The Ghost with a Knife at Her Throat

I was intrigued by this blurb, and even more intrigued when the book was granted to me with somewhat of a warning. After reading this book, I now know why. I am going to have a really hard time talking about this book, but I’ll do my best. First off, this book is very unique. I love how it is nothing like all the UF out there; this is paranormal with paint, a very unreliable narrator, a few ghosts, forgeries, money laundering, and just so much more. The tone, in a way, reminds me of the 70s era and the flowerchild movement of that time. But, even then, I’m still not capturing this book. There’s also a murder mystery with an interesting twist when we sort of solve this. I really enjoyed this book, but, again, it’s really hard to describe; you’ll just have to read it for yourself. I was left hanging about a couple of things, but no matter, I’m hoping I’ll find out in the next book. This book isn’t going to be for everyone, but it was for me. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

Life is rough with eyes that see the dead.

Suspenseful and well-written. Great characters and plot twists. I loved it.

I loved the character of Asher Gale. He reminded me of hard boiled detectives like Phillip Marlowe. That can be a tricky characterization to get right and Hincker hits the nail on the head. The addition of Asher Gale's ability to see different ultraviolet colors made his investigation unique. We get some answers to the mystery, but there are still other answers out there to be had, so it makes you want to keep reading the next novel.
If you like detective fiction and propulsive narrative, you have to pick this book up.

Really intriguing take on urban fantasy with an engaging MC and a snappy, modern style. Not what I was expecting but also super enjoyable.

An absolute joy, prodigal son must return to his roots to save the day, but the troupe is aggressively altered to be more fun.

This book was full of suspense if plot twists! It really kept me hooked and inwould recommend it to fans of the fantasty genre.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The main character is so quirky and yet likeable. The author slowly reveals Asher's back story to explain why he acts/responds the way he does. The story continually moves along revealing new secrets about the town and the people living there. I was very happy to see that there are more books ready for me to read - because I need to know more! I'm invested in his budding romance lol. Possible spoiler -
My only complaint is poor Samantha does not have her resolution when the story ends. I'm holding out hope she gets her peace in book 2.

This a great start to the History of Light series, it had a great overall concept and I enjoyed the detective elements in this book. The characters were everything that I was looking for and worked in this universe. It left me wanting to read more in this world and from the author.

This book was an interesting and unique read.
It was hard to follow at first but once I became familiar with his writing style it made sense to me..
I liked the twists and turns and enjoyed reading it. I like Asher’s abilities and gave it a supernatural bend.

I found it to be a fun adventure with well-developed characters. It had a different setting and plot than I usually read and this was nice for a change. A dynamic read that kept my attention, thanks for allowing me to read your work.

Title: A Five-Star Thriller That Keeps You on the Edge

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"The Ghost with a Knife at Her Throat" by Kevin Hincker is an electrifying thriller that hooks you from the very beginning and never lets go. Hincker's storytelling is a roller-coaster ride of suspense, mystery, and the supernatural, all expertly woven into a gripping narrative.

The story follows protagonist Alex Warren, who, while recovering from a traumatic incident, starts experiencing ghostly visitations and nightmarish visions. Hincker's portrayal of Alex's struggle with these unsettling events is both poignant and chilling. The depth of emotion and psychological tension is masterfully conveyed, making it easy to empathize with the character.

The author's writing style is immersive, with vivid descriptions and a knack for building an eerie atmosphere. The small-town setting is brought to life, and you can almost feel the sense of isolation and impending dread. The pacing is flawless, keeping the reader engaged with well-timed revelations and heart-pounding moments.

What sets this book apart is the clever blending of psychological horror and supernatural elements. Hincker keeps you guessing, and as the story unfolds, you'll find yourself questioning reality and the line between the living and the dead. The twists and turns are expertly executed, leaving you eager to uncover the truth.

Character development is another strong suit of this novel. Each character feels authentic, with their own quirks, flaws, and hidden secrets. The interactions between them add depth and intrigue to the plot, and you'll find yourself forming connections with them, even the ones who send shivers down your spine.

"The Ghost with a Knife at Her Throat" is a true page-turner, a thrilling blend of the supernatural and psychological suspense that will haunt you long after you've finished it. Kevin Hincker has delivered a five-star masterpiece that is a must-read for fans of the genre. If you're looking for a chilling, mind-bending, and utterly satisfying thriller, this book is an absolute gem.

This was such a wonderful and enjoyable read!!!! I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys this genre. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The magic system in this book is unlike anything I have read before, it's so original and unique. The book starts off with a quick note introducing the setting of this world, before the reader is thrown headfirst into the vibrant town of Skysill. Readers are expected to pick up on how the magic system works along the way, without much hand-holding from the author. That being said, I feel the author does a good job of gradually introducing different aspects of the magic so as to not overwhelm the reader, while trusting the reader to be able to pick it up without much exposition.

Although the narrative style might not be for everyone, I liked the sort of off-hand way the MC, Asher, makes observations and his dry humour adds to that as well. Asher as a character though, is kind of a wreck. He has to solve the mystery, while dealing with quirky cast of side characters who are either intent on helping or hindering him. At the same time, he's dealing with stuff that is <insert spoilers> that also makes it hard for him to figure shit out. And he's not a good detective (Asher agrees).

The mystery was mysterying! I was kept intrigued until the end, but this book finishes without solving all the pieces of the puzzle, which I suppose will be left for the sequels.

I wish that we could have seen more of the Higher colours explored in this book(presumably they will be in the sequels), as the only colour that was really talked about is compulsion. Another nitpick I have is the way the Higher colours are perceived. Italics are used when talking about /seeing/ Higher colours (eg /sighted/, "can you /see/?") and I feel that this hinders the flow of the narrative as it makes me emphasis those words in my head while reading it, I think it would have been better if the first letter was capitalised instead. I also found the romance in particular to be the least convincing part of this book. It was very love-at-first-sight-y and really just came out of nowhere. Like, the romance could have been removed completely, no need to change the characters, and the plot would have been exactly the same.

As I devoured this mesmerizing tale, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was walking alongside Asher, shouldering the weight of his haunted past and his extraordinary gift. The vivid descriptions of Skysill Beach and its eclectic artist community transported me to a world where creativity and darkness entwine. Asher's struggles with his ultraviolet eyes, his 'crazy,' resonated deeply, and I found myself rooting for him to confront his demons. The mystery unfolds like a masterful painting, with each brushstroke revealing a new layer of intrigue. I was captivated by the way the story explores the blurred lines between art, reality, and the supernatural. Asher's journey left me with a lasting sense of empathy and awe. If you're ready to immerse yourself in a world that's both haunting and beautiful, then step into the ultraviolet world of Skysill Beach.

This book is amazing! I loved every word of it. It is book 1 in a 5 book series and I cannot wait until the rest come out. I will be devouring them just like u did this one. The story line is so original. I loved it!!!!
I just reviewed The Ghost with a Knife at Her Throat by Kevin HIncker. #ghosts #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

Yo wtf-- I think I loved this???

This book is definitely weird but doing a lot of interesting things. It's got that Dresden Files vibe with a talented screw-up turned addict (alcoholism in this case) who's doing amateur gumshoe work that is much more caught up in a secret underworld than he could've anticipated.

The community here is fascinating. It's an insular beach town in Southern California full of artists and collectives and mom and pop shops (think something like Aptos, where they've successfully kept most of the big chain stores from opening within the city limits). But while it has a visibly artsy vibe on the outside, there are secret societies (kinda) underneath. A whole world that mundanes are unable to see.

The magic system is fascinating and continued to expand as the book went on. The murder mystery is twisty and intriguing, and deeply tied to the Fantasy elements here.

But honestly it's the tone that kept me laughing and invested. Asher is a textbook sasshole and since it's first person POV, the narration is too. While it's a little unbelievable that everyone he interacts with can match his sarcasm and sassy, they're all slightly different flavors and I can buy that he's just the kind of guy who brings that out in people. There were some real gems and turns of phrase that tickled my funny bone and I had to send them to people to enjoy it with me.

I think this book will be a little more niche, and I honestly hope it finds its audience. But at least for me-- I'll be strapping in for the whole series. Original, creative, and fun!

Asher Gale is a former artist who has an exceptional ability to perceive colors that are beyond human perception. However, this ability comes at a cost as it is challenging for Asher to regulate his visual experiences. The higher colors take him on a roller coaster of emotional and physical highs and lows, making it difficult for him to navigate through life.

Despite the difficulties, Asher is working towards recovery, taking it one day at a time. But his progress is derailed when a former employer compels him to solve a series of deaths and crimes. Fighting through bouts of apathy, impulsivity, and delirium, Asher pushes through, striving to solve the mystery.

Asher is a fascinating character with several peculiarities. He often belittles himself, but he is adored by many. The writing is vivid and evocative, transporting the reader into Asher's world of colors and emotions. The story is laced with a dash of humor, loads of suspense, and plenty of supernatural occurrences, making it an excellent read for those looking for something a little out of the box.

Special thanks to the author, Kevin Hinker, for providing me with a digital copy of The Ghost with a Knife at Her Throat in exchange for an honest review.

start time: 20:00 05/03/24
When I started this book it felt like wading through mud, difficult, cumbersome and unenjoyable. I forced myself to tough it out and for once in my life, I love my hyperfixation.

Asher Gale is a man of profound confusion and nonsense. It was a new narration style for me and first I did not think I enjoyed it but ultimately I fell utterly inlove with this cesspool of disjointed insanity.

Deeply jaded and heavily burdened by his abilities he sets out (more like forced) to unthread the death of his client? Boss?

From there we're dumped into the deep end of mystery, thrill and Asher's hilarious monologue. Not once throughout did I know where this book was headed and that was immensely appreciated.

The world that Kevin Hinckler built was a beautifully and nauseating blend of every wildly discriptive word and phrase you can think of. The corner of every street builds languidly over time that roots you in the soil of the book.

If you are a fan of complicated but yet oversimplified characters that burrow themselves deep in your fibre. It takes you on such a journey from start to finish that when the book ends you're left bereft and unhinged.

For the side characters:

Amelia Gale had me eating out of her hand the moment I met her. The connection and banter that brother and sister has was heatwarming. Like Asher, she's also an artist. Where Asher abandoned his passion for painting, Amelia embraced hers.

Tante Celine is a snickerdoodle of a character, with a soft whimsical airiness. We don't see her a lot in the first installment of this series/dualogy? We do see her love and commitment to her chosen family.

And to the last mention worthy side character, Caroline, the psychic who believes in psychometry, but never ghosts. She's introduced towards the middle of the book and she encapsulates the perfecr version of someone who's psychic in my opinion. Her go with the flow attitude and general acceptance of anything - except ghost. (strange hill to die on)

While I absolutely loved this book here are a few gripes I have:
- The pacing felt off to me at places, but that could be attributed to Asher and his singlemindedness.
- At times it was hard for me to actually understand what heck I was reading, but that could also be attributed to english not being my mother tongue.
-It ended too abruptly. It's as annoying as a sneeze that gets stuck in your throat.

A lot of the problems I have could be intentionally done by the author because Kevin Hinckler did describe Asher Gale as roided up unrelatable narrator (paraphrasing).

But ultimately none of what I mentioned deterred me from finishing this book.

*chefs kiss*
End time: 06/03/24 23:50

Thank you so much to Kevin Hincker and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I loved this to its core. I enjoyed almost every element—the deep dive into this fantasy-laced art world, our barely functioning MC who's plagued by both metaphorical and real ghosts, and the murder mystery at the core of it all, propelling the story forward.

The characters were colorful; the language was rich. Asher was, for all his faults and inability to hold himself together, a fantastic character to follow and dissect and root for. He's sarcastic, pessimistic, and possibly an alcoholic, but the morally gray, unreliable facets of his character made every moment either hilarious or dangerous for his wellbeing. And when humor or his self-destructive tendencies failed him, there were hints of unexpected sensitivity that were so beautiful for their rarity.

I wouldn't know how to categorize this book, but it reminded me of old-school detective mysteries with an almost noir vibe. I can, however, say the writing was lush with sensory detail and unique, otherworldly mechanics, and the result was original and magical, and I'm thrilled the story continues and doesn't end here!

Let me introduce you to the weirdest love of my life. I don’t know if I loved it or hated it but I’m obsessed with it and told my friends about it so I’m going with love!
murder mystery, drama, dark humor and twists galore! It kept me completely captivated the entire time.

I LOVED Asher. Such a sassy character. I can’t wait for more.

First off, I fell in love with Asher almost immediately! I loved everything about that character. The book itself was unique- fantasy/art, ghosts, old school detective mystery.....I haven't read anything that mashed such elements together so beautifully. If you love supernatural themes and mysteries, you'll love this!

At six, Asher displayed prodigious talent. Yet, seizures triggered by peculiar ultraviolet hues made painting excruciating. Now 26, he grapples with life's complexities from a bar in the secretive Southern California artist haven of Skysill Beach, moonlighting as an art sleuth. In Skysill, everyone worries about art forgeries. But for Ash, they're like painful shards. His distinctive ultraviolet sight unveils unsettling sights he'd rather avoid.This book drew me in with its unique charm. While its storytelling initially puzzled me, I soon adapted to the author's narrative style. I was charmed by the protagonist's spirited nature throughout and pleasantly surprised to learn this was just book one in a series. A mix of murder mystery and fantasy? Absolutely captivating. The story's magical elements whisked me away on a thrilling ride through detailed world-building and unforeseen plot twists.The author crafts a lively and unique setting where art is not just an outlet but also a weapon and a doorway to other worlds. Characters are intricately developed, each with their own secrets and motivations. Asher emerges as a flawed yet relatable hero, wrestling with inner demons and emotions. The book also touches on deep themes such as self-discovery, artistic expression, addiction, and destiny.A big thank you to NetGalley and Kevin Hincker for this engaging read.

First: WOW.
Second: Wait, WOOOW.

This clever, entertaining, and ambitious novel straddles science fiction and the classic noir detective story.

Asher Gale has a talent that has been nearly driving him mad: he can see the Higher Colors--the ones in the uv spectrum––but he cannot seem to keep a lid on his skill. Others, like his sister Amelia, see Higher and create with Higher-pigment paints and get by just fine. But Asher suffers "chroma storms" where the colors induce ecstatic seizures, and when confronted with emotional or physical trauma, he tends to Gray out (when he cannot see any color, Gray Asher becomes more or less a curious sociopath. A useful but dangerous talent.)

Asher drinks to numb the pain; his main side-gig is spotting forged paintings for a rich buddy. But when the rich buddy's daughter is found dead, Asher finds himself involved in a private investigation that keeps uncovering more and more trouble. Plus he seems to be seeing the dead girl's ghost.

One of the great charms of noir is the very specific voice of the world-weary, creatively wise-cracking anti-hero hero. And Asher fits the bill to perfection. For instance, his throw-away description of the California Coast where the action occurs: "The rocks of Manders Point piled in a basalt spine on the right. The waves beat those rocks. The rocks loved it and asked for more." And this minor character, "Her forlorn deluged off the doorway, like water from a broken dam." And this description of pulling himself out of the Gray, "...it's like having an argument with a moth where you and the moth are both drunk."

Like the best science fiction, this novel is but the first of series. It's a distinct pleasure to know the rest of the series (culminating in what the publisher bills "Odd Thomas" meets the Lord of the Rings) is available already.

Fans of fun, twisty, speculative detectives (like Christopher Moore's Noir) and supernatural mutations (Stephen Woodworth's Violet Eyes series comes to mind), step right up!

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my unfettered opinion.

This book was a unique masterpiece that must’ve taken the mind of a genius. This story is one that will not only confuse me but one which I will treasure forever, simply because of the different aspects. I have never read anything like it and I am so grateful I was able to experience the rollercoaster of emotions, information, and development. I’m not going to lie, there was so much information that I needed to comprehend with every page that it tired me out easily. However, even then I still found myself coming back every time not even a few hours later. This book had me constantly on my toes and always thinking. Even now letting it all sink in for a few days I still find myself thinking back to the intricate details and plot of this novel. The Ghost with a knife at her throat by Kevin Hlncker is a true masterpiece.

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read and review.

This book was fantastic! I loved how sassy the main character was throughout the entire book and was pleasantly surprised to find that this was book 1 in a series. Murder mystery Fantasy. What’s not to like? The unique magical elements through the book led me on a roller coaster of beautiful world-building and plot twists I did not see coming.