First, a big THANK YOU to my book dealer at St. Martin’s Press. I can never refuse her offers of free ARCs, and I am more than delighted to add any Olivia Blacke book to my teetering TBR pile.

In this third installment of the Ruby and Cordelia Mysteries, Ruby decides to tackle the cold case of her roommate’s untimely death. Let me back up a bit. This series features two equally lovable protagonists: Ruby (the quirky, broke Gen Z girly) and Cordelia (the murdered woman who now haunts Ruby’s humble abode (a rundown Boston apartment). Love the premise? Me too!!!

Here are my thoughts:

The gist: This mystery centers on a vexing cold case: Cordelia’s murder, which the lazy, useless cops carelessly wrote off as a suicide. It’s up to Ruby—our hapless, disheveled amateur detective—to dig into the nefarious underbelly of a shady tech company (also her workplace’s rival) and figure out what’s going on with Cordelia’s former paramour… who just so happens to be Ruby’s boss. You see, Cordelia used to work there too, and she had an uncanny gift for writing and deciphering code. Messy, right?

Thoughts on the characters: Unlike your typical “Mary Sue” cozy mystery sleuths, Ruby and Cordelia are endearingly flawed and complex. Ruby comes from a loving home and is still new to adulting, while Cordelia’s past is steeped in abuse, neglect, and even homelessness. Together, they form a mother‑daughter bond that warms my hardened heart. I adore how Cordelia shoplifts grown‑up clothes for Ruby and keeps watch over her. It’s just so dang sweet! Ugh! I want a motherly ghost roomie!!!

The setting: I usually read cozies set in charming resort towns, but this gritty Boston backdrop really works for the storyline. It’s gross, dirty, loud, and crime‑ridden—adding an extra layer of danger to the story. There’s also a subplot involving break‑ins at Ruby and Cordelia’s apartment building that may tie into the cold case. Such intrigue!

The backstories: This book finally reveals Cordelia’s pre‑ghostly life. As Ruby hunts down clues, Cordelia experiences flashbacks of her corporeal days, giving us insight into her upbringing, her brother’s path to prison (we’ll get to him later), and her… questionable romantic choices. This lady had a lot going on.

The romance: We’ve got a bit of a love triangle brewing between Ruby, her good guy neighbor (who works at the rival tech company), and Cordelia’s delinquent brother Ian, freshly out of prison. We learn plenty about both suitors, and boy does Ruby have a lot on her plate!  Oh to be young and in love again…sigh.

Overall: The Ruby and Cordelia Mysteries remains in my top ten (maybe even top five!) of all-time favorite cozy series, and this book did not disappoint. We finally get answers to Cordelia’s mysterious past and the tech companies’ hidden secrets. I was a little misty-eyed when it ended, but the author leaves just enough room for a few more books in the series. Here’s hoping!