Chip and Die

Arlene Sachitano
Zumaya Publications (2003)
ISBN 1894942353
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.

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