I play on a laptop via an android emulator. In the past I've always had up to x10 multiplier in the Secrets events, but this time it's only up to x8. That's not very fair if they are allowing different multipliers depending on the device, and particularly as they've increased the number of levels too. Unfortunately neither my phone nor my tablet can handle JJ, so I can't check what a mobile device would be like. I'm going to contact support to ask as this isn't very fair.

Ms Tearius - I have to apologise, I was wrong regarding the bonus bar. You do not get a higher multiplier in the bonus if you click on objects early, the multiplier increases with each object you click on so long as you click an object before the bonus bar disappears.
Today I decided to try what you suggeseted, i.e. go slower early on while the bonus bar is slow, clicking on an object just before the bonus bar expires... and I have to say I found it easier becasue I wasn't in such a rush. And when the bar speeds up I just clicked as quick as I could, but it didn't seem as strenuous because there were only half a dozen or so items I had to do at speed. So, thank you for the tip :)

I have to say, as there is no Club Mysteries comp running at the moment, I'm doubting myself if the bonus bar actually has a multiplier or not. If I'm wrong I apologise. However, regardless whether there is a multiplier or not, you stil get more points the faster you find each object, and so potentially need less badges to finish the sector.

I have found that for Club Mysteries the bonus bar will always speed up as you find objects regardless of how fast you find them. For example, let's say you have 10 items to find - the bonus bar will be slow for the first 2 or 3 objects, then speeds up as you find more objects. As you say, it is important to keep that bonus bar, but it is also helpful to objects as quickly as possible, and click on the middle of them, to gain maximum points as this can get you an extra percentile, and possibly save you some badges at the end. And don't forget, the bonus bar goes from x5 to x2 (or maybe even down to x1, not sure), so the faster you find an object the more points you will get.
Ashley - for 1-step sectors and the 1st step in multiple step sectors, I get 11% on the first go, then 12% on each of the next 5 go's (taking the progress to 71%), at which point it introduces new objects, and if you can find them all without losing the bonus bar you will get 15% (or possibly 16%) for each one, allowing you to complete the step in 8 go's. If you are quick on the middle 5 go's you could possibly get 13% for one of them. On a 2nd step of a 2- or 3-step sector you are aiming for 8% progress per go, sometimes 9% if you are quick enough, but you will almost certainly get a few 5%, 6% and 7% go's, just try to keep those to a minimum. I can pretty much always (unless it costs 15 badges per go) complete 2-step sectors within the 300+ (maximum) badges you accumulate. If you do run out of badges for a 2-step sector you usually still have enough time left to go accumulate a few more badges to finish it off before the time runs out. Work out how many more you need and only get that amount so as not to waste time. For 3-step sectors you will always need to spend diamonds to complete the 3rd sector, so consider whether it is worth doing the 3-step sectors. Finally, if you don't have enough active members to get the 2nd clue, consider if it is really worth spending diamonds to complete sectors.
I am a member of Aussie Pride. I'm not Australian, and neither are many others. We always get the 2nd clue, but the 3rd one is out of reach for us. If you are an active member and would like to join a more active team I'm sure you would be most welcome.