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Ruby and Cordelia Mysteries #1
A New Lease on Death
A NEW LEASE ON DEATH is a humorous supernatural mystery about a ghost who teams up with the new (living) roommate of her apartment to solve a series of apparently unconnected murders. Coming Fall 2024 from Minotaur
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 29, 2024
175 people are currently reading
39548 people want to read
About the author
Olivia Blacke
14 books624 followersMysterious, Spooky, Cozy & Kooky
Olivia Blacke (she/her) is the Anthony Award-winning author of the Ruby and Cordelia Mysteries, as well as the cozy Record Shop Mysteries and the Brooklyn Murder Mysteries. She had her first ghost encounter when she was five, but wasn’t involved with an active crime scene until much later, when she accidentally stepped into a chalk outline on a Manhattan sidewalk. Armed with a Criminology degree, she channels her love of the supernatural and passion for writing into darkly humorous supernatural mysteries. She wants to be a unicorn when she grows up.
A NEW LEASE ON DEATH: https://bit.ly/ANLOD
Social media links, blog, and up-to-date news is found at: OliviaBlacke.com
Newsletter signup: http://www.oliviablacke.com/newsletter
Olivia Blacke (she/her) is the Anthony Award-winning author of the Ruby and Cordelia Mysteries, as well as the cozy Record Shop Mysteries and the Brooklyn Murder Mysteries. She had her first ghost encounter when she was five, but wasn’t involved with an active crime scene until much later, when she accidentally stepped into a chalk outline on a Manhattan sidewalk. Armed with a Criminology degree, she channels her love of the supernatural and passion for writing into darkly humorous supernatural mysteries. She wants to be a unicorn when she grows up.
A NEW LEASE ON DEATH: https://bit.ly/ANLOD
Social media links, blog, and up-to-date news is found at: OliviaBlacke.com
Newsletter signup: http://www.oliviablacke.com/newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,201 reviews
October 23, 2024
Olivia Blacke has written a darkly humorous supernatural mystery,
A New Lease on Death,
featuring Ruby Young and Cordelia Graves. Ruby Young has just moved into a fully furnished Boston apartment that comes with noisy neighbors and the ghost of its former owner, Cordelia Graves. When neighbor Jake Macintyre is shot outside their building, Cordelia is determined to bring his killer to justice. Naturally, she needs to find a way to gain the help of Ruby. She can move things, but can’t be heard or seen.
The story has some funny and cute moments, but it also has some real-life struggles such as being away from home and needing a job in addition to the duo trying to solve the murder. The author did a great job on characterization and atmosphere. However, the pacing was somewhat uneven and there is some repetition. Woven into the story are threads of unlikely friendships, murder, relationships, living away from home, and much more.
Overall, this is a fun, charming, and entertaining cozy paranormal mystery and the series has a lot of promise. I’m looking forward to the next book.
St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Olivia Blacke provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for October 29, 2024.
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My 3.39 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.
The story has some funny and cute moments, but it also has some real-life struggles such as being away from home and needing a job in addition to the duo trying to solve the murder. The author did a great job on characterization and atmosphere. However, the pacing was somewhat uneven and there is some repetition. Woven into the story are threads of unlikely friendships, murder, relationships, living away from home, and much more.
Overall, this is a fun, charming, and entertaining cozy paranormal mystery and the series has a lot of promise. I’m looking forward to the next book.
St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Olivia Blacke provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for October 29, 2024.
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My 3.39 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.
March 25, 2025
I’m starting to get a taste for comedic murder mysteries with witty female characters that are either amateur detectives or good hearted serial killers.
“A new lease on death” falls into the amateur detective category and follows room mates Ruby and Cordelia, only Cordelia is a recently departed from this world ghost, who has taken to lingering in her old tiny apartment and watching the new tenant Ruby unintentionally murder her plant.
When their neighbour is killed in an apparent robbery gone wrong, there seems to be more to the story and the funny duo team up to solve the case.
I enjoyed the multiple POV, the supernatural elements that delve into what it’s like to be a ghost and all the tricks and abilities that come along with it.
This is more of a fun cosy mystery read than a thriller but I enjoyed it nonetheless. A perfect read for an easy relaxing evening, cozying up on the sofa whilst getting your detective glasses on.
If you enjoyed the good hearted quirks of “the maid” but want the added bonus of a ghost helper this book is definitely for you!
Thank you to Olivia Blacke, St martins Press and NetGalley for the EARC.
Publish date: 29th October
“A new lease on death” falls into the amateur detective category and follows room mates Ruby and Cordelia, only Cordelia is a recently departed from this world ghost, who has taken to lingering in her old tiny apartment and watching the new tenant Ruby unintentionally murder her plant.
When their neighbour is killed in an apparent robbery gone wrong, there seems to be more to the story and the funny duo team up to solve the case.
I enjoyed the multiple POV, the supernatural elements that delve into what it’s like to be a ghost and all the tricks and abilities that come along with it.
This is more of a fun cosy mystery read than a thriller but I enjoyed it nonetheless. A perfect read for an easy relaxing evening, cozying up on the sofa whilst getting your detective glasses on.
If you enjoyed the good hearted quirks of “the maid” but want the added bonus of a ghost helper this book is definitely for you!
Thank you to Olivia Blacke, St martins Press and NetGalley for the EARC.
Publish date: 29th October
June 20, 2024
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.
August 12, 2024
3.5 stars -
This author is new to me and since I am in a bit of a mystery run on books, I thought it was a great choice for something different.
