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Just before her twenty-first birthday, third-year University of Alabama student, amateur sleuth, and aspiring private investigator Sara Donovan receives a cryptic invitation to participate in a high-stakes contest with a payout that could change her life forever. But the “too good to be true” opportunity comes with sinister threats, demands of absolute secrecy, strict contest rules, and promises of dire consequences for the slightest infraction. Compelled to enter, Sara enlists the help of her faithful doggie companion, Mauzzy, and her feisty best friend, Zoe. They are pitted against a diverse cast of colorful characters in a battle of wits, requiring the participants to solve riddles, decipher combinations, and uncover clues. But as the contest heats up, it quickly becomes apparent that Sara’s co-competitors have shady pasts and treacherous secrets. Sara and Zoe suddenly find themselves in a viper’s nest where desperation breeds danger, and survival is not guaranteed.
Sherlock Holmes meets Stephanie Plum in this highly entertaining third volume of the A Mauzzy & Me Mystery Series. Award-winning author Polcari combines delightful storytelling, a skillful writing style, and excellent character development to add his signature undertone of humor to this mystery/thriller. The rich dichotomy between Sara’s hair-raising driving antics, unfortunate clumsiness, and nerdy genius is a constant source of amusement. Add in Zoe’s larger-than-life fiery spirit wrapped in a pint-sized package, and a couple of mysteriously perceptive dachshunds with big personalities, and the result is quirky fun that readers will find hard to put down. Fans of escape rooms, the board game Clue, and the Netflix murder mystery franchise Knives Out will enjoy attempting to solve the riddles and clues alongside the characters. Readers new to the series will be eager to dive into the first two books while anxiously awaiting the next installment.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review