Heiser, Michael S. The Façade, AcidTest Press, 2007. 330pgs. $19.95 Available at: AcidTest Press
Finished Mike Heiser’s novel, Façade. It was an enjoyable read. A page turner. Has all the elements of a good novel, though it told more than showed, but it’s a first novel. Could have benefited from professional editing. Found several copy errors and spots of awkward construction or word choice. I believe that the sequel will be improved.
It passed my” Rule of 44″* within the first few pages, simply because it’s a good story with an implausible theme by an author I respect personally. Very suspenseful in places, could be a nail-biter movie given a healthy budget and top actors. I could see Donald Southerland as the Colonel, Sandra Bullock or Julia Roberts as Melissa, Anthony Hopkins as Neil or Father Benedict, Dr. Brian Scott has to be either leading man from old ER or Lost.
The storyline moves, has energy. A breathtaking ending. Good first novel. Well done Mike. I recommend it.
*My Rule of 44:” If it doesn’t grab me in 44 pages, away it goes. Too many good books and not enough time. So don’t waste it. My rule of 44 is based upon the original “rule is 50”, which I read somewhere but cannot for the life of me remember the author. She had a great formula for subtracting pages according to age. I think you subtract from 50, one page for every ten years of life, because life is just too short to waste time reading a book that doesn’t offer anything after 50 pages. But, as recommended, I have adjusted for my age. According to the author, when you reach 70, you get to judge a book by its cover.
