Faye Bayko, an author with deep roots in the Pacific Northwest, has released her debut novel, Fake Out, the first book in her Long Beach Mystery series. Set against the rugged beauty of Vancouver Island’s west coast, the novel draws readers into a web of murder and intrigue in the late 1960s.
The story centers around Sandy Chambers, a 20-year-old woman seeking freedom amidst the counterculture of 1968. What begins as a carefree journey to a hippie commune takes a dark turn when the man she meets along the way turns up dead. Set in the Long Beach area of Pacific Rim National Park, Fake Out explores the dynamics of the original Wickaninnish Inn, built in 1964, as the backdrop for this gripping mystery.
Bayko, who hails from Port Alberni, is no stranger to writing. With a career that spans decades, she has penned everything from newspaper columns to feature articles. Her passion for writing fiction, however, began in earnest with this novel. In a career that began in 1989, she has contributed to publications such as Lethbridge Magazine, the Kelowna Daily Courier, and other regional newspapers.
The idea for Fake Out emerged during a 2009 trip to Pacific Rim National Park with her son, following his graduation from film school. During this trip, Bayko discovered the history of the two Wickaninnish Inns—one of which was located near the current Kwisitis Visitor Centre—and began researching the area’s rich history. Her research, which included interviews with local residents and extensive reading on the park’s history, laid the foundation for her novel.
Though she ultimately chose to self-publish the book through Tellwell Publishing, Bayko invested heavily in the writing process, hiring her own editors to ensure the book met her high standards. The result is the first of four planned books in the Long Beach Mystery series, which spans the years 1968 to 1973.
Bayko’s novel delves into the cultural and historical setting of the late 1960s, as the hippie movement took hold on Vancouver Island. In Fake Out, Sandy Chambers is drawn into a murder mystery involving four interconnected characters: Sandy herself, Conny (a 22-year-old cleaning supervisor at the inn), Tom (a rich Vancouverite sent to the remote coast to work off his father’s embarrassment), and David, a 39-year-old RCMP corporal stationed in Ucluelet.
The novel’s fast pace and intricate character development are complemented by Bayko’s deep knowledge of the time and place in which the story unfolds. “I want readers to be entertained,” she said, “but also informed about the history and culture of the area.”
Bayko will be reading from Fake Out on Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 7-8 p.m. at the Ucluelet Community Hall. The author will also be participating in a special event for Independent Bookstore Day at Volume One Bookstore in Duncan on April 26.
Fake Out is available for purchase at several independent bookstores around Vancouver Island, including Blackberry Cove Marketplace in Ucluelet, Mermaid Tales Bookshop in Tofino, Mobius Books in Port Alberni, and Volume One Bookstore in Duncan.
For more information about Bayko’s Long Beach Mystery series and upcoming events, visit her website or follow her on social media.
