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The Random Access Murders: A Vintage Computing Mystery
It’s 1986, the "Halt & Catch Fire" era, when the software business was even more cutthroat than it looks on HBO’s satire, "Silicon Valley".
Mega Microware is on the cusp of releasing a game-changing system to destroy competitors and make the Seattle company billion$. When an assassin targets Mega’s Boy Wonder, eccentric millionaire Gil Baines Jr., his family hires retired homicide cop and computer hobbyist Olaf Starbuck to track down the predator. Starbuck’s business savvy about the industry is zilch, but he finds a skillful partner in Jane E. Antonin, a burned-out investigative reporter looking for a big scoop to reboot her career. As they dig up the tangled relationships of the industry, they uncover a legion of nutty nerds, finance felons & vengeful victims willing to do anything to win.
Mega Microware is on the cusp of releasing a game-changing system to destroy competitors and make the Seattle company billion$. When an assassin targets Mega’s Boy Wonder, eccentric millionaire Gil Baines Jr., his family hires retired homicide cop and computer hobbyist Olaf Starbuck to track down the predator. Starbuck’s business savvy about the industry is zilch, but he finds a skillful partner in Jane E. Antonin, a burned-out investigative reporter looking for a big scoop to reboot her career. As they dig up the tangled relationships of the industry, they uncover a legion of nutty nerds, finance felons & vengeful victims willing to do anything to win.
223 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 18, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 23, 2017
Those who have worked in the software industry or know someone who has will thoroughly enjoy this entertaining trip back to the early days of microcomputers, where personalities were quirky and industrial competition could be downright deadly.
June 20, 2017
Quick, fun read that captures the early-'80s well and keeps the reader guessing at every turn. Conspiracy theorists will enjoy it. The suggested further reading list at the end is a welcome touch.
Disclaimer: I know the author.
Disclaimer: I know the author.
June 10, 2026
This is a fully-serviceable visit to the 80s tech scene in Seattle. It has a certain ESL vibe, but that doesn't take away from the fun. The "Good Reading" section at the end of the book was an added bonus and led me to add some authors to my t0-read list.
May 27, 2017
Fun mystery from the early days of computers
I enjoyed this character-driven murder mystery. It's funny and clever. Living in the Silicon Valley I don't know this Seattle scene so well, but the characters seemed true to true-to-life for the computer people I know and the gossip I heard about infighting.shades of Halt and Catch Fire with some hints of iZombie.
I enjoyed this character-driven murder mystery. It's funny and clever. Living in the Silicon Valley I don't know this Seattle scene so well, but the characters seemed true to true-to-life for the computer people I know and the gossip I heard about infighting.shades of Halt and Catch Fire with some hints of iZombie.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews