Chip and Die [Paperback]

Arlene Sachitano (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 6, 2003

Harley Spring is a supervisor with a problem. She has to get her group through a certification inspection or Sil-Trac, the large computer chip manufacturer she works for, will lose millions of dollars in contracts. When the man in charge of figuring out why the numbers don't add up disappears, Harley receives an unusual ransom demand. Before she can respond, Mike's girlfriend finds him—dead.

The race to solve the numbers problem is on, and each time Harley gets close, someone else dies. Meanwhile, Mike's Uncle Andrush has his own agenda. Andrush believes Mike brought a priceless family icon to America when he immigrated, and Andrush has nothing but debts to lose. Harley finds herself in possession of the icon and the target of whomever wants the production counts to stay scrambled. If she doesn't solve the count problem, she'll lose her job. If she does it could mean her life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An intriguing glimpse into a world (high tech manufacturing) about which most of us are ignorant, CHIP AND DIE produces murder and mayhem as smoothly as Harley Spring's company does chips. Don't miss this charming debut mystery by Arlene Sachitano." - Libby Hellmann, author of Anthony-nominated AN EYE FOR MURDER . . . "A murderous romp through Siliconland North, where a spunky computer-company manager of a certain age joins forces with a couple of smart (and smart-ass) teenagers, a woman who lives among angels, and a fashion-challenged detective with a zipper problem, to find a cold-hearted, cold-blooded murderer before she herself is numbered among the rapidly-rising body count." - Larry Karp, author of the Thomas Purdue Music Box Mystery series . . . "An intriguing debut for Harley Spring, wry supervisor at a Northwest chip manufacturing plant. A cozy mystery set in the hard-boiled high tech world offers up victims and suspects alike as Harley searches for answers while the number of victims grows. Opportunities abound for her particular and droll humor as she weaves her way through a cast of memorable supporting characters, including polyestered Detective Green, warm cookie housekeeper Mrs. Johnson, and a mysterious Polish icon. Snappy and smile-inducing - what's next for these original characters?" - Susan Bucharest, Associate Editor, OPEN SPACES QUARTERLY --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

About the Author

ARLENE SACHITANO has worked in the electronics industry for twenty-eight years, as a microelectronics process technician, a manufacturing manager and, for the last twelve years, as Director of Training for a high tech staffing service. She has written serial mysteries for a local newspaper and is the author of a proprietary tome on electronics assembly. Arlene is active in her local chapter of Sisters in Crime. She lives with her husband and their cat Lydia in the Pacific Northwest.

Product Details

• Paperback: 236 pages
• Publisher: Zumaya Enigma (October 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1894942353
• ISBN-13: 978-1894942355
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #810,182 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Arlene Sachitano was born at Camp Pendleton while her father was serving in the US Navy. Her family lived in Newport, Rhode Island before settling in Oregon, where Arlene still resides. Arlene worked in the electronics industry for almost thirty years, including stints in solid state research as well as production supervision. Arlene is handy being both a knitter and a quilter. She puts her quilting knowledge to work, writing the Harriet Truman/Loose Threads mystery series, which features a long arm quilter as the amateur sleuth. Arlene divides her time between homes in Portland and Tillamook that she shares with her husband and their feline companion, Lydia.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chip and Die Doesn't Die, June 22, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Chip and Die (Paperback)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Which is worse -- murder or an ISO inspection?, February 19, 2004

By 

Marion Gropen "publishing consultant" (Gropen Associates, NY, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chip and Die (Paperback)

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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars upbeat amateur sleuth, January 30, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chip and Die (Paperback)

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