Ghost-Walker by Barbara Hambly (Star Trek #53, February 1991)

A strategically-located planet is again a point of contention between the Federation and the Klingons. Midgwis, home to the Midgwins, a peaceful bird-like race, is claimed by both and the Klingons have a leg up on a Federation that was slow to respond. But, there is growing evidence that the natives will have to be taken into account, even though they have no technology to speak of, not even agriculture, and starvation looms.

The Enterprise crew brings a new contact team to pursue relations, and Captain Kirk has fallen in love with Dr. Helen Jones, a member of the team. Jones must decide whether to forsake this great career advancement for love, and remain with the Enterprise, or stay on the planet.

She decides to stay on the Enterprise. And then, after an odd incident with the transporter, Kirk begins acting strange, very strange. And Jones is attacked. There is no word from the party on Midgwis. All over the ship, strange things keep happening....knocking sounds when no one is there, objects moved through no apparent means.

Hambly follows her odd but charming novel of five years earlier, "Ishmael," with another unusual and compelling entry in the Star Trek line of novels. It works as a ghost story, a character study, and a science fiction tale. Kirk, Spock, and Uhura are well used here.

Between the time of her first ST novel, when she was just starting out as a writer, and this book, when she was well established as a short story writer and occasional novelist, Hambly grew greatly in confidence. She takes more chances with the story and writing, and while it's not all successful it is interesting. In the hands of another writer this plot could quickly disintegrate into listless pabulum, but here it works. There are mystical elements but they are not overused. Scientific points have their use as well. And secondary characters have a real life, when we pass through their midst.

There was one small sign that this was the beginning of a low point in Trek novel history, and it was the naming of "Reilly," apparently supposed to be Kevin Riley from the TV series. The only reason to give the character that nonsensical name, as must have been done by the editor, is to further an editorial policy of not highlighting characters beyond the typical seven from the TV show. And that was a very bad sign.

Still, this is a fine book. It is well worthy of a read by Star Trek fans and non-fans alike.