Why would anyone want to kill Keith Whitten, aging whiz kid and Silicon Valley CEO? Was it Paul Boyd, Lea Sherwood’s current beau? Randy Derrough, Whitten Systems’ glib, dapper sales manager? Marshall Schroth, the marketing director and a smooth, poker-faced manipulator? Or was it Francine Reese, the evasive financial vice president, or Bennett Alston, the company’s seemingly patrician legal counsel?
Could it have been Harry Coulter, hacker extraordinaire, or Georgeanne Hughes, the enigmatic Web designer who gave Keith smart drugs on the eve of his death? Or might it have been Carter Weberling, suave venture capitalist, or Joy Nugent, Keith’s stunning — and lovelorn — assistant?
The answer will surprise you.
Praise for Patterns in Silicon
“Maureen Robb creates a new culinary entrée that deftly mixes real danger, suspense, and lively characters in the first of what’s sure to be a successful series.” See Full Review
—Lincoln (Nebraska) Journal Star
“The story … moves like a breathless rollercoaster car chase scene through the San Francisco hills.” See Full Review
—MyShelf.com
“A real page-turner!”
—NPR
“A complex weave of subplots and motives.... Recommended as a fun read that will keep those pages turning. You food buffs will especially like this tale by talented author Maureen Robb.” See Full Review
—New Mystery Reader
“A fast-paced debut .... the plot has many twists and turns. Lea is a very likeable and very human protagonist.... I very much enjoyed this first Lea Sherwood mystery and am eager to read the next installment.”
—Mystery Place
“Interesting story, settings, and characters.... Read and enjoy!” See Full Review
—MyShelf.com
“A fascinating look into the running of a restaurant and the worries an owner can have when things go so wrong, a cast of characters you will find credible with their conniving and efforts to undermine each other, and a mix of subplots that result from the deviousness of the characters. A tale you’ll enjoy.”
—Blether, The book review site
“A spicy hot who-done-it with all the right ingredients.... a fast-paced, delicious treat.”
—Edgar and Barry nominee and Benjamin Franklin Award winner Charles Benoit, author of Relative Danger
“Robb dishes up a satisfying whodunit that leaves us hungering for more.”
—Marcia Talley, Agatha and Anthony award winner and author of In Death’s Shadow
“A compelling read. No slow spots! I would recommend Patterns in Silicon ... and will be watching for the next Lea Sherwood adventure.”
—Linda Newman, Dorothy L
“Mix one part foggy San Francisco, a hefty helping of insider restaurant knowledge, a handful of suspects, a sleuth to bind it all together and you’ve got a great menu for murder!”
—Elaine Flinn, Barry Award winner, Agatha, Anthony, and Gumshoe nominee, and author of Tagged for Murder
“Lea’s an engaging sleuth and I found her co-workers at Panache fun to hang out with.... I’ll be looking forward to reading the next book....”
—Reviewing the Evidence
“A smart, engaging debut, Patterns in Silicon is an entertaining puzzle that will keep you guessing as it makes your mouth water.”
—Roberta Isleib, Anthony and Agatha nominee and author of Fairway to Heaven
“I cared what happened to the characters and Maureen Robb gives us a look at how passion and creativity are both wonderful and difficult to keep alive .... Highly recommended.”
—Chris Wallace, Dorothy L
“Lea Sherwood has followed her dream and has her special and successful establishment .... An interesting read ....”
—Mysterious Women
“Set in the two worlds that define modern San Francisco for a lot of people—restaurants and high tech.... a roller coaster ride of a story.”
—Kim Malo, Dorothy L
“An engrossing read that steadily moves towards a fully satisfying conclusion.... This is definitely a series to keep your eyes open for in the future.”
—Kevin R. Tipple, Kevin's Corner
“A very intriguing novel. [Maureen Robb] zeroes in on two of the three main topics of concern in the Bay Area—food and technology—[and] does an excellent job of bringing the two worlds together.”
—Mary Devine, Dorothy L
“Maureen Robb knows the gourmet chefs and dot-com denizens of San Francisco, and in her new mystery, Patterns in Silicon, she makes them real to the rest of us as well.”
—Edgar nominee Sally Wright, author of the Ben Reese mystery series
“... a fun read, and I look forward to more adventures of Lea Sherwood!”
—Kat with a K