Buried Secrets

Mirror Estate #1

by S.F. Baumgartner

A hidden past. A deadly inheritance. A faith that must stand the test.

Dylan Roche has always lived a quiet life, far from the family his mother never spoke of. But when a lawyer shows up with a message from a wealthy grandmother he’s never met, Dylan is drawn into a world of privilege, secrets, and danger.

What begins as a chance to learn about his past quickly becomes something darker. Someone is watching. Following. And the more he searches for answers, the more perilous his position becomes.

To survive, Dylan must make an impossible walk away and return to the life he knew—or claim the legacy his mother wanted for him, even if it puts his life on the line. Because someone is willing to kill to steal what should have been his all along.

If you like James Patterson’s pulse-pounding thrillers, Terri Blackstock’s faith-filled suspense, and Lynette Eason’s action-packed danger, you’ll devour this Christian suspense with psychological tension.

Follow Dylan on his journey to his ancestral home, starting with Buried Secrets.

Genres: Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Fiction, Thriller

192 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 15, 2025

About the author

S.F. Baumgartner crafts fast-paced Christian suspense thrillers, weaving tales of complex characters, secretive operatives, and relentless agents. Her gripping storytelling has earned acclaim, with Living Secrets—Book 1 of her Mirror Estate series—named a Top Pick in the thriller category at Killer Nashville, 2024. When she’s not plotting her next twist, she’s binge-watching crime TV shows, like NCIS or playing with her cats. Fans of James Patterson's style, especially those who appreciate short, punchy chapters, will find much to love in her work.

Reviews

[Ruben · Rating 3 out of 5]

All in all, I believe this is a nice short thriller story, which focuses mainly on Dylan Roche, the heir to the Marino's empire.

How come he never knew about his rich family before? It seems his recently deceased mother kept him in the dark about many things, but why? What could have been her reasons behind her unwillingness to let her only child know about her roots. Now he knows he's got a very wealthy grandmother and it seems his only chance of finding out is by accepting her invitation to visit her in Florida, although he might be facing certain dangers if he wants to unveil the truth.

Being this the prequel to what's yet to come I feel it fulfilled its purpose of hooking us up so as to be willing to read the next instalment in the series, hopefully there'll be more background on the characters and the connection between their past and present lives.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Chautona Havig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm intrigued. This series prequel has convinced me to dive into book one now that I have a taste of what's coming.
Frankly, some things shouldn't work. We have things that should be kind of overdone used in new, fresh ways, and that took what I shouldn't have enjoyed into something I really did.
Additionally, the audio narration worked well. I look forward to continuing.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buried Secrets is A Psychological Suspense Thriller by S F Baumgartner. I thought that this was an excellent thriller. Dylan has lost his mother and it appears that he found a family he did not know about. I thought the characters were well written and perfect for the story. I felt that the author wove a story that had twists and turns with unexpected moments sprinkled here and there. I was not ready for the book to end and I hope we get another book. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Ashley Chmielewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fast-paced, quick read had me hooked from the beginning! Loved the moody and mysterious atmosphere throughout the book. A long lost family with criminal ties, nobody seems to be who they say they are and investigators searching for the truth. The ending left me questioning people and wishing there was a part two!

[April Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a well written prequel novella. It definitely did it's job of getting me invested in the characters and curious as to where the story will go. I liked the way the suspense around Dylan's biological family was built up and I was definitely questioning who knew what and how he was going to find out the truth. I'm looking forward to reading more about these characters in future books.

[Beth Roger aka Katiebella_Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not really sure what to say....

This is a mafia/crime/thriller book. A short read, only around 100 pgs. For the most part, it follows Dylan our POV MMC. Dylan mother just died, and he finds out the grandmother he thought was dead is looking for him.

Dylan's family is mafia rich and want him to join the family business now that they have gone legitimate and gotten out of crime.

Someone wants him to leave. Someone is trying to get him to go home and forget his rich relatives.

I found this book somewhat disjointed and hard to follow. It jumps between timelines and points of view at a rapid fire pace. There seems to be way too many cliches. ( The priest who saved his parents, the lawyer who knows everything but isn't what he seems, the butler whose whole family works for Mrs. Carol, not to mention a secret twin.) The ending didn't even feel finished. Apparently, it's part of a series that I won't be reading.

It's not a horrible story, but not one I want to continue. The author obviously can write but isn't quite there yet. The book was a little amateurish and obvious for my taste.

I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Originally published as "The Secret".
A destitute young man. Wanted dead by a criminal mastermind. Will he prove to be the downfall of the psychopath?
Dylan Roche is shocked. A destitute young man. Wanted dead by a criminal mastermind. Will he prove to be the downfall of the psychopath?
Dylan Roche is shocked. The twenty-five-year-old management trainee is astonished by the visit of an attorney. After years of blissful ignorance of his heritage, he is leery of the invitation to visit his wealthy maternal grandmother.
Wishing his mother was alive to advise him, Dylan sets off to investigate the family’s history, despite his feeling of foreboding. But with the sinister maniac creeping at each turn, he fears his mother’s faith in him was grossly misplaced.
Will Dylan find the secret hidden by his mother and survive the attack by the lunatic?"

Great book, lots of twists and turns, fast paced, you're not going to want to put this book down, new author to me, would love to read more from them.
Thanks to books go social, netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read and leave an honest review.
Published June 27th, 2023

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today, I had the pleasure of reading Buried Secrets, by S.F. Baumgartner. I didn’t know what to expect as this is listed under Christian Thriller, and depending upon how the author addresses the religious aspects of the book, it might be more awkward than enjoyable. However, I found the book to be wonderful! It drew me in, and kept me wanting more. The story constantly unfolded, with little tidbits that made me wonder what could possibly be coming next? Near the end, so much new information was coming at once that I did find I needed to re-read some sections. This I did not mind.

On another note, the editor is excellent as I never had any awkward moments where I was pulled out of the story because of a typo.

I received an advance review copy of Buried Secrets for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Paulina Bellantonio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but so good - absolutely enthralling!
I literally read this in the middle of the night when I couldn’t sleep! Stayed up till morning to finish! Then found an extended epilogue and some other bonus content on the author’s website! I cannot wait till the full length books come out!
I loved Dylan! He’s such a great character and I am looking forward to seeing what becomes of him in this series. I love how the characters are multi-faceted and you don’t really know where everyone’s allegiance lie. I’m looking forward to figuring all that out in this series!

[Devons book corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short, easy to read thriller was fun and fast paced. I grabbed it as an in between kind of read, and ended up really enjoying it. This book gave me dark and moody vibes, and all I can think about is how perfect this book would be on a cold, dark and gloomy October day, curled up next to a fireplace and enjoying. I was invested in the story and the characters, and I can't wait till the full length novels come out. This prequel novella was great.

[Rudrashree Makwana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is compelling and mysterious. The characters are interesting and secretive. After the death of Maggie, his mother, Dylan Roche gets to know about his grandmother and Mirror estates but Marino family seems to be harbouring sinister secrets. He has a lot of questions in his mind and he is curious to know why his mom concealed truth from him? As he get to the bottom of the mystery, some sinister secrets comes in full view putting his own life at stake. He finds himself tangled in twisted family secrets, buried truth, threats and dangers.

•Fast Paced
•Short Chapters
•Wealth and Power
•Twisted Family secrets
•Threats and Dangers

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buried Secrets is Book 1 in the Mirror Estate by S F Baumgartner. I thought that this book and the series was an excellent Christian thriller. Dylan is a wonderful main character. In Buried Secrets, Dylan discovers a family he knew nothing. But, this new family has dark secrets and someone wants Dylan dead. This author writes books that I can't put down. She writes surprises, twist and turns and she has a way of perfectly ending the book while leaving me anxious for the next book. If you enjoy thrillers that are truly exciting… Buried Secrets should be on your TBR list. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Bette Reith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a prequel to a fantastic series. Written first in a shorter form, this new expanded version more clearly shows Dylan's life before finding out he is an heir to an enormous estate, from a grandmother he never knew existed. An interesting tale of giving up everything you know about your life and entering a different world of money and intrigue. I love this series and highly recommend that you read this book first. Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC of this book

[bookishfrag · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. It was fast paced and a quick read but it was also action packed. In a short story, the author had put so much. I loved all the twists and unexpected reveals. The mystery was on point. I had guessed some part but overall AMAZING! It was absolutely mind blowing. I'm definitely looking forward to the other books of the series. It's needless to say, I'm invested!

I have so many questions. I know they'll be answered in the subsequent books but gosh this one will stay on my mind.

-bookishfrag

[Jodi Langan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing read! It was fun and fast paced! I loved the mystery/thriller vibe to it. It kept the story entertaining from start to finish. I was hooked from the very beginning!

I also loved that the author was able to fit so much into a short story. I would love to check out more in this series! Highly recommend checking out this book!

[Jennifer Snider · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice mystery thriller which kept me interested the entire time. Plenty of intrigue and crime to set the pace for upcoming books.
I look forward to seeing how Dylan adapts to his newly acquired family and new position in the Family Business.

Happy Reading 📚

[Danielle Heptinstall · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I was given an ARC for this book*
This book will keep your head & pages turning! We go from a young man wanting to learn about his family, into something unimaginable! There are so many twists, I have whiplash! I cannot wait to read more about Dylan & his wild family situation!

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buried Secrets, by S.F. Baumgarten, is a fantastic and suspenseful novella. Easily read in one sitting, this little book grabs and holds the reader’s attention from the beginning to end.
Main character, Dylan Roache’s life changes in a matter of minutes after meeting with his very wealthy maternal grandmother’s attorney. Whisked away on a private jet to meet her, Dylan is skeptical and carries a feeling of foreboding. Yet, he is curious about this family his mother had shunned.
After arriving at an astonishing estate, strange things begin to happen to Dylan. He questions if these occurrences are real or if it’s just his overactive imagination.
As this intriguing story continues to unfold, so do the long- held family secrets and lies. The suspense level of this novella starts in the beginning and continues to rise and before long an abrupt ending is revealing Dylan’s long- awaited questions.
Buried Secrets is an enjoyable quick read, that while brief, it completely fascinates the reader! Thank you to BookSirens for the ARC as I am leaving an honest and voluntary review. I rate this novella a 4 out of 5 rating.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a ARC free from Book Sirens and this is my voluntary honest review.
Suspenseful!
A fast pace quick read.
Draws you in.
Interesting characters.
Great plot

[Agnes Varona Oquendo, Author · Rating 5 out of 5]

While grieving the death of his only family member and mother, Dylan Roche is now left with the undaunting tasks of adult bills, rent and much uncertainty. At twenty five, he is all alone, or so he thought.
He is unexpectedly paid a visit from attorney Charles Townsend, a known figure from his mother's past. Now Dylan can only question what he has believed in his whole life. Who was his mother? Who is he? He must find the answers to his questions in Buried Secrets by author S. F. Baumgartner.
This thrilling and suspenseful page Turner will certainly keep you at the edge of your seat. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this rollercoaster of a ride.

[Brianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

suspenseful and a definite page turner with complex characters. I’d say anyone looking for a page-turning thriller and this one’s right up your alley!

[Sharon Valler: Live Love Read Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super quick read which still manages to pack in some great twists.

After his mum dies, Dylan discovers that her estranged family are very wealthy and his grandmother wants to see him. He is sceptical, but curious enough to want to know more and soon discovers deceit and lies in abundance!

I’m pleased to see that this is a prequel to the series as there are some great characters here that I look forward to seeing further developed.

4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how mysterious, shrouds of mystery and hidden secrets stayed throughout this psychological thriller. A quick read where a boy finds out the secret dirty past family ties to underworld. I couldn’t put down! *I was given an advanced reader copy via BookSirens and am voluntarily giving my honest review.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great short story!
This had enough thrill and mystery to draw me in even though it was a short novella. It pulled me into Dylan’s story and what he would do! I feel like there was still so much mystery at the end!

[Taryn Schilling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great prequel! Dylan comes into information he never knew about his mother's family after her death. This definitely keeps your interest and has you looking forward to the rest of the series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Aisha Ahman · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review 💌

Title: Buried Secrets
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Rating: 4⭐
Release date: 15th September

When I picked up Buried Secrets, I was expecting a quick suspense read, but what I got was a layered story filled with dark family drama, secrets, and an atmosphere that kept me hooked until the last page.

The novella follows Dylan Roche, who is invited to his grandmother’s estate after his mother’s death. What seems like a chance to reconnect with family quickly unravels into something darker, hidden histories, dangerous enemies, and truths about his identity that he wasn’t prepared for. I really loved how the author built this sense of unease around the estate. The mansion itself almost felt like a character, grand, haunting, and full of secrets.

One of the strongest parts of the book for me was the pacing. The chapters are short, sharp, and to the point no dragging, just constant movement. It’s the kind of read you can finish in one sitting because the suspense keeps pushing you forward.

For me, the strength of this book lies in how it blends psychological suspense with real emotional stakes. It’s not just about uncovering who’s lying or what’s hidden, it’s about what those revelations do to Dylan, how they reshape his understanding of family, and how far someone will go to protect or destroy that bond.

If you love suspense with gothic vibes, if family drama mixed with danger excites you, or if you just want a fast-paced read that grips you from start to finish, I highly recommend Buried Secrets. It’s eerie, emotional, and exactly the kind of story that reminds you secrets always come with a cost.

Thank you so much @bookwormspr for an ARC copy!

[Charli G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up Buried Secrets a while ago while perusing the Edelweiss+ gallery of books that could be freely downloaded, but didn’t get around to reading it right away. Now I kind of wish I had.

For one, it is a clean thriller. No foul language, no sex, nothing that would make your grandmother cringe. The author even states it is meant to be a clean book. Which is a nice change of pace from the overly sexualized, over-filled with cuss words thrillers I often read. Not that I’m opposed to a little bit of sex or some swear words. I’m not. I just would prefer that the books have less rather than more of those things.

Buried Secrets is the revised edition of The Secret, the prequel novella to the Mirror Estate series. I’d not read The Secret, so I went into this book blind. But that didn’t stop me from enjoying it thoroughly.

For two, I like Dylan. He’s grieving the loss of his mother, a period I remember all too well. He’s also a loyal friend, something you’ll understand when you read the book. But suffice it to say, he doesn’t forget where he came from. Or who was there for him when his life turned upside down.

In all honesty, the Marino family secrets were good ones. While one of them didn’t totally surprise me, another one did. As did a few other surprises that were in store for readers. And this was the prequel novella! This isn’t even one of the full novels.

I gave this a solid four star rating and I look forward to obtaining and reading the rest of the Mirror Estate series. Do yourself a huge favor and check out Buried Secrets when you get the chance. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enter the world of Dylan, whose life has been turned upside down with the loss of his mother. Things quickly turn strange for Dylan as he unexpectedly learns about his roots, and falls deep into a world of questions and confusion, his mother's past winding through stories almost too crazy to believe, landing him in a most unexpected place as he faces down his own fate.

Buried Secret's is S.F. Baumgartner's new release. A clean, Christian tale of mystery and suspense keeps readers glued to the pages of this novella and leaves them wanting more. Short enough to enjoy from cover to cover in a day, but deep enough to keep readers questioning and wanting more. A prequel to the Mirror Estates series, readers will be thrilled to have the opportunity to dive deeper with more books to come in the series. Content is safe for younger readers while engaging enough for adults.

I enjoyed this read. It was quick and easy, yet complex enough to hold my attention. I found myself wishing it was a longer story, more developed so that the tale would last longer. It has piqued my interest into the coming stories that will continue to develop the story. Yet, this book stands alone quite well, wrapped up enough for resolution while still leaving a trail of interest to pick up in the next book. I would feel very comfortable allowing my teen daughter to read this story and look forward to picking up the next pieces of the tale as they are released.

Disclaimer: I was provided a copy for free in exchange for my honest review.

[M. Shays]

Imagine you're a low-level management trainee struggling to get by & out of nowhere an attorney shows up telling you that you're actually being invited to the private estate of one of the world's wealthiest families & your recently deceased mother never told you anything about her family. That's what happens to Dylan in this story.

He's forced to navigate his mixed emotions of getting wrapped up in the luxury & excitement of the highlife while also balancing that with the fear that something much more sinister is behind his long-lost family finally arriving to lore him back to the family empire.

I really enjoyed stepping into this story & this world. It's a shorter novella with great mystery & suspense. It's clearly used as just a single puzzle piece in a much bigger global scale secret world of spies & lies. It's hard to rate the story overall since it's clearly used as a small entry point into a much bigger world. I felt that in many ways the story is presented at a face value level, not fully digging into all the details & characters which leaves you wanting to know more. I assume since there's numerous stories in the series that with each book more details will be shown, so I can't wait to read more to see how they series develops.

[Eva Edge · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Buried Secrets" by S.F. Baumgartner is a suspenseful page-turner that combines elements of a mafia thriller, exploring themes of family secrets, money, and revenge. I flew through this book in just a couple of hours; it was easy to follow, with interesting characters and a compelling setting.

The narrative primarily unfolds in the present, interspersed with flashback chapters that provide deeper insight into the events as they unfold. The story is rich with long-lost relatives, family secrets, a lot of money, a mysterious character called “Ghost”, a mix of mafia/criminal and legitimate hotel businesses, murders, a sprawling estate with secret passageways, a church setting, and more.

After the death of Dylan's mother, he is informed about a part of his family from his mother's side that he never knew existed. This revelation unleashes a wave of long-hidden secrets, including a concealed fortune and his unexpected role as the heir to their influence. However, his relatives seem quite suspicious, and soon, Dylan's life is in jeopardy. The atmosphere is undeniably mafia-like, featuring gunfire and intense action.
As the story wraps up, there is a hint of FBI involvement, setting the stage for what appears to be an intriguing series ahead.