About the Book

Book: Forgotten Secret: A Psychological Suspense Thriller

Author: S.F. Baumgartner

Genre: Christian Suspense, Thriller

Release date: January 8, 2024

For two decades, forty-four-year-old magazine writer Clara Khoury has lived with missing pieces of herself—her memory. When the recent discovery of a young woman’s remains triggers her, she’s compelled to investigate. Now, her disturbing past threatens her contented present, someone frames her husband, and their daughter is abducted. If she can’t uncover the truth, she might lose everyone she loves.

Locked within Clara’s shattered mind are the keys to crimes past and present. Can she recover the forgotten secret before losing her family?

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About the Author

S.F. Baumgartner is a Christian suspense thriller author. She graduated from the University of Hawaii and the University of Cincinnati. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her cats, staying active, and binge-watching crime TV shows. She lives in Ohio with her family

More from S.F.

Why I Wrote “Forgotten Secret”: The Continuation of a Thrilling Journey

Writing a sequel can be a daunting task, especially after a book like “Living Secrets” leaves readers hanging on the edge of their seats. But when your mind is brimming with ideas and the story just won’t let you go, you have to give in and write the next chapter. That’s precisely what happened with “Forgotten Secret,” the second book in the Mirror Estate series.

After penning “Buried Secrets” and “Living Secrets,” I found myself immersed in a world of untold stories and unresolved mysteries. “Living Secrets” ended with what some called a cliffhanger – a term I might softly contest – but undoubtedly, it set the stage for a compelling follow-up. I knew I had to deliver on that tease, and the journey to “Forgotten Secret” began.

The seed for this story was planted in a bonus scene of the prequel, hinting at a character’s disappearance. I had a rough outline: a disappearance, an aunt’s involvement, and a human trafficking angle. However, the real story was still elusive, waiting for that spark of inspiration to ignite it.

And then, as fate would have it, I stumbled upon something about amnesia. Suddenly, the plot began to take shape, transforming these disjointed ideas into a coherent, thrilling narrative. This serendipitous moment was a reminder of how stories can evolve from the most unexpected sources.

Writing “Forgotten Secret” was an adventure in itself. Scenarios would pop into my mind unbidden, each vying for a place in the story. Some made the cut, while others were set aside, perhaps to be revisited in future works. The suspense thriller genre doesn’t traditionally lend itself to “fun” in the conventional sense – it’s all about tension, suspense, and that edge-of-your-seat feeling. But that’s exactly the kind of excitement I wanted to capture in this book.

I’ve always been intrigued by the unpredictability of the thriller genre. As an author, you’re constantly walking a tightrope between revealing too much and not enough, all while maintaining that relentless pace that keeps readers turning pages. It’s a challenge, but one that I find incredibly rewarding.

In “Forgotten Secret,” I’ve tried to create a roller-coaster of emotions and plot twists. I want readers to experience that heady mix of anticipation, shock, and satisfaction as they journey through the book. My hope is that they find themselves fully immersed in the story, living through each revelation and cliffhanger as intensely as I did while writing them.

Thank you for joining me on this thrilling ride. I hope “Forgotten Secret” keeps you guessing, leaves you breathless, and, above all, lives up to the secrets it promises to unveil.

Author Interview

Can you share 5 random facts about you that we will not find in your bio?

I have four grown children. I’m afraid of dogs (except my grand-dog, Mia,--it took months for me to be comfortable with her). I was an accountant before. I’m ethnically Chinese. I don’t like spicy hot food.

What drew you to your chosen genre? 

I love to read suspense/mystery/thriller, especially crime thrillers. And I like to watch all crime TV shows. It’s a natural progression.

What does your writing routine look like?

I usually write in the afternoon. Morning is reserved for business stuff. However, when I’m on a deadline, I might write whenever I can. 

Are you a planner or a pantser?

I’m a planner, but not a rigid one. I like to know the end of the story and a few stops along the way. But I don’t stick to a strict outline.

Where can readers follow along to see what’s coming next?