Who said ghost stories had to be scary?! This was such a fun and quirky ghost story and I absolutely loved it!!! The story follows Ruby who has recently moved into an apartment where someone was found dead. The previous tenant was Cordelia and even though she is no longer alive, she still roams the apartment. Soon enough Ruby senses Cordelia's presence and they strike up an odd but fun companionship.
When Ruby/Cordelia's neighbor from across the hall is found murdered outside the apartments, Cordelia and Ruby go on a mission to uncover the truth.
I loved this book because of the unique friendship that Ruby and Cordelia had. I loved that Ruby was very determined to get to the bottom of Jake's murder and how protective Cordelia is throughout the ordeal.
I strongly recommend this book. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series!
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press. All opinions are my own.

A fun start to a new series featuring 20 year old Ruby and Cordelia her 40 year old ghost who team up - after a rough start- to find the murderer of their neighbor Jake. This has great atmospherics on Ruby's side-she's virtually penniless having fled Maryland for Boston without a job (or appropriate to Cordelia's mind, clothing for a job). She was able to take over Cordelia's lease, and all of her stuff, because Cordelia was, unfortunately, found in the bathtub after several days. These two are very different but they eventually find a way to communicate not only toward their shared goal but also toward making Ruby's life a little easier. The mechanics of being a ghost are entertaining. The mystery of Jake, well that's a little more complex than it appears on the surface so the pair wends their way through his friends, family, and more than one red herring. No spoilers from me. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. I enjoyed this and am looking forward to the next installment.

I know the book isn't even out yet, but why can't I read the next book yet ?😫 I absolutely hate waiting. It's a good thing that I have about a million other books to read to distract me, but seriously, I hate waiting.

I love that this isn't just the normal ghost book, where Ruby can see ghosts. Cordelia is constantly struggling to find different ways to communicate with Ruby, like refrigerator magnets or an Etch-a-Sketch.

The book did a perfect job with the cozy mystery, with nothing feeling rushed. Of course, the author leaves other mysteries left unanswered, so then you are left weeping because there aren't dozens more books published to immediately go read, so you can figure out what is happening.

Definitely a great book and can't wait to read more!!!

Thanks to NetGalley for the free kindle ARC! I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was such a fun murder mystery, perfect for a cozy night's read.
The story is told in two points of view- Ruby (a 20 year old) and Cordelia (40 year old ghost). I enjoyed both points of view immensely. The concept of what it's like to be a ghost is explained in detail and is believable.
I liked how both characters worked together to solve the mystery. They worked in a mutually beneficial way. The development of the friendship, and the care they develop for each other was engaging.
I can't wait for the next of the series to come out!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Olivia Blacke for the advanced ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cordelia Graves navigates the supernatural world with an unexpected twist—she’s dead but still living in her Boston apartment, well maybe not exactly “living”. When a snowstorm blankets the city, chaos ensues, people rushing home, businesses shutting down early, leaving Cordelia to discover a peculiar scene outside her building: Jake Macintyre, her across-the-hall neighbor, lies lifeless in flannel jammies and cozy socks, his phone clutched in his hand. This mysterious death sets the stage for an enthralling investigation; however, police are calling it a simple mugging gone wrong.
Cordelia, although still adjusting to her own ghostly existence, is eager to assist Jake in smoothly transitioning into the afterlife. However, her spectral perspective suffers a setback when a sudden incident leaves her one ghost short. Feeling responsible for the events that transpired, Cordelia is resolved to uncover the mystery surrounding Jake's premature death. Enter Ruby, Cordelia’s vibrant and quirky roommate—a plant-killing whirlwind who takes on tasks that Cordelia cannot handle, such as using computers, questioning the living, and even stepping into Cordelia's old job.
Yet, the duo faces a spectral snag: how can the deceased Cordelia communicate with the very much alive Ruby? As Ruby delves deeper, she discovers that Cordelia is much more complex than she initially believed. Together, Cordelia and Ruby unearth secrets far beyond their expectations – Jake was not merely the pizza-loving, loud-partying neighbor they had assumed. As they try to piece together the puzzle of Jake's murder, time runs thin, and the risk of their investigation grows as cold as that tragic wintery night looms large. Can Cordelia and Ruby bridge the divide between the living and the dead and crack the case, or will they be left in a chilling standstill?
A New Lease on Death by Olivia Blacke is an enthralling supernatural mystery that masterfully blends the paranormal with a classic whodunit. This novel draws readers in with its intriguing premise and keeps them on the edge of their seat with an unpredictable storyline. This author’s ability to craft a narrative that is both original and engaging is a testament to her skill as a storyteller. The book’s unique approach to storytelling, utilizing multi-perspective narratives from both the living and the dead, adds a refreshing twist to the mystery genre.
The characters in A New Lease on Death are as captivating as the plot itself. Each character is well-developed, with their own distinct personality and motivations, making them unique and memorable. The dynamic between Cordelia, a ghost trying to solve her neighbor’s murder, and Ruby, her living roommate and sleuthing sidekick, is both humorous and entertaining. Humor is seamlessly integrated into the narrative, providing moments of levity amidst the subtle suspense. Olivia Blacke's wit and clever dialogue offers a delightful contrast to the more suspenseful areas of the novel, ensuring that the pacing remains engaging throughout. The humor not only entertains but also deepens the reader's connection to the characters, making their journey all the more compelling.
Olivia Blacke excels at crafting her "dead" characters, vividly portraying their experiences in the afterlife and the emotions felt by the living regarding their spirits. For instance, the author likens the sensation of air pressure building in an airplane to Ruby's experience of entering a haunted apartment. Additionally, Cordelia's encounter with a living person is compared to the jolt of a jellyfish sting, creating a vivid image in readers' minds of the emotions and physical feelings these characters are experiencing.
Olivia Blacke's descriptivism paints vivid pictures in the reader's mind, allowing them to visualize the setting and characters with ease. Her use of picture-painting language elevates the storytelling, making even the supernatural elements feel both enchanting and believable. The atmospheric descriptions of a snow-covered Boston begins the chilling backdrop to the mystery, enhancing the tension and intrigue that permeate the novel.
The plot is peppered with unexpected twists and red herrings, keeping readers guessing until the very end. Olivia Blacke expertly weaves these elements into the narrative without overwhelming the reader, striking a perfect balance between surprise and clarity. Her ingenious use of plot devices, such as in medias res and plot coupons, enriches the narrative. This approach makes the story both engaging and thrilling.
The novel culminates in a twist ending that is both satisfying and unexpected. Olivia Blacke's ability to surprise her readers with a conclusion that is both logical and unforeseen is a testament to her narrative skill. A New Lease on Death is a must-read for fans of the supernatural and mystery genres alike offering a ghostly tale that will keep readers spookily enchanted and positively spellbound until the final page is exorcised.

A millennial and a ghost team up to solve the murder of a man neither of them knew well. As the two work together, they must navigate the challenges of communication and cohabitation. Author Olivia Blacke brings a heartwarming tone to this book, despite a pace that drags a touch, in A New Lease on Death.

Cordelia Graves is bored out of her mind. Now that she’s been dead for a while and floated all around her hometown of Boston, Cordelia’s ready for something different. At the very least, she’s ready for some company. She didn’t know being a ghost would be so lonely.

When she finds the body of Jake Macintyre right outside their apartment building, she thinks she’ll be able to help Jake navigate the afterlife and also have some company. Jake, though, doesn’t take so well to being dead and disappears, leaving Cordelia right back where she started. Also, there’s the nagging sensation that something isn’t right about Jake’s death. Maybe the bullet hole in his head has something to do with that.

Not that Cordelia had a close relationship with Jake. They lived across the hall from one another, and occasionally Jake’s parties got a little loud. They never had any problems, but they weren’t exactly best friends either. So why does his dying bother Cordelia so much?

Maybe it’s because Jake died right outside the building on a snowy day without shoes or a jacket and still holding his cell phone. What if the person who killed Jake comes back? Cordelia feels obligated to warn her roommate about the situation. Even if she resents the roommate living in her space.

She supposes it wasn’t Ruby’s fault. After all, when Cordelia died the apartment became available. There was no way the super was going to let the apartment sit vacant.

For Ruby Young, the apartment is the start of her new life. She’s reeling—and running—from heartbreak. Coming to Boston is a way for Ruby to assert her independence. Moving into Cordelia’s apartment, fully furnished with all of Cordelia’s personal items, was a stroke of good luck.

Except ever since Ruby moved in, she’s sensed a presence. When she finds out about Jake’s murder, the presence becomes stronger. Before long, Ruby figures out the presence is Cordelia.

It surprises Ruby how chill she is about living with a ghost, but it also makes sense Cordelia would still be around. With the way Cordelia died—apparently by suicide in the bathroom—it would be hard to let go. But now Cordelia’s determined to help Ruby…what? Solve Jake’s murder? That must be it. They have to solve Jake’s murder together.

Ruby’s trusting heart exasperates Cordelia and endears her to Ruby all at the same time. As the roommates work through the excruciating process of figuring out how to talk to each other and what happened to Jake, they become friends. And the longer Cordelia is friends with Ruby, the more fervently she hopes Ruby doesn’t end up joining her on this side of death.

Olivia Blacke’s deep experience in the craft makes for an immensely enjoyable read. Blacke gives both Ruby and Cordelia the opportunity to share the story in alternating first-person chapters. Some books with more than one first-person POV find it difficult to distinguish between the POV characters. Blacke, however, solidifies Ruby and Cordelia’s personalities early on, making their chapters stand apart from one another.

The book falls squarely in the cozy mystery genre, and Blacke proves with her seasoned writing that a clean book can be just as compelling as one rife with profanity and intimate scenes. This, above many other elements, will most likely draw readers in. Ruby is genuinely sweet without once coming across as saccharine. Cordelia, at times, sounds and behaves much older than the mid- to late-40s age range originally proposed, but her big sister/mama bear instincts toward Ruby later in the novel are relatable and real.

The book’s pacing suffers somewhat from the quiet plot. So many chapters are taken up by character development and the establishment of the relationship between Cordelia and Ruby that the solving of the murder feels a tad quick. However, the murder mystery at the heart of the book doesn’t feel beyond the scope of the story world, a good thing given that so much of the story takes place within Cordelia and Jake’s apartment building.

Those looking for a new fun read in the cozy mystery genre will definitely enjoy this one.

This was definitely different from any cozy I've read before. We start out with a frozen body in front of an apartment building in a not so great area of Boston and that's when we meet Cordelia. Cordelia knows the body as it used to belong to the guy who lived across the hall from her. She's also getting used to having a roommate in her small dingy apartment. The problem is that the roommate, Ruby Young, doesn't know she's really there as Cordelia is actually a ghost.
The book alternates between Ruby and Cordelia's perspective. Ruby is young and optimistic and a bit down on her luck. Even when she was alive Cordelia was a bit of a loner and definitely not what one would describe as upbeat. Together, however, they're an interesting pair as they figure out how to communicate and try to find out just who took out their across the hall neighbor and maybe Cordelia herself.
Since this is a fairly complicated premise there is quite a bit of setup and it takes a bit for things to really get going in the story. This makes for a bit of a slower pacing. However, the characters were well drawn and lots of fun and the premise kept me guessing. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

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.

I did enjoy this one! It was very quick to read and I'm getting more into cozy mysteries (and always love a ghost!). I am intrigued enough to read the second book, because I really did enjoy the characters, even though the ending felt a bit rushed and I don't usually love an aggressive cliffhanger. I like each book to be fairly self contained, which is the only reason why continuing is only a "probably" because of spite lol.

A cozy mystery with humor, hijinks, and lovable characters. It kept me guessing. The beginning and end were fast paced but the middle dragged a bit. The ending was great and I really hope there's a second book.

If you're looking for a lighter spooky season read this one is perfect. Cordelia and Ruby as roommates and an unlikely amateur sleuth team are adorable and funny. I loved that Cordelia was deceased and needed Ruby's help to solve her neighbour's murder. I absolutely cannot wait to read about these ladies again, and I'm hoping they will star in a sequel. This book is perfect for cozy, paranormal, and mystery fans.

