In her latest novel, A New Lease on Death, Olivia Blacke breathes fresh life into the paranormal mystery genre by crafting an unconventional detective duo—one alive, one dead—who must work together to solve a murder in their apartment building. The author, known for her Brooklyn Murder Mysteries and Record Shop Mysteries series, ventures into supernatural territory with this new series starter, delivering a compelling blend of humor, heart, and suspense.
The Plot: Death and Detection in Boston
Twenty-year-old Ruby Young thinks she’s gotten a bargain when she rents a fully-furnished apartment in Boston, despite its questionable location and dysfunctional amenities. What she doesn’t expect is that the previous tenant, Cordelia Graves, is still very much in residence—albeit in ghost form. When their across-the-hall neighbor Jake Macintyre is found dead outside their building one snowy morning, the unlikely roommates find themselves drawn into investigating his murder.
Character Development: An Unlikely Partnership
The Living
Ruby Young emerges as a delightfully optimistic protagonist whose seemingly naive exterior masks a sharp mind and natural investigative instincts. Her character arc shows meaningful growth as she navigates both her new life in Boston and her unusual living arrangement. Blacke has created a thoroughly modern young woman who faces real-world challenges (job hunting, budget constraints, independence) while maintaining an infectious enthusiasm that makes her engaging rather than annoying.
The Dead
Cordelia Graves serves as a perfect foil to Ruby’s exuberance. Initially presented as a somewhat curmudgeonly spirit, her character reveals increasing depth as the story progresses. Her struggle with her own death and the limitations of her ghostly existence adds poignant layers to what could have been a one-dimensional character. The gradual reveal of her past life and relationships, particularly with Adam Rees, creates compelling subplots that enhance the main mystery.
Writing Style: Balanced and Engaging
Blacke demonstrates considerable skill in maintaining the delicate balance between humor and gravity throughout the novel, A New Lease on Death. The alternating perspectives between Ruby and Cordelia provide both dramatic irony and emotional depth, while their different voices remain distinct and authentic. The author’s prose is crisp and contemporary, with dialogue that feels natural even in supernatural situations.
Strengths
- Innovative concept executed with originality
- Strong character development and relationship building
- Well-paced mystery with satisfying resolution
- Effective use of humor without undermining serious moments
- Vivid Boston setting that enhances the story
Areas for Improvement
- Some secondary characters could use more development
- Certain plot points rely heavily on coincidence
- The supernatural rules aren’t always consistently applied
- A few loose ends regarding Cordelia’s own death feel unresolved
- Some readers might find the pacing slow in the middle sections
Mystery Elements: A Layered Investigation
The central mystery surrounding Jake’s death is well-constructed, with appropriate red herrings and a satisfying resolution. Blacke cleverly uses the limitations and abilities of both protagonists to drive the investigation forward. The revelation of Arlo Caparelli as the killer is both surprising and believable, with proper groundwork laid throughout the narrative.
Supernatural Aspects: A Fresh Perspective
The author’s take on ghostly abilities is interesting, particularly in how Cordelia interacts with technology and physical objects. The rules governing ghost-human interaction are generally well thought out, though there are occasional inconsistencies that more particular readers might question.
Social Commentary: Subtle but Present
While maintaining its entertainment value, A New Lease on Death touches on several serious themes:
- Domestic violence and its impact
- The invisibility of service workers in society
- Depression and mental health
- The challenges young adults face in establishing independence
Setting and Atmosphere
Blacke’s Boston comes alive through careful attention to detail, from the weather to the neighborhood dynamics. The apartment building itself becomes a character in its own right, with its quirks and failings adding both atmosphere and plot points to the story.
Technical Execution
Pacing
The story maintains a steady rhythm, though some readers might find the middle section slightly sluggish. The final act picks up considerable momentum, leading to a satisfying climax.
Structure
The alternating viewpoints work well, providing necessary information while maintaining suspense. The chapter lengths are well-calculated to keep readers engaged.
Dialogue
One of the book’s strongest elements is its dialogue, which feels authentic for each character and serves multiple purposes in advancing both plot and character development.
Similar Works and Reader Appeal
Fans of Charlaine Harris’s Harper Connelly series or Victoria Laurie’s Ghost Hunter Mysteries will find familiar elements here, though Blacke’s approach feels fresher and more contemporary. The book should appeal to readers who enjoy:
- Cozy mysteries with supernatural elements
- Female friendship stories
- Contemporary urban fantasy
- Character-driven mysteries
Final Verdict
While not perfect, it successfully establishes what promises to be an engaging series. The fresh take on supernatural investigation, combined with strong character work and effective humor, outweighs its minor flaws.
A New Lease on Death sets up intriguing possibilities for future installments, particularly with the suggestion that Cordelia’s own death might not be as straightforward as initially believed. This first entry in Blacke’s Supernatural Mysteries series demonstrates significant promise for what’s to come.
Recommendation
This book is highly recommended for readers who enjoy their mysteries with a supernatural twist and don’t mind some darker themes balanced with humor. It’s particularly suited for:
- Mystery fans looking for something different
- Readers who enjoy paranormal elements in contemporary settings
- Those who appreciate strong female protagonists
- Fans of character-driven narratives with humor
A New Lease on Death successfully bridges multiple genres while maintaining its own unique identity, making it a worthwhile addition to any mystery lover’s library.
