Trick of Light

David Hunt has managed to write a first person female narrative in a way that probably few men can. He strikes just the right chord in Kay's poetic struggles with murder, love, identity, and most of all, the sense of wonder she finds looking through her camera lense. San Francisco itself plays a major role in this novel, and one can feel the vibrancy, as well as the lonliness, of this beautiful city. While there is a definate underlying tone of darkness, there is always a feeling of hope as well. By the end of this second novel in the series, one feels that they know Kay, and now want to continue following her in her quest for completeness. This is much more than a mystery novel, and its images and feelings will stay with you long after the book is over.

I think this is a briliant book, beautifully written, with a strong female protagonist who rings absolutely true to life. It is so superior to the standard run of mysteries that it's not funny! The story is compelling, the way it's developed is fascinating and the outcome is deliciously gratifying to the reader. Hunt has written in the voice of this character before in his terrific earlier book THE MAGICIAN'S TALE. Though the earlier book was permeated with a darker sexuality, this new Kay Farrow novel is perhaps more enticing. I found it almost Hitchcockian (if there is such a word!)and the San Francisco setting also reminded me of Hitchcock at his best (i.e. "VERTIGO"). A great read!

Erudite, I am not. But a reader, I am. This is good, real good. Don't want to spoil the mystery, but it is about a visual impared photographer who has to see between the black and white to find the truth. Stunning! Read it. Visualization come close to t.s. great fog

I bought "Trick of Light" several months after reading "The Magician's Tale" and after reading it find it to be a rarity -- a sequel that is as good or better than the original. The story line is very unique and in places somewhat erotic. I'm looking forward to David's (a pen name for someone I actually suspect is a woman) next effort

I loved "The Magician's Tale." I read it this summer in paperback and couldn't put it down. So I was thrilled when I learned that David Hunt had written a second novel featuring colorblind photographer, Kay Farrow. In fact, "Trick Of Light" is if anything better than the first book...and that's saying something! This time Kay tracks the death of her mentor, world-famous photojournalist Maddy Yamada, who appeared briefly in the earlier novel. Here, after Kay unravels Maddy's past, her life is explicated in all its magnificent strangeness and mystery. And here again Hunt captures the essence of my hometown, San Francisco, like no other novelist before. In both books you can literally feel the fog, smell the streets, delight in the shimmering Pacific Coast light. And as before Kay Farrow's noir vision of the city (for she is totally colorblind) distills it down to a special essence. A terrific tale beautifully told by a highly gifted writer. Suspense, mystery, memorable characters, a stunning tour de force. I can't recommend this book enough!