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The Silent Surrogate
What if the perfect revenge was built on a lie?
After years of searching, Nora has finally tracked down the woman who destroyed her life. She rents the house next door under an assumed identity, but before she can put her plan for retribution into motion, the woman's mysterious young lodger goes missing. As evidence of foul play mounts, a web of lies begins to unravel, and a shocked community is ripped apart. When the trail to the abductor leads to where no one imagined, Nora discovers that everyone is harboring secrets, and no one can be trusted.
With an innocent life at stake, and hopes for revenge fading fast, Nora faces a harrowing decision that will awaken the dark past she desperately wishes could be undone.
But will the truth she uncovers prove more shocking than the lies she has believed?
- A psychological thriller novella guaranteed to keep you gripped until the finish line! -
After years of searching, Nora has finally tracked down the woman who destroyed her life. She rents the house next door under an assumed identity, but before she can put her plan for retribution into motion, the woman's mysterious young lodger goes missing. As evidence of foul play mounts, a web of lies begins to unravel, and a shocked community is ripped apart. When the trail to the abductor leads to where no one imagined, Nora discovers that everyone is harboring secrets, and no one can be trusted.
With an innocent life at stake, and hopes for revenge fading fast, Nora faces a harrowing decision that will awaken the dark past she desperately wishes could be undone.
But will the truth she uncovers prove more shocking than the lies she has believed?
- A psychological thriller novella guaranteed to keep you gripped until the finish line! -
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 22, 2019
672 people are currently reading
591 people want to read
About the author
N.L. Hinkens
23 books347 followersNYT and USA Today bestselling author N. L. Hinkens writes twisty psychological suspense thrillers with unexpected endings. She’s a travel junkie, coffee hound, and idea wrangler, in no particular order. She grew up in Ireland—land of legends and storytelling—and now resides in the US. Her work has won the Grand Prize Next Generation Indie Book Award for fiction, as well as numerous other awards. Join her VIP Reader Club for hot new releases, stellar giveaways, exclusive content, behind the scenes and more. https://normahinkens.com/
Pseudonym for author Norma Hinkens
Pseudonym for author Norma Hinkens
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 74 reviews
September 18, 2019
I love a good psychological thriller and am always looking for another read that will blow my mind. I had high hopes that The Silent Surrogate would be such a read, but I found myself disappointed by this one.
I think this can be explained in two reasons. The first is due to the novella length of the story. I’m not the biggest lover of novellas, preferring tomes, and I was left wishing we’d went deeper into details with this one. The second is due to the nature of the story. I prefer thrillers following police than the domestic thrillers that are becoming more and more popular, meaning I wasn’t the intended target for this one.
Both these things show it was a case of me being the issue, not the book. It was a quick read, one I completed in no time at all, and I was curious to see how things came together. The end failed to shock me (although I’m sure there are some who will be surprised) but brings the story to an interesting conclusion.
Overall, this was one wasn’t for me, but I can see many enjoying it.
I think this can be explained in two reasons. The first is due to the novella length of the story. I’m not the biggest lover of novellas, preferring tomes, and I was left wishing we’d went deeper into details with this one. The second is due to the nature of the story. I prefer thrillers following police than the domestic thrillers that are becoming more and more popular, meaning I wasn’t the intended target for this one.
Both these things show it was a case of me being the issue, not the book. It was a quick read, one I completed in no time at all, and I was curious to see how things came together. The end failed to shock me (although I’m sure there are some who will be surprised) but brings the story to an interesting conclusion.
Overall, this was one wasn’t for me, but I can see many enjoying it.
October 1, 2019
This is the first book that I've read by this author. The premise had me intrigued and it was a good read. Ms. Hinkens does a good job at keeping the reader guessing and, oft-times you think you know what's going on only to discover that you're wrong.
I enjoy psychological thrillers and this one is pretty good. If you're seeking a book about revenge gone wrong this may be the book for you. I'll be anxious to read her next book!
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I enjoy psychological thrillers and this one is pretty good. If you're seeking a book about revenge gone wrong this may be the book for you. I'll be anxious to read her next book!
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
February 24, 2020
Loved it! So happy I found this author and I started with this NOVELLA! Which it is people, she says its shorter than normal books, so chill out acting like it wasn't enough. I like the writing style and while I may have guessed some things it was still a good read. So much so that I'm on to her next one, and I'm already loving it!!
November 13, 2019
Fast paced. Suspenseful. Great twists and turns. Manipulation. The alternating POVs were well written so I had no problem with the shifts. I was really enjoying it until the ending. The VERY abrupt ending. I knew it was a novella versus a novel, but it still felt…off? It felt like being in a speeding car that suddenly slams into a brick wall. I am not sure a novella can properly carry off a psychological thriller. The limited page count prevented the story from completely playing out.
