Ostensibly, it's a mystery: In a small town on the Oregon coast, there have been murders going back years. Thomas Stanton is an actor on hiatus from filming a detective show after breaking his leg. One of the murders occurred in his house, the previous tennant. The last murder was his daughter. He's in Oregon to get away from Hollywood and to try and understand his daughter's death. The truth turns out to be much worse than he could imagine.
The local newpaper editor Jillian Maxwell aids Stanton in his recovery and investigation but she has reasons for coming to the small town that weigh upon her as well, least of which is her rebellious sister.
Facade was the first horror novel from Rusch, a World Fantasy Award winning science fiction writer. But her background doesn't show, Facade having the feel of something closer to a crime thriller- almost James Pattersonish, back when he wrote his own books- up until an unearthly resolution.
Rusch has a good handle on what's going on in his head- his disatisfaction with work, coupled with the loss of his daughter with the additional weight of being an outsider in a small town.
The ending seemed hurried, like Rusch needed to wrap up the story within the conventions of the genre, and it doesn't not work. Yes, it feels contrived, but in a way that didn't seem cliched. And cliched endings are practically part of the horror genre formula.
Of course, that was part of Jeanne Cavelos' idea behind the imprint:"To be a part of the horror genre, all that's required is that the story evokes strong, dark emotions - anything from apprehension, fear, terror, horror, disgust, anger, despair, numbness, loss, morbid fascination, and disturbing thrills, to awe." For the most part, Facade succeeds.
Status: Back in print from WMG Publishing, print and e-book editions.
