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The Sudarium Trilogy #1
The Surrogate
The International Bestseller first Published in Spain and subsequently Brazil, Poland, Russia and Mexico where it spent 10 weeks on the bestseller list. Hannah Manning, a 19 year-old waitress in a New England diner, is waiting for a sign - something that will tell her what she is supposed to be doing with her aimless life. One day, she notices an advertisement in the newspaper looking for surrogate mothers. The emptiness in Hannah's life suddenly subsides; she seems to have found a worthy calling. But instead of finding fulfillment as a surrogate mother, Hannah ends up taking a terrifying journey deep into a land of fanaticism and madness, where nothing is what it appears to be. “Keeps the reader on the edge of his seat." - LA REFORMA (MEXICO) “An electrifying story” – LA REVISTA IMPAR (Spain)
- GenresFantasy
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
5 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
Leonard Foglia
5 books10 followersLEONARD FOGLIA is co-author, with David Richards of the mystery novels 1 RAGGED RIDGE ROAD, FACE DOWN IN THE PARK. As well as the thriller series THE SUDARIUM TRILOGY: THE SURROGATE, THE SON AND THE SAVIOR which have been published in Spain, Mexico, Brazil, Poland and Russian and will be available in the US in the fall of 2011.
Mr. Foglia is also a theater and opera director as well as librettist. His work has been seen on Broadway, across the country as well as internationally.
His theater credits include the original Broadway productions of MASTER CLASS (with Zoe Caldwell, Patti LuPone, Dixie Carter and Faye Dunaway), THURGOOD (with Laurence Fishburne) and THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE (with Donna Murphy) as well as the revivals of WAIT UNTIL DARK (with Quentin Tarantino and Marisa Tomei) and ON GOLDEN POND (with James Earl Jones and Leslie Uggams). Off Broadway (and on national tour) he directed Anna Deavere Smith’s LET ME DOWN EASY.
His opera credits include the premiers of three operas by Jake Heggie – MOBY DICK, THREE DECEMBERS and THE END OF THE AFFAIR. His production of Heggie’s DEAD MAN WALKING has been seen across the country.
As a librettist his opera CRUZAR LA CARA DE LA LUNA (To Cross the Face of the Moon) had it’s premier at Houston Grand Opera in 2010 and was performed at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris in the fall of 2011.
Mr. Foglia is also a theater and opera director as well as librettist. His work has been seen on Broadway, across the country as well as internationally.
His theater credits include the original Broadway productions of MASTER CLASS (with Zoe Caldwell, Patti LuPone, Dixie Carter and Faye Dunaway), THURGOOD (with Laurence Fishburne) and THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE (with Donna Murphy) as well as the revivals of WAIT UNTIL DARK (with Quentin Tarantino and Marisa Tomei) and ON GOLDEN POND (with James Earl Jones and Leslie Uggams). Off Broadway (and on national tour) he directed Anna Deavere Smith’s LET ME DOWN EASY.
His opera credits include the premiers of three operas by Jake Heggie – MOBY DICK, THREE DECEMBERS and THE END OF THE AFFAIR. His production of Heggie’s DEAD MAN WALKING has been seen across the country.
As a librettist his opera CRUZAR LA CARA DE LA LUNA (To Cross the Face of the Moon) had it’s premier at Houston Grand Opera in 2010 and was performed at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris in the fall of 2011.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 10, 2013
I am not exactly sure what I was expecting when I started this book, but I was pleasantly surprised. The authors' use of simple language rather than flashy prose helped make Hannah more believable. She was a simple girl from a small town, maybe a tab bit too naive. She had dreams of doing something important and meaningful with her life but had to get out of the rut she was stuck in. Answering an ad in the local newspaper seemed to be the answer to all of her problems.
The world as Hannah knows it is perfect and sweet. She is innocent and trusting. The story as reality knows it is dark and dangerous. People lie, steal, and cheat, and sometimes they do worse.
A few chapters in I was worried that this book was going to drag too slow. While it is true there was not a lot of action until close to the end, the time seemed to speed by quickly. I enjoyed the side story of Jimmy and really liked how his character came out in the end. The authors did a wonderful job of weaving fact into fiction and combining religion into this story without it stealing the show.
The world as Hannah knows it is perfect and sweet. She is innocent and trusting. The story as reality knows it is dark and dangerous. People lie, steal, and cheat, and sometimes they do worse.