This is the first book I have read by Ms. Hinkens. I think I need to read one of her novels, as I suspect I would enjoy them.
This is the first book I have read by Ms. Hinkens. I think I need to read one of her novels, as I suspect I would enjoy them.
November 5, 2019
Gripping
Don't trust the narrator! And prepare to be yanked along on a wild ride of twists, turns, revenge, lies, secrets, and a shocking ending. Well-written, well-defined, I loved this book and look forward to reading more from Hinkens.
Don't trust the narrator! And prepare to be yanked along on a wild ride of twists, turns, revenge, lies, secrets, and a shocking ending. Well-written, well-defined, I loved this book and look forward to reading more from Hinkens.
April 19, 2020
Story wasn't bad, delivery fell a little flat
May 4, 2020
Short and lacks depth, could have been great otherwise.
May 25, 2020
“The Silent Surrogate” an intriguing psychological thriller opens as a broken and grieving woman tracks down the woman she believes destroyed her life, renting the house next door and planning her revenge. Intertwining Nora Munroe’s subterfuge to gain the trust of Lynn and Rick West’s neighbours as well as the young pregnant surrogate living in their home, with diary entries in 2008 revisiting her troubles with her husband, this well-written and entrancing plot keeps the reader on the edge of their seat until the end.
Even in this very short novella, N.L. Hinkens skilfully builds intensity and suspense as Nora undercuts the couple's integrity with the local gossip Anne Edmonds; by walking the dog of a retired police officer; and by gifting clothes to Jessica the twenty-one year old surrogate with a drug problem. Twisting and turning as the loss and heartbreak in Nora’s past is slowly revealed as she plants incriminating evidence against the couple, the story line builds when the young lodger goes missing. But all to quickly the plot flows smoothly to an exciting and shocking ending.
Among the compelling cast of character sparking the passion and electrifying energy of this story are manipulative, conniving and vengeful Nora Munroe; the lonely, inquisitive Annie Edmonds; Charles the suspicious retired police officer and neighbour; the charming Rick West, the Program Director of the Garden Grove Community Centre, and his wife, the kind and empathetic social worker Lynn West.
I thoroughly enjoyed “ The Silent Surrogate” and will look for other novels by this talented author.
Even in this very short novella, N.L. Hinkens skilfully builds intensity and suspense as Nora undercuts the couple's integrity with the local gossip Anne Edmonds; by walking the dog of a retired police officer; and by gifting clothes to Jessica the twenty-one year old surrogate with a drug problem. Twisting and turning as the loss and heartbreak in Nora’s past is slowly revealed as she plants incriminating evidence against the couple, the story line builds when the young lodger goes missing. But all to quickly the plot flows smoothly to an exciting and shocking ending.
Among the compelling cast of character sparking the passion and electrifying energy of this story are manipulative, conniving and vengeful Nora Munroe; the lonely, inquisitive Annie Edmonds; Charles the suspicious retired police officer and neighbour; the charming Rick West, the Program Director of the Garden Grove Community Centre, and his wife, the kind and empathetic social worker Lynn West.
I thoroughly enjoyed “ The Silent Surrogate” and will look for other novels by this talented author.
May 17, 2020
The ending was totally unexpected, the mark of great psychological suspense. It left me looking at my Kindle and muttering "huh?" Nora Munroe (assumed name we are told at the beginning) moves next door to her enemy Rick and Lynn West. Why are they her enemies? The book is told from 2 perspectives, the present and 2008. We hear the story of how Nora’s husband was an addicted and killed their son Jonathan. Nora plots to ruin Lynn’s life and buy the surrogate’s baby that was supposed to be theirs. The book is a quick read and kept me seeking the ending. Like others have said, the book was rather short and there were previews of other books for the last 30% on Kindle. The ending seemed a little abrupt, but I don't really see how it could have played out longer. When a book is done, there is no need to drag it out just for page count. I enjoyed it and I highly recommend N. L. Hinkens’ psychological thrillers.
December 4, 2022
The book goes back and forth from present day to days past. The parts of the past are where the main character journals about the spouses drug addiction. Sigh…I’m not sure how to form my thoughts into words on this one. It’s suspenseful. The main character has a vendetta against a social worker and moves in next door to the social worker so that revenge can be enacted. At the end of the book, I have to go back and rethink through all the stuff I’ve read to see how things stack against this type of ending. This book is similar to “I’m Thinking of Ending Things.” Book are weird and the ending leaves everyone a bit empty.
March 26, 2020
Well this was very near a 4 star and for that I apologise.
Found the book interesting and was intrigued as to where it would go. To be absolutely fair, I didn't expect the twist at the end - didn't have a clue about that, so to that extent very well done. Why no higher score then? I wanted to find out what happened, but I wasn't desperate to find out. That said, well written, can't comment about the characters because how would one expect people in those circumstances to behave ...
This would make a perfect 'beach' read though.
Found the book interesting and was intrigued as to where it would go. To be absolutely fair, I didn't expect the twist at the end - didn't have a clue about that, so to that extent very well done. Why no higher score then? I wanted to find out what happened, but I wasn't desperate to find out. That said, well written, can't comment about the characters because how would one expect people in those circumstances to behave ...
This would make a perfect 'beach' read though.
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May 31, 2020The Silent Surrogate: A Psychological Suspense Thriller, my sixth amazing read from author N.L. Hinkens. I enjoyed the outstanding suspense story-line with its intricately woven twists and turns, I never saw the end coming! Norma (N.L.) Hinkens is on my radar of great authors! I was given an Audible copy of this book and am voluntarily reading & reviewing it. Narrator Mitzi Pirkey's narration adds to the book's enjoyment. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
February 26, 2021
A page turner!
I have been, literally, devouring this author's books! Twisty and extremely satisfying reads. I highly recommend. One small observation--if you are writing novels set in the US? It's probably confusing to some readers as to why you would use the word "flat" instead of apartment or "garden" in place of yard, which would be the common usage in America. But other than that small criticism, please keep writing and I definitely keep reading your novels!
I have been, literally, devouring this author's books! Twisty and extremely satisfying reads. I highly recommend. One small observation--if you are writing novels set in the US? It's probably confusing to some readers as to why you would use the word "flat" instead of apartment or "garden" in place of yard, which would be the common usage in America. But other than that small criticism, please keep writing and I definitely keep reading your novels!
February 22, 2022
Once again N. L. Hinkens has created a psychological thriller that takes you all the way to the end just knowing how it is going to come out only to find you really don’t have a clue. To say I enjoyed this story would be an understatement. Listening to Mitzi Pirkey’s narration further enhanced an already excellent story. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with plenty of twists, grab a copy of this book – especially the audiobook and settle in for a very enjoyable afternoon.
February 26, 2023
A suspenseful fast paced story that alternates between a written narrative and present time. History seems to explain the revenge plot of the main character which is cunningly chilling. Not all is what it seems as it all comes together in a stunning conclusion!
May 23, 2023
What can I say? I fell for this story hook, line, and sinker! It all makes perfect sense; everything fell into place--until the truth came out. Bravo! You got me! I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
September 26, 2025
With a tragedy in her past Nora is determined to track down the woman she believes ruined her life. Under an assumed identity she rents the house next to her and plots her revenge. The characters are great and the book is filled with twists and turns that will have you turning the pages!
June 21, 2020
I was expecting some sort of plot twist but the ending was just too abrupt for my liking.
August 7, 2020
A quick suspenseful read. Read in 1 sitting. A page turner. What an ending, never saw it coming. Love Nora's books. She never disappoints. Recommend.
February 16, 2021
3.5 ⭐️ This was a psychological thriller Novella that I randomly found at the thrift store. It was a quick engaging read. While the style was very similar to other psychological thrillers I’ve read, the storyline was interesting though and there were some good “twists”!
March 3, 2021
Oh my goodness!! This was a short psychological suspense thriller that really drew me in and then left me shocked at the end!! Loved it!!
May 25, 2021
This took an interesting twist at the end. I was not expecting it at all
August 30, 2021
Holy moly. It's short, only 139 pages. But man is it good. And the ending!
September 25, 2021
This book is so confusing that I gave up on it halfway through it.
October 2, 2021
This was a good read with a decent twist.
February 14, 2022
utterly shocking ending!! loved this one.
February 18, 2022
From past to present, dealing with addiction of a spouse, traumatic loss of child, destruction of a marriage and getting your revenge and finding another child. A mind-blowing ending!
May 26, 2022
wow just wow
What a great book! The end was OMG!! Wow just wow. Everything was so good. A must read for sure!!
What a great book! The end was OMG!! Wow just wow. Everything was so good. A must read for sure!!
July 3, 2022
Ok
Other books were better not reading anything else by her now will be looking for other books this wasn't that good just filling this out so I can get out of this site
Other books were better not reading anything else by her now will be looking for other books this wasn't that good just filling this out so I can get out of this site
Displaying 1 - 29 of 74 reviews