The Ghost with a Knife at Her Throat (The History of Light, #1)

by Kevin Hincker

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Ghost with a Knife at Her Throat is the first volume in a 5 book UF/paranormal/mystery series by Kevin Hincker. Released 14th Aug 2023, it's 274 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The other books in the series are also currently available on KU. The fifth and final book is due out 15th May 2024. 

This is an extremely trippy book with some interesting world building (some gifted artists are able to see outside the visible light spectrum, and some can use pigments which tap into subliminal compulsions). The MC is a former prodigy who gave up painting because it caused him seizures and fugue states varying from manic behavior to near catatonia. 

There are graphic descriptions of violence, suicide, mental illness, and multiple detailed passages about seizures that are so specific, I can only imagine the author has done some impressive research into epilepsy or migraine/cluster headache and neurological disorders.

It's well written but quite choppy; very much in the vein of Terry Gilliam. It's not derivative at all, but fans of China Miéville and Jeff VanderMeer will find this narrative resonates on a similar frequency. There are overarching plotlines, and the plot doesn't resolve in this volume. In fact the 5 book series deals with one sense per book (sight, sound, scent, taste, and touch). 

Three and a half stars. Worth a look for fans of "New Weird" and surrealist UF. Since it's included in KU, definitely worth a look just on a whim. It's emphatically not easy reading though. It's a self-published indie title, and readers should expect some roughness and a few minor typos.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.