Young Adult Cozy Mystery
Date Published: 6/23/25
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
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?
Interview
Is There a Message in Your Novel That You Want Readers to Grasp?
Believe in yourself and your convictions and never give up. It’s okay to be different.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Finding the premise and laying out the story. I am a hardcore plotter, which I believe is key to writing a mystery, so I invest a lot of time in research and plotting before I ever begin to write the story. I envision 80% of the chapters and sketch them out, which at times can tax the brain a bit. However, with all this upfront work completed, it really helps me once I start writing because I know where I am going and every day I can dive into the writing because I don’t need to figure out what’s next.
How many books have you written and which is your favorite?
I have written three books that are published, and I have two unpublished manuscripts. Asking me which is my favorite is like asking a parent who is his or her favorite child. I am proudest of my first book, Against My Better Judgment, because of the effort, unfailing determination, and self-belief it took by me to get it published. In the publishing world, rejection is the word of the day. Every day. Only 1-2% of manuscripts get published. So, getting Against My Better Judgment was a career milestone for me. I love Fire and Ice because of the amount of research it took to get the intricate plot just right so everything fell in place. And I love my latest book, Lucky Secrets, because it is my most ambitious plot yet, a multi-layered mystery where there is much more than meets the eye. As Kirkus Reviews noted in their review: “An enjoyable, complexly plotted series installment that promises more mysteries and thrills to come.” Kirkus also wrote: “Our Verdict. Get it.”
If You had the chance to cast your main character from Hollywood today, who would you pick and why?
This is an easy one—Jennifer Lawrence. Sara has a lot of Jennifer Lawrence in her, or vice versa. In addition to sharing similar physical traits (pure coincidence), they both have a natural sense of humor, “occasionally” are clumsy, and have an honesty with and about themselves. A few years ago, after my second book was released (Fire and Ice), I found online a 10-minute compilation of clips of Jennifer on various talk shows, etc. After watching it, I was shocked how much Jennifer and Sara have in common!
When did you begin writing?
In 2013. There is a funny story about how I started writing on my blog called “The Origin Story” that goes over how Against My Better Judgment came to be.
How long did it take to complete your first book?
A long time. I started writing the book in 2013, and received a publishing contract in 2019. During that timeframe, the story had two restarts, one title change, and several major developmental editing rewrites (7+ new chapters written, 5-6 chapters deleted, 30K+ words cut). But after many submissions to publishers and “revise and resubmit” requests from publishers, one day in December 2019, The Wild Rose Press offered me a contract, and nine months later, Against My Better Judgment was published. Getting this book published epitomizes one of my favorite words—perseverance.
Did you have an author who inspired you to become a writer?
No, my fifth-grade teacher, Mrs. S, was the first person to tell me I could be an author after she read a 10-page story of mine.
What is your favorite part of the writing process?
The research. There are so many fascinating stories, bits of history, shocking coincidences, and more. I learn so much about the world and our past when I’m researching.
Describe your latest book in 4 words.
Knives Out meets Clue.
Can you share a little bit about your current work or what is in the future for your writing?
I have several projects in various stages of development. One is a YA mystery for boys after an agent expressed an interest in me giving it a shot. I also have the next Sara book fully plotted and ready to write – I just need to decide how I want to go about it (yes, I understand, this is intentionally vague – sly wink). I am also in the early stages of fleshing out a spinoff with Mrs. Majelski. She is in all three books of the Mauzzy and Me Mystery Series and is a huge favorite of my readers, my editors, and myself. The enigmatic old lady is such a blast to write into my stories, so why not write a story with her as the main character??
About the Author
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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