Book Review: Lucky Secrets by B.T. Polcari

Reviewed by Addison Ciuchta

A charming, lighthearted amateur sleuth mystery full of puzzles, puppies, and personality

Lucky Secrets is the third in the Mauzzy & Me mystery series by B.T. Polcari. When it begins, amateur sleuth Sara Donovan is heading into finals before college graduation. But then a mysterious package arrives with two envelopes: one with an invitation to participate in a mysterious competition and the other containing doctored blackmail photos that suggest Sara doesn’t have a choice in whether to agree.

With her best friend Zoe and her loyal sidekick sleuth dog Mauzzy, the trio report to a mansion where the competition will take place. Under strict non-disclosure agreements, vague threats from the mysterious organizer, and the pressure of seven other contestants, Sara’s investigating skills will be pushed to their limits as she tries not only to win but to unmask the person pulling the strings behind it all.

Reading the first two books might help add some context to this third book in a series, but it’s not required to pick this up. The author does a great job setting up the history between characters without spending too much time re-hashing the previous two books. Sara is a classic amateur sleuth ala Veronica Mars or Nancy Drew. She’s sharp, determined, and at times in over her head, but she isn’t afraid to ask those around her for help either.

It’s the mark of a well-designed character that she isn’t always confident in her answers to some of the puzzles and instead takes suggestions and ideas from those she trusts like her friend, her dedicated dog companion, or her rough-around-the-edges boss. Of course, the presence of a dog in a mystery like this just adds to its charm! She is clumsy, which is played up quite a bit in some moments, but it adds to her complexity as a sleuth.

Zoe, Sara’s feisty friend, is a fun sidekick as well. Her abrasiveness and constant bickering gets slightly grating, especially in high-stress moments when Sara could have used a perhaps kinder tone from her friend to help her through it, but it’s clear Zoe would do anything for Sara and vice versa. Some friends like a little bit of bickering with each other and it adds comical moments to the lighthearted mystery.

Just because it’s lighthearted doesn’t mean the stakes aren’t high though! Sara’s pulled into the competition because of doctored blackmail photos, but after violence happens on the mansion grounds, the tension escalates. It’s even higher as it becomes clear the unknown villain running the whole thing is deadly serious about their threats. With access to her information, and also the information of those she loves, Sara’s forced to keep at the competition no matter the cost.

Every single loose end may not be tied up in the end, but there’s enough of an ending to wrap things up while still setting up the narrative to lead into another Mauzzy & Me mystery.

If you’re looking for a fun, lighthearted mystery to dig into this summer, I’d recommend starting here, or for more context on the characters, start with book one and read your way through! They’re sure to keep you entertained and giggling.

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