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The Surrogate
A DOLL THAT KILLED LIKE A DEMON,
A SEDUCTRESS WHO COULD PULL A MAN INTO THE DEPTHS OF HELL,
A MONSTROUS PARENT WHOSE MENACE LIVED AFTER HIM…
Frank was learning the power of vengeful hate…of cunning treachery…of virulent evil…and, above all, fear—because there was nothing he could do to keep the person he most hated from seizing the one he most loved…there was no way he could stop his father’s malevolent spirit from reaching out from beyond the grave to claim his young son….
THE SURROGATE
“HONOR THY FATHER” CAN BE THE ULTIMATE CURSE…
A SEDUCTRESS WHO COULD PULL A MAN INTO THE DEPTHS OF HELL,
A MONSTROUS PARENT WHOSE MENACE LIVED AFTER HIM…
Frank was learning the power of vengeful hate…of cunning treachery…of virulent evil…and, above all, fear—because there was nothing he could do to keep the person he most hated from seizing the one he most loved…there was no way he could stop his father’s malevolent spirit from reaching out from beyond the grave to claim his young son….
THE SURROGATE
“HONOR THY FATHER” CAN BE THE ULTIMATE CURSE…
249 pages, Unknown Binding
First published July 1, 1980
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251 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Want to read
May 11, 2016
Cover of the 1980 Signet/New American Library mass-market paperback (249 pages). It's almost the same as the 1981 New English Library mass-market, but not quite.
I have to go with the first one. I wonder why the Brits changed the doll? Maybe it was too similar to Raggedy Ann, and there were rights issues. Who knows?
April 6, 2017
Nick Sharman's books always involve a mystery and father issues. This time, he adds a homicidal doll to the mix.
September 21, 2019
Plot twists are a Surrogate for solid plot
Nick Sharman is one of my favorite authors of scary novels, often blending humor, political satire, social commentary, and pulp kitsch with exciting and well-paced horrors. So I have no idea why this novel went so wrong.
It starts out promising enough. Spooky old house in a London suburb on a rainy day. Our protagonist, Frank, is meeting with his father for the first time in 12 years. There is clearly a strained relationship between the two, and the reader is drawn into this dynamic. What happened between these two? Will they reconcile? The old man seems like he may have been a hard-ass in years past, but Frank seems unduly harsh with him. What did the old man do to Frank as a child? Or is Frank the dangerous one?
We are also introduced to other interesting characters, like the butler Reece who, for various reasons, seems to be ripe for playing an important role in the story later, though he doesn't. We also have Frank's very likeable pal Eddie, and the sexy American bombshell of a psychic Sella, whose fates also end up disappointing. Now, these three start witnessing strange happenings after Frank's father kicks the bucket, and some of these scenes are quite chilling. Most compelling of all is that the main threat seems to be directed at Frank's little son, and this ups the stakes for me as a father myself. Reading about awful things going on with adults is one thing, but a stalking, vicious threat to an innocent child is another.
But by the last chapters of the book, you begin to realize you've been had. The characters all do things and behave in ways totally unlike how they were set up. And the reason for this is that Nick Sharman set up plot-twist after plot-twist, which is unusual for him, since he tends to like his frights straight and to the point. This attempt at throwing the reader off so near the end with really amateurish and tasteless twists makes the pacing awkward, creates glaring plot inconsistencies, fizzles out potentially more interesting story-arc possibilities, denigrates otherwise likeable characters so that what happens to them is less emotionally impactful, and makes the whole novel come across like a half-ass Scooby Doo episode. The novel builds up to a disappointing climax that makes no sense because it seems to throw in every idea the author had while planning the plot, as if he didn't know which idea would best round out the story so--what the hell! Use it all!
This is not the novel in which to be introduced to Nick Sharman. And it is not very recommended overall except to die-hard enthusiasts of the heyday of 80s paperback horror.
Nick Sharman is one of my favorite authors of scary novels, often blending humor, political satire, social commentary, and pulp kitsch with exciting and well-paced horrors. So I have no idea why this novel went so wrong.
It starts out promising enough. Spooky old house in a London suburb on a rainy day. Our protagonist, Frank, is meeting with his father for the first time in 12 years. There is clearly a strained relationship between the two, and the reader is drawn into this dynamic. What happened between these two? Will they reconcile? The old man seems like he may have been a hard-ass in years past, but Frank seems unduly harsh with him. What did the old man do to Frank as a child? Or is Frank the dangerous one?
We are also introduced to other interesting characters, like the butler Reece who, for various reasons, seems to be ripe for playing an important role in the story later, though he doesn't. We also have Frank's very likeable pal Eddie, and the sexy American bombshell of a psychic Sella, whose fates also end up disappointing. Now, these three start witnessing strange happenings after Frank's father kicks the bucket, and some of these scenes are quite chilling. Most compelling of all is that the main threat seems to be directed at Frank's little son, and this ups the stakes for me as a father myself. Reading about awful things going on with adults is one thing, but a stalking, vicious threat to an innocent child is another.
But by the last chapters of the book, you begin to realize you've been had. The characters all do things and behave in ways totally unlike how they were set up. And the reason for this is that Nick Sharman set up plot-twist after plot-twist, which is unusual for him, since he tends to like his frights straight and to the point. This attempt at throwing the reader off so near the end with really amateurish and tasteless twists makes the pacing awkward, creates glaring plot inconsistencies, fizzles out potentially more interesting story-arc possibilities, denigrates otherwise likeable characters so that what happens to them is less emotionally impactful, and makes the whole novel come across like a half-ass Scooby Doo episode. The novel builds up to a disappointing climax that makes no sense because it seems to throw in every idea the author had while planning the plot, as if he didn't know which idea would best round out the story so--what the hell! Use it all!
This is not the novel in which to be introduced to Nick Sharman. And it is not very recommended overall except to die-hard enthusiasts of the heyday of 80s paperback horror.
March 23, 2010
I really liked this tale of a ruthless father who was still trying to get to his estranged son, through his son...from the grave. Great '80's horror.
August 25, 2022
Frank as a child forced into a dark cellar by his irate father, Frank bitten by a rat, he hates this house and completely despises his father. After he leaves home he had no contact with his father for 12 years. He is summoned by his insisting father and goes back to the house he hates. His father wants to leave everything to his grandson but Frank refuses and wants nothing of him or his immense wealth. Things will start to go bonkers once his father dies. A strange creature in the bath, covered in black goo, putrid rotting smell, sickening, inducing vomiting, the evil shrunken face has Frank's fathers eyes. A doll, choking Frank's son, the childs eyes begin to flicker, the tongue protruding, his face turning purple. The dolls eyes malevolent will also attack Frank. It will start to bleed from the face as Frank pounds his fist in. Frank's father researches all things occult before his death. Hate permeates from his pores.
August 8, 2011
At page 125 of a 250 page book, I am giving up. Quite simply, I don't care what happens to any of these characters. And, as I will turn 50 tomorrow, I haven't one more minute to waste on any of them.
Want to read
November 27, 2011Stephen King recommended author as noted in Chapter 9 of Berkley's 1983 paperback edition of Danse Macabre.
March 23, 2017
Nice little early 80's horror tale. A little tamer than James Herbert's old material but still good.
May 6, 2019
Now I see what I enjoyed about this book when I was a teenager, it had everything that I was into, mediums, kids being haunted by cantankerous relations, demonic dolls and just a lot of creepy fun stuff which would have kept me intrigued back in the 80's when films like The Omen, Amityville Haunting and Poltergeist were my steady diet of viewing, I also loved Twilight Zone and Tales From the Crypt, which probably explains why I haven't grown tired of the genre.
A fun, well paced and clever horror story that still holds up after all these years.
A fun, well paced and clever horror story that still holds up after all these years.
April 18, 2018
I really enjoyed this creepy little book. There were quite a few twists and turns and the ending, although a little predictable, gave me the chills.
February 27, 2025
Initial Thoughts:
At the time of its release, The Surrogate was likely considered terrifying, packed with eerie and unsettling moments. However, by today’s horror standards, it feels fairly lukewarm.
The premise is strong: an abusive, dying father’s final wish is for his estranged son, Frank, to ensure that his grandson, Simon, inherits his wealth and continues his legacy. Frank, having endured years of trauma, wants nothing to do with him and certainly doesn’t want his son anywhere near his influence. But the father has made sure his plans will unfold, even from beyond the grave.
Execution & Issues:
While some aspects of how the father’s influence persists after death are explained, the darker supernatural elements, such as possession and the source of his lingering power, are frustratingly vague. There’s a lack of depth in how these forces operate, which weakens the horror.
Character motivations also felt inconsistent. Frank’s best friend, Eddie (referred to almost exclusively as the “fat man,” which feels like lazy shorthand for characterization), is a prime example. His actions don’t fully align with his supposed care for Frank. Who would go to such lengths to mentally torment a person they claim to be looking out for, especially when that person has already suffered so much?
Final Thoughts:
Despite these flaws, the novel has a solid foundation of characters and a compelling premise. What was likely a shocking plot twist in 1980 doesn’t hit quite as hard today, but I can appreciate how it might have resonated with readers at the time. Overall, The Surrogate is a decent addition to the ‘80s horror collection. Perhaps not a standout in today’s genre, but still worth a read for fans of vintage horror.
At the time of its release, The Surrogate was likely considered terrifying, packed with eerie and unsettling moments. However, by today’s horror standards, it feels fairly lukewarm.
The premise is strong: an abusive, dying father’s final wish is for his estranged son, Frank, to ensure that his grandson, Simon, inherits his wealth and continues his legacy. Frank, having endured years of trauma, wants nothing to do with him and certainly doesn’t want his son anywhere near his influence. But the father has made sure his plans will unfold, even from beyond the grave.
Execution & Issues:
While some aspects of how the father’s influence persists after death are explained, the darker supernatural elements, such as possession and the source of his lingering power, are frustratingly vague. There’s a lack of depth in how these forces operate, which weakens the horror.
Character motivations also felt inconsistent. Frank’s best friend, Eddie (referred to almost exclusively as the “fat man,” which feels like lazy shorthand for characterization), is a prime example. His actions don’t fully align with his supposed care for Frank. Who would go to such lengths to mentally torment a person they claim to be looking out for, especially when that person has already suffered so much?
Final Thoughts:
Despite these flaws, the novel has a solid foundation of characters and a compelling premise. What was likely a shocking plot twist in 1980 doesn’t hit quite as hard today, but I can appreciate how it might have resonated with readers at the time. Overall, The Surrogate is a decent addition to the ‘80s horror collection. Perhaps not a standout in today’s genre, but still worth a read for fans of vintage horror.
August 10, 2020
This was a lot more of a slow-burn horror novel than the other Nick Sharman books I've read (The Cats and Childmare). It's more than 200 pages in before anyone's skull is torn in half, for crying out loud! It's a decent and truly sinister read complete with a creepy kid and a creepy doll.
January 25, 2018
With such high praise from Stephen King I was expecting more. Still a fun read.
May 14, 2025
A small child inherits more than he thought from his estranged grandfather with some pretty well described frightening scenes.
A pretty good story of haunting and the triumph of the will
A pretty good story of haunting and the triumph of the will
September 8, 2025
Bummer
The surrogate? Literally nothing happens in this book.... absolutely nothing. There's a ghost ...maybe.... the beginning was promising but it went off the rails quickly
The surrogate? Literally nothing happens in this book.... absolutely nothing. There's a ghost ...maybe.... the beginning was promising but it went off the rails quickly
June 20, 2010
I'm not sure if this is really a four star book. It's probably not. But I remember reading it as an 11 year old one summer day. It was a cover-to-cover read and I was completely enthralled.
May 15, 2011
As far as ghost stories go, it was ok. The ending was a little disappointing and the storyline could've been a little better. I've read better.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews