Customer Reviews

Smasher (The Silicon Valley Mysteries)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It has been far too long since Keith Raffel has graced us with his presence on the bookshelves. But his latest effort makes the wait worthwhile. Raffel, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, knows the topography well and demonstrates it in this fast-paced, one-sit read. SMASHER, the follow-up to DOT DEAD, marks the return of Ian Michaels, the brilliant if reluctant CEO of Accelenet, a cutting-edge IT company.

Raffel's primary talent is his ability to make that which is complex interesting to the ordinary mind. In SMASHER, he sets two plot lines along razor-sharp paths. One involves a potential takeover of Accelenet by Ricky Frankson, the fabulously successful CEO of the powerful Torii Networks. Frankson wants total control of Accelenet and is lowballing Michaels on the price while inexorably bringing market forces to bear to force the sale. Michaels has no particular love for the company he heads, having been more or less forced into the helm position by the disappearance of his predecessor and former friend. But he nonetheless feels an obligation to Accelenet's employees and stockholders to get desperately needed capital for the company while maintaining control. The result --- a war fought without white weaponry --- is an exciting one due to Raffel's ability to describe what is occurring in the boardroom and on the cell phones in terms that do not require a master's degree in business administration.

At the same time, Michaels is given an intriguing assignment by his mother. Her sister and Michael's aunt was Isobel Marter, the first woman in Stanford University's physics department and, as it turns out, a largely unheralded member of the research team responsible for the discovery of quarks. When Stanford names a particle physics lab after Marter, it sparks a conversation between Michaels and his mother, which, in turn, leads Michaels into an investigation of his own.

His digging is initially stonewalled by Dr. William Z. Tompkins, an eccentric physicist who was part of the original research team that won the Nobel Prize for the discovery. Tompkins did not get along with Marter and has a vested interest in seeing that the historical record is not disturbed. Michaels, notwithstanding the pressure of Frankson's continuing efforts to buy Accelenet, discovers that Marter's contribution to the research was far greater than the historical record would otherwise indicate. Those (including this reviewer) whose knowledge of physics is limited to a rudimentary understanding of gravity are treated during the course of the narration to a basic, understandable and enjoyable explanation of the makeup of atoms as Michaels slowly comes to the realization that an historical wrong, among others, has been committed.

When an unexpected tragedy strikes, Michaels finds his attention further diverted not only from his mother's request but also from his defense of Accelenet. Someone appears to be after him and his beloved wife, Rowena. Is the tragedy the result of happenstance? Perhaps the threat is related to Rowena's work as a deputy District Attorney. Could it be one of Frankson's minions trying to persuade him into relinquishing his company? Or is Michaels being warned off his investigation? Michaels must discover the who and the why behind the tragic incident as Rowena's life --- and, perhaps, his own --- hangs in the balance.

Keith Raffel is a master storyteller, bringing strong, parallel plot lines and sharp characterization in equal measure to the printed page while fulfilling and surpassing the promise of his debut work. Let us hope that we do not have to wait quite so long for his next offering.

--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

I was a big fan of Raffel's first book -- Dot Dead. Smasher has the same protagonist -- Ian Michaels. Not only is the mystery a good read, but I enjoyed learning about physics (amazing, but true!) and also about Silicon Valley business. Smasher is a clever play on words -- referring both to what happens to atoms and also to the smash and grab takeover strategies used in Silicon Valley. Add to that a very sweet love story between a married couple (amazing but true!) and what you have is an experience both entertaining and educational. This was the perfect book to take on vacation. Too bad I can read books faster than Raffel can write them.

A Coup d'Etat! If you want to be swept away, pick up this new thriller.
I could barely put this book down. It was a cathartic read whose characters
invade your consciousness long after you've finished the last page. Our
everyday cafes, workplaces and streets are imbued with new meaning and
possibilities after running in Ian and Rowena's shoes. Raffel's details are
rich with erudition which edify you while you race to find out who dunnit.
Eagerly awaiting the next Smashing experience.

"Smasher" is the hot new read for anyone who likes a juicy and intellectual story. Keith Raffel has the ability to tell a story which keeps you on the edge of your seat. By developing strong emotional ties between each character, this story was a thrilling page-turner. I was committed to solve the mysteries embedded in this spell-binding novel. With several story lines intermixed between the powerful and family intrigues be developing interesting and loving characters, Keith Raffel created laughter and tears. The experienced had me feeling like I lived next door to these fascinating and intelligent local characters. The hints of worldly and insider-dominate knowledge, factual theology, scholastic innocence, and historic data presented like folklore, provide moments of clever reality only influential authorities could interpret from reality of Silicon Valley's most powerful. I cared what happened to the characters, feeling the respect, love and sorrow in the relationships between them. The intelligent and interesting characters Keith Raffel created in the prequel "Dot Dead" are carried over into "Smasher". The characters are still going through exciting experiences which reflect the modern powerbrokers in the Silicon Valley landscape. "Smasher" paints a story that is true to life in Silicon Valley with the well crafted characters and landmarks right out of successful law firms, Stanford University, and this community of achievers and believes who have made success and world domination feel like a cottage industry - nice and cozy. Cuddle up with this mystery and enjoy a tantalizing tale that only a great author could create. When the reader is left turning each page, as if the story was a secret being shared only with them, you know it is a book worth reading. I bought several copies for other insiders who would enjoy sharing and reflecting this great novel. Share with others who enjoy intelligent suspense. I longed for more Keith Raffel and am thrilled to have discovered this new friend. Don't forget the prequel - "Dot Dead". I am now on to "Drop by Drop" - also a really great read!

Cathi, Silicon Valley, California

Thrasher is a Silicon Valley Roman ĺ Clef about high tech boardroom shenanigans, venture capitalists, Nobel Prize politics, Stanford physicists and (of course) murder. Part of the fun is spotting the references to real life models.

I enjoyed it immensely and look forward to Keith Raffel's next book.

Ian Michaels, the Jewish green tea-drinking, khaki-wearing, Silicon Valley executive is back again in Raffel's second great read. I found it refreshing to be led through a story by such an upstanding, dedicated husband, son and CEO, especially in these cynical times. Raffel's main character reminds me of Jimmy Stewart and his portrayals of the common citizen caught in unfortunate circumstances. A must read for anyone interested in Silicon Valley, Judaism, or simply a wonderful roller coaster ride of a mystery.

Plot, sub-plot, sub-sub plot all woven together plus characters who are serious characters -- when's the movie coming out?

Deputy D.A Rowena Goldberg is in a coma, victim of a hit-and-run driver. Her husband, Ian Michaels, a Silicon Valley executive, is a thorn in the Palo Alto Police Department's side with his insistence that it was no accident, and he constantly intrudes into what he considers a molasses-speed investigation. Fortunately for the PAPD, Ian's boundless energy is divided by trying to save his company from a hostile takeover and his family's pressure to bring recognition for the accomplishment of a great-aunt who died before her research group received the Nobel Prize.

Keith Raffel interweaves the three threads skillfully and effortlessly. Smasher is the author's second book, after Dot Dead, which is also a tour de force. The readers are taken on a spellbinding ride, and when it seems that Raffel is easing the tension by sidetracking into interesting but unrelated events, he is actually providing more clues for the readers. Raffel shares clues fairly, but he is far less generous in allowing his readers to come to the right conclusion before the end.

Raffel, almost taciturn in his prose, has the ability to give depth to his actors; with few lines he can sketch the story of their lives. Every character in his books, no matter how minor, are so remarkable and unforgettable that in spite of the writer's careful disclaimer that the people are figments of his imagination, Silicon Valley locals knowingly point to acquaintances as the real models. Another remarkable aspect of his stories is that his characters are so likable that readers keep on hoping "please, do not let this one be the murderer..." Both books are sprinkled with Jewish wit.

Unobtrusive, like scenery in a theater play, the background Raffel paints hints at the contradictions between Silicon Valley's placid towns and cutthroat entrepreneurship, between Stanford University 's cultured academic environment and keen competitiveness, and between the area's bucolic hills and remains of western wilderness.

Do not read Smasher on public transportation. You will miss your intended stop.

Keith Raffel's new thriller Smasher joins his potboiler Dot Dead in pinning us to the edge of our seats in Silicon Valley. Who knew that Silicon Valley contained, not only nerds, but ruthless intellectuals who would stop at nothing for fame and fortune? In a complex, braided plot, that leads the reader easily from one step to the next, Raffel takes us into the worlds of corporate high finance, technology, academia, and neurology. The main characters are appealing and the reader roots for them as they make their way through brainy and sometimes dangerous puzzles. How wonderful to have this new full-dimensioned mystery to entertain us on dark winter nights!

Raffel keeps getting better. I could not put this one down and finished in 48 hours. I really liked the multiple story lines, each pulling you onward, that you knew would somehow would converge, but could not tell how. Great also to learn a bit of how Silicon Valley operates and some history of physics while enjoying a delicious mystery.

Ian Shrank