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Software by the Kilo
And all Kenny wanted was an island vacation with his new girlfriend... Jason and Kenny needed investors for their startup company but when Italian drug smuggler Roberto Campioni makes them an offer they can't refuse, they get more help than they bargain the Feds and Interpol are watching, the smuggler's cartel created in violence during World War II is crumbling, and Roberto's henchmen, even with their love of Clint Eastwood movies, aren't the type of corporate advisers the pair dreamed of. "Our other merchandise is sold by the gram, or by the kilo" said Luca. Carmine smirked at Jason. "Think you can sell software by the kilo?" Jason returned the smile. "I'll sell it any way they'll buy it."
302 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
31 people want to read
About the author
Larry Ketchersid
4 books14 followersLarry Ketchersid is an entrepreneurial technologist, a runner, developer and a writer. His first novel,Dusk Before the Dawn was a Finalist for the ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards in 2006. His latest novel, Software by the Kilo, is available in print and eBook (as is the first). He has also written a memoir book of stories for my mother and father called Voices in my Head.
His latest project is titled Re-reading Tad Williams' Memory, Sorrow and Thorn, and is currently available as a Kindle eBook.
He has run several technology startups, some wildly successful, others not worth mentioning. He is currently the CEO of Media Sourcery, Inc., a security and workflow software and services company. He has degrees in Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics, leading his wife to name him ‘nerd’. To protect said wife, he also has a 2nd degree black belt in Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan (his son has a 1st degree black belt), and continues to study Qigong, Tai chi chuan and other martial arts. Larry lives in Texas with his wife. They currently run JoSara MeDia which publishes books, eBooks, audio books, apps and helps non-profit organizations (such as the Texas State Historical Association) in these areas.
Larry has also written multimedia books in the form of iPad/iPhone apps called "Grand Canyon", and "Quebec City" which can be found in the Apple App Store (search for JoSara MeDia, the publishing company); several non-fiction technology articles and other articles, including several interviews for SFSignal.com (you can find both at his website).
His latest project is titled Re-reading Tad Williams' Memory, Sorrow and Thorn, and is currently available as a Kindle eBook.
He has run several technology startups, some wildly successful, others not worth mentioning. He is currently the CEO of Media Sourcery, Inc., a security and workflow software and services company. He has degrees in Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics, leading his wife to name him ‘nerd’. To protect said wife, he also has a 2nd degree black belt in Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan (his son has a 1st degree black belt), and continues to study Qigong, Tai chi chuan and other martial arts. Larry lives in Texas with his wife. They currently run JoSara MeDia which publishes books, eBooks, audio books, apps and helps non-profit organizations (such as the Texas State Historical Association) in these areas.
Larry has also written multimedia books in the form of iPad/iPhone apps called "Grand Canyon", and "Quebec City" which can be found in the Apple App Store (search for JoSara MeDia, the publishing company); several non-fiction technology articles and other articles, including several interviews for SFSignal.com (you can find both at his website).
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 27, 2010
Computer geeks, business people, hackers, beautiful women, family drama, murder, kidnapping, the mob and cops.
Only in a book could all of these paths be possible and cross one another. Jason and Kenny are the computer geeks. They’ve had a one-hit wonder in the computer world but need to keep the momentum (and money) going by coming up with “the next big thing”. Kenny is ok with the one hit and would rather continue taking advantage of his incredible luck landing a beautiful girlfriend. Jason’s mind is always in the money. He’s busy searching for someone to fund their new product.
Through circumstances, he hooks up with a mobster – well-dressed, of course, who is looking to diversify. The mobster already employs one of the best hackers in the business – but what’s his real agenda? Also, things aren’t so rosy in the crime family. Who is for or against them?
If this wasn’t enough, the mobsters are being watched and so are Jason and Kenny. It seems Interpol’s on the case, as are some US cops. It’s obvious why the mobsters are being watched, but who’s watching Jason and Kenny and why? Are they in danger? Is someone after them? Will they notice in time? Oh and that hot new girlfriend? She’s undercover. Ready to catch them at whatever they’re being watched for. One problem - she’s actually falling for Kenny.
This book had the most insane collection of characters and situations. But hey, that’s ok – it’s fiction! I really enjoyed the underlying plot of the book. Everything is not what it seems. This book had it all. Who’s in love? Who’s bad? Who’s good? Who hates? Who’s the criminal? Maybe bad guys aren’t so bad after all. Or maybe they are. Who killed? Who will be killed? What’s justified and what’s not?
I laughed through this book but was also touched. The author made these people in the book real with real feelings and real involvement in life. It’s kind of a drama-comedy all wrapped up in a book. I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book, but all in all, I enjoyed the slapstick quality of it.
Only in a book could all of these paths be possible and cross one another. Jason and Kenny are the computer geeks. They’ve had a one-hit wonder in the computer world but need to keep the momentum (and money) going by coming up with “the next big thing”. Kenny is ok with the one hit and would rather continue taking advantage of his incredible luck landing a beautiful girlfriend. Jason’s mind is always in the money. He’s busy searching for someone to fund their new product.
Through circumstances, he hooks up with a mobster – well-dressed, of course, who is looking to diversify. The mobster already employs one of the best hackers in the business – but what’s his real agenda? Also, things aren’t so rosy in the crime family. Who is for or against them?
If this wasn’t enough, the mobsters are being watched and so are Jason and Kenny. It seems Interpol’s on the case, as are some US cops. It’s obvious why the mobsters are being watched, but who’s watching Jason and Kenny and why? Are they in danger? Is someone after them? Will they notice in time? Oh and that hot new girlfriend? She’s undercover. Ready to catch them at whatever they’re being watched for. One problem - she’s actually falling for Kenny.
This book had the most insane collection of characters and situations. But hey, that’s ok – it’s fiction! I really enjoyed the underlying plot of the book. Everything is not what it seems. This book had it all. Who’s in love? Who’s bad? Who’s good? Who hates? Who’s the criminal? Maybe bad guys aren’t so bad after all. Or maybe they are. Who killed? Who will be killed? What’s justified and what’s not?
I laughed through this book but was also touched. The author made these people in the book real with real feelings and real involvement in life. It’s kind of a drama-comedy all wrapped up in a book. I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book, but all in all, I enjoyed the slapstick quality of it.
April 2, 2013
I had so much fun reading this book. The characters were quirky and well developed. The story was well researched and wonderfully written. You should read Software by the Kilo.
Kenny and Jason start up software businesses. The first one was an amazing success. The next, not so much. But now they have a fabulous product that will revolutionize the industry . . . if they can find someone to invest in them in the wake of their recent failure.
While Jason is busy trying to chase up the funding, Kenny gets a girlfriend. A gorgeous girlfriend. A girlfriend who is also an undercover agent trying to find evidence that Kenny pulled off one of the biggest and most daring cyber-attacks of all time. And Kenny decides to go on vacation with his girlfriend, dragging Jason along.
Jason accidentally meets some Italian businessmen who make him an offer they can't refuse. And now Interpol is involved.
While the author tells this very modern story of high tech and high finance, he also tells the story of the Italian businessmen and how their bond was formed during the second world war.
Okay, I'm not going to tell you anything else. Just buy this book. I promise you will love it.
Kenny and Jason start up software businesses. The first one was an amazing success. The next, not so much. But now they have a fabulous product that will revolutionize the industry . . . if they can find someone to invest in them in the wake of their recent failure.
While Jason is busy trying to chase up the funding, Kenny gets a girlfriend. A gorgeous girlfriend. A girlfriend who is also an undercover agent trying to find evidence that Kenny pulled off one of the biggest and most daring cyber-attacks of all time. And Kenny decides to go on vacation with his girlfriend, dragging Jason along.
Jason accidentally meets some Italian businessmen who make him an offer they can't refuse. And now Interpol is involved.
While the author tells this very modern story of high tech and high finance, he also tells the story of the Italian businessmen and how their bond was formed during the second world war.
Okay, I'm not going to tell you anything else. Just buy this book. I promise you will love it.
December 27, 2010
This was great fun to read, combining present-day hacking, technology startups and criminal investigations with the past stories from World War II of the families of the investors and the investigators. The two time periods are intertwined, with disagreements in the present linked to long-running family feuds.
I enjoyed the Mediterranean locations (especially reading about them during the coldest December on record here!) and learnt plenty of little-known information about World War II, especially the Italians fighting on both sides, that was woven into the story. With so many characters with so many different agendas, and with so many different ideas, settings and so on it might have been difficult to keep track of everything, but the characters were well drawn and the concepts and historical information were woven into the story, keeping it all flowing. I really enjoyed this and I'm looking forward to reading more from Larry.
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Full disclosure: I received my copy for free via the Goodreads.com First Reads scheme.
I enjoyed the Mediterranean locations (especially reading about them during the coldest December on record here!) and learnt plenty of little-known information about World War II, especially the Italians fighting on both sides, that was woven into the story. With so many characters with so many different agendas, and with so many different ideas, settings and so on it might have been difficult to keep track of everything, but the characters were well drawn and the concepts and historical information were woven into the story, keeping it all flowing. I really enjoyed this and I'm looking forward to reading more from Larry.
-------
Full disclosure: I received my copy for free via the Goodreads.com First Reads scheme.
July 26, 2010
I won this book through goodreads first-reads!
This book surprised me on many levels, and I start by saying that I highly recommend it. Generally I find that hi-tech fictional works are usually laughable in their portrayal and explanations of the technologies involved. However Mr. Ketchersid's events and explanations were realistic and they reflect his opinion that the reader is not stupid, without going so far as to be a textbook on the subject. Good story, nice pacing and believable. I would recommend to fans of hacker thrillers and police mysteries alike.
This book surprised me on many levels, and I start by saying that I highly recommend it. Generally I find that hi-tech fictional works are usually laughable in their portrayal and explanations of the technologies involved. However Mr. Ketchersid's events and explanations were realistic and they reflect his opinion that the reader is not stupid, without going so far as to be a textbook on the subject. Good story, nice pacing and believable. I would recommend to fans of hacker thrillers and police mysteries alike.
August 10, 2011
I won this book on first reads.
Sorry, I have been ill and unable to give the book it's proper respect. I was away from my computer too. I will be reading and updating my review very soon.
Sorry, I have been ill and unable to give the book it's proper respect. I was away from my computer too. I will be reading and updating my review very soon.
November 25, 2017
Master hacking, topless snorkeling, wine, war, and corporate intrigue spin smoothly in Larry Ketchersid's fast moving, high octane second novel, spanning two continents, two time periods, and all kinds of friendship, business, and love. If you like high-tech action served with cultural savvy and keen human insight, you'll snap up Software by the Kilo.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews