About the Book
Book: Shadowed Secret (Mirror Estate Series Book 5)
Author: S.F. Baumgartner
Genre: Christian Suspense Thriller
Release date: May 13, 2025
In a world of secrets and shadows, a priest, two accountants, and an elite task force must protect what’s hidden or risk it all.
Fr. Phil, a former Navy SEAL turned priest, finds his quiet life at Mirror Estate shattered when a priest from the Vatican pays him a visit. Asked to retrieve a secret book before it’s auctioned on the dark web, Fr. Phil must face lethal adversaries and race against time, knowing his life is on the line.
Tommy Rivers’s date with Mia Granger turns deadly when they’re attacked upon discovering a colleague murdered at the office. Assuming they have the book, ruthless operatives have Tommy and Mia in their sights.
With the exposure of the secret book threatening the lives of countless operatives, Fr. Phil, Tommy, Mia, and an elite FBI task force must prevent a catastrophic intelligence leak before time runs out.
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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.
More from S.F.
Unraveling Secrets: The Journey of Writing This Book
Some books come together effortlessly. Others take their time, demanding patience, persistence, and more rewrites than I care to admit. This latest installment falls firmly into the latter category. The story simply didn’t gel the first couple of times I attempted to write it. I knew where it needed to go, but the journey to get there felt off. Characters resisted the paths I initially set for them, subplots unraveled at the seams, and the pacing never quite clicked the way I wanted it to.
It took several drafts and a fair amount of frustration before things finally started falling into place. Looking back, I realize that part of the struggle was that this book needed to do more than just continue the story—it had to weave together past threads while setting the stage for what’s to come. That’s a delicate balance, and it wasn’t something I could rush.
Why I Wrote This Book
The simplest answer? It’s the next chapter in the story. After everything that has happened in previous installments, there were lingering questions that needed answers, loose ends that needed to be tied up—or, in some cases, unraveled even further.
This story is about Fr. Phil. He’s no longer just the priest of Mirror Estate’s chapel; he’s once again being pulled into the shadows of his past. Old alliances resurface, and new threats emerge. At the same time, Olivia and Simon’s upcoming wedding adds a deeply personal layer to the story. In many ways, this book is about past decisions catching up with the present—whether in matters of faith, espionage, or personal relationships.
And then there’s the Ghost. Marge Beaumont remains as enigmatic as ever, and while she’s playing by the rules—for now—it’s clear she’s still ten steps ahead of everyone. The question isn’t just whether she can be trusted, but whether anyone can truly outmaneuver her.
The Challenge of Getting It Right
What made this book particularly challenging was the complexity of the narrative threads. There’s a missing book that may or may not contain dangerous secrets. There’s an auction on the dark web that threatens national security. There’s a decades-old mystery involving hidden treasure. And, of course, there’s the ever-present undercurrent of trust and betrayal—who’s telling the truth, who’s working an angle, and who’s about to make their next move?
Balancing these elements while keeping the pacing tight and the stakes high took longer than expected. Some subplots had to be reworked entirely, others had to be trimmed down, and a few surprises emerged that even I didn’t see coming in the early drafts.
What’s Next?
Now that this book is finally complete, I can say with confidence that the struggle was worth it. The twists, the revelations, and the character moments that emerged from this process have made it stronger than I initially imagined.
For readers who have been following this series, I hope you enjoy the ride. Expect high stakes, hidden agendas, and a few moments that might just leave you breathless. And as always, thank you for sticking with me on this journey—because the story is far from over.
My Impressions
“It was about discernment. About seeing beneath surfaces. About understanding that even the holiest façades could conceal the darkest intentions.”
Just how often can you come in on a thrilling psychological series in the middle or end, yet not feel totally befuddled? Kudos to author S.F. Baumgartner, author of Shadowed Secret, Book 5 of Mirror Estate Series!! I was fit to be tied when I discovered I was reading a new-to-me author, a psychological mystery that definitely builds book to book, and I was coming in fresh on book 5 , a 500 page book at that. Plus, the list of characters is enough to make your head spin!!
But Baumgartner is a writing wizard!! She starts out Shadowed Secret with a recap of each of the previous books! Not only that, but the books are a tangle of relationship connections- and at the FRONT of the book are several pages of relationship maps. Often, if there is such a thing, it is relegated to the back, and what help is that then?! Plus, a map of the estate. Now, I’m only left with two objections to reading the book: a massive 500 pages and how on earth am I going to keep so many different people’s story threads clear in my head?!
Again, Baumgartner has done her due diligence in editing her book, pulling making sure all threads tie together. And she does so in such a thrilling, compelling way, I couldn’t put the book down until 1:30 am. Because of clear, concise wording, and short sentences and chapters, one can speed through the book. And you will be so anxious to follow the thrills and chills you will need to!
As I mentioned, I put down the book at 1:30 am. I thought I left my new friends, Dylan, Lily, Olivia, Fr.Phil, and others in a relatively safe place after progressing through more incredible twists than I thought possible. WRONG! I’m left wondering if this is truly the final book!! I will be picking up the books I missed ASAP and already picked up the first of the spin-off series, Mirror Estate Psychological Thrillers!
I am blown away by this book! If you like psychological thrillers. S.F. Baumgartner is a master!
I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I also pre-ordered my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
(Please note: these are not all life- inspiring!!)
“It’s not about faith. It’s about power, and power comes with wealth.”
“You know what will help?” “What?” “Pray. Let’s pray. You can just say what you want from the heart. Don’t worry about any prayers.”
“Don’t assume you’re safe just because you don’t see the threat.”
“Remember it’s not the medal itself, but the power comes from God.”
My Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Superior- My version of six stars!!
Blog Stops
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 10
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 11
Stories By Gina, May 12 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 12
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 13
Texas Book-aholic, May 14
Simple Harvest Reads, May 15 (Author Interview)
Betti Mace, May 16
Artistic Nobody, May 17 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, May 18
Blogging With Carol, May 19
Guild Master, May 20 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, May 20
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 21
For Him and My Family, May 22
Fiction Book Lover, May 23 (Author Interview)
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, S.F. is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and an eBook copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions 