THE FACE

Start with Hollywood and some guardian angels. Add an anarchist with a sick sadistic side. Counter with an ex-cop security chief trying to figure out the puzzle being set for him. Throw in a precocious and lonely boy (Frick) with a vivid imagination, who is the antithesis of his movie-hero father. Voilà--suspense is born. Dylan Baker narrates with a somewhat detached tone, which he colors with various shades of irony to suit the characters he has before him. He attributes to the ghost/angel of the story a hoarse whisper and presents Frick with an aspect of vulnerability and fantasy that befits his age and makes him a sympathetic character. In all, the suspense builds smoothly and steadily in Baker’s hands. J.E.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 03]