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Surrogate
How much is your child worth?
That's the question one couple must answer when they get a ransom
demand for their child – from Alice, the surrogate mother they paid to carry
their baby.
The police are helpless. No law has been broken - the
baby belongs to their surrogate. And Hugo has a secret he's keeping from his
wife that makes their search even more desperate.
Now Hugo and Emily must find their missing
daughter... even if it costs them everything they own.
That's the question one couple must answer when they get a ransom
demand for their child – from Alice, the surrogate mother they paid to carry
their baby.
The police are helpless. No law has been broken - the
baby belongs to their surrogate. And Hugo has a secret he's keeping from his
wife that makes their search even more desperate.
Now Hugo and Emily must find their missing
daughter... even if it costs them everything they own.
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 5, 2014
132 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
About the author
Tim Adler
12 books50 followersTim Adler is an author and journalist who has written three nonfiction books for publishers including Bloomsbury.
The Week said that Tim writes “with brio” while the Daily Mail has described his work as “dazzling” while The Sunday Times called it “compulsively readable”.
He is a former commissioning editor on The Daily Telegraph, who has also written for the Financial Times and The Times.
Tim has written four thrillers, including his debut SLOW BLEED, which ranked #1 on the Kindle medical thriller chart, and HOLD STILL, which bestselling crime author Peter James said, “hooked me from the beginning”.
He is former London editor of Hollywood entertainment news website Deadline and, more recently, the website he now edits was named as a top blog covering the coronavirus pandemic by journalist trade magazine Press Gazette alongside the BBC, Guardian and the Telegraph.
In his spare time, Tim enjoys playing bridge, jogging, yoga and trying to gain the upper hand in his running battle with his pet chihuahua.
The Week said that Tim writes “with brio” while the Daily Mail has described his work as “dazzling” while The Sunday Times called it “compulsively readable”.
He is a former commissioning editor on The Daily Telegraph, who has also written for the Financial Times and The Times.
Tim has written four thrillers, including his debut SLOW BLEED, which ranked #1 on the Kindle medical thriller chart, and HOLD STILL, which bestselling crime author Peter James said, “hooked me from the beginning”.
He is former London editor of Hollywood entertainment news website Deadline and, more recently, the website he now edits was named as a top blog covering the coronavirus pandemic by journalist trade magazine Press Gazette alongside the BBC, Guardian and the Telegraph.
In his spare time, Tim enjoys playing bridge, jogging, yoga and trying to gain the upper hand in his running battle with his pet chihuahua.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 17, 2017
How this story progresses from the first chapter is just outstanding. I really did not want to put it down. This is a compelling tale about a couple, (Hugo a reinsurance Chief Executive and Emily who works for an art gallery), who are desperate for a baby and who enter what seems like a legitimate surrogate deal but soon spirals into chaos after a single act of foolishness. I thought the character of Hugo was very believable and truly felt his sixth sense of imminent disaster looming and just knew there was more to come from the other characters. The story rapidly becomes a compelling tale of many twists and turns, fast paced and full of action which had me hooked til the explosive end. The research that had gone into British surrogacy and reinsurance was first class and very informative and interesting.
This is the second Tim Adler novel I have read (Slow Bleed being the first) and I am really enjoying his style of writing and imaginative storylines. I now look forward to reading "Hold Still" with much anticipation!
This is the second Tim Adler novel I have read (Slow Bleed being the first) and I am really enjoying his style of writing and imaginative storylines. I now look forward to reading "Hold Still" with much anticipation!
March 21, 2017
No great mystery but enjoyed it
May 18, 2023
Really well read. Lots of twists and turns. Hooked until the end.
May 24, 2015
Hugo and Emily Cox are unable to have a child of their own by natural means so they employ the services of a surrogate mother, Alice. But, in a moment of weakness, City high flier Hugo has a one night stand with Alice. She swears the secret is theirs only, but soon pregnant Alice has moved into Hugo and Emily’s home and starts to worm her way into their lives.
But after an argument Alice flits with the unborn baby, a ransom demand for £1 million soon follows. Pay up or never see the baby again.
At the same time Hugo is trying to sell the insurance business he runs, one set up by his father, to a huge American company that will make them both even richer than they already are.
As Hugo tries to track down Alice he learns all is not as it seems – in any part of his life…
I’ve previously reviewed the author’s debut novel, Slow Bleed, which was a well written page turner. However, although Surrogate is another suspense fest psychological thriller, Adler has taken a step on.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story which kept my attention throughout. The plot and the character’s motivation is entirely believable and the way the author unfolds then concludes the strands is very well done – even when you think it’s obvious what’s going on Adler manages to throw another twist in.
The characterization is excellent – Hugo is a rich kid with a domineering father who learns to stand on his own two feet. Alice is suitably crazy (with shades of Fatal Attraction) and Emily who’s superbly manipulative and driven.
This was very close to being a five star review. There were a couple of places where the pace slowed, in particular early on when the couple are attempting to conceive after a strong opening. However, this is entirely understandable, it explains a lot which the later plot development relies on. I’m really looking forward to reading more of Mr Adler’s work in the hopefully not too distant future.
**Originally reviewed for Books & Pals blog. May have received free review copy.**
But after an argument Alice flits with the unborn baby, a ransom demand for £1 million soon follows. Pay up or never see the baby again.
At the same time Hugo is trying to sell the insurance business he runs, one set up by his father, to a huge American company that will make them both even richer than they already are.
As Hugo tries to track down Alice he learns all is not as it seems – in any part of his life…
I’ve previously reviewed the author’s debut novel, Slow Bleed, which was a well written page turner. However, although Surrogate is another suspense fest psychological thriller, Adler has taken a step on.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story which kept my attention throughout. The plot and the character’s motivation is entirely believable and the way the author unfolds then concludes the strands is very well done – even when you think it’s obvious what’s going on Adler manages to throw another twist in.
The characterization is excellent – Hugo is a rich kid with a domineering father who learns to stand on his own two feet. Alice is suitably crazy (with shades of Fatal Attraction) and Emily who’s superbly manipulative and driven.
This was very close to being a five star review. There were a couple of places where the pace slowed, in particular early on when the couple are attempting to conceive after a strong opening. However, this is entirely understandable, it explains a lot which the later plot development relies on. I’m really looking forward to reading more of Mr Adler’s work in the hopefully not too distant future.
**Originally reviewed for Books & Pals blog. May have received free review copy.**
March 14, 2015
Surrogate by Tim Adler is a remarkable twisted tale of love, lust, greed and revenge. Hugo Cox has met the perfect woman. A woman who tamed his wild streak and fulfilled his dreams. They get married, and soon after his new bride starts talking about having a baby. She yearns for a child to the point of obsession. But, things go wrong, and like so many unfortunate couples they are given the dreadful news that they would never naturally become parents. There are options of course, adoption or perhaps a surrogate…
What I liked about the book
I loved the many twists and turns, the way the story kept me wondering what would happen next. From the beginning I had an uncomfortable feeling about the surrogate—something just wasn’t right, she wasn’t right. But I actually had no idea just how bad things were going to get.
I liked how the main character, Hugo Cox was so thoroughly human. Here is a man who has a beautiful wife, who is desperate for a child and he makes a decision so flawed that it could spell the end of his marriage, and then he tries to justify it to himself!
I really enjoyed the nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat suspense. There really was no good way this could end.
What I didn’t enjoy that much
As mentioned above, Hugo Cox is very human indeed. Most times I thought he was a jerk. I wish I could’ve liked him more.
Final thoughts
I very much enjoyed this book. The story was well written and the plot had a realistic conclusion—quite a feat with the many twists revealed throughout the book. I will look for more of this author’s work.
STAR RATING: 4 Stars
Will also be posted on my blog on 16 March 2015:
https://jackiegmills.wordpress.com/
What I liked about the book
I loved the many twists and turns, the way the story kept me wondering what would happen next. From the beginning I had an uncomfortable feeling about the surrogate—something just wasn’t right, she wasn’t right. But I actually had no idea just how bad things were going to get.
I liked how the main character, Hugo Cox was so thoroughly human. Here is a man who has a beautiful wife, who is desperate for a child and he makes a decision so flawed that it could spell the end of his marriage, and then he tries to justify it to himself!
I really enjoyed the nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat suspense. There really was no good way this could end.
What I didn’t enjoy that much
As mentioned above, Hugo Cox is very human indeed. Most times I thought he was a jerk. I wish I could’ve liked him more.
Final thoughts
I very much enjoyed this book. The story was well written and the plot had a realistic conclusion—quite a feat with the many twists revealed throughout the book. I will look for more of this author’s work.
