Lucky Secrets

Lucky Secrets by B.T. Polcari is the third installment in the Mauzzy & Me mystery series that whisks you into a charming, puzzle-filled adventure with college senior and amateur sleuth Sara Donovan. Just as Sara is preparing for finals before graduation, a mysterious package arrives, containing an invitation to a secretive competition—and blackmail photos suggesting she has no choice but to participate. Accompanied by her loyal best friend Zoe and her trusty canine sidekick Mauzzy, Sara heads to a secluded mansion to compete against seven other contestants under the watchful eye of a shadowy organizer. With non-disclosure agreements, vague threats, and escalating stakes—including actual violence—Sara races to solve puzzles, protect those she loves, and unmask the mastermind behind the sinister game. In this game of mistrust and deceit, can she come out triumphant?

B.T. Polcari delivers a cast of relatable, engaging characters in a setting that is detailed and infused with suspenseful elements. Sara herself is a delightful blend of sharp wit, determination, and authenticity—never afraid to lean on her friends or her dog for help, and refreshingly uncertain at times in her sleuthing. Her clumsy moments, rather than feeling forced, make her even more believable. Zoe, the feisty and fiercely loyal best friend, injects both comic relief and emotional realism into the story—her abrasive banter sometimes grates, but it’s clear her devotion to Sara runs deep. The mansion setting is classic mystery fare, filled with secretive competitors and a sense of escalating danger as the competition turns deadly serious. While the tone remains lighthearted, thanks in part to Mauzzy’s endearing presence, the tension is real, with Sara’s safety—and that of her loved ones—on the line. While the pacing can be slow at times, Lucky Secrets is balanced and written with a tension that builds up to a satisfying finish.