Surprisingly fun! And just in time for Halloween!

I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this one up, but a cozy mystery between a 20-year-old Ruby and her 40-something year old roommate, Cordelia, turned into a blast. Especially when you find out that roommate, Cordelia, is a ghost.

Staked with solving the murder of their next door neighbor, Cordelia and Ruby work together despite the lack of communication between ghosts and "breathers." I found the first 1/3 of the book to move really quickly, and the last tenth was extremely fast-paced. The middle dragged a lot, and it seemed like there was quite a bit of filler.

Some of that filler is important, as this is clearly meant to be a series and ends on a cliffhanger, but I do think some of the plot directly relevant to this book could have been cut to make the book move faster.

All told though, I was surprisingly delighted by the premise and delivery of this book and look forward to reading more of the series!

* Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review! *

This was a fun, cozy murder mystery. And was unlike any I’ve read before. I didn’t hate it or love it and would probably read the second in the series just to see what happens next as it does end on a cliff hanger. I gave it three stars solely because it took me forever to get through and felt like a chore to read.

This book was such a fun and cozy mystery. I loved that our main character was a ghost and she’s “roommates” with such a bubbly happy human. The unlikely friendship formed between the two was amazing! I loved that we got to see a ghost and human working together to solve a mystery, and it was cool to learn about the abilities Cornelia has as a ghost! This has a good amount of comedy in it and was such a fun read. I highly recommend it if you are in the mood for a fun and quick read!

A New Lease on Death is a paranormal, cozy mystery that I enjoyed reading! I really enjoyed the characters of Rubg and Cordelia, though I do wish we got a little more back story on Cordelia. The plot was interesting and kept me guessing but some parts felt a little redundant at times. Overall, I would recommend this book, it was a fun read!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Thank you @netgalley for the advanced copy!

This book was okay. I wanted to like it because the cover the book really drew me in. I like the ghost hand dropping the skull key into the human hand.
I feel like the story had a good idea behind it, but there was too much going on. I also don't know why the female ghost was so interested in finding out why the male ghost was murdered.

Three and 1/2 stars. This book was ok. I found it boring but did finish it. Cordelia died from a supposed overdose/alcohol related incident. (or did she?) Her apartment was rented out, as is, to Ruby a young girl who had her heart broken from a jerk face. She moved to Boston where she rented Cordelia's apartment in a not so nice neighborhood. Jake, the guy who lives across the hall and eats a lot of pizza was found dead on the steps in front of the apartment building. Ruby decides she has to find out exactly what happened to Jake. Along comes Cordelia's ghost. She is going to help. Ruby can not see or hear Cordelia but she can feel her presence and Cordelia will move things or write on frost covered windows, or use poem magnets on the refrigerator to communicate. The story goes on to tell how they try to solve the murder. It is a funny, cute story.
Thanks to #netgalley, Minotaurbooks and @oliviablackauthor for an ARC of this book. All comments are my own.

Actually, this one gets a 3.5 star rating from me. Its's definitely more of a cozy mystery and not a thriller but perfect for a fun October read. Would I have selected it if I had realized it was the start of a new series? Probably not, sometimes I just want a good stand alone cozy mystery and not another in a long series that I feel obligated to continue reading.

The story was told from the POV of Ruby and Cordelia. Ruby, the perky, innocent "alive" tenant of Cordelia's apartment and Cordelia, the "no longer alive",grumpy, pessimist ghost. Together they are attempting to solve the murder of their neighbor Jake. The relationship between Cordelia and Ruby is cute and it's fun to watch their communication skills develop but the rest of the characters fell a bit flat for me, except potentially Shannon. The ending of the book felt a bit rushed and I was a bit disappointed for the ending to only invite more questions that can only be answered by reading the next installment.

I would like to thank NetGalley, St. Martin's press and the author for the opportunity to read an advanced copy ahead of the release date.

First, thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur books for this ARC! My opinions are my own.
I got approved for this novel in May, but I knew I wanted it to be one of my October season reads. I loved the cover and the concept of the novel.

Before I begin, here is some foundational information:

Chapter organization: There are two main narrators: Cordelia, the Millennial ghost, and Ruby, the bubbly GenZ, who moved into her apartment. The novel vacillates between both of their perspectives.

The premise: Jakey, the womanizer but life-of-the-party, neighbor dies in the beginning of the novel (shot to the head). The police write his death off as mugging, but due to the lack of anything actually stolen and how Jakey was dressed in a Boston winter, Cordelia and, eventually, Ruby have their doubts. There is also this pesky little clue that on the night when Cordelia died, Jake saw a tall figure holding a laptop leave Cordelia’s apartment. Cordelia never had visitors, so this is SUS. Once Cordelia makes herself known to Ruby and becomes her de facto guardian ghost, they venture out into the world like a crime-solving duo to solve Jake’s death.

My thoughts:
I really wanted to love this novel. It had several elements that really worked for me: Ghost roommate, strong female characters, a mystery to solve. While reading it, I felt like I was reading an off-shoot of the film “Ghost” with Patrick Swayze. It had the same vibe. Cordelia, like Sam Wheat, challenged herself to figure out her ghostly skills like moving things around and so forth. Ruby, like Oda Mae Brown, was the right hand of her ghost partner; however, Ruby couldn’t hear Cordelia unless she was drunk or in sleep mode.

I love “Ghost,” but unfortunately, I did not love “A New Lease on Death.”

SPOILERS AHEAD:
Here is where the novel fell flat for me. Throughout the whole novel, I frequently questioned why Cordelia and Ruby were so invested in Jake’s death. Yeah, he was clearly murdered, but he wasn’t family, or even a friend. It wasn’t like “Ghost” where Sam Wheat and Oda Mae Brown had a serious buy-in to solve the murder and protect Molly. It literally just felt like a hobby. The level of interest in his death was mostly “we can’t have a murderer running around these parts!” It wasn’t enough for me. I saw early on that Cordelia’s death was not an actual suicide like everyone thought. There were also statements that showed Cordelia was hiding something. I was there for the build-up and the great reveal that Jakey was a casualty of Cordelia’s sordid-esque past! I was actually hoping that Jake’s death was related to Cordelia’s…. then it wasn’t. It was a result of a lover’s spat and not actually connected to Cordelia at all. Wah-wah.

I know there are a lot of people who will love this novel, but it was just not for me.

I have been really into cozy mysteries this fall. I love the humour, the puzzle and the anticipation as the author gets closer and closer to revealing the truth… ⁣
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A New Lease in Death definitely falls into the cozy mystery category with its light and humorous story. Cordelia has a new roommate, Ruby, who is young, perky and, frankly, kind of annoying. The big problem, though? Cordelia is dead and it’s her ghost that is playing roomie with Ruby. When the across-the-hall neighbour is tragically killed outside the apartment building, Cordelia is sure that foul play is involved and needs Ruby to help her prove it. ⁣
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The story that ensues is full of the slap-stick humour and hijinks that you might expect from a story of a ghost (who no one can see) and her oblivious partner who stumbles into the answer more often than not. If you enjoy some laughter alongside your murder (I’m looking at you, Finlay Donovan fans), this will likely hit the mark for you. ⁣
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I think this book punched above where I would normally rate it as it did a really great job in writing some serious and sensitive topics alongside the humour. The topic of death was really respectfully handled, especially as we were reading from the perspective of someone recently passed. It added the depth to the story I needed to be able to continue finding the comical writing interesting. ⁣
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As a head’s up, this book does deal with the topics of: suicide, domestic abuse and homicide. There is very limited graphic content, but it is brought up throughout the book. ⁣
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Overall, I thought this was a fun little ghost story, and it was perfect to read headed towards Halloween. I’m glad this is a part of a series because I am already looking forward to the sequel! You can find A New Lease on Death on shelves October 29. ⁣
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I received this ARC through @netgalley . All opinions are my own. Thank you to @minotaur_books for making this title available to me!