A few chapters in I was worried that this book was going to drag too slow. While it is true there was not a lot of action until close to the end, the time seemed to speed by quickly. I enjoyed the side story of Jimmy and really liked how his character came out in the end. The authors did a wonderful job of weaving fact into fiction and combining religion into this story without it stealing the show.
January 9, 2012
This story centers around a 19-year-old Hannah Manning, who has been unloved and slightly adrift since the death of her parents in a horrible car crash. She was taken in by her bitter aunt and sad uncle, feeling unloved for the remainder of her childhood. She finds herself at 19, waitressing at a diner, and questioning the meaning of life and what direction she should take. She waits for a sign and thinks she has found it when she finds an ad for Partners in Parenthood, a one woman company that promotes surrogate parenting for those who cannot carry a pregnancy to term. She thinks the add is a sign and sees it as a wonderful thing she can do for a childless couple. She goes into it with the same feelings that many surrogates have, truly wanting to help someone have the family they want.
Hannah has a lot of growing up to do and does so during the course of this harrowing tale. Everything is so sweet on the surface, yet there are dark things moving under the surface of what turns out to be a plot that takes everything from Hannah, including her innocence. Not to worry, no spoilers here. But I can't say more, even though the book description here on the Amazon page says just a tad too much about the story.
This is told almost entirely from Hannah's point of view. You begin to feel like you know this girl and you grow to know and like her friend Terri and a young priest nicknamed Father "Jimmy" by his parish. The story carries all the hallmarks of a religious thriller without reverting to Christian fiction or preaching at all.
I sat down to read this story this morning and couldn't stop reading. Except for a break to make dinner, I read it in one sitting. I found myself asking so many times, how is she going to get out of this? how are they going to get out of this? etc. I couldn't stop reading until I found out. This is such a well-constructed thriller that I'm looking forward to reading the other books in this series!
Hannah has a lot of growing up to do and does so during the course of this harrowing tale. Everything is so sweet on the surface, yet there are dark things moving under the surface of what turns out to be a plot that takes everything from Hannah, including her innocence. Not to worry, no spoilers here. But I can't say more, even though the book description here on the Amazon page says just a tad too much about the story.
This is told almost entirely from Hannah's point of view. You begin to feel like you know this girl and you grow to know and like her friend Terri and a young priest nicknamed Father "Jimmy" by his parish. The story carries all the hallmarks of a religious thriller without reverting to Christian fiction or preaching at all.
I sat down to read this story this morning and couldn't stop reading. Except for a break to make dinner, I read it in one sitting. I found myself asking so many times, how is she going to get out of this? how are they going to get out of this? etc. I couldn't stop reading until I found out. This is such a well-constructed thriller that I'm looking forward to reading the other books in this series!
October 30, 2017
Un mojón del tamaño de una casa
January 21, 2014
Quiero empezar por decir que este libro lo empecé a leer porque estoy sacando y vendiendo todos mis libros para hacer espacio a los que me toquen o me lleguen... o de perdido me rocen.
Es un libro muy, muy rápido con una intriga inicial interesante. Sin embargo, más o menos por la mitad, el libro pierde intensidad y se vuelve muy monótono y cayendo casi en lo aburrido.
*Mini SPOILERS*
El final está SÚPER ridículo y como que a la hora de desenvolver todo el misterio realmente no lo desenvuelven porque a ojos del lector en sí, no hay misterio (porque tu descubres todo antes de que te lo digan claramente). No hay una explicación clara de los motivos, razones o circunstancias en las que se ideó el experimento, todo es muy vago y muy centrado en el presente, además de que es muy predecible. Y pues finalmente, resulta sumamente cómico cómo los autores relacionan mágicamente circunstancias súper random para que Hannah dé con la verdad. Resulta que es toda una Sherlock.
Léelo si te quieres despejar y echarte una lectura rápida. Si no lo lees, no te pierdes de mucho.
(me sorprende que haya una segunda parte que también compré).
Es un libro muy, muy rápido con una intriga inicial interesante. Sin embargo, más o menos por la mitad, el libro pierde intensidad y se vuelve muy monótono y cayendo casi en lo aburrido.
*Mini SPOILERS*
El final está SÚPER ridículo y como que a la hora de desenvolver todo el misterio realmente no lo desenvuelven porque a ojos del lector en sí, no hay misterio (porque tu descubres todo antes de que te lo digan claramente). No hay una explicación clara de los motivos, razones o circunstancias en las que se ideó el experimento, todo es muy vago y muy centrado en el presente, además de que es muy predecible. Y pues finalmente, resulta sumamente cómico cómo los autores relacionan mágicamente circunstancias súper random para que Hannah dé con la verdad. Resulta que es toda una Sherlock.
Léelo si te quieres despejar y echarte una lectura rápida. Si no lo lees, no te pierdes de mucho.
(me sorprende que haya una segunda parte que también compré).
July 5, 2022
No es mala novela, aunque tiene una buena trama y podrían haber sacado mejores momentos con ella.
No volvería a leerlo una vez leído.
No volvería a leerlo una vez leído.
December 12, 2025
Vendría siendo más bien un 3.5, el libro es entretenido, cumple con su función de thriller interesante y resulta siendo muy fácil de leer, pero creo que más o menos a la mitad, la historia se cae por completo. Tiende a ser un poco monótona y la resolución o el climax del asunto que envuelve al libro no termina de cuajar, siento que es algo abrupta y hasta sosa la manera en que termina. Pero pues, si quieres un libro para distraerte o despejar tu cabeza de otros asuntos, este libro está apenas bien.
November 13, 2019
Es un buen libro
June 11, 2012
In my complete craziness to finish this book ASAP, I completely forgot to mark it as read. I actually finished this book the very next day as I began reading it. I might have finished it the day I picked it up to read, except the fact that I had returned from a full day of working with zany teenagers and 2nd graders, which zaps all the energy out of me (as much as I absolutely love them!).
It is such a well-written mystery. I absolutely loved the characters in this, especially that of Father Jimmy. banning Manning is a young waitress who is sewrching for a sign from God - her character is written so that the reader can easily perceive that what she is really looking for, is what she is lacking in her own life, love; especially the love of a family. She attempts to find her purpose in life, and decides on surrogacy - hoping to give another couple the joy of parenthood, which I believe is really an attempt to provide a child with the kind of childhood she was deprived of, due to her parents demise. Does her surrogacy plan pan out? Or will she find herself surrounded by deception? Although I loved the character of Father Jimmy, whose reluctance to accept things as black and white, and his need to protect Hannah made him a true hero in my eyes. Albeit, a humble, human hero. My absolute favorite character was Teri - her humor, her no-nonsense ways made her both endearing and as sharp as a tack at the same time.
The plot seems insane, and truly hard to believe, but then again, so was the plot of "The DaVinci Code", yet it still made for a riveting read, right? So does this book. And the author has left it at SUCH a hanging ending that there is NO WAY that you cannot pick up Book #2. As a matter of fact, you will be scrambling to order book two a couple of chapters before the book closes, like I did, I guarantee it! If you are a Dan Brown or Steve Berry fan, thiS is just the book for you. Mystery and thrills combine harmoniously in this novel, a religious thriller that thrills without being preachy at all!!! Loved it!
It is such a well-written mystery. I absolutely loved the characters in this, especially that of Father Jimmy. banning Manning is a young waitress who is sewrching for a sign from God - her character is written so that the reader can easily perceive that what she is really looking for, is what she is lacking in her own life, love; especially the love of a family. She attempts to find her purpose in life, and decides on surrogacy - hoping to give another couple the joy of parenthood, which I believe is really an attempt to provide a child with the kind of childhood she was deprived of, due to her parents demise. Does her surrogacy plan pan out? Or will she find herself surrounded by deception? Although I loved the character of Father Jimmy, whose reluctance to accept things as black and white, and his need to protect Hannah made him a true hero in my eyes. Albeit, a humble, human hero. My absolute favorite character was Teri - her humor, her no-nonsense ways made her both endearing and as sharp as a tack at the same time.
The plot seems insane, and truly hard to believe, but then again, so was the plot of "The DaVinci Code", yet it still made for a riveting read, right? So does this book. And the author has left it at SUCH a hanging ending that there is NO WAY that you cannot pick up Book #2. As a matter of fact, you will be scrambling to order book two a couple of chapters before the book closes, like I did, I guarantee it! If you are a Dan Brown or Steve Berry fan, thiS is just the book for you. Mystery and thrills combine harmoniously in this novel, a religious thriller that thrills without being preachy at all!!! Loved it!
May 24, 2012
This book is based on a 19 year old girl, Hannah, who is looking for direction and reason for life. She wants to feel like she is on the right track, and is attracted to newspaper article to become a surrogate. She asks for a sign and she feels like that article is it. She then goes and gets approved to be one, and then the story just gets creepy and more twisted. It's very good, though. I never expected things to happen. I thought I knew but I didn't. It definitely kept me entertained. All in all, the surrogate thing does not turn out how she thought, and she was duped. But it definitely changes her life,.