This story is as quirky as they come. It gave me distinct cozy mystery vibes, but with a ghost narrating parts of the book, it becomes a fun story with a few minor twists.
For me, Cordelia, the ghost, was the best part of the story as we get to see life from her side of the world. Trying to figure out how to be a ghost was humorous and the interactions with the living housemate were a trip as well.
I did not get a full buy-in from the other characters, however. For me, there was not a lot of excitement and thrills. Ruby, the housemate, was a bit annoying and clueless sometimes. Other characters were incorporated but no one really stood out as interesting and exciting for me.
The ending was a definite twist, and while it was beyond needed, it almost seemed rushed too.
A New Lease on Death is a cute cozy mystery that is simple and straightforward but fun. Top points for the cute cover!!
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/a-new-lease-...
This author is new to me and since I am in a bit of a mystery run on books, I thought it was a great choice for something different.
This story is as quirky as they come. It gave me distinct cozy mystery vibes, but with a ghost narrating parts of the book, it becomes a fun story with a few minor twists.
For me, Cordelia, the ghost, was the best part of the story as we get to see life from her side of the world. Trying to figure out how to be a ghost was humorous and the interactions with the living housemate were a trip as well.
I did not get a full buy-in from the other characters, however. For me, there was not a lot of excitement and thrills. Ruby, the housemate, was a bit annoying and clueless sometimes. Other characters were incorporated but no one really stood out as interesting and exciting for me.
The ending was a definite twist, and while it was beyond needed, it almost seemed rushed too.
A New Lease on Death is a cute cozy mystery that is simple and straightforward but fun. Top points for the cute cover!!
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/a-new-lease-...
May 29, 2024
I couldn't resist picking this up with such an interesting premise, not to mention the small hope that this would be anything like another beloved series with a funny heroine who can see ghosts. And while this didn't (sadly) live up to the series I was hoping it would, it did hold its own in many ways. Overall this was an enjoyable read and was very different from what I expected it to be but not in a bad way. In fact I think this series looks promising and it will be interesting to see what the second book holds.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
November 20, 2024
Cozy murder mystery being solved by a ghost and the new tenant in her apartment. These two ladies make a laugh out loud team that will keep you giggling through the twists and turns. The ending perfectly sets up the reader for the next installment of this duo.
# A New Lease on Death
# 11/13/2024 ~ 11/14/2024
# 5.0 / 5.0
# A New Lease on Death
# 11/13/2024 ~ 11/14/2024
# 5.0 / 5.0
September 29, 2024
Oh this was cute and fun!! 👏 Review to come
October 24, 2024
Okay. I messed up. I was bored, trolling NetGalley and I didn't read the blurb. I also thought I was requesting a book by a different author I had read and liked. Although I do read some paranormal, it is not my preferred genre. But it being Halloween time the book fit a challenge I was doing, read a book about ghosts. Check. Unfortunately, that is about the only positive thing about this book. It just didn't grab me, and all the introspection was just boring. I did enjoy the dark, sarcastic humor, but not enough to redeem the book.
Cordelia Graves - Ghost. She died from mixing pills and booze, a lot of booze, but that was normal for Cordie. She was forty-two, lived in a tiny apartment in a iffy part of Boston. She had no friends, and her last fling was with her married boss. Not a great life and now she's dead.
Ruby Young- Twenty-year-old who has rented Cordie's apartment and helps figure out who shot Jake. She left home with no plan on how to make it on her own. Ruby had no job prospects when she hit Boston and basically moved into Cordie's life.
Jake Macintyre - Dead guy who lived across from Cordie, he was murdered in front of his apartment building. Jake was loved by everyone, a great guy who gambled and moved from woman to woman often. But he was a great guy, everyone thought so, except maybe the person who shot him.
My thanks to the Publisher and the Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
Cordelia Graves - Ghost. She died from mixing pills and booze, a lot of booze, but that was normal for Cordie. She was forty-two, lived in a tiny apartment in a iffy part of Boston. She had no friends, and her last fling was with her married boss. Not a great life and now she's dead.
Ruby Young- Twenty-year-old who has rented Cordie's apartment and helps figure out who shot Jake. She left home with no plan on how to make it on her own. Ruby had no job prospects when she hit Boston and basically moved into Cordie's life.
Jake Macintyre - Dead guy who lived across from Cordie, he was murdered in front of his apartment building. Jake was loved by everyone, a great guy who gambled and moved from woman to woman often. But he was a great guy, everyone thought so, except maybe the person who shot him.
My thanks to the Publisher and the Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
April 8, 2025
How do you make friends with a ghost? Ruby has moved into a crappy Boston apartment previously rented by a dead woman, Cordelia, who presumably committed suicide. Ruby is still using Cordelia's furniture and kitchen paraphernalia. A spectral Cordelia has watched Ruby kill her plants and donate her clothes.
Cordelia has only seen one other ghost: her across the hall neighbour, Jake, who promptly says, “I don't believe in ghosts" and disappears. She has spent time figuring out what she can j can't do. What else has she got to do with her time?
Ruby is a believer and is sure that Cordelia is still sharing the apartment. Now if they can only connect somehow. Cordelia wants to figure out who killed Jake while protecting Ruby. Despite this, Ruby gets interested in solving the crime too. Their difficulty communicating provides some humour--there's only so much you can do with magnetic fridge poetry.
Frankly, the mystery is less interesting than the budding friendship between the two women. We learn more about them as the book progresses, probably a little more about Cordelia. However, it's obvious that Cordy still has secrets that Ruby hasn't sniffed out yet. I expect that the next book will fill in some blanks in Ruby's life too. Just who is Jerkface, the cheating boyfriend that she moved to Boston to get away from? Can she stand to stay away from her family?
I'll willingly read the next volume. This was warm, fuzzy, and cozy.
Cordelia has only seen one other ghost: her across the hall neighbour, Jake, who promptly says, “I don't believe in ghosts" and disappears. She has spent time figuring out what she can j can't do. What else has she got to do with her time?
Ruby is a believer and is sure that Cordelia is still sharing the apartment. Now if they can only connect somehow. Cordelia wants to figure out who killed Jake while protecting Ruby. Despite this, Ruby gets interested in solving the crime too. Their difficulty communicating provides some humour--there's only so much you can do with magnetic fridge poetry.
Frankly, the mystery is less interesting than the budding friendship between the two women. We learn more about them as the book progresses, probably a little more about Cordelia. However, it's obvious that Cordy still has secrets that Ruby hasn't sniffed out yet. I expect that the next book will fill in some blanks in Ruby's life too. Just who is Jerkface, the cheating boyfriend that she moved to Boston to get away from? Can she stand to stay away from her family?
I'll willingly read the next volume. This was warm, fuzzy, and cozy.
October 29, 2024
New Lease on Death: 4⭐️
Cute, cozy ghost story mystery! This was just the type of read I needed in my life.
This book is told through 2 POV:
*Cordelia’s POV: a ghost still hanging around her apartment she died in. While alive, Cordelia was a 40-something single woman who kept to herself (usually with a bottle or two to keep her company). She’s still fairly new to being by a ghost and is getting used to having a roommate for the first time after Ruby becomes the new tenant in her apartment.
*Ruby POV: moved into Cordelia’s apt after she died. She’s 20 years old and looking for a new start in a new city. After a while she realizes she’s living with a real ghost, which doesn’t scare her.
Together, the unlikely duo attempt to solve the mystery of their neighbor’s murder.
This is narration heavy since Cordelia was a ghost and couldn’t talk to anyone directly. Ruby lives alone with no interaction with friends or family. Usually that bores me, but their inner thoughts were entertaining and humorous. The only thing I didn’t really like was how repetitive things got at times. It probably could have been a bit shorter.
I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. This review will be shared on NetGalley, Goodreads, and Amazon.
Pub Date Oct 29 2024
Cute, cozy ghost story mystery! This was just the type of read I needed in my life.
This book is told through 2 POV:
*Cordelia’s POV: a ghost still hanging around her apartment she died in. While alive, Cordelia was a 40-something single woman who kept to herself (usually with a bottle or two to keep her company). She’s still fairly new to being by a ghost and is getting used to having a roommate for the first time after Ruby becomes the new tenant in her apartment.
*Ruby POV: moved into Cordelia’s apt after she died. She’s 20 years old and looking for a new start in a new city. After a while she realizes she’s living with a real ghost, which doesn’t scare her.
Together, the unlikely duo attempt to solve the mystery of their neighbor’s murder.
This is narration heavy since Cordelia was a ghost and couldn’t talk to anyone directly. Ruby lives alone with no interaction with friends or family. Usually that bores me, but their inner thoughts were entertaining and humorous. The only thing I didn’t really like was how repetitive things got at times. It probably could have been a bit shorter.
I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. This review will be shared on NetGalley, Goodreads, and Amazon.
Pub Date Oct 29 2024
December 5, 2024
Winter is always the perfect time to curl up with a cozy mystery, and A New Lease on Death is a whodunnit mystery full of quirky characters that made for quite the entertaining read/listen.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?
Imagine moving into your apartment and discovering the former very dead tenant (she is a super nice ghost) is still residing in the apartment. Then, you both work together to solve multiple mysteries! Pure fun!!
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:
Cozy mystery
Amateur sleuths
Quirky characters
Ghost sidekick
Unique premise
Boston
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?
Stefanie Kay and Petrea Burchard brought the characters and all their quirks to life in this story and made it so much more entertaining.
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵��� 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?
Steady
𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?
I am already looking forward to book 2 in this series and seeing what happens next!
3.5 stars
Thank you Minotaur Books and McMillian Audio for the gifted copy.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?
Imagine moving into your apartment and discovering the former very dead tenant (she is a super nice ghost) is still residing in the apartment. Then, you both work together to solve multiple mysteries! Pure fun!!
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:
Cozy mystery
Amateur sleuths
Quirky characters
Ghost sidekick
Unique premise
Boston
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?
Stefanie Kay and Petrea Burchard brought the characters and all their quirks to life in this story and made it so much more entertaining.
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵��� 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?
Steady
𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?
I am already looking forward to book 2 in this series and seeing what happens next!
3.5 stars
Thank you Minotaur Books and McMillian Audio for the gifted copy.
July 29, 2024
2.5 rounded up. Review TK
Quick notes:
Cute cozy mystery setup & liked the dual perspectives but didn’t live up to its potential
Not particularly funny despite “darkly funny”
Ruby is a dingdong - manic pixie dream girl lite.
So. Much. Repetition. Boston is cold! Cordelia likes a drink or twelve! Pizza! Ruby is tiny! Electronics don’t work! Boston is still cold!
Omfg buy a pen.
* thanks to Minotaur Books for the NetGalley review copy. A New Lease on Death publishes October 29.
Quick notes:
Cute cozy mystery setup & liked the dual perspectives but didn’t live up to its potential
Not particularly funny despite “darkly funny”
Ruby is a dingdong - manic pixie dream girl lite.
So. Much. Repetition. Boston is cold! Cordelia likes a drink or twelve! Pizza! Ruby is tiny! Electronics don’t work! Boston is still cold!
Omfg buy a pen.
* thanks to Minotaur Books for the NetGalley review copy. A New Lease on Death publishes October 29.
June 16, 2024
Cordelia needs help solving a murder. She asks Rudy for assistance. This book kept me guessing.
October 29, 2024
**Happy Publication Day!**
*3.5 stars rounded up.
How's this for a fun cozy mystery plot? 'I moved into a haunted apartment, but the ghost is real nice. She got me a job and now I'm helping her solve a mystery.'
When Ruby Young moves to Boston from Baltimore, she rents a furnished apartment AS IS. She soon realizes 'the furnishings' include the ghost of the woman who owned them, Cordelia Graves. When Jake, the neighbor across the hall, is found shot to death in front of their building, the Boston police seem to write it off as a mugging. But why was Jake out there in his pj bottoms and fuzzy socks in the middle of a snow storm? Cordelia convinces Ruby to help her find his killer.
Looking for a fun ghost story for the Halloween season? This cozy mystery is so delightfully quirky and humorous. I enjoyed meeting these two characters and will look forward to more from this zany duo. Maybe next time they can figure out the truth of how Cordelia died.
The Poisoned Pen Bookstore interview with Barbara Peters and Olivia Blacke: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTP2t...
Many thanks to the author and publisher for offering me an arc via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
*3.5 stars rounded up.
How's this for a fun cozy mystery plot? 'I moved into a haunted apartment, but the ghost is real nice. She got me a job and now I'm helping her solve a mystery.'
When Ruby Young moves to Boston from Baltimore, she rents a furnished apartment AS IS. She soon realizes 'the furnishings' include the ghost of the woman who owned them, Cordelia Graves. When Jake, the neighbor across the hall, is found shot to death in front of their building, the Boston police seem to write it off as a mugging. But why was Jake out there in his pj bottoms and fuzzy socks in the middle of a snow storm? Cordelia convinces Ruby to help her find his killer.
Looking for a fun ghost story for the Halloween season? This cozy mystery is so delightfully quirky and humorous. I enjoyed meeting these two characters and will look forward to more from this zany duo. Maybe next time they can figure out the truth of how Cordelia died.
The Poisoned Pen Bookstore interview with Barbara Peters and Olivia Blacke: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTP2t...
Many thanks to the author and publisher for offering me an arc via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
August 9, 2024
This was a super cute ghosty mystery. Some things really stuck out to me though such as: if Cordelia could move magnets, why couldn’t she water her plants? Why would she try to write in print instead of cursive to communicate. I get hung up on these things. The story was good though overall and I’d recommend it for a light read. Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to review.
December 10, 2024
A New Lease On Death is the first book in Olivia Blacke's Supernatural Mysteries series, and it was so, so, SO good!
Five stars go to Ruby, Cordelia, and their fun, breathers versus ghostly antics! And speaking of ghosts, this one gets all the Ghost vibes, but in a non-romantic way! I loved how this unusual duo worked so well together to overcome their obstacles!
The themes run strong throughout the book, but not in a brow-beating way. This was extremely refreshing, as the book already has an obvious dark undercurrent!
This two narrator audiobook is fantastic; entertaining and full of life, while being somber and dark when needed. It's one of my very favourites of the year!
The cliffhanger ending snuck up and hooked me, and I can't wait to see where this series goes from here!
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for the complimentary copy to read and review.
Five stars go to Ruby, Cordelia, and their fun, breathers versus ghostly antics! And speaking of ghosts, this one gets all the Ghost vibes, but in a non-romantic way! I loved how this unusual duo worked so well together to overcome their obstacles!
The themes run strong throughout the book, but not in a brow-beating way. This was extremely refreshing, as the book already has an obvious dark undercurrent!
This two narrator audiobook is fantastic; entertaining and full of life, while being somber and dark when needed. It's one of my very favourites of the year!
The cliffhanger ending snuck up and hooked me, and I can't wait to see where this series goes from here!
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for the complimentary copy to read and review.
October 12, 2024
I really like it when ghosts help living people solve murders. I think every homicide unit should consider paranormal assistance. Can you imagine how many cold cases would finally be solved?
Well, maybe. I guess it isn’t necessarily that easy for a ghost, as we witness in A New Lease On Death. They have certain advantages, but it still takes an entire novel for a case to be resolved.
This was a mixture of cute and tedious. I liked the mystery aspect, as well as some components regarding the relationship building between Ruby and Cordelia, but that wasn’t enough to win me over to the cozy mystery genre. I did find the story annoyingly repetitive, and I was regularly bothered by Cordelia’s judgments of Ruby. It was almost enough to prompt an “Okay, Boomer,” although Cordelia wasn’t actually a Boomer. “Okay, Millennial” just doesn’t have the right ring to it, though. I hope that I never look at people younger than me the way Cordelia did.
The story is fairly light, although serious subjects do surface (like murder, obviously, alcoholism, domestic violence, and suicide). It always baffles me how such sensitive topics can find their way into a genre known as cozy, but I suppose it all has to do with the tone they’re presented in. I do struggle when these situations are taken lightly, and A New Lease On Death wasn’t the exception.
I felt confident that I knew who the killer was before I even hit page 100, but I was mistaken, so I’ll give the novel points for not being predictable. The reveal did surprise me, but it also irritated me for reasons I cannot hash out without spoiling the story. I’ll just say it has to do with what I noted in my previous paragraph. The superficiality and insensitivity of it made me cringe.
This is the beginning of a series, and the author aimed to keep the reader hooked with her cliffhanger ending. Since I wasn’t in love with this one, I won’t be lured any further into this series, but I was also frustrated with the supposedly shocking final line since it was an already evident detail throughout the book.
I think, more than anything, that I am not a member of the right audience for books like this. It was a mistake for me to accept the widget, but I apparently forget who I am sometimes.
I am immensely grateful to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for my copy. All opinions are my own.
Well, maybe. I guess it isn’t necessarily that easy for a ghost, as we witness in A New Lease On Death. They have certain advantages, but it still takes an entire novel for a case to be resolved.
This was a mixture of cute and tedious. I liked the mystery aspect, as well as some components regarding the relationship building between Ruby and Cordelia, but that wasn’t enough to win me over to the cozy mystery genre. I did find the story annoyingly repetitive, and I was regularly bothered by Cordelia’s judgments of Ruby. It was almost enough to prompt an “Okay, Boomer,” although Cordelia wasn’t actually a Boomer. “Okay, Millennial” just doesn’t have the right ring to it, though. I hope that I never look at people younger than me the way Cordelia did.
The story is fairly light, although serious subjects do surface (like murder, obviously, alcoholism, domestic violence, and suicide). It always baffles me how such sensitive topics can find their way into a genre known as cozy, but I suppose it all has to do with the tone they’re presented in. I do struggle when these situations are taken lightly, and A New Lease On Death wasn’t the exception.
I felt confident that I knew who the killer was before I even hit page 100, but I was mistaken, so I’ll give the novel points for not being predictable. The reveal did surprise me, but it also irritated me for reasons I cannot hash out without spoiling the story. I’ll just say it has to do with what I noted in my previous paragraph. The superficiality and insensitivity of it made me cringe.
This is the beginning of a series, and the author aimed to keep the reader hooked with her cliffhanger ending. Since I wasn’t in love with this one, I won’t be lured any further into this series, but I was also frustrated with the supposedly shocking final line since it was an already evident detail throughout the book.
I think, more than anything, that I am not a member of the right audience for books like this. It was a mistake for me to accept the widget, but I apparently forget who I am sometimes.
I am immensely grateful to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for my copy. All opinions are my own.
March 5, 2025
A cute, cozy mystery with a new murder solving duo - a ghost of the previous inhabitant and the new, very alive, new apartment resident.
When the neighbor across the way is killed, Cordelia the ghost and her new apartment resident Ruby work together to try to find out what happened to him. The duo is interesting - 2 very different ages and personality types, they play well off each other. For all of Ruby's positive attitude and naivete, Cordelia is a great investigator and realistic. I liked the way they worked together - even though they couldn't directly speak to each other.
And the mystery was well paced and interesting. I liked how they learned new clues, how they got to know the neighbor even though he was gone, and how it all played out. This is a fun, unique new series - I'll definitely look for the next one!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
When the neighbor across the way is killed, Cordelia the ghost and her new apartment resident Ruby work together to try to find out what happened to him. The duo is interesting - 2 very different ages and personality types, they play well off each other. For all of Ruby's positive attitude and naivete, Cordelia is a great investigator and realistic. I liked the way they worked together - even though they couldn't directly speak to each other.
And the mystery was well paced and interesting. I liked how they learned new clues, how they got to know the neighbor even though he was gone, and how it all played out. This is a fun, unique new series - I'll definitely look for the next one!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
November 2, 2024
Not for me - this one just didn't have the "cozy horror" vibe I was looking for & lots of it just didn't make any sense. Also slow!
January 15, 2025
DNF !! I got about a third into this book and I don’t know if it’s for me. I didn’t want to pick it back up so I decided to not finish it. It was just too slow.
December 16, 2024
“A New Lease on Death” is one of those books that came to my attention through several media promotions as the beginning of a quirky new supernatural mystery series. Although I had not read this particular author before, it sounded interesting enough that I reserved it through my local library and just finished it last night in one of those enjoyable late night reading sessions.
This first book in a new genre-blending series introduces two bumbling and chaotic female characters – Cordelia Graves and Ruby Young – one dead and one very much alive. Cordelia died in her rundown Boston apartment a couple of months ago from what appears to be a suicide. However, that wasn’t the end of her. She’s found herself taking on the form of a ghost, and being very comfortable in hanging out in her apartment watching her plants die. Soon after, twenty-year-old Ruby Young, running away from a bad relationship, heads to the big city of Boston and moves into Cordelia’s apartment.
Even though Cordelia tries her best to scare Ruby away, nothing works. The problem is that Ruby believes completely in the existence of ghosts and wants to communicate with Cordelia, even though the previous owner wants nothing to do with her.
All that changes in one night when their neighbor across the hall, Jake Macintyre, a serious ladies’ man who orders a lot of pizza, is shot in front of the apartment building in what appears to be a mugging gone terribly bad. Cordelia doesn’t see who killed Jake, but arrives in time to see him leave his body and spends a few minutes talking with him before he disappears for good. She’s left her with the feeling there is more to his murder than just a mugging and is determined to find who killed him.
However, being dead really limits Cordelia’s ability to solve the crime alone. She needs help, and the only person she has to turn to is the very person she’s been trying to remove from her apartment – the young and obnoxious, Ruby. It’s up Cordelia to figure out how to communicate with the living and create a working partnership that will effectively help the two of them to investigate and hunt down a killer that wants to keep dangerous secrets from being made public….
My thoughts are mixed on this one. There were some good things that drew me in and provided an entertaining mix of a cozy mystery with supernatural elements. On the other hand, there was some areas that could use improvement if it is to become a successful series.
From a character standpoint, I liked Ruby from the very beginning, finding her easy to relate to and cheer on as she proactively stumbled through their amateurish investigation. I found her upbeat personality and outlook refreshing, especially her rebellious dress style. In contrast, it took me longer to connect with Cordelia, who was a bit less fleshed out as a character, and the author revealed her history slowly throughout the investigation. Once enough of it was shared, it turned out to be rather sad and depressing so that I just felt bad for her, which was both good and bad. By the end, Ruby and Cordelia were starting to bond create some interesting synergy that gives hope for future mysteries, especially with Ruby’s announcement on the last page that left the readers with a cliffhanger that’s purpose was to get them to read the next book in the series.
From a plotting standpoint, it was cute, fairly light with a cozy feel until the latter third, and included some things that held the pacing in a slower gear at times. For example, the first third of the book was slower than I would have liked, as the author needed some time to get things going. Several times things got tedious and a little repetitive, which held the investigation from moving forward. One thing that I appreciated was the way the author developed her death mythology (the afterlife elements). I liked the way that she peeled the onion on those aspects and I found myself wanting to see more of those aspects explored. For example, I was drawn to Harp’s character and am interested to know more about him and his backstory. That helped offset what I felt like was a weaker murder mystery story line that didn’t play out as strongly as I would have liked.
Overall, this was an enjoyable, but not great read. I felt more like a work in progress that was close, but still not in a state that would deliver all that it intended to. Even the last page cliffhanger ending was not a surprise to most readers who already saw it coming. Still, there is definitely potential. Raw potential that could develop into something special. We’ll see.
Let’s be honest. Writing the first book in a new series is not easy. You have to introduce new characters, new settings, and create a unique style and atmosphere for the audience. It usually takes writers a while to find their creative rhythm and flow, so I don’t want to sound too hard or critical in my comments. The key question to answer is this – did I enjoy it enough to read the next book in this series when it gets published? Honestly, I’ll have to think about it a bit, but my guess is that I will be more likely to give Cordelia and Ruby another chance to keep my attention.
For now, I give “A New Lease on Death” 2.5 out of 5-stars. (and yes, Goodreads rounds it up…)
This first book in a new genre-blending series introduces two bumbling and chaotic female characters – Cordelia Graves and Ruby Young – one dead and one very much alive. Cordelia died in her rundown Boston apartment a couple of months ago from what appears to be a suicide. However, that wasn’t the end of her. She’s found herself taking on the form of a ghost, and being very comfortable in hanging out in her apartment watching her plants die. Soon after, twenty-year-old Ruby Young, running away from a bad relationship, heads to the big city of Boston and moves into Cordelia’s apartment.
Even though Cordelia tries her best to scare Ruby away, nothing works. The problem is that Ruby believes completely in the existence of ghosts and wants to communicate with Cordelia, even though the previous owner wants nothing to do with her.
All that changes in one night when their neighbor across the hall, Jake Macintyre, a serious ladies’ man who orders a lot of pizza, is shot in front of the apartment building in what appears to be a mugging gone terribly bad. Cordelia doesn’t see who killed Jake, but arrives in time to see him leave his body and spends a few minutes talking with him before he disappears for good. She’s left her with the feeling there is more to his murder than just a mugging and is determined to find who killed him.
However, being dead really limits Cordelia’s ability to solve the crime alone. She needs help, and the only person she has to turn to is the very person she’s been trying to remove from her apartment – the young and obnoxious, Ruby. It’s up Cordelia to figure out how to communicate with the living and create a working partnership that will effectively help the two of them to investigate and hunt down a killer that wants to keep dangerous secrets from being made public….
My thoughts are mixed on this one. There were some good things that drew me in and provided an entertaining mix of a cozy mystery with supernatural elements. On the other hand, there was some areas that could use improvement if it is to become a successful series.
From a character standpoint, I liked Ruby from the very beginning, finding her easy to relate to and cheer on as she proactively stumbled through their amateurish investigation. I found her upbeat personality and outlook refreshing, especially her rebellious dress style. In contrast, it took me longer to connect with Cordelia, who was a bit less fleshed out as a character, and the author revealed her history slowly throughout the investigation. Once enough of it was shared, it turned out to be rather sad and depressing so that I just felt bad for her, which was both good and bad. By the end, Ruby and Cordelia were starting to bond create some interesting synergy that gives hope for future mysteries, especially with Ruby’s announcement on the last page that left the readers with a cliffhanger that’s purpose was to get them to read the next book in the series.
From a plotting standpoint, it was cute, fairly light with a cozy feel until the latter third, and included some things that held the pacing in a slower gear at times. For example, the first third of the book was slower than I would have liked, as the author needed some time to get things going. Several times things got tedious and a little repetitive, which held the investigation from moving forward. One thing that I appreciated was the way the author developed her death mythology (the afterlife elements). I liked the way that she peeled the onion on those aspects and I found myself wanting to see more of those aspects explored. For example, I was drawn to Harp’s character and am interested to know more about him and his backstory. That helped offset what I felt like was a weaker murder mystery story line that didn’t play out as strongly as I would have liked.
Overall, this was an enjoyable, but not great read. I felt more like a work in progress that was close, but still not in a state that would deliver all that it intended to. Even the last page cliffhanger ending was not a surprise to most readers who already saw it coming. Still, there is definitely potential. Raw potential that could develop into something special. We’ll see.
