This was a nice little mystery - I'd call it cozy. One of the narrators is a ghost which was a fun element that I enjoyed. I did like the quirkiness of the book and all the the mystery solving, but the pacing has its issues. I did set this book down and come back once or twice. This book also has a cliffhanger, which is not may favorite, but some my find it fun.

Thank you to NetGalley for the Arc.

This was so boring and badly paced that I couldn’t tell you what the actual mystery was supposed to be. How Cordelia died? How the neighbour? Who cares, I didn’t. Honestly, the best character in here is Ruby, and she’s so fucking ditzy.

Ruby is a shitty person, Adam is a shittier person, and Jake could go to hell. None of them deserve a story. Also, if I had to read about what Cordelia was wearing when she died one more fucking time.

I didn’t want this book to end and yet, it didn’t. It’s the first of a supernatural series.

Cordelia Graves (odd last name) has died from a possible overdose suicide. A few days later, Jake Macintyre who was living across the hall from her was shot and killed outside of the building. His keys and phone were still in his apartment and he was found with no shoes but just a pair of socks in the cold Boston winter. What really happened?

Ruby Young was happy to rent Cordelia’s fully furnished apartment and yet, she didn’t realize it also came with a ghost. In the afterlife, Cordelia didn’t imagine she could see and hear everyone but they couldn’t see or hear her. She was invisible and decided to make herself known to Ruby. She burned out light bulbs, made strange noises and opened the curtains magically. She wanted Ruby to help her solve the murder mystery of Jake. Most people would immediately turn the other way but not Ruby. She always believed in the paranormal and was all in to help. And yet, communicating wasn’t easy.

As I was reading, I found it to be familiar as our house has more than one ghost. They are good with electrical gadgets: setting off smoke alarms, pushing their picture frames off the wall and onto the floor face up, making the lights flicker on and off – and so forth. Cordelia’s actions as a ghost were on target.

It’s a cozy mystery that flowed like electrical currents at a high speed. All the pieces went together making the reader crave more including a bite of pizza. The story was full of clues and towards the end, it wasn’t too difficult to finally say: tag you’re it. And what’s next? It’s a great story for those that are in for the fun surprises from the “breathers” and ghosts.

My thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy of this advanced book with an expected release date of October 29, 2024.

If you are looking for a new comedy, a little mysterious, very funny, and with slightly bizarre protagonists (I'm talking about a ghost named Cordelia), then "New Lease on Death" is the read for you.
A new mystery series by author Olivia Blacke will immerse you in a new universe (a little, or rather a lot, supernatural), and will make you grow fond of the its new pair of protagonists, Ruby and Cordelia, one is a ghost and the other is a somewhat rebellious young woman.
Together they will try their hand at investigating a murder, which seems to be the result of a robbery, but hides something more.
On October 29th, go to bookstore and devour this new little masterpiece too.
Thanks to the publisher, the author and Netgalley for previewing this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is perfect for Halloween.
The cover 10 out of 10. I mean...the skeleton key? I LOVE it!
Cordelia wants justice for her neighbour and friend Jake Macintyre, who was killed by "accident".
Cordelia wants to investigate, she wants to find out who killed hime, but Cordelia is dead and a ghost. Will this be a hindrance to her? Definitely not.
Her new "friend"/new roomate-not-such-much-roomate-since-she-is-dead, Ruby, will help her in this investigation.
Get ready for a new couple of friends, a little strange, and certainly out of the ordinary, I mean, when have we seen a ghost detective?
The story has dual PoV, both Ruby's and Cordelia's. And it's definitely a fun read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Saint Martin's Press - Minotaur Books for this early eGalley.
#ANewLeaseOnDeath will be out on 29 October 2024.
Told you it is good for Halloween.
Can't wait to read the next one!

I tend to gravitate towards the darker side of the library, so a cozy mystery isn't something I'd usually grab, but the supernatural elements on the cover made me curious so I gave it a shot and found this one pretty cute! It had several moments that made me giggle and the mystery itself wasnt nearly as obvious as many in this genre tend to be. Overall, I dug it and give it 4 stars. I'll be keeping an eye out for the sequel!

Thanks to NetGalley & St. Martins Press for the ARC!

I loved Olivia Blacke’s Record Shop Mysteries series, so I was ecstatic to receive a galley of A New Lease on Death, the first in a new series! I had so much fun reading this book!! Since one of the MCs is a ghost, fall/spooky season is the perfect time to read it. Ruby and Cordelia were a great crime solving duo! I really enjoyed the dual POV and the way their friendship evolved as they learned how to communicate and work together to solve a murder. I loved this charming, humorous, and entertaining paranormal cozy mystery! I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment!!

Title: New Lease on Death
Author: Olivia Blacke
Series: Supernatural Mysteries #1
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Publisher: Saint Martin’s Press ~ Minotaur Books
Pub Date: October 29, 2024
My Rating: 3.4 Stars
Pages: 374

Blurb got my attention
Ruby Young’s Boston apartment comes with all the usual perks.
-Windows facing the brick wall of the next-door building.
-Heat that barely works.
-A malfunctioning buzzer.
-Noisy neighbors.
-A dead body on the sidewalk outside.
-And of course, a ghost.
Cordelia Graves is the ghost. She died in her apartment a few months but is still hanging around. When her neighbor and friend, Jake Macintyre is killed in a mugging gone wrong, Cordelia wants to bring his killer to justice. She needs help - who better than her young roommate Ruby

Story alternates chapters and POV between Ruby and Cordelia,

In Mrs. Blacke’s ‘Acknowledgments’ – she tells us that that she cannot wait to see what Cordelia and Rudy do next.
Okay call me weird as I like ghosts and I too am looking forward to what they are up to next!

Want to thank NetGalley and Saint Martin’s Press-Minotaur for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 29, 2024.

Just in time for Spooky Season, Olivia Blacke’s supernatural mystery features an unlikely crime solving team, the very young (not even “old enough to drink”) and aptly-named Ruby Young and the recently departed Cordelia Gray. The “roommates”, Cordelia is still hanging around her old apartment, which Ruby now rents, band together to solve the murder of their neighbor Jake, despite all manner of obstacles, the fact that Ruby cannot hear or see Cordelia being chief among them. Nonetheless, the two are creative and determined in their quest. Hijinx and real danger ensue.
This highly original mystery is an enormously entertaining and engaging read. Told from both Ruby’s and Cordelia’s points of view, Blacke creates two heroines you cannot help but root for. The twist at the end is both surprising and satisfying. And happily hints at a second in this series.
Thank you to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance review copy.

*A New Lease on Death* by Olivia Blacke is a delightful blend of mystery, humor, and heart that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. Set in a charming small town, the story follows our quirky yet relatable protagonist as she stumbles upon a shocking crime that shakes the tight-knit community to its core. Blacke's writing is vibrant and witty, effortlessly drawing readers into a world filled with endearing characters, clever dialogue, and unexpected twists. The pacing is perfect, balancing moments of suspense with lighter, humorous scenes that make the story both thrilling and fun.

What truly stands out in *A New Lease on Death* is Olivia Blacke’s talent for creating a sense of place and community that feels authentically real. The small-town setting is richly detailed, and the relationships between the characters are layered and genuine, adding depth to the central mystery. Blacke’s protagonist is not only a determined sleuth but also a character whose personal growth and courage resonate deeply with readers. This book is a fantastic pick for fans of cozy mysteries who appreciate a blend of suspense, laughter, and heartwarming moments. It’s a thoroughly entertaining read that will leave you eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series.

Cute cozy mystery about Ruby and her ghost "roommate" Cordelia. Cordelia died in her apartment a few month prior and Ruby took over the cheap lease with all of Cordelia's belongings not knowing that her ghost would also be staying. When another tenant in the building is killed Ruby and Cordelia begin to investigate when it seems their deaths may haven been connected. All in all decent story and would more especially since it is set up for a sequel but feel like there was some repetitive stuff that could have been left out. I want to thank NetGalley St. Martin's Press for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

ARC Review:
3.5 ⭐️ for A New Lease on Death by Olivia Blacke

A New Lease on Death is a comedic, cozy mystery book, that follows Ruby and the ghost of the previous tenant. Ruby and the ghost of Cordelia must somehow work together to solve their neighbors murder.

This was a quick, silly murder mystery that I found quite entertaining. The characters were a bit bumbling and unlikeable in some ways, but I did find that this made them interesting to read about. The humor and current references seemed a bit forced at times. The mystery brought all the fun of amateur sleuths, with an interesting paranormal aspect. I loved the various ways Ruby and Cordelia communicated, and I’m looking forward to reading about their next murder to solve.

A New Lease on Death by Olivia Blacke is out October 29, 2024

Thank you #netgalley and Minotaur books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me access this book!

I’m honestly not sure if I read the synopsis of this book because I did not remember the story being like this. The basic plot was interesting, but it seemed like we kept going in circles with no real progress and the ultimate reveal was so underwhelming. It seemed like they stumbled into an answer after half-assing an investigation. Also, I don’t know if the author is actually from Boston or just googled Boston stereotypes (which I will admit are often accurate) because some of the characterizations of characters from Boston were more like caricatures than anything else and made me think of the SNL skit about deflate-gate (real accents, but dramatized). Honestly don’t think their research was enough since everyone knows that “donut holes” are munchkins when you buy them at dunkin. Also, not every Bostonian is an asshole unlike most of the characters in the book—are we mean and swear at you? Yes. Are we going to ignore a woman being groped on the bus? No!

A final thought: given the history of death and hauntings in New England, most people are going to believe in ghosts at least a little, so I find it hard to believe no one even considered ghosts as an answer for all the weird happenings.

This novel is a cozy little whodunnit. The main heroine can see ghosts. It is a very cute story that is for sure worth the read. It's different than anything I have read before and I enjoyed it!

Cordelia is a ghost who died by suicide. Or did she? Codelia and Ruby team up to solve a murder of their next door neighbor.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur books for this arc

I'm going to start with the fact that I will 100% be looking for the next book by Olivia Blacke, and that I truly hope it's a sequel to A New Lease on Death! This story had me from the start, as I love anything supernatural, and I think the relationship between Ruby and the ghost of the woman who used to live in her apartment was so authentic and fun, I definitely wanted more of it! This is a pretty perfect cozy mystery and I have every intention of picking up more of Olivia Blacke's books, as this was such a great read!

"𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝."

Cordelia Graves died in her apartment a few months ago. Ruby Young snapped up the lease as the unit came fully furnished, courtesy of Cordelia's things. Ruby likes the apartment just fine, but when her across-the-hall neighbor, Jake Macintyre, is shot and killed outside their building, Ruby begins to have some doubts about its safety. Cordelia is convinced there’s more to Jake's death and is determined to bring his killer to justice. The problem? She's still new to the ghost thing, and communicating with the girl who let her plants die is proving to be difficult.

This was a light supernatural mystery that I enjoyed for the most part. Some of the ways that Cordelia communicated didn't make a lot of sense, and Ruby was dangerously close at times to becoming a caricature. The ending was SO abrupt, and holy cliffhanger...what was that? I'll stick around for the second one with the hopes that the cliffhanger is resolved and that Ruby finds her footing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the early copy. At the time this review was written, this book was scheduled to publish October 29, 2024.

3.5/5
This is a good read for fall. It follows recently deceased Cordelia as she adjusts to sharing her apartment with a new tenant, Ruby. Cordelia who died in her forties has a more grumpy disposition and Ruby who is barely twenty with a quirky personality cannot be more different, from the way they dress to the way they talk. I think that is what made for a more fun dynamic. As strange things have been happening since she moved in once Ruby confirms there is a ghost in her apartment she is more exited than scared. And the two embark on a search for their neighbor's killer.

Even though is a comedic murder mystery it also deals with a lot of heavy subjects: suicide, depression, alcoholism, infidelity, death and domestic violence to name some. I liked that we get chapters from the POV of both characters as it shows how they react to each other and how they think. And it starts with Cordelia being annoyed at Ruby to them forming a friendship and her being very protective of Ruby, acting almost like a mother figure. Cordelia is a flawed main character and she acknowledges it as she comes to term with how her death occurred. I liked the pace of the story but some of the inner monologues and rants were a bit long at times. I din't know it was gonna be a series in the beginning but as it ends on a bit of cliffhanger I am intrigue to see what happens in the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin Press for the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley!
I really liked this book. It is a solid first book in a series and the twist at the end makes me excited to continue the series. I loved both of the main characters. I do think it was a little slow in the middle but it's the first book so we needed the storytelling. This is a fun, kinda spooky mystery perfect for spooky season.

If you're looking for a cozy, lighthearted mystery with a paranormal twist and a touch of humor, 'A New Lease on Death' by Olivia Blacke is the perfect pick!

In 'A New Lease on Death,' we follow the unlikely partnership of Ruby Young, a living tenant with a less-than-green thumb, and Cordelia Graves, her ghostly roommate who has taken up residence in their shared apartment after her unfortunate demise. When their neighbor, Jake—a notorious party boy—ends up murdered in what looks like a robbery gone wrong, Ruby and Cordelia take it upon themselves to solve the case. The catch? Cordelia can’t be seen or heard by Ruby, which leads to all kinds of hilarious hijinks and miscommunication!

I loved the dynamic between Ruby and Cordelia. It was such a sweet, found-family storyline, with Cordelia guiding Ruby and helping her get her life together. Ruby’s eccentricity brought so much life to the narrative. I’m all for quirky, imperfect characters—petition for more of them, always!

The supernatural elements were a fantastic touch. I appreciated how the book explored the nuances of being a ghost, including all the unique tricks and limitations that come with it. The multiple POVs kept things fresh and engaging, and while this is more of a cozy mystery than a high-stakes thriller, it was such a fun and relaxing read. The writing style was straightforward and easy to follow, making this a perfect pick for a lazy evening on the couch with a cup of coffee.

However, brace yourself for a cliffhanger ending! I’m super excited for the next book to answer all the lingering questions!!!

Such a fun and cozy read! I really enjoyed myself and loved trying to figure out who the killer was. (I was wrong about 3x. HA!)

I usually don’t enjoy current lingo in books but the way the author sprinkled it in, it didn’t make me want to throw my phone across the room. The sense of humor was right up my alley as well.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read and review this book!