Buried Secrets

By S.F. Baumgartner

Publisher: FB Publishing (June 27, 2023)

Genre: Fiction – Suspense/Thriller Novella

Pages: 102

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A shadowy past. A criminal mastermind. Forbidden love. All join forces to create a lightning-quick plot in S.F. Baumgartner’s gripping suspense thriller novella, Buried Secrets.

A Doozy

A recent college graduate, Dylan Roche just lost his mother and is struggling to keep his head above water financially. He soon finds out that his deceased mother, Margaret, had a secret. And it’s a doozy.

The Plot Thickens

The plot thickens when Dylan flies to Florida to meet his newly discovered grandmother. It seems his mother grew up in a wealthy family but fled from it many years ago. Why? Also, Dylan feels like he’s being watched. But by whom? And why? And what exactly is “M&M Enterprises”? What does it have to do with Dylan? What about a mysterious key? Will it reveal secrets at Dylan’s grandparent’s estate?

Questions swirl and danger dogs Dylan’s steps as he finds himself neck-deep in a murky past swirling with family secrets, forbidden love, and murder.

Twists and Turns

With more plot twists than the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Great America, Buried Secrets digs up a treasure of a story powered by expert writing, an agile storyline, and truckloads of suspense. Clues are dropped here and there as the author leaves a trail of literary bread crumbs for readers to follow and get some answers. I was pulled in from chapter one.

The plot weaves in and out of several different time frames and points of view. This might result in a tangled web of confusion in the hands of a lesser talent. But Baumgartner pulls it off, page after absorbing page. She keeps readers on the edge of their seats, ready for more.

Pitch-Perfect

The writing style is brisk and the pacing is pitch-perfect. The way the author ties the loose ends together as the story winds down is masterful. Tip: Knowing a priest who’s an ex-Navy SEAL can come in real handy. Other Tip: Don’t start Buried Secrets late at night. If you do, it will have you turning pages into the hours! I couldn’t put it down!

Scene stealer: Dylan’s friend, Tommy.

Buried Secrets is Book Two in the Mirror Estates series. Will the sequel be Doozy 2.0? Time and treasure will tell.

Our Rating: 3.5