has to help her out of. There is a lot of dry humor, not slapstick, but it works. And the mystery of who dunnit leaves you reading to the very end, where of course, there is a cliffhanger to indicate something not quite right with Cordelia's death.

Olivia Blacke has created this series that involves all the elements of a great mystery speckled with some otherworldly beings. The two main characters grow on you even when you think you shouldn't like them. There are great friend vibes, and getting to know the neighbors is surprising. I look forward to the next installment!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

Quirky whodunnit,
some inconsistencies but
entertaining, cute.
⭐️⭐️⭐️


I write haiku reviews but am happy to provide more feedback.

This unfortunately did not work for me but I can see where others would enjoy it. Just not for me. Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this ARC.

Ruby’s new apartment comes with a perk she wasn’t expecting – a resident ghost. When her neighbor, Jake, is killed right outside the building in what the police are calling a mugging, ghost Cordelia knows there’s more to it and persuades Ruby to help solve the crime.

This is the first book in a new series by this author, and it’s off to a good start. Ruby and Cordelia couldn’t be more different, even without considering the living/dead thing, but those differences make them a great team to conduct an investigation. Ruby kills plants without even trying, Cordelia kills electronics if her ghostly energy gets too close. Cordelia was a neat freak, Ruby is more laissez-faire when it comes to cleaning and tidying. But they’re both intelligent women whose curiosity leads their questioning in the right direction.

There were several characters on my list of suspects, although I couldn’t really come up with a motive for any of them that seemed worth killing someone. I was surprised when the killer was revealed, and still can’t decide whether I should have seen that coming or not. The book ended on a cliffhanger, something I’m not a fan of overall, but I liked the book well enough to read the next book when it’s released, if only to get answers to those unanswered questions.

I ended up DNFing this one. I read about 25% before I decided to put it aside. I just couldn't connect to the characters and didn't really care about the plot. I do want to give this one a go at some point - maybe when the sequel comes out!

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Paranormal Mystery, Mystery, Girl Buddy Book, Ghost
Spice Level: Affairs are mentioned, but the spice is not on the page
Language: Periodic swearing, including a few f-bombs

A NEW LEASE ON DEATH has a fantastic opening line—it sets the tone and gives us a hint for the entire story.

Being dead doesn't come with a rule book, and Cordelia is making it up on the fly. AND. . . her first experience helping someone doesn't "ghost" as expected.

The humor is a little macabre, but I found it funny. There are also some serious issues that characters are dealing with.

Interestingly, I really liked Cordelia, even though I vehemently disagreed with some of her life choices. Her ghost choices are a different conversation. The other main character—Ruby—is the quintessential Gen Z, making her way through life and relationships. Except for her care for plants, I could relate to her even though I'm not her age. She's funny and really trying oh so hard to solve this murder.

I liked how the clues went together. Was the final thing a twist? It wasn't for me, but I still enjoyed the rest of the book so much, it didn't spoil my fun.

I hope you enjoy this too.

Happy reading!