Lucky Secrets
A Mauzzy & Me Mystery
by B.T. Polcari
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GENRE: Young Adult Cozy Mystery
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BOOK BLURB:
College student Sara Donovan is in the homestretch of graduating when a mysterious package arrives with an invitation to an exclusive contest. One that will drastically change the winner’s life. Included are unsettling photographs from forgettable chapters in her life and a threatening note strongly suggesting she participate.
With no good options, Sara enters the contest and finds herself at a fabulous mansion up against eight formidable opponents, each with a dark secret and all racing to solve seven levels of riddles and puzzles.
After a contestant’s body is discovered, Sara contemplates dropping out when another package arrives, its chilling contents making clear she’s at the center of a dangerous game with deadly consequences if she quits. But what it doesn’t say is—what happens if she wins?
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EXCERPT TWO:
Winston forced a smile. “The founder imparted to me that every contestant was personally selected because each of you has a secret that absolutely must remain—a secret. Especially from law enforcement.” He glanced at me and raised an eyebrow. “Since the winner of the contest will become fabulously wealthy, it would seem, everyone is here because of a potentially—lucky secret.”
Zoe’s head whipped toward me. With eyes wide, she mouthed law enforcement. I threw her a little headshake, even as my body exploded in tingles. I have no such secrets—anymore. I think. A picture popped in my head of the open safe-deposit box with the gold artifact, gold bar, and emeralds. With my name on the signature card. Somebody obviously manufactured a secret for me. But why? And is it the same for all the contestants? Were they also blackmailed into coming for something they didn’t do? Or were they…
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GUEST POST:
Treasured Belongings of a Mystery Author
My writing office is packed with memorable items. Here are just a few of my favorites.
This early portable typewriter (circa 1925-1930) was found and purchased decades ago by my cousin, Roy, in the Alaskan wilderness. Roy, who lived in Fairbanks for 50+ years, used to go out into the backcountry searching for unusual items. I can’t remember where he found this, but according to my mother, it really surprised him to find a typewriter in the middle of nowhere. He gave it to my mother some years ago and last year she told me she wanted me to have it, that she could think of no better person to have it than her author-son. It is one of my prized possessions.
These book cover posters need no explanation. I will always get a poster of every book I release. My goal is to one day line the walls of my entertainment area.
My favorite movie is the 1967 Jungle Book with Louis Prima as King Louie (my favorite character) and Phil Harris as Baloo. This is a vinyl album that was given to me by my son.
Included on these bookcases are all kinds of keepsakes and awards. These include champagne bottles after signing book contracts, book releases, and key book awards; some of my favorite reads, including the fantastic Fist of God by Frederick Forsyth that was signed and given to me by my mother-in-law after a wonderful lunch and conversation we had when I was back in the States on a business trip; Alabama mementos; my very first book I wrote, Misery Is… (it’s the little red book, unfortunately it isn’t dated but I think I was in the second grade – the first page is “Misery is when you kiss a girl.”); one of my favorite books as a kid, Where the Wild Things Are; and of course, family photos.
And speaking of Alabama mementos, my daughter stood in line for hours to get this signed by Tyrone Prothro, who was an All-SEC return specialist and wide receiver. Unfortunately, he suffered a career-ending injury in 2005. Ever since she gave it to me, this picture has been displayed prominently in every one of my offices.
And finally, until a 2022 knee injury forced me to retire from bowling, I was a high-level bowler with ten perfect 300 games, a high set of 826 (278-248-300), a season-high average of 226, and 20 appearances in the National Open Championships with a high finish in 2019 of 99th in Singles and 141st in All Events. This was also my final Nationals. I was also the anchor bowler on a 5-man team that broke a 25-year-old Tennessee state record for high game scratch. In this game, we made 52 of a possible 60 strikes. When I stepped up on the lane in the 10th frame, the place was going berserk with people yelling for me to “take it to the house.” It was only later that we found out about breaking the state record. Everybody originally was only focused on the city record.
Thank you to Fabulous and Brunette for featuring Lucky Secrets and allowing readers to see some of my favorite items in the office that span my professional, writing, and sports careers. It was a lot of fun. And thank you to Goddess Fish Promotions for putting together my virtual book tour!
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AUTHOR BIO:
B.T. Polcari is a graduate of Rutgers College of Rutgers University, an award-winning mystery author, and a proud father of two wonderful children. He’s a champion of rescue pups (Mauzzy is a rescue), craves watching football and basketball, and, of course, loves reading mysteries. Among his favorite authors are Richard Osman, D.P. Lyle, Frederick Forsyth, and Michael Connelly. He is also an unapologetic fantasy football addict. He lives with his wife in scenic Chattanooga, Tennessee.
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CONNECT WITH B.T. POLCARI:
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