About Me

My photo
Melfort, Saskatchewan, Canada
I am a lawyer in Melfort, Saskatchewan, Canada who enjoys reading, especially mysteries. Since 2000 I have been writing personal book reviews. This blog includes my reviews, information on and interviews with authors and descriptions of mystery bookstores I have visited. I strive to review all Saskatchewan mysteries. Other Canadian mysteries are listed under the Rest of Canada. As a lawyer I am always interested in legal mysteries. I have a separate page for legal mysteries. Occasionally my reviews of legal mysteries comment on the legal reality of the mystery. You can follow the progression of my favourite authors with up to 15 reviews. Each year I select my favourites in "Bill's Best of ----". As well as current reviews I am posting reviews from 2000 to 2011. Below my most recent couple of posts are the posts of Saskatchewan mysteries I have reviewed alphabetically by author. If you only want a sentence or two description of the book and my recommendation when deciding whether to read the book look at the bold portion of the review. If you would like to email me the link to my email is on the profile page.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

dot.dead by Keith Raffel

32. – 495.) dot.dead by Keith Raffel – (The first book I have purchased because I met the author. Keith was at the author event at the “M” is for Mystery bookstore in San Mateo and then across the street at the sports bar. He had an excellent marketing device in giving out a business card listing the book and websites. I bought the book at “M” a couple of days later.) There is a clever premise with Silicon Valley rising star, Ian Michaels, developing a personal connection with his weekly maid, Gwendolyn Goldberg, through exchanges of personal notes. When she is murdered in his house the Palo Alto police are justly suspicious of his assertions they have no direct relationship. As the investigation focuses on Ian he is supported by his best friends Paul and Kathy Berks. Paul heads a tech firm, Accelenet, where Ian hopes to become COO. Intertwined through the plot are Ian’s personal relationships, a tech story at his company and the murder investigation. There is a convincing portrayal of defence counsel, Ms. Ishayama. There is a far subtler relationship than usual in mysteries between Ian (primary suspect seeking to clear himsel) and the investigating police officers. Even before reading the author bio it was clear Keith was a part of Silicon Valley’s technology world. The story is precise and completely logical. There is a scientific process to solution. I wish there had been at least one average looking person among the major characters. Ian is an engaging individual. I look forward to his next adventure. Hardcover or paperback. (Aug. 19/09)
****
When Kerrie from the Mysteries in Paradise blog was holding her Alphabet in Crime Fiction earlier this year I profiled Keith in "R" is for Raffel.

2 comments:

  1. Bill - Thanks for this review. I like stories that make logical sense, and I'm intrigued by what you say about the way the relationships in the novel are depicted. This one really seems worth exploring.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Margot: Thanks for the comment. I think you would find it a good book.

    ReplyDelete