Let’s be honest. Writing the first book in a new series is not easy. You have to introduce new characters, new settings, and create a unique style and atmosphere for the audience. It usually takes writers a while to find their creative rhythm and flow, so I don’t want to sound too hard or critical in my comments. The key question to answer is this – did I enjoy it enough to read the next book in this series when it gets published? Honestly, I’ll have to think about it a bit, but my guess is that I will be more likely to give Cordelia and Ruby another chance to keep my attention.
For now, I give “A New Lease on Death” 2.5 out of 5-stars. (and yes, Goodreads rounds it up…)
May 19, 2024
This was a fun cozy mystery. I will totally read the second one when it comes out.
September 8, 2024
I was really excited to dive into Ruby Young's new Boston apartment adventure—a ghostly murder mystery with a quirky roommate sounded right up my alley. And at first, it was! The dynamic between Ruby, who’s alive and full of energy, and Cordelia, her ghost roommate, made for some fun interactions. Their banter, along with Cordelia’s frustration over being stuck in the apartment after her death, gave the story a fresh start.
But as the book went on, I found myself losing interest. The mystery behind their neighbor Jake’s murder, which seemed so promising, ended up feeling a bit weak. I kept waiting for the plot to pick up, but it never really did. What also threw me off was that the book was advertised as having dark humor, but it leaned more heavily into dark, serious themes. I was hoping for something lighter.
That said, there were definitely things I enjoyed—like the creative ghost mechanics. I loved the idea that ghosts avoid touching living people because it’s painful for them. It was a unique spin that added some depth to the supernatural world.
If you like slower, cozy mysteries with a bit of a darker twist, you might enjoy this. It just wasn’t quite what I was hoping for but I think the series has a lot of potential, and I’m curious to see where the author takes it in the next book.
But as the book went on, I found myself losing interest. The mystery behind their neighbor Jake’s murder, which seemed so promising, ended up feeling a bit weak. I kept waiting for the plot to pick up, but it never really did. What also threw me off was that the book was advertised as having dark humor, but it leaned more heavily into dark, serious themes. I was hoping for something lighter.
That said, there were definitely things I enjoyed—like the creative ghost mechanics. I loved the idea that ghosts avoid touching living people because it’s painful for them. It was a unique spin that added some depth to the supernatural world.
If you like slower, cozy mysteries with a bit of a darker twist, you might enjoy this. It just wasn’t quite what I was hoping for but I think the series has a lot of potential, and I’m curious to see where the author takes it in the next book.
June 24, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of A New Lease on Death!
Cordelia Graves is dead. Ruby Young is not. They're roommates, kind of. Their neighbor, promiscuous frat douche Jake, turns up with a bullet in his head outside. It's up to the two of them to solve the murder. Except Cordelia, being a ghost and all, can't speak to or be seen by Ruby.
Cue many shenanigans.
First of all, this was a cutesy little mystery. There was such a sweet found family storyline. I loved the dynamic between Cordelia and Ruby. Watching Cordelia take Ruby under her wing and help get her life on track was truly sweet. And I loved how eccentric Ruby could be. Petition for more weird, stupid characters, always!!
I did find the end a bit strange. It was clear this was set up to be a sequel, which I should've known because it has the (Series Name, #1) in the title, but UGH. Please, for once, someone just give me a full story. I don't know how things will go in the next book, but I hope there's more cohesion than what occurred at the end of this one.
The writing was really easy to follow. It was a bit literal for my liking, but it made it a quick read so I have no complaints. 4/5 stars, this was a read-in-once-sitting type of mystery!
Cordelia Graves is dead. Ruby Young is not. They're roommates, kind of. Their neighbor, promiscuous frat douche Jake, turns up with a bullet in his head outside. It's up to the two of them to solve the murder. Except Cordelia, being a ghost and all, can't speak to or be seen by Ruby.
Cue many shenanigans.
First of all, this was a cutesy little mystery. There was such a sweet found family storyline. I loved the dynamic between Cordelia and Ruby. Watching Cordelia take Ruby under her wing and help get her life on track was truly sweet. And I loved how eccentric Ruby could be. Petition for more weird, stupid characters, always!!
I did find the end a bit strange. It was clear this was set up to be a sequel, which I should've known because it has the (Series Name, #1) in the title, but UGH. Please, for once, someone just give me a full story. I don't know how things will go in the next book, but I hope there's more cohesion than what occurred at the end of this one.
The writing was really easy to follow. It was a bit literal for my liking, but it made it a quick read so I have no complaints. 4/5 stars, this was a read-in-once-sitting type of mystery!
October 26, 2024
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.
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.
October 31, 2024
This was a fun book for spooky season. Cordelia and Ruby are roommates but not in the traditional way as Cordelia is dead…
This is a fun spin on a cozy mystery with the amateur sleuth being a ghost and a human. It was mostly fast paced with some slightly slow spots.
The killer did come completely out of left field and I was not excepting it. This book leave on a slightly cliff hanger so I am hoping there will be another book. I will definitely keep reading more about Ruby and Cordelia.
Genre: Cozy Murder Mystery
APK: Ebook
Pages: 328
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series or Standalone: Supernatural Mysteries Book #1
This is a fun spin on a cozy mystery with the amateur sleuth being a ghost and a human. It was mostly fast paced with some slightly slow spots.
The killer did come completely out of left field and I was not excepting it. This book leave on a slightly cliff hanger so I am hoping there will be another book. I will definitely keep reading more about Ruby and Cordelia.
Genre: Cozy Murder Mystery
APK: Ebook
Pages: 328
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series or Standalone: Supernatural Mysteries Book #1
January 2, 2025
I was absolutely loving this ghosty mystery tale for the first half… but boy the second half is draaaaagggging I feel like I’ve been reading this book for ever 😬
AND THAT ENDING!! I’m assuming there’s going to be another book but like??????
AND THAT ENDING!! I’m assuming there’s going to be another book but like??????
September 3, 2024
Ruby Young's Boston apartment comes with windows facing the brick wall of the next-door building, noisy neighbors, a dead body on the sidewalk outside, and a ghost.
Since Cordelia Graves died in her apartment a few months ago, she's kept up her residency. When Ruby moves it's a chance to not be alone (sort of) and skull and maybe solve the murder of her neighbor, Jake Macintyre.
Only it's not so easy for a human and ghost to communicate, and Ruby has problems of her own. Cordelia's memories aren't the best and she has her own secrets. Despite that they form a friendship and attempt to solve the crime.
This isn't a cozy mystery. It has a darker, sadder tone with some light humor. It would make a great Fall or Winter read.
Cordelia and Ruby are not typical characters. From how Ruby reacts to a ghost living with her to their attempt to solve the mystery. Neither of them have/had an easy life. Their world is feels real and gritty. We get alternating chapters from each of them. They're both fun, likable narrators and are easy to root for. I really enjoyed the switching between perspective and seeing how they each viewed a situation.
The mystery isn't easy to solve if you go in expecting Ruby and Cordelia to approach it in a typical way. There is some of that but this book is just as much about the characters as it is about murder. For example the rules for ghosts as Cordelia knows them are talked about even as she is still learning and adjusting. Ruby is also settling in to her new life. This is going to be a series so the balance may be different next time.
I didn't solve the mystery. I didn't think there was enough evidence to lead me to the conclusion. However, at one point the killer did cross my mind so maybe the clues are there after all.
I love the writing in this book. The tone is appropriate and consistent throughout. I grew to care about the characters and simply enjoyed their story whatever it would be. There is some repetition near the end. The ending leaves you with an idea for what will come next and I am looking forward to it!
4.5/5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read!
Since Cordelia Graves died in her apartment a few months ago, she's kept up her residency. When Ruby moves it's a chance to not be alone (sort of) and skull and maybe solve the murder of her neighbor, Jake Macintyre.
Only it's not so easy for a human and ghost to communicate, and Ruby has problems of her own. Cordelia's memories aren't the best and she has her own secrets. Despite that they form a friendship and attempt to solve the crime.
This isn't a cozy mystery. It has a darker, sadder tone with some light humor. It would make a great Fall or Winter read.
Cordelia and Ruby are not typical characters. From how Ruby reacts to a ghost living with her to their attempt to solve the mystery. Neither of them have/had an easy life. Their world is feels real and gritty. We get alternating chapters from each of them. They're both fun, likable narrators and are easy to root for. I really enjoyed the switching between perspective and seeing how they each viewed a situation.
The mystery isn't easy to solve if you go in expecting Ruby and Cordelia to approach it in a typical way. There is some of that but this book is just as much about the characters as it is about murder. For example the rules for ghosts as Cordelia knows them are talked about even as she is still learning and adjusting. Ruby is also settling in to her new life. This is going to be a series so the balance may be different next time.
I didn't solve the mystery. I didn't think there was enough evidence to lead me to the conclusion. However, at one point the killer did cross my mind so maybe the clues are there after all.
I love the writing in this book. The tone is appropriate and consistent throughout. I grew to care about the characters and simply enjoyed their story whatever it would be. There is some repetition near the end. The ending leaves you with an idea for what will come next and I am looking forward to it!
4.5/5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read!
October 26, 2024
ARC REVIEW | PUB DATE 10.29.24
so I really did enjoy this book more than I thought I would! I read 85% of it yesterday alone and finished it up first thing this morning.
It was comparable to Finlay Donovan, which is an all time favorite, and I could see the relation — two women solving murder, some humor and fun, a solid cozy mystery. Except in this book, one of the women is a ghost.
I’m NOT into ghosts because I’m an absolute wimp, but this was a fun ghost ☺️
Ruby moves into a new fully furnished apartment, and it turns out that’s because the former tenant, Cordelia, had died in it a few months prior. After the neighbor across the hall is murdered one night, and the cops write it off as a mugging gone bad, Cordelia and Ruby set off to solve the murder themselves.
A charming, fun read that I enjoyed and will read a follow up if it ever comes out. Recommend if you’re looking for something light hearted and fun.
Thanks so much to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for my ARC!
so I really did enjoy this book more than I thought I would! I read 85% of it yesterday alone and finished it up first thing this morning.
It was comparable to Finlay Donovan, which is an all time favorite, and I could see the relation — two women solving murder, some humor and fun, a solid cozy mystery. Except in this book, one of the women is a ghost.
I’m NOT into ghosts because I’m an absolute wimp, but this was a fun ghost ☺️
Ruby moves into a new fully furnished apartment, and it turns out that’s because the former tenant, Cordelia, had died in it a few months prior. After the neighbor across the hall is murdered one night, and the cops write it off as a mugging gone bad, Cordelia and Ruby set off to solve the murder themselves.
A charming, fun read that I enjoyed and will read a follow up if it ever comes out. Recommend if you’re looking for something light hearted and fun.
Thanks so much to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for my ARC!
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