I actually enjoyed this book, which really surprised me because I am not really big on books that have a lot of religion in them. My first reaction as I was reading was that it was going to be a boring book, but it was quite the contrary. I received this book through a giveaway and I'm glad I did because I would have never picked it up on my own. I will definitely pick up the second and third books to see what happens to Jimmy, Hannah, and everyone.
I actually enjoyed this book, which really surprised me because I am not really big on books that have a lot of religion in them. My first reaction as I was reading was that it was going to be a boring book, but it was quite the contrary. I received this book through a giveaway and I'm glad I did because I would have never picked it up on my own. I will definitely pick up the second and third books to see what happens to Jimmy, Hannah, and everyone.
May 24, 2012
19 year old Hannah is looking for a sign that will lead her to her future when she comes across an add to become a surrogate mother. It isn't the draw of money but the idea of selflessly helping someone else that draws her to the job. From the first encounter with the agency, the reader is left wondering what is really going on with the childless couple that Hannah has agreed to help- and the mystery continues for 3/4 of the book.
The authors did a wonderful job with threading the story, wondering what is going on and how it will all come together. The reader gets insights in to some of the major characters, which is nice, but the jump between POVS is a little choppy. In the end, I did feel as though I was being beaten over the head with the story (not wanting to give too much away here,)
It is tough to get in to in the beginning,Ickes up at the end, and then gets to be a little too much at the end, but worth the time to read. Interesting mix between science and religion, as long as you are into that. Overall, a pretty good read.
The authors did a wonderful job with threading the story, wondering what is going on and how it will all come together. The reader gets insights in to some of the major characters, which is nice, but the jump between POVS is a little choppy. In the end, I did feel as though I was being beaten over the head with the story (not wanting to give too much away here,)
It is tough to get in to in the beginning,Ickes up at the end, and then gets to be a little too much at the end, but worth the time to read. Interesting mix between science and religion, as long as you are into that. Overall, a pretty good read.
August 27, 2012
having read the description for the book was enough to intrigue me into reading it. yet with all i might have speculated about its content i was still surprised with its twists and turns and overall presentation. it was an easy and engaing read and i will be looking forward to the second book. if i had it in hand i would probably stay up way too late getting a head start on it.
i don't waste my time writing what a book was about...you can get that from the jacket. what i want to know is would i recommend it and that answer is DEFINITELY!!!!
i don't waste my time writing what a book was about...you can get that from the jacket. what i want to know is would i recommend it and that answer is DEFINITELY!!!!
January 18, 2017
The fast pace and the simplicity of the dialogues are perfect for the plot and the characters. The mystery is nicely put, starting from Hannah's own demons, to the childless couple she will be giving her baby to, to all the background story that is presented -- all that work well as puzzles that slowly come together as the story progresses. Also, the conspiracy is simply delicious! I love the mix of science and religion. It got me hooked enough to want to read the second book.
April 21, 2014
Almost finished with the trilogy this book begins. It gives insight into two complex debates of this day and age, Cloning human beings and the second coming of Christ. Well written, begining with the story of both beginings. Conception by virgins. A must read. Once you begin you will want to read all three and continue the story Hannah begun.
Want to Read
November 8, 2011Grabbed from a Goodreads ad. Book 1 of the Sudarium Trilogy.
January 13, 2012
easy but good read....on to book two & three
The Son
The Savior
The Son
The Savior
August 10, 2015
Really great book! A good mixture of history and modern technology. Definitely going to read the rest of the series.
First reads winner review.
First reads winner review.
July 28, 2012
Read all three. Very interesting, especially because it is not me religion.
December 18, 2013
Very interesting book. Wasn't sure I would like it but it really caught my interest with the twists to it. And the end left you hanging so now I want to read the next one!
January 7, 2014
Easy read. Sort of the Da Vinci Code meets Rosemary's Baby by way of the Omen.
May 11, 2014
part one of a trilogy. Interesting take on religious fanatics bring the son of God back to life through DNA and IVF.
March 22, 2016
Simpático. El final mejor que el trayecto.
July 13, 2012
***Book won on GoodReads - FirstReads***
Review to come.
Review to come.
May 22, 2013
Muy buena novela.
Facil de leer y muy entretenida.
Facil de leer y muy entretenida.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews