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Amsterdam Assassin #0.3
Microchip Murder: A Katla KillFile
Assassin Katla has to kill an industrial spy and retrieve the stolen item...
The Microchip Murder KillFile (8,500 words) follows freelance assassin Katla Sieltjes executing a contract on an industrial spy, who is in the process of selling a stolen microchip with valuable software to the competition. Katla’s client wants the stolen microchip and research materials returned to him, but her target is wary and the unscrupulous buyers are prepared to kill for the stolen software.
The Katla KillFile short stories chronologically precede the novels in the Amsterdam Assassin Series.
Each KillFile features Katla Sieltjes, expert in disguising homicide, executing one of her contracts. While not mandatory reading, each KillFile provides insight both in Katla’s work methods and skill, and additional background information in her character and personal history. The KillFiles can be read out of order, as the contracts are random samples from her past. Each KillFile also contains a teaser from the novels in the Amsterdam Assassin Series.
The Microchip Murder KillFile (8,500 words) follows freelance assassin Katla Sieltjes executing a contract on an industrial spy, who is in the process of selling a stolen microchip with valuable software to the competition. Katla’s client wants the stolen microchip and research materials returned to him, but her target is wary and the unscrupulous buyers are prepared to kill for the stolen software.
The Katla KillFile short stories chronologically precede the novels in the Amsterdam Assassin Series.
Each KillFile features Katla Sieltjes, expert in disguising homicide, executing one of her contracts. While not mandatory reading, each KillFile provides insight both in Katla’s work methods and skill, and additional background information in her character and personal history. The KillFiles can be read out of order, as the contracts are random samples from her past. Each KillFile also contains a teaser from the novels in the Amsterdam Assassin Series.
- GenresFiction
51 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 9, 2012
81 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Martyn V. Halm
9 books63 followers
Martyn enjoys reading reviews of his work, but doesn't 'respond' to them, so if you want to get a response, please provide direct feedback by sending an email to katlasieltjes@yahoo.com
Friend requests are welcome, but preferably from people with a compatible taste in books.
A Brief Bio:
Martyn V. Halm lives in Amsterdam, with his two children, one cat, two rats, and countless imaginary characters vying for attention.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 24, 2014
Another fun read. This is a short story in this series, and I was actually happy to see that it wasn't quite as bloody as the other short I read in this series. I do enjoy the brain, the cunning, and the "kick ass" nature of the lead woman in these books, Katla. I like how the books describe how she thinks, plans, and schemes as she goes about her work as a hired assassin.
May 24, 2014
There's something satisfying about watching an exceedingly competent professional at work. With these Katla KillFile shorts, I get the same gee-whiz feeling I get when watching a documentary showing master craftsmen building things, anything.
This was a good read, but I liked "Locked Room" more. The overabundance of location and street name details bogged this one down some for me.
Also, with this story, you get a greater sense that Katla really is an all-business, cold-blooded killer. That's not a criticism, by the way. But some people might be put off by how she dispatches her rather sympathetic target in this mission.
You can grab this for free on Amazon, if you're so inclined:
http://amzn.com/B00A4LKSYI
This was a good read, but I liked "Locked Room" more. The overabundance of location and street name details bogged this one down some for me.
Also, with this story, you get a greater sense that Katla really is an all-business, cold-blooded killer. That's not a criticism, by the way. But some people might be put off by how she dispatches her rather sympathetic target in this mission.
You can grab this for free on Amazon, if you're so inclined:
http://amzn.com/B00A4LKSYI
June 7, 2017
more I read the more I want
November 3, 2013
Microchip Murder is a tale of corporate intrigue where Katla is hired to recover the microchip and documentation stolen and held by the former employee of a computer chip developer. She is then to assassinate the corporate traitor.
In the process, the young, female hired killer makes friends with the intended victim and learns more about the employer. She also discerns the capabilities of the microchip and what its possible uses are; leaving her with decisions that have to be made.
Katla is stymied along the way by other corporate agents bent on achieving the same goal as she has been hired to do and everyone’s lives are at risk. Strong action coupled with unexpected directional shifts and a surprise ending make Microchip Murder an excellent read.
Author Martyn V. Halm brings his A-game to this short story as much as he does to his full length novels in the same series. His attention to detail, knowledge of attack methods and capacity to bring the story to life are evident in this book. I recommend this short story as a way to introduce yourself to this series
.
Halm explains that the Katla KillFiles are a part of the Amsterdam Assassin Series intended to provide insight for the reader into assassin Katla’s methods, skills and history. While not essential, this knowledge can be helpful when reading the full length novels in the series. Each includes a glossary of terms to help authenticate the settings and interactions between the characters. The KillFiles are random killings from Katla’s past.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a digital copy of this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Norm Hamilton
Author of The Digital Eye and the soon to be released From Thine Own Well
Indie Writer Book Reviews
Services for Writers
Website
email: Norm Hamilton
In the process, the young, female hired killer makes friends with the intended victim and learns more about the employer. She also discerns the capabilities of the microchip and what its possible uses are; leaving her with decisions that have to be made.
Katla is stymied along the way by other corporate agents bent on achieving the same goal as she has been hired to do and everyone’s lives are at risk. Strong action coupled with unexpected directional shifts and a surprise ending make Microchip Murder an excellent read.
Author Martyn V. Halm brings his A-game to this short story as much as he does to his full length novels in the same series. His attention to detail, knowledge of attack methods and capacity to bring the story to life are evident in this book. I recommend this short story as a way to introduce yourself to this series
.
Halm explains that the Katla KillFiles are a part of the Amsterdam Assassin Series intended to provide insight for the reader into assassin Katla’s methods, skills and history. While not essential, this knowledge can be helpful when reading the full length novels in the series. Each includes a glossary of terms to help authenticate the settings and interactions between the characters. The KillFiles are random killings from Katla’s past.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a digital copy of this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Norm Hamilton
Author of The Digital Eye and the soon to be released From Thine Own Well
Indie Writer Book Reviews
Services for Writers
Website
email: Norm Hamilton
July 17, 2015
To repeatedly get away with murder for money, a female assassin must be calculating, careful and somewhat cold-hearted. Katla Sieltjes is all of the above, and much more. In the Killfiles short stories she comes across as an intelligent, accomplished and cautious professional. Skilled, trained and experienced in dealing death to her commercial targets.
The devil is in the detail, and these stories are absolutely stuffed full of it, even down to the brand of aerosol cleaner Katla uses to remove possible fingerprints from contaminated surfaces. If you adore the intricacy of precision planning, infiltration / exfiltration, and all the minutiae which comes with surveillance tradecraft then you’ll be wrapped up in the painstaking description of every step – trying to second-guess Katla’s plan of action to get away with murder (yet again) and scoop a handsome payday in the process.
For some readers, there will be excessive detail, and at times the writing can feel almost like an actual black-ops report rather than gripping fiction. It's almost clinically detached; absorbed in accurate description to the nth degree. So look elsewhere for deft emotional development or incisive social commentary. But if you're intrigued by a credible scenario involving a document exchange which doesn’t leave the intermediary exposed on all sides, then there’s plenty to enjoy. Not least the unusual backdrop – Amsterdam, described in street-level detail – and the occasional incident of wry humour, like the name of Katla’s company, Loki (‘low key’, geddit?).
At the end of ‘Microchip Murder’, Katla reveals an interesting quirk, a moment of morality which suggests she may not be as isolated from society as she initially seems – neatly paving the way for the full-length novels which follow.
These shorts were an entertaining interlude and a welcome introduction to an intriguing character. They work as stand-alone stories in any order, so you can try any if you want to meet Katla before getting into the full Amsterdam Assassin books.
7/10
The devil is in the detail, and these stories are absolutely stuffed full of it, even down to the brand of aerosol cleaner Katla uses to remove possible fingerprints from contaminated surfaces. If you adore the intricacy of precision planning, infiltration / exfiltration, and all the minutiae which comes with surveillance tradecraft then you’ll be wrapped up in the painstaking description of every step – trying to second-guess Katla’s plan of action to get away with murder (yet again) and scoop a handsome payday in the process.
For some readers, there will be excessive detail, and at times the writing can feel almost like an actual black-ops report rather than gripping fiction. It's almost clinically detached; absorbed in accurate description to the nth degree. So look elsewhere for deft emotional development or incisive social commentary. But if you're intrigued by a credible scenario involving a document exchange which doesn’t leave the intermediary exposed on all sides, then there’s plenty to enjoy. Not least the unusual backdrop – Amsterdam, described in street-level detail – and the occasional incident of wry humour, like the name of Katla’s company, Loki (‘low key’, geddit?).
At the end of ‘Microchip Murder’, Katla reveals an interesting quirk, a moment of morality which suggests she may not be as isolated from society as she initially seems – neatly paving the way for the full-length novels which follow.
These shorts were an entertaining interlude and a welcome introduction to an intriguing character. They work as stand-alone stories in any order, so you can try any if you want to meet Katla before getting into the full Amsterdam Assassin books.
7/10
November 22, 2013
I realize it's not Graham Greene, but I really liked this clever novella about Katla, an assassin, who poses as a representative of LKE Enterprises, a company that for a large fee will rid you permanently of people you don't like or upon whom you wish retribution. Katla pulls a multi-faceted con in this novella, available for free for your Kindle.
Hired to kill a former employee who stole a microchip containing some very special and unique programming that will make weapons more difficult to track, Katla figures out a way to shift blame for the eventual killing while retrieving the microchip in such a way that .... You'll just have to read it to find out. Cunning. I intend to read all of Halm's books..
Marred only by a couple of editing errors, e.g. "there" instead of "their," but generally well edited.
Hired to kill a former employee who stole a microchip containing some very special and unique programming that will make weapons more difficult to track, Katla figures out a way to shift blame for the eventual killing while retrieving the microchip in such a way that .... You'll just have to read it to find out. Cunning. I intend to read all of Halm's books..
Marred only by a couple of editing errors, e.g. "there" instead of "their," but generally well edited.
March 3, 2015
I was introduced to Katla with the Kill Files as the Kobo store was offering them as a free ebooks. Katla is a female asssassin available for hire with all communication carried out electronically and Katla never meets the client.
The Kill Files provide an excellent introduction to the main character of the Amsterdam Assassin series and after reading these short stories I wanted to read the full length novels.
In this Kill File Katla is charged with the task of retrieving data that has been taken by a recently sacked former employee.
Whilst the first Kill File I read was very direct and to the point this short story had more intrigue and showed that whilst Katla lacks any real emotion in doing her job in a professional manner she is constantly assessing and analysing the situation to make sure the outcome is a success and making sure she does what she considers the right thing.
The Kill Files provide an excellent introduction to the main character of the Amsterdam Assassin series and after reading these short stories I wanted to read the full length novels.
In this Kill File Katla is charged with the task of retrieving data that has been taken by a recently sacked former employee.
Whilst the first Kill File I read was very direct and to the point this short story had more intrigue and showed that whilst Katla lacks any real emotion in doing her job in a professional manner she is constantly assessing and analysing the situation to make sure the outcome is a success and making sure she does what she considers the right thing.
July 18, 2014
This was the first of the Katla KillFiles I read the other day, and it was a totally fun read . . . too short, of course, for a self-professed Katla junkie, but I'll take it where I can get it.
The KillFiles all predate the first of the full-length Amsterdam Assassin Series, Reprobate, before Katla meets Bram and all his cronies.
Plot upshot: Katla is hired to recover a microchip that was stolen through corporate espionage. Nothing goes well for anyone . . . except for Katla, of course. Now, again there was practicality in Katla's choices, but I'm certain this should not be interpreted as her growing a conscience. No, can't have that.
Final word? Good times.
The KillFiles all predate the first of the full-length Amsterdam Assassin Series, Reprobate, before Katla meets Bram and all his cronies.
Plot upshot: Katla is hired to recover a microchip that was stolen through corporate espionage. Nothing goes well for anyone . . . except for Katla, of course. Now, again there was practicality in Katla's choices, but I'm certain this should not be interpreted as her growing a conscience. No, can't have that.
Final word? Good times.
January 16, 2015
Freelance assassin Katla takes on a “corporate troubleshooting” job with an elaborate and devious plan requiring her to use her skills in everything from automotive repair (and its opposite) to interpersonal manipulation, as she tricks other people into helping her succeed. This story is suspenseful and well-plotted, with an amazing number of twists in such a short work. The Amsterdam setting is vivid, an integral part of the story. It’s a good way to sample the Amsterdam Assassin series if you’re new to it, or to keep yourself from going into withdrawal if you’re hooked and waiting for the next novel, as I obviously am, having reading three of these shorts—Katla Killfiles—practically back to back.
July 31, 2016
This is my second 'Kill File', I must admit these are fast becoming a guilty pleasure.
The writing is spot on and Katla is 100% pure homicidal focus and a bit of a schemer in this one.
I like my assassins cold and all business but god almighty even I felt a slight bit of pity for her target in this one.
My only problem with the story is I'm not from Amsterdam, so I don't know the places that are being mentioned.
That doesn't detract from the story in the slightest it just slows it down for me as I first of all murder the pronunciation of the places and then consider what's what and where.
All in all still a fantastic short story but brilliant writing.
A couple of the Kill Files left to read before I begin Reprobate the first novel in the series.
The writing is spot on and Katla is 100% pure homicidal focus and a bit of a schemer in this one.
I like my assassins cold and all business but god almighty even I felt a slight bit of pity for her target in this one.
My only problem with the story is I'm not from Amsterdam, so I don't know the places that are being mentioned.
That doesn't detract from the story in the slightest it just slows it down for me as I first of all murder the pronunciation of the places and then consider what's what and where.
All in all still a fantastic short story but brilliant writing.
A couple of the Kill Files left to read before I begin Reprobate the first novel in the series.
July 28, 2015
"The devil is in the detail"
A ruthless female assassin who plans her tasks in meticulous detail. This is the first of the KillFile books or short stories I have read and it certainly delivers. Well written, fast paced and packed with tension, this makes for a very enjoyable read. I feel I can almost find my way around Amsterdam after the detailed tour that the author described. Although with Katla around the corner, perhaps I'll stick to the tourist trail.
A ruthless female assassin who plans her tasks in meticulous detail. This is the first of the KillFile books or short stories I have read and it certainly delivers. Well written, fast paced and packed with tension, this makes for a very enjoyable read. I feel I can almost find my way around Amsterdam after the detailed tour that the author described. Although with Katla around the corner, perhaps I'll stick to the tourist trail.
July 7, 2016
For a short story this one packed a whole lot of punch into a short number of pages. A good read for those interested in espionage, corporate intrigue. female assassin's and more.
The best thing about this book (part of larger series) is that the lead figure was a woman who was depicted using her brains over her beauty, even if it was as an assassin
I would definitely read more of her adventures based on reading this short story
The best thing about this book (part of larger series) is that the lead figure was a woman who was depicted using her brains over her beauty, even if it was as an assassin
I would definitely read more of her adventures based on reading this short story
August 9, 2016
Katla is hired to retrieve an important and valuable object. A well thought out devious double double cross.
One thing about Katla: she has no qualms about anything. Anyone that gets in her way including innocent bystanders go down. Not sure how I feel about that but she is ruthless.
One thing about Katla: she has no qualms about anything. Anyone that gets in her way including innocent bystanders go down. Not sure how I feel about that but she is ruthless.
July 18, 2015
Smart!
May 5, 2013
good story but way too much extra explanations and such.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews