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Mauzzy and Me Mystery #2
Fire & Ice
After encountering a brief power outage at work, college student Sara Donovan might be allowing her imagination to run wild. The main vault in the Carlton Museum holds the Fire and Ice Exhibit, a collection of rare gems, including the Star of Midnight, a 175-carat diamond. Although all the stones are accounted for, Sara suspects the Star of Midnight was stolen and replaced with a fake.
While conducting her own investigation, what Sara uncovers is beyond even her wildest imagination: a coded message, papers with strange characters, and a mysterious set of numbers carved into an office wall. Despite dismissive historians and other experts, she is certain these clues point to a mysterious centuries-old legend.
Unfortunately, her colorful history of usually being right, but always being wrong, means she must solve the mystery to prove her theory.
While conducting her own investigation, what Sara uncovers is beyond even her wildest imagination: a coded message, papers with strange characters, and a mysterious set of numbers carved into an office wall. Despite dismissive historians and other experts, she is certain these clues point to a mysterious centuries-old legend.
Unfortunately, her colorful history of usually being right, but always being wrong, means she must solve the mystery to prove her theory.
- GenresMystery
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2022
About the author
B.T. Polcari
3 books288 followersB.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 but one example), craves watching football and basketball, and, of course, loves reading mysteries. Among his favorite authors are Richard Osman, D.P. Lyle, Frederick Forsyth, Robert B. Parker, and Michael Connelly. He is also an unapologetic fantasy football addict. He lives with his wife in scenic Chattanooga, Tennessee.
www.btpolcari.com
www.btpolcari.com
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 21, 2022
"Only Sara Donovan can come up with someone going to great lengths, including digging a tunnel, to steal one of the world’s largest diamonds..."
Both young adult and adult readers will quickly be charmed by this standalone sequel to Against My Better Judgment, the first book in Polcari's award-winning Mauzzy & Me Mystery Series. The determination and grit of university student Sara Donovan are once again put to the test when the amateur sleuth discovers irregularities while working as a museum archivist intern during her summer break. As the story opens, the Carlton Museum staff are scrambling to install a traveling exhibit of diamonds and rubies on the last stop of a two-year national tour.
Sara and her intern colleague, Danielle, are granted permission by the chief curator to join her and the security staff as they place the world-famous gemstones in the valuables vault. The girls expect to simply witness the dazzling stones for a few seconds before these are placed under lock and key to await the high-security exhibit's debut the next day. Feisty Sara snaps a couple of surreptitious, unauthorized photos with her cell phone after being reminded of the no photo rules. As she returns to her cubicle to close up shop and leave for the day, chaos ensues. A sudden power outage leaves the area pitch black while Sara's canine sidekick, Mauzzy, escapes his carrier underneath her desk. This is not an unusual situation with the wily, independent dachshund. But when Sara tries to retrieve him in the dark, she finds the pooch scratching at a wall outside the valuables vault. She knows Mauzzy wouldn't lose his mind scratching at a wall unless he heard something on the other side. . .
Read more at The US Review of Books!
https://www.theusreview.com/reviews-1...
Both young adult and adult readers will quickly be charmed by this standalone sequel to Against My Better Judgment, the first book in Polcari's award-winning Mauzzy & Me Mystery Series. The determination and grit of university student Sara Donovan are once again put to the test when the amateur sleuth discovers irregularities while working as a museum archivist intern during her summer break. As the story opens, the Carlton Museum staff are scrambling to install a traveling exhibit of diamonds and rubies on the last stop of a two-year national tour.
Sara and her intern colleague, Danielle, are granted permission by the chief curator to join her and the security staff as they place the world-famous gemstones in the valuables vault. The girls expect to simply witness the dazzling stones for a few seconds before these are placed under lock and key to await the high-security exhibit's debut the next day. Feisty Sara snaps a couple of surreptitious, unauthorized photos with her cell phone after being reminded of the no photo rules. As she returns to her cubicle to close up shop and leave for the day, chaos ensues. A sudden power outage leaves the area pitch black while Sara's canine sidekick, Mauzzy, escapes his carrier underneath her desk. This is not an unusual situation with the wily, independent dachshund. But when Sara tries to retrieve him in the dark, she finds the pooch scratching at a wall outside the valuables vault. She knows Mauzzy wouldn't lose his mind scratching at a wall unless he heard something on the other side. . .
Read more at The US Review of Books!
https://www.theusreview.com/reviews-1...
August 11, 2022
I received an eARC of this novel so I could read and review it. Thank you for the opportunity.
This is an enjoyable cozy mystery, focused on a jewel robbery and a treasure hunt, centered around hints placed in an eccentric, long dead millionaire’s private archives and home. I do wish they had showed the cyphers and given the reader the opportunity to solve it along with the characters. Overall. Though, this is a book that mystery fans will enjoy, and it contains nothing inappropriate or objectionable for a middle school or high school reader.
This is an enjoyable cozy mystery, focused on a jewel robbery and a treasure hunt, centered around hints placed in an eccentric, long dead millionaire’s private archives and home. I do wish they had showed the cyphers and given the reader the opportunity to solve it along with the characters. Overall. Though, this is a book that mystery fans will enjoy, and it contains nothing inappropriate or objectionable for a middle school or high school reader.
October 8, 2022
Nothing beats the ability to enjoy a book than a well sculpted plot that keeps the reader craving for the next chapter to burst open for him/her to indulge in all there is in it.
Read full review in the 2022 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2022 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.
July 15, 2022
Even though this story is kind of slow in parts, it is a good mystery.
July 31, 2022
Sara Donovan is a fun MC. I like the fact that she works in a museum. It’s a good cozy mystery with great characters.
#FireIce #NetGalley
#FireIce #NetGalley
August 1, 2022
I enjoyed this cozy mystery about a college student who works in a museum where she thinks a robbery has occurred. With her dog by her side she is determined to solve the mystery
April 20, 2026
4 1/2 stars. Lots of research went into this book. Learned something about aquafers, cyphers, and tunnels under D C.
June 14, 2022
Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author and/or publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. A positive review is not required.
This review can also be found in Currant7 Recommends.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Disclosure: I highly suggest readers start from Book 1 so as not to miss out on the "importance" of these guest characters to the plot and why Sara has to trust/not trust them, especially when they seem to know more than they say.
As expected in most mystery theme books, Fire & Ice is told from Sara's POV only. The writing is clear, descriptive, and fascinating, although with some "overwhelming parts, especially when ciphering codes and math jargon spewed out.
The story continues with Sara Donovan working at another museum (different from Book 1) and on the trail of another mystery that seems to have her using her investigative skill again. She tackles interesting theories and intriguing locations that, at first glance, are not related to the questioned mystery until the many layers of mystery peel off.
It was great to see "the gang" from Book 1, helping Sara again, especially Mrs. Majelski! I miss that spunky lady's sense of humor and cryptic messages to Sara. Mejelski's more fierce in this book and will surely win readers again!
I love how the author portrayed other supporting characters like Zoe, Matt, and even her father, clarifying a lot of technical stuff about code-breaking theories Sara got herself into. Even with the many new cast of characters helping Sara in the book, the hero and problem-solving came from Sara.
Although many moments showed how "lucky" Sarah stumbled on relevant tips and essential clues because of her friends, everything still felt organically developed as the story progressed.
The writing is well researched, especially with the clues and connections. The pacing is just right, but I must mention that there were moments that frustrated me. It was when the author would add a specific detail that I thought would add to Sara's advantage or not but later found out that it didn't "work." Some parts repeated, like Sara's boyfriend, Connor (in Book 1), was mentioned often to vouch for Sara's credibility constantly. It's great and good that Connor reassured that particular friend of Sara's credibility, BUT that friend's faith in Connor showed less and less each time Sara discovered something extraordinary and even started doubting her at some point in the book. I am not sure if maybe that's the author's point - to provide much doubt and "stack everything against Sarah" that when it all came down at the end, it will have more "weight."
Ultimately, Fire & Ice is an excellent cozy mystery read with many code-cracking mysteries, suspense, and danger. It was so engaging that I could not stop reading and then later reflect on each inch of the clues. I was taken out of my comfort zone of cozy mystery and thrown into the headspace of double meanings, misleading clues, and well-placed deflections. This book is full of twists and turns that will make one flip-flop between who is involved and who is the "mastermind." It is one marvelous adventure anyone can have in problem-solving.
Don't just take my word for it. Read it and find out for yourself!
PROS:
- cute doggie Mauzzy helping out then leading Sara to go further
- excellent character development versus Book 1 for MC
- new casts and old converging to help solve the mystery
- ample Mrs. Majelski's "air time" that provided the fierceness and spunk
- bigger picture lies outside of the museum piece (the diamond) and becomes a more explosive revelation in the end
- code-cracking skills well used and explained thoroughly
CONS:
- repetition of some minor events seems to distract than emphasize; could have done without
- not enough of Connor Reed (!!!)
This review can also be found in Currant7 Recommends.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Disclosure: I highly suggest readers start from Book 1 so as not to miss out on the "importance" of these guest characters to the plot and why Sara has to trust/not trust them, especially when they seem to know more than they say.
As expected in most mystery theme books, Fire & Ice is told from Sara's POV only. The writing is clear, descriptive, and fascinating, although with some "overwhelming parts, especially when ciphering codes and math jargon spewed out.
The story continues with Sara Donovan working at another museum (different from Book 1) and on the trail of another mystery that seems to have her using her investigative skill again. She tackles interesting theories and intriguing locations that, at first glance, are not related to the questioned mystery until the many layers of mystery peel off.
It was great to see "the gang" from Book 1, helping Sara again, especially Mrs. Majelski! I miss that spunky lady's sense of humor and cryptic messages to Sara. Mejelski's more fierce in this book and will surely win readers again!
I love how the author portrayed other supporting characters like Zoe, Matt, and even her father, clarifying a lot of technical stuff about code-breaking theories Sara got herself into. Even with the many new cast of characters helping Sara in the book, the hero and problem-solving came from Sara.
Although many moments showed how "lucky" Sarah stumbled on relevant tips and essential clues because of her friends, everything still felt organically developed as the story progressed.
The writing is well researched, especially with the clues and connections. The pacing is just right, but I must mention that there were moments that frustrated me. It was when the author would add a specific detail that I thought would add to Sara's advantage or not but later found out that it didn't "work." Some parts repeated, like Sara's boyfriend, Connor (in Book 1), was mentioned often to vouch for Sara's credibility constantly. It's great and good that Connor reassured that particular friend of Sara's credibility, BUT that friend's faith in Connor showed less and less each time Sara discovered something extraordinary and even started doubting her at some point in the book. I am not sure if maybe that's the author's point - to provide much doubt and "stack everything against Sarah" that when it all came down at the end, it will have more "weight."
Ultimately, Fire & Ice is an excellent cozy mystery read with many code-cracking mysteries, suspense, and danger. It was so engaging that I could not stop reading and then later reflect on each inch of the clues. I was taken out of my comfort zone of cozy mystery and thrown into the headspace of double meanings, misleading clues, and well-placed deflections. This book is full of twists and turns that will make one flip-flop between who is involved and who is the "mastermind." It is one marvelous adventure anyone can have in problem-solving.
Don't just take my word for it. Read it and find out for yourself!
PROS:
- cute doggie Mauzzy helping out then leading Sara to go further
- excellent character development versus Book 1 for MC
- new casts and old converging to help solve the mystery
- ample Mrs. Majelski's "air time" that provided the fierceness and spunk
- bigger picture lies outside of the museum piece (the diamond) and becomes a more explosive revelation in the end
- code-cracking skills well used and explained thoroughly
CONS:
- repetition of some minor events seems to distract than emphasize; could have done without
- not enough of Connor Reed (!!!)
July 19, 2022
Sara Donovan, a college student, experiences a power outage at work. Everything at Carlton Museum seems okay but Sara has this 'gut' feeling that the Star of Midnight, a 175 carat diamond has been replaced with a fake. Can Sara crack the clues. Good story plot. Loved the characters especially Sara. Thanks #netgalley and #WildRosePress for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.
July 21, 2022
An entertaining and solid mystery that kept me guessing. I loved Sarah and her dog and look forward to reading other stories featuring these characters.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
July 16, 2022
Sarah Donovan suspects that a rare gem that is stored in the museum vault isn’t authentic. Even with finding clues that point to a very old story, the historians at the museum don’t agree with her. Can Sarah solve the clues and mystery to prove she’s right about the Star of Midnight being stolen?
This is the first book I have red by this author and in this series. It moves at a pretty good pace and has enough red herrings to keep me guessing along with Sarah. I love history so the way this was written drew me in and had me turning the pages way past my bed time. I look forward to more adventures with Sarah and Mauzzy in the future.
This is the first book I have red by this author and in this series. It moves at a pretty good pace and has enough red herrings to keep me guessing along with Sarah. I love history so the way this was written drew me in and had me turning the pages way past my bed time. I look forward to more adventures with Sarah and Mauzzy in the future.
July 10, 2022
This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Wild Rose Press and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
Sara Donovan is a quirky and delightful MC that's quite enchanting. I liked the story, plot and hope for more in the series.
Sara Donovan is a quirky and delightful MC that's quite enchanting. I liked the story, plot and hope for more in the series.
August 15, 2022
I’ve read the first book, AGAINST MY BETTER JUDGEMENT, and loved it. But you can easily read book 2 as a stand alone.
This was a perfect cozy mystery for me because it had a museum heist and a treasure hunt so it was a 2 for 1 mystery. I also loved the family atmosphere as Sarah enlists her family and best friend to help with her buried treasure search.
There are comical moments and I appreciate Sarah’s dogged determination to prove that something was amiss at the museum.
Mauzzy the strong minded dachshund is a perfect addition to help Sarah and I always love big personality animals in my cozy reads.
There are lots of great secondary characters that enhanced the book for me..from Sarah’s salty mouth best friend to her math geek brother and (my personal favorite) an eighty-something year old woman who makes appearances at exactly the right time.
This was a perfect cozy mystery for me because it had a museum heist and a treasure hunt so it was a 2 for 1 mystery. I also loved the family atmosphere as Sarah enlists her family and best friend to help with her buried treasure search.
There are comical moments and I appreciate Sarah’s dogged determination to prove that something was amiss at the museum.
Mauzzy the strong minded dachshund is a perfect addition to help Sarah and I always love big personality animals in my cozy reads.
There are lots of great secondary characters that enhanced the book for me..from Sarah’s salty mouth best friend to her math geek brother and (my personal favorite) an eighty-something year old woman who makes appearances at exactly the right time.
August 29, 2022
What a fun read this was! Truly a gem (no pun intended). I have never heard of the Mauzzy & Me Mystery series and frankly, I'm not a fan of dachshunds, but I am a fan of diamonds, so I couldn't resist this one when it appeared on our Negalley shelf. We definitely got more than we bargained for!
Sara Donovan, a twenty-year-old college student is a character who knows how to find herself in a pickle. During her summer-break, she works at the Carlton Museum, the oldest private museum in Washington DC. Now America is not our country of residence, but I honestly thought this place was real. Sara's job as an archivist intern, entailed working in the museum's main vault. The vault held high-value jewels, artifacts and irreplaceable documents, including the Oliver Carlton Papers. Once again, American History and Founding Fathers are not our strong suit. I honestly thought Oliver Carlton were not cast in stone in Mount Rushmore simply because they ran out of rock.... He's not a real character in American History?
Oliver Carlton was a wealthy landowner in North Carolina in the 1800's. He was also a scientist, inventor, botanist, cryptologist and numerologist. In 1880 he established the Carlton Museum and when he died in 1888, the balance of his estate went to the museum. Including all his correspondence, maps, notes and a collection of journals filled with his observations and experiments. Definitely a character an author like Dan Brown can have a field day with. But let's give the young adults and cozy mystery readers a chance to go on a treasure hunt as well and get back to the story at hand.
So how does a 175 carat diamond get stolen from a private museum? The Carlton was playing host to a diamond and ruby exhibit called Fire & Ice. The Star attraction was a flawless pear-shaped diamond called The Star of Midnight, one of the world's largest diamonds worth and estimated fifty million dollars. Not to spoil your fun, but that's not the most valuable treasure the museum is hosting.
When the precious jewels were moved to the Carlton Museum and Mauzzy started acting strangely (it's a dachshund, when do they not act strangely) around the vault, Sara is convinced something sinister happened in the vault and the Star Attraction might very well not be shining in it's originality. When she discovers something else is amiss from the Carlton, Sara sets in motion a catawampus of events.
Fire & Ice was a delightful book to read with a quirky lead character and a complimentary cast of sub characters. With no inappropriate content and a swear jar close at hand, we will easily recommend this book for Middle Grade readers and up.
We haven't read the first book in the series, but we strongly suspect that it would have helped to read this series in chronological order. Especially regarding the characters and exactly how they all fit into Sara and Mauzzy's lives and the relevance of a few of them. Like Mrs. Majelski. What's up with that old lady? I'm sure she has a cat, she seems like the type.
Thank you to Netgalley and BookBuzz.net for our review copy of this delightful book. Mauzzy, nothing personal. I am a cat after all and let's be honest, you won't like me much either.
This review was first published @ Elza Reads
Sara Donovan, a twenty-year-old college student is a character who knows how to find herself in a pickle. During her summer-break, she works at the Carlton Museum, the oldest private museum in Washington DC. Now America is not our country of residence, but I honestly thought this place was real. Sara's job as an archivist intern, entailed working in the museum's main vault. The vault held high-value jewels, artifacts and irreplaceable documents, including the Oliver Carlton Papers. Once again, American History and Founding Fathers are not our strong suit. I honestly thought Oliver Carlton were not cast in stone in Mount Rushmore simply because they ran out of rock.... He's not a real character in American History?
Oliver Carlton was a wealthy landowner in North Carolina in the 1800's. He was also a scientist, inventor, botanist, cryptologist and numerologist. In 1880 he established the Carlton Museum and when he died in 1888, the balance of his estate went to the museum. Including all his correspondence, maps, notes and a collection of journals filled with his observations and experiments. Definitely a character an author like Dan Brown can have a field day with. But let's give the young adults and cozy mystery readers a chance to go on a treasure hunt as well and get back to the story at hand.
So how does a 175 carat diamond get stolen from a private museum? The Carlton was playing host to a diamond and ruby exhibit called Fire & Ice. The Star attraction was a flawless pear-shaped diamond called The Star of Midnight, one of the world's largest diamonds worth and estimated fifty million dollars. Not to spoil your fun, but that's not the most valuable treasure the museum is hosting.
When the precious jewels were moved to the Carlton Museum and Mauzzy started acting strangely (it's a dachshund, when do they not act strangely) around the vault, Sara is convinced something sinister happened in the vault and the Star Attraction might very well not be shining in it's originality. When she discovers something else is amiss from the Carlton, Sara sets in motion a catawampus of events.
Fire & Ice was a delightful book to read with a quirky lead character and a complimentary cast of sub characters. With no inappropriate content and a swear jar close at hand, we will easily recommend this book for Middle Grade readers and up.
We haven't read the first book in the series, but we strongly suspect that it would have helped to read this series in chronological order. Especially regarding the characters and exactly how they all fit into Sara and Mauzzy's lives and the relevance of a few of them. Like Mrs. Majelski. What's up with that old lady? I'm sure she has a cat, she seems like the type.
Thank you to Netgalley and BookBuzz.net for our review copy of this delightful book. Mauzzy, nothing personal. I am a cat after all and let's be honest, you won't like me much either.
This review was first published @ Elza Reads
August 23, 2022
The second book of this series that the world has been eagerly waiting for. Sara returns to her glorious side career as a mystery solver. She is now in the summer between years at Bama and she hasn't lost her style.
In the first book, this reader was taken aback by the ditzy nature of Sara as a student. She wears this distinction well as a person with a summer job at a museum. A person who just adores dogs will love Mauzzy and how this story works around a dog. Much of the humor is about the living style of Mauzzy.
The mystery is a real page-turner here. There is a great amount of suspense and intrigue to keep the reader on edge. The mystery of just who Mrs. Majelski is will continue to haunt the curious reader until another book is written.
Fans of cozy mystery with a side of dogs will love this book. Fans of lighthearted mystery with a little edge will love this book. Readers of the first book will love this book. Those who have read this book will want to read the next installment.
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in the hopes I'd review it. My thoughts are all my own.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mr. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
In the first book, this reader was taken aback by the ditzy nature of Sara as a student. She wears this distinction well as a person with a summer job at a museum. A person who just adores dogs will love Mauzzy and how this story works around a dog. Much of the humor is about the living style of Mauzzy.
The mystery is a real page-turner here. There is a great amount of suspense and intrigue to keep the reader on edge. The mystery of just who Mrs. Majelski is will continue to haunt the curious reader until another book is written.
Fans of cozy mystery with a side of dogs will love this book. Fans of lighthearted mystery with a little edge will love this book. Readers of the first book will love this book. Those who have read this book will want to read the next installment.
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in the hopes I'd review it. My thoughts are all my own.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mr. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
April 29, 2023
‘Fire and Ice’ is the second book of the Mauzzy and Me Mystery season. The story begins with Sara Donovan, who suspects that one of the rare gems held in the vault at the Carlton Museum has been replaced with a fake. As Sara begins to search and investigate this, other matters change the path of her understanding. The book is perfect for young adult minds and readers. The connection between Sara and Danielle, her intern colleague, was great. They both added so much to the mixture of the tale.
This is a well-written and scripted story. The author has found his niche. I recommend this book to mystery readers and those who like books in a series.
This is a well-written and scripted story. The author has found his niche. I recommend this book to mystery readers and those who like books in a series.
September 2, 2022
I was swept up in this story from the very first page...I love the main character, Sara, and the way she weaved into her college life while balancing mystery and sleuthing. But honestly, Mauzzy steals the show in many instances.
The intrigue and crime-solving were done along with friends as many new characters were introduced, always leaving the reader with suspicions. The end wrapped up this particular puzzle, but led me to the next crime to solve.
This author tells a story that is believable and entertaining and I solidly recommend this book!
The intrigue and crime-solving were done along with friends as many new characters were introduced, always leaving the reader with suspicions. The end wrapped up this particular puzzle, but led me to the next crime to solve.
This author tells a story that is believable and entertaining and I solidly recommend this book!
September 4, 2022
Really enjoyed this book - even more than book 1 in the series - Against my better judgement! This one jumped right in and easily held my interest. Great book for the beach. It is a light, funny read but the mystery is compelling enough to keep you guessing. Love the extra touches like including websites to dig deeper into history of DC underground tunnels on my own.
November 22, 2022
I really loved this book, several twists and turns.....trying to figure out how it was done.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews