Albuquerque Novel 'The Surrogate' Explores Love, Loss and Family Dynamics

Local author Lynn C. Miller's psychological novel follows an Albuquerque family coping with grief, secrets and fast-moving romance.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 3:08pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a book cover, repeated in a tight grid pattern, with flat, vibrant neon colors and heavy black outlines, conceptually representing the pop art style and emotional themes of the novel 'The Surrogate'.The vibrant cover art of 'The Surrogate' captures the novel's exploration of love, loss, and family dynamics in Albuquerque.Albuquerque Today

Lynn C. Miller's novel 'The Surrogate' is a deeply psychological exploration of love, loss, and family dynamics set in Albuquerque. The story follows the extended family of Alex, a licensed psychologist, as they navigate grief, secrets, and a fast-moving romance after the death of Alex's cousin Rolf. The novel probes the characters' motives and emotions, examining how they cope with Rolf's ghostly presence and the introduction of the mysterious Nathaniel into their lives.

Why it matters

As a local Albuquerque author, Miller's novel provides a nuanced portrait of how a tight-knit family grapples with profound loss and the complexities of human relationships. The story explores universal themes of love, grief, and the search for connection, while also highlighting the unique character of Albuquerque as a setting.

The details

The Surrogate follows the lead character Alex, a licensed psychologist, as she struggles to cope with the death of her cousin Rolf in a car accident. Rolf's ghostly presence haunts the novel, triggering Alex and other family members to examine their memories and relationships. The story also introduces the mysterious Nathaniel, who quickly ingratiates himself into the family and begins a fast-moving romance with Alex. However, Alex soon loses trust in Nathaniel as she suspects he is hiding secrets about his past and present romantic ties. Meanwhile, Alex's cousin Stephen takes on the responsibility of managing his parents' devalued investments from the 2008 financial crisis, leading him to find his true love.

  • The novel is set in Albuquerque, primarily in the spring.
  • Lynn C. Miller will discuss and sign copies of 'The Surrogate: A Novel' at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 12, at Books on the Bosque.
  • Miller will also talk about her book at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 25, at Bookworks.

The players

Lynn C. Miller

The author of 'The Surrogate: A Novel' and an Albuquerque-based writer who co-hosts the podcast theunrulymuse.net.

Alex

The lead character, a licensed psychologist who is coping with the death of her cousin Rolf.

Rolf

Alex's cousin, whose death in a car accident is a central event in the novel.

Nathaniel

A mysterious character who quickly ingratiates himself into Alex's extended family after Rolf's death and begins a fast-moving romance with Alex.

Stephen

Alex's cousin, a stockbroker who takes responsibility for his parents' devalued investments from the 2008 financial crisis.

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What they’re saying

“I think you built him up to be someone who wasn't vulnerable. And it just isn't possible.”

— Nita, Alex's then-lover

“After Rolf died, I lost my sense of direction. Fog had swallowed Rolf, and now it swamped me too. I felt trapped in a dense haze that insulated me from other people and muted my senses. I couldn't find my way through it. Days passed, dark days that later I couldn't remember.”

— Alex, Lead character

What’s next

Miller will discuss 'The Surrogate' and sign copies of the book at upcoming events in Albuquerque on April 12 and June 25.

The takeaway

Lynn C. Miller's novel 'The Surrogate' provides a nuanced exploration of love, loss, and family dynamics set against the backdrop of Albuquerque. The story delves into the complex emotional journeys of its characters as they navigate grief, secrets, and the introduction of new relationships, highlighting the resilience and interconnectedness of the human experience.