I just finished an amazing A New Lease On Death and it was an absolute blast! This cozy supernatural murder mystery is filled with strong, witty female characters that you can't help but love. Picture a thrilling whodunnit with a twist - a girl and her ghost bestie team up to solve a murder. I enjoyed it so much that I even reached out to the author to ask about a sequel. I can't wait to read more from this author. If you're a fan of cozy reads and ghostly adventures, this book is a definite hit.

This is a cute, cozy mystery with an unlikely female friendship. I didn't hate it. It's an easy read and has some good bones. I thought this was the author's first book - but it's not. I liked the characters and the setting. I thought the answer to what happened made sense and was a satisfying conclusion to this mystery. I liked the mechanics of being a ghost.

I felt like the author could trust the audience more: several things are repeated unnecessarily - can't touch electronics, it's cold, Ruby's ex is a jerkface, okay I get it. Carry on.

I think this could be a fun series with one more editing pass. Passages like <i>"The overhead light flickered and blew as I entered the room, reminding me to maintain a respectful distance from the brewing coffee pot. Me and electricity didn't mix, an it would be a shame if my proximity blew up the coffee pot."</i> are just really clunky and easily fixed.

[For the publisher] There is a typo in one sentence. It says "The way she talked to herself all the time was almost enduring" - should be endearing.

Overall, I would continue this series and recommend it to those who like this sort of thing.

I received an ARC of this book from netgalley.

Ebook/Ghost Mystery: This book would have gotten five stars, but the cliffhanger ruined it. I got the clues about the two deaths, but only one came to a conclusion. It made me mad. I like Ruby a lot. She should stick to cacti. I like Cordelia even more because she's a Pearl Jam fan.
This is another first person duel narrator book. The characters are different enough that it works. There were times I had to remember who was speaking.
I received this book from Netgalley.

What a fun book!
A New Lease On Death follows ghost Cordelia and human Ruby, as the unlikely duo teams up to help solve the murder of their neighbor.
I loved the lighthearted, comedic tone of the book with the added mystery and paranormal element. This is different than what I normally read, however I found myself completely enthralled with the story!
The characters were quirky and interesting and every time something new happened or someone else was introduced it left your mind spinning trying to figure out who the murderer was. I did not see the culprit coming, which I always appreciate when the story does not make it obvious.
I have seen some other reviews dislike the ending, but I felt like it was foreshadowed a bit throughout the book so I was honestly expecting it at some point and it did not bother me. I will definitely be looking forward to continuing the adventures of these two!

This was a really fun read! I enjoyed the characters of Ruby and Cordy. I enjoyed the mystery storyline with a touch of paranormal thrown in. Though there was murder, it was still a funny read. The way it was left open ended has me really hoping there’s a follow up soon! I’m new to reading this author but plan to now read her other books because I enjoyed her characters and story-telling so much!

Thank you to Sara Beth Haring for inviting me to read the ARC for A New Lease on Life by Olivia Blacke. This is a duel P.O.V between Cordelia, the recently deceased tenant of an apartment in a shady part of Boston and Ruby, the current tenant. It’s a fun, engaging mystery, a budding relationship between the living and non living. We follow Cordelia as she is learning her new role as a ghost who has also taken it upon herself to encourage her human counterpart Ruby to solve the murder of another former tenant who lived across the hall. As the mystery unfolds Cordelia learns her limits to what she can and cannot do in her human interactions and the toll some of these take on her, mean while Ruby is trying to solve Jake’s murder and figure out how to better communicate with Cordelia. We get to learn about each character’s life and watch their unconventional friendship endure ups and downs, I hope this character development and friendship is leading us into a series because I enjoyed their banter and their non traditional detective work.

Naurrrrrr the cliffhanger! I really enjoyed this book but that ending 😫 it felt a little rushed and i wish it was dragged out a bit more. this was an easy and enjoyable read. I liked the characters and im excited for some unanswered questions to be answered in the next book! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

"New lease on death" is an easy, cute ,cozy mystery.
Olivia Blacke introduces her readers to Cordelia and Ruby. Two young ladies sharing an apartment but in a non traditional way. You see, Cordelia is a ghost.
Cordilia is hanging around to help Ruby solve the murder of a neighbor and hopefully solve the mystery of how she, herself, died.
For me, Blacke left some gaping holes in her story and some unanswered questions. there is also a tiny bit of confusion about why certain others can see and hear Cordelia.
Based on the ending this novel will have a sequel that will turn into a cute series. Perhaps in future installments Blacke can "tighten" up the story to solve some small issues
I don't always read the author acknowledgements but I am happy I decided to read the acknowledgments in this book. It is clear that Olivia Blacke has a wonderful sense of humor. It is my sincere hope that she is able to translate some of her natural ability at humor in her future books.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

Olivia Blacke's "A New Lease on Death" blends humor, mystery, and supernatural elements in a captivating story about a ghost and a living tenant teaming up to solve a murder.

Cordelia Graves, the resident ghost in Ruby Young's new Boston apartment, is restless after her untimely death. When a neighbor is killed in a supposed mugging, Cordelia suspects foul play and recruits Ruby to help uncover the truth. Despite their differences - Cordelia's spectral existence and Ruby's penchant for killing houseplants - the duo forms an unlikely partnership to crack the case.

The banter between Cordelia and Ruby is a highlight of the book, bringing charm and quirkiness to the characters. Readers will find themselves rooting for Ruby as she navigates the investigation and forms a bond with her ghostly roommate.

With an engaging plot, witty dialogue, and a hint of mystery, "A New Lease on Death" promises an entertaining read that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

I rather enjoyed this comedic murder mystery and have found these tend to help me if I am in a reading slump. Nothing overly complicated about this book but such a joy to read all the same. I found myself laughing out loud quite often and loved the paranormal aspect of this story as well. A super fun read that I will recommend to anyone looking for a fun and light read. Thanks Netgalley.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for this ARC .,This book was such a fun, cozy, paranormal mystery! I really loved the unique and funny storyline. Cordelia ,a former tenant of a Boston apartment , passes away but desires to contriving in the apartment even though a new tenant , Ruby, lives there. Cordelia’s neighbor Jake gets killed in a mugging , and Cordelia is determined to find out the truth behind his murder. Since she’s a ghost, Cordelia forms a friendship with Ruby to find out what really happened to Jake. This was highly entertaining, and it was so hard to put down. I would recommend this book to all and I need book 2 to come out soon! The cliffhanger at the end was sooo good!

I ALREADY LOVE THIS SERIES. I want more Cordelia and Ruby. Here’s to hoping they’re both in the second book!

From page one I was HOOKED. I sat around DEVOURING this book. I laughed so much. There was so much quirkiness and charm in the characters. I couldn’t get enough . The banter and relationship between Ruby and Cordelia was so well done.

I found myself rooting for Ruby to figure everything out and everything to work in her favor. She was easy invest in. I can’t wait to see what happens in the second installment. The cliffhanger had my jaw dropped! It wasn’t a surprise.. but it definitely surprised me that it ended on that note. Now I’m impatiently waiting for the follow up.

Thanks so much NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the eARC.

This was a fun mystery with an unlikely friendship! It had a twist I wasn’t expecting and left me wanting more. I’ll definitely be reading the next book!

Roommates Ruby and Cordelia set out to solve the murder of their across the hall neighbor. They are a fun new sleuthing pair. Ruby is naive and bubbly and Cordelia is older and a ghost.

With humor and plenty of ghost world building this cozy was a very fun read. I look forward to book 2.

Ruby Young's new 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.

This was a bit of a slow burn for me, but I did enjoy this cozy paranormal mystery. Ruby was easy to like, so funny and real. I was left with the feeling that this is the start of a new series. I will check out #2.

This will be a perfect cozy read for spooky season.

Thank you to Netgalley & Minotaur Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Enjoyed reading this even though parts seemed to drag a bit with perhaps too much detail for the scene, maybe not enough detail to develop the characters the way I would have liked. Ruby moves from Baltimore to Boston to escape a bad relationship. She seems unprepared for city life even though she's from a city and unprepared for the cold climate which is brought up ad nauseaum. That being said I really enjoyed her character. She's a strong young woman who isn't afraid to be herself faults and all. Her character and the Southie characters made me laugh out loud quite a bit. The humor saved the story which at times dragged. I like the concept of a character living with a ghost (who's very different from her) as her roommate and learning how to communicate while trying to solve a murder. Definitely not a stand alone. Felt as though the ending was rushed and less of a cliffhanger as it seems to have been intended. I would probably read #2 which is why I gave the book a 3 instead of 2.5 stars, because I like the premise in the hopes that the characters would gain a bit more depth.
Thanks to NetGalley and and St. Martin's press for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.

After reading an excerpt, I was immediately drawn into this cozy mystery and wanted to finish it. I found it an entertaining read. Cordelia is the late owner of an apartment in a dilapidated building in Boston that twenty-year-old Ruby rented fully furnished. When Jake, the neighbor across the hall, is found dead outside in the snow purportedly the victim of a mugging, Cordelia convinces Ruby that Jake was murdered and they begin to investigate.

The story is told in alternating first person by Ruby and Cordelia. I enjoyed the dynamic between these two characters. Cordelia is very frustrated with the Ruby and her failure to keep all her beloved houseplants alive amongst other issues. Ruby is a bit flighty moving to Boston on a whim seeking a fresh start away from her cheating ex. They are quite opposite in personality and since Cordelia is a ghost, they had to find creative ways to communicate with each other. This is where the story shined.

I’m not usually an amateur sleuth reader these days, preferring more serious police procedurals. I enjoyed the mystery though Ruby clearly jumped to conclusions at times and missed some details that I found a little sloppy. However, it’s consistent with her character but may frustrate me in future books. The ending does leave a few questions about Cordelia and her situation open for more story.

Recommended for a fun, light read about a nontraditional amateur sleuth and her ghost companion.

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for a copy provided for an honest review.

When their neighbor is killed in a possible mugging gone wrong. Ruby and Cordelia have to work together to find out what happened. Now if only Cordelia wasn’t a ghost.

Luckily for us, this cozy mystery is told from multiple POVs. So we know what Cordelia is thinking; even if Ruby doesn’t always get the message. It’s a good thing Ruby still has Cordelia’s fridge magnets.

I loved the humor and friendship. This had everything I would want in a cozy Mystery. I look forward to reading more books by Olivia Blacke.

Thank you to Olivia Blacke, St. Martins Press, and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the arc in exchange for an honest review. This was such a fun read. I personally love cozy mysteries. Adding paranormal vibes was chef’s kiss. I’m really excited for the next book!

I wasn't sure if I would like this book. It's not just about solving a crime but solving a crime with a ghost. However, it was a fun easy read. The story went smoothly it was a bit redundant. There were sentences mentioned over and over again, the writing was a bit novice but I didn't really mind because it kept my interests. However I did wish the book took different turns then what it led to.