STAR RATING: 4 Stars
Will also be posted on my blog on 16 March 2015:
https://jackiegmills.wordpress.com/
August 31, 2020
"SUrrogate" was a SUperb 5-star SUrprise!
"Surrogate" is NOT the "same old, same old" typical fictional suspense drama about surrogacy. Instead, it is an exceptionally well-crafted novel with compelling characters and plot twists that is impossible to put down.
I listened to the book's audio version. This was the first time I listened to a book read by Piers Hampton and his narration is outstanding.
I highly recommend this title. I am very, very picky and this book was one of my best "reads" of the year.
Thank you, Tim Adler!
"Surrogate" is NOT the "same old, same old" typical fictional suspense drama about surrogacy. Instead, it is an exceptionally well-crafted novel with compelling characters and plot twists that is impossible to put down.
I listened to the book's audio version. This was the first time I listened to a book read by Piers Hampton and his narration is outstanding.
I highly recommend this title. I am very, very picky and this book was one of my best "reads" of the year.
Thank you, Tim Adler!
November 1, 2014
4.5 stars
I had trouble getting into it, but once I got past the first pages, I couldn't put it down! Fast-paced, lots of twists, interesting, a great suspense/thriller... loved it!
I had trouble getting into it, but once I got past the first pages, I couldn't put it down! Fast-paced, lots of twists, interesting, a great suspense/thriller... loved it!
January 7, 2020
I give this 4 stars for the first 2/3 of the book and drop it down to 3 stars for final 1/3.
It was a plausible psychological suspense story for the first part of the book. But towards the last third, it took a rather implausible turn that just stretched my believability. There were a number of logic gaps in the plot and some of the things the characters did seemed impossible.
It was an OK story. I was just disappointed at how contrived the plot became.
The ending was a bit of a let down. I felt there wasn’t full resolution on how the main character was going to handle his life moving forward.
The audiobook narrator was very good.
It was a plausible psychological suspense story for the first part of the book. But towards the last third, it took a rather implausible turn that just stretched my believability. There were a number of logic gaps in the plot and some of the things the characters did seemed impossible.
It was an OK story. I was just disappointed at how contrived the plot became.
The ending was a bit of a let down. I felt there wasn’t full resolution on how the main character was going to handle his life moving forward.
The audiobook narrator was very good.
January 9, 2021
A really good read.
The storyline, plot & what have you were all quite good & certainly held my attention. The only negative thing I will write is that sometimes the story line was a bit farfetched, like one day Hugo goes into see his father who's going through dialysis & appears near death & next day Dad is out shooting skeet! That scenario happened a couple different times so all I could do was suspend logic & delve further into the story. Overall it was a very good interesting read.
The storyline, plot & what have you were all quite good & certainly held my attention. The only negative thing I will write is that sometimes the story line was a bit farfetched, like one day Hugo goes into see his father who's going through dialysis & appears near death & next day Dad is out shooting skeet! That scenario happened a couple different times so all I could do was suspend logic & delve further into the story. Overall it was a very good interesting read.
February 29, 2024
Predictable but still a good psychological thriller. I think because I saw it coming, I struggled to stay invested in the story.
But also, this plot is a bit crazy with how real it could be! Okay possibly not a common occurrence, but it could definitely happen.
8/10 for a bit of thought provoking and originality.
But also, this plot is a bit crazy with how real it could be! Okay possibly not a common occurrence, but it could definitely happen.
8/10 for a bit of thought provoking and originality.
October 16, 2018
Was a cliff hanger through the whole book... With a twist ending....
May 11, 2020
Three & 1/2 (could have toned down the language a little); that being said it is not the same as other mysteries.
August 12, 2022
So baddddddddd 😭
February 28, 2017
Audiobook review
This story is excellent. The inter weaving & layering is just great. It's not confusing, it's so well told it pulls it together.
The narrator is good too. Right tempo & accents.
Very good & enjoyable throughout
This story is excellent. The inter weaving & layering is just great. It's not confusing, it's so well told it pulls it together.
The narrator is good too. Right tempo & accents.
Very good & enjoyable throughout
February 28, 2017
Audio book review
This story is excellent. The inter weaving & layering is just great. It's not confusing, it's so well told it pulls it together.
The narrator is good too. Right tempo & accents.
Very good & enjoyable throughout
This story is excellent. The inter weaving & layering is just great. It's not confusing, it's so well told it pulls it together.
The narrator is good too. Right tempo & accents.
