The Key to a Killer by Olivia Blacke ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

A woman and her ghost roommate investigate their most personal case.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review. 

October 2026; Minotaur Books; 978-1250336736
audio, ebook, print (368 pages); paranormal cozy mystery

The Key to a Killer is book 3 in the Ruby and Cordelia mystery series. I haven't read the previous books in the series, though I have read Olivia Blacke's Record Shop mystery series and enjoyed it. 

I don't read a lot of paranormal cozy mystery books, and when I do, they usually have a witch as the main character. I thought a ghost story would be good for a Halloween read.

If you have been reading this series, this is probably the book you have been waiting for, as it deals with Cordelia's death. If you are like me and haven't read the series, you won't have any problems starting with this book.

There is a lot of recap at the start of the book. Maybe too much, as it was really slow and it was hard to get into the story. I thought about setting it aside a time or two. There is a lot of talking to the reader and telling the reader. There is also a lot of repetitiveness. The story probably could have been much shorter if we weren't constantly reminded of inconsequential things. I mean, every time she is near an electronic device, we are reminded that she has to be careful or it will be fried.

 I'm not sure I like Cordelia. At times she was likable, but other times not so much. I liked it when she was being friends with Ruby, but I would dislike her when she talked about how Ruby wouldn't survive without her. Perhaps it is because she had to take care of her brother so much when she was a teenager, and she feels like she has to take care of, or protect, someone. Maybe it will be something she unpacks in later books. She does show growth in the book, like when she realizes she shouldn't be messing with someone just for the fun of it. 

If paranormal cozy mysteries are your thing, then you should definitely check out this series. I'm not sure if I will read any more books in the series, though.

Buy The Key to a Killer at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of the how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

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