The Faceless Thing

by Edward D. Hoch

A short story by Edward D. Hoch

Genres: Short Stories, Horror

5 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 1963

About the author

Edward D. Hoch is one of the most honored mystery writers of all time.

* 1968 Edgar Allan Poe Award (Mystery Writers of America): "The Oblong Room", The Saint Mystery Magazine, July 1967
* 1998 Anthony Award (Bouchercon World Mystery Convention): "One Bag of Coconuts", EQMM, November 1997
* 2001 Anthony Award (Bouchercon): "The Problem of the Potting Shed", EQMM, July 2000
* 2007 Ellery Queen Readers Choice Award (awarded 2008): "The Theft of the Ostracized Ostrich", EQMM, June 2007
* Lifetime Achievement Award (Private Eye Writers of America), 2000
* Grand Master (Mystery Writers of America), 2001
* Lifetime Achievement Award (Bouchercon), 2001

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent study in repressed, projected guilt & denial

Clearly the protagonist ACCIDENTALLY caused his sister's death via 'horse-play' in a dangerous area for play (water, 'quicksand like' mud, etc) - this being more than he could 'handle', he externalized (internalized?) his guilt via projection of same upon a (subconsciously manufactured) 'monster in the cave' - A 'monster', as one would expect, now as tired and 'old' as he... How truly guilt is among the foulest of fiends...

I confess, however, that the significance of the elderly neighbor escapes me...

Thanks for hearing (well... reading) my opinion!

Regards
Dan

[Glen Engel-Cox · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t understand this story. Yes, I understand how a young boy could remember something he thinks he saw when he was 10, a traumatizing incident in which his sister died, and he didn’t saw how he knew, but what’s the point of returning to the scene, to awaken the ooze, that just acts as if it’s too old to do anything, and then there’s this unnamed ancient women who greets him, unless it’s his sister? But that makes no sense. Perhaps I’m just clueless, but this was very unsatisfying.

[Sadina Shawver · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm still not quite sure what I read? I liked it more than some of the other short fiction in the anthology I have that I read this from. I may have to sit with this one for a bit longer to feel better about the ambiguous reveal.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

IMO, a very good
although not absolutely
great scary short story.