Chip and Die

Reviewed by Kristina Patton for Reader Views (06/06) ISO-9000, chips, die and microprocessors are only a small fraction of the electronic lingo that Arlene Sachitano puts together to make this mystery ring true. As a microelectronics process technician, a manufacturing manager, and a high tech Director of Training, it seems that Arlene Sachitano brought a little bit of her work home to create the murder mystery, "Chip and Die". Sil-Trac, a company that manufactures computer chips, is a mad house right now. There is an important inspection that could cost millions of dollars if not passed, only a few weeks away. Supervisor Harley Springs is trying to get all of her employees to work together on some figures that just are not adding up. Each time Harley gets a little closer to the truth about why, another employee ends up dead. On top of that, she doesn't know who she can and cannot trust. Harley tracks down a few leads and, with a little detective work of her own, needs to find out how to save her inspection, her job, and her life. If you don't know much about the electronics industry, you might be confused at first. But Sachitano does a good job explaining the facts. She brings to life a subject that most people never knew to exist. Even though it is complicated subject matter, the mystery is well played. Every time that I thought that I had it figured out, the plot would thicken and twist a little farther away. I would love to see this turn into a Harley Spring series where her own detective skills get better with time. I would recommend "Chip and Die" to any lover of mysteries, especially those in the electronic industry who can actually picture the process Sachitano describes.

Harley Spring is already having a bad day at work when she gets a very strange phone call. The anonymous voice tells her that if she ever wants to see Miroslaw again, she needs to be across the street at the local bar, the Blue Whale, at nine that evening. Miroslaw is Mike's real name and an employee who, according to someone who claimed to be his brother, out sick with the flu. Harley needs him at work and needs him well as he is supposed to be figuring out why the numbers in production at Sil-Trac, a computer chipmaker, aren't adding up. Faced with an intense audit to meet ISO 9000 standards, everything has to be perfect and her people have to do their jobs right the first time. Harley, more curious than concerned, goes to the Blue Whale at the appointed hour and is confronted by three men with a bafflingly strange request. To see Miroslaw/Mike alive again, she must pay $4200 dollars in unmarked bills. The amount is odd, as is the groups behavior, and she does nothing as the men leave the bar. Mike's possible kidnapping becomes part of a long laundry list of problems at home and at work. Instead of calling the Police directly, she reports the situation to her HR department, resulting in the involvement of the local Police. What follows is a cascade of events; each worse that the preceding one as her professional career and personal life is threatened in this wild tale of romance, greed and corporate espionage. Featuring a potentially interesting main character and exhaustive background information on the chip industry, this novel moves forward at a somewhat erratic pace. At times, the read moves steadily forward before grinding to a near halt as events at work are painstakingly discussed. Then too there is the occasional strange behavior of the main character, which at times threatens the reader's willing suspension of disbelief. Despite being depicted as professionally very competent, she does not seem able to properly deal with problems at work in a professional real world matter and has a very hard time with her personal life. The read, despite it's perceived flaws, is still interesting and provides a fairly good book. The mystery itself is complex and changing and the final twist at the end, one of several, works well and fits nicely into the setup. All in all, this is a book worth reading and an author to keep an eye on in the future. Book Facts: Chip And Die By Arlene Sachitano Zumaya Publications www.zumayapublications.com 2003 ISBN # 1-894942-35-3 Large Trade Paperback (Other formats available) 236 Pages $14.00 US (Print Price) This complete review appeared previously online at the Blue Iris Journal Blog Kevin R. Tipple © 2004

Harley Spring is in deep water, she must help prepare her company, Sil-Trac, for an ISO 9000 inspection and try to solve a mystery at the same time. Employees keep turning up dead and Harley fears that if she doesn't get to the bottom of the deaths she'll be next. With the help of her stepson and a fat detective Harley works through the Sil-Trac murder scandal and gets her job done at the same time.Arlene Sachitano's first novel is charming and witty. Her dialogue is sharp and while there is a small amount technical information it is not only easy to understand but useful for creating a vivid image of the setting. The plot includes enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end.I would highly recommend this book to any reader.

This was an enjoyable ride with Harley Spring, a supervisor at an integrated circuit factory. (Hence, the chip in the title.) Harley has two problems: murder and an ISO 9000 inspection, and they're both hitting the plant at the same time. I enjoy an insight into worlds I don't know, and this mystery gave me one, as well as several interlocking puzzles. I enjoyed it all. The author produced believable characters, and plausible mysteries, as well as avoiding the common traps of either telegraphing the punches or having the solutions come out of nowhere. I suspect that in future outings, her prose will flow a little better, and her dialogue will have a bit more snap, but neither flaw interfered with my enjoyment of this book. This work will appeal most to those that are technically inclined, and to those who understand and are amused by geeks and nerds. Neither is required, but tech and techies run through the story in modest amounts.

Harley Spring is a supervisor at Sil Trac, a Washington state based Manufacturing Corporation that makes computer chips. They are due to have a certification inspection in four days and the numbers are not matching up right. One of her team leaders Mike took the papers home and is working on the problem. When he is due in to work, his brother calls telling the company Mike is sick. Harley knows there is a problem because Mike has no brother.His girlfriend Rebecca, who works at the same company, calls Harley to tell her Mike is dead. When she arrives at Mike's home, the two women sneak out the company papers and a picture of the Black Madonna. Two more people who work at the company are killed and Harley and the police don't have a clue what is going on until her genius son and his equally intelligent friend figure out what is happening at the factory. Now all the authorities and Harley have to do is identify the ringleaders are and catch them in the act.CHIP AND DIE is an upbeat amateur sleuth mystery that readers will find amusing, and refreshingly original. The heroine is a delight, beset by problems but still manages to get the job done. Arlene Sachitano is a terrific writer who excels at characterizations and plotting. Harley is an intelligent, in-your-face character who does what she wants which is helping the people she comes to care about deal with their problems. It is hoped that there will be more novels starring this complex and enchanting character.Harriet Klausner