Random Access Murder

Catherine Saylor Mystery #1

by Linda Grant

When Catherine Sayler's lover is framed for the murder of a gorgeous blonde secretary, Catherine plunges into the case, determined to find the real killer. She soon finds that corporate crime and greed make for a deadly mix.

Genres: Mystery

245 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads' database with this name. See this thread for more information.

A pseudonym of Linda V(erLee) Williams

Linda Verlee Williams has taught school at every level from preschool to college. She has trained teachers at the University of California at Berkeley, for the Ministry of Education in Ethiopia, and in many school districts. She is an instructor at University Extension, the University of California and is an associate of The Learning Circle in Berkeley.

List of short stories:
* Lady Luck (ss) Sisters in Crime 3, ed. Marilyn Wallace, Berkley 1990
* Last Rites (nv) Sisters in Crime 4, ed. Marilyn Wallace, Berkley 1991
* No Better Than Her Father (nv) The Mysterious West, ed. Tony Hillerman, HarperCollins 1994
* Ashes to Ashes (nv) Malice Domestic 4, Carolyn G. Hart, Pocket 1995
* Hamlet’s Dilemma (ss) Women on the Case, ed. Sara Paretsky, Delacorte 1996
* The Mother of Our Country (nv) The First Lady Murders, ed. Nancy Pickard, Pocket 1999
* The Second-Oldest Profession (ss) Mom, Apple Pie, and Murder, ed. Nancy Pickard, Berkley 1999
* Never Too Old (ss) Sisters on the Case: Celebrating Twenty Years of Sisters in Crime, ed. Sara Paretsky, Signet 2007

Series:
* Catherine Saylor Mystery

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Random Access Murder is a clever and compelling mystery that surprised me in all the right ways. Set during the early days of personal computing, the book weaves technology into its plot without ever feeling gimmicky. I really appreciated how it captured that moment in time when computers were just beginning to enter everyday life. It adds a unique flavor to the classic whodunit formula.

The mystery itself is well-crafted, with enough red herrings and misdirection to keep you guessing. I didn’t see the twist coming, which made the reveal all the more satisfying. The characters are another strong point. They're memorable, believable, and add a lot of texture to the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed Random Access Murder. It’s a smart, engaging mystery that blends tech and tension in just the right balance.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read. She did not put in a lot of unnecessary details that do nothing but add more pages to the book. Story was good and moved along.

[Pam Bales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catherine Sayler is a good addition to the female private eye genre.

[Vickie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Decent, but not good.