Very good & enjoyable throughout
October 24, 2015
I read Tim Adler's debut novel, Slow Bleed, and instantly picked up Surrogate upon completion. Well Mr Adler, I applaud you. This was even better than the first!
A compelling thriller about a couple, desperate for a baby who employ a surrogate. What seems like the perfect deal transcends into chaos, as twist after turn lead our protagonist, the some-what likable Hugo Cox, as he tries to keep his life together. Hugo, I found, was a more interesting protagonist than Jemma Sands in Slow Bleed, as this was a guy with real faults. The man was not perfect, but as the situation worsens, he slowly becomes someone that you can root for. Adler deserves praise for constructing such a well rounded character journey.
The story itself is gripping and Adler is slowly becoming my lead author when it comes to twists. The strategic plotting of them and the impact they have when they happen is a hard art to perfect, but Adler is pretty damn close! Unlike the first novel, this never felt like too much was happening and by the end of the book I was almost breathless as it really pulls you in.
Fans of a thriller, this is a book you should not pass up on! Adler has accomplished 2 tremendous novels and if you have not read Surrogate yet, then I emplore you to grab your Kindle and get this on there now!
A tremendous thriller that will keep you glued from first page to last!
A compelling thriller about a couple, desperate for a baby who employ a surrogate. What seems like the perfect deal transcends into chaos, as twist after turn lead our protagonist, the some-what likable Hugo Cox, as he tries to keep his life together. Hugo, I found, was a more interesting protagonist than Jemma Sands in Slow Bleed, as this was a guy with real faults. The man was not perfect, but as the situation worsens, he slowly becomes someone that you can root for. Adler deserves praise for constructing such a well rounded character journey.
The story itself is gripping and Adler is slowly becoming my lead author when it comes to twists. The strategic plotting of them and the impact they have when they happen is a hard art to perfect, but Adler is pretty damn close! Unlike the first novel, this never felt like too much was happening and by the end of the book I was almost breathless as it really pulls you in.
Fans of a thriller, this is a book you should not pass up on! Adler has accomplished 2 tremendous novels and if you have not read Surrogate yet, then I emplore you to grab your Kindle and get this on there now!
A tremendous thriller that will keep you glued from first page to last!
November 19, 2014
A fast paced thriller with some clever plot twists.
"How much is your child worth? That's the question Hugo and Emily Cox must answer when they get a ransom demand for their child – from Alice, the surrogate mother they paid to carry their baby"
Surrogate starts out like one of Michael Ridpath's financial industry thrillers, set in the high-end insurance world. Then it takes a different path, concentrating on Hugo and Emily's longing to have a child and the struggles they go through on the way. Any further description of the story would involve spoilers so I'll stop there, other than to say there are so many plot twists that I lost count.
The writing style is fast paced and action packed, making it easy to keep on reading even when you should probably be doing something else. The author uses hints and clues in the early chapters that add to the suspense and hook the reader in.
I hadn't read any of Tim Adler's books before taking part in the blog tour but I'll now be checking out the backlist.
This is a great read for any suspense/thriller fans but could also be enjoyed by readers who wouldn't usually choose a thriller. It wouldn't be out of place on the 'If you loved Gone Girl try this' list.
Thank you to the author for the review copy e-book.
"How much is your child worth? That's the question Hugo and Emily Cox must answer when they get a ransom demand for their child – from Alice, the surrogate mother they paid to carry their baby"
Surrogate starts out like one of Michael Ridpath's financial industry thrillers, set in the high-end insurance world. Then it takes a different path, concentrating on Hugo and Emily's longing to have a child and the struggles they go through on the way. Any further description of the story would involve spoilers so I'll stop there, other than to say there are so many plot twists that I lost count.
The writing style is fast paced and action packed, making it easy to keep on reading even when you should probably be doing something else. The author uses hints and clues in the early chapters that add to the suspense and hook the reader in.
I hadn't read any of Tim Adler's books before taking part in the blog tour but I'll now be checking out the backlist.
This is a great read for any suspense/thriller fans but could also be enjoyed by readers who wouldn't usually choose a thriller. It wouldn't be out of place on the 'If you loved Gone Girl try this' list.
Thank you to the author for the review copy e-book.
March 26, 2015
So many surprises and twists, just as you think you know what's going on you find out something to turn things around.A great read.
May 22, 2025
ALL. OVER. THE. SHOP!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews