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	The Glitch that Stole Christmas By Solveig Singleton March 15, 1999 Glitch: The Y2K Conspiracy follows two characters, intelligence agent Jennifer Thomas and programmer Doug Woodson, as they become ensnared in an Indonesian-based conspiracy to exploit Y2K's impact on industry and government. The author is David Kedson, a programmer and lawyer. A few flaws notwithstanding, he's penned a suspenseful, evenly-paced Y2K tale that makes good reading. The book's premise is that top Y2K programmers are disappearing -- even from high levels of government -- apparently lured away by the promises of sky-high pay from a mysterious corporation. But the firm doesn't shrink from kidnapping and murder to get the people it wants. When programmer Doug Woodson accepts the job offer, he finds himself confined on the corporate premises -- which offer resort-like amenities but constant surveillance and limited contact with the outside world. Chafing at the restrictions, he attempts escape. Meanwhile, intelligence agent Thomas is drawn into the action when asked to investigate the government's Y2K readiness, vanished federal personnel, and mysterious dealings in precious metals options and futures. Treachery ensues when federal agents turn on each another. The characters are well-drawn, intelligent, convincingly developed, and their personalities carry the book. The action and the plot twists that move it forward are intelligent -- well, mostly. The author's familiarity with the culture of programming is evident, and I really enjoyed this glimpse into their world. Occasional implausibility is the book's weakness. The conspiracy to bring the world to its knees on Y2K is a bit of a stretch. (How would trying to monopolize all the Y2K programmers in the world work, exactly?) Are programmers likely to submit without question to confinement, even within facilities equipped with tennis courts and an endless supply of Jolt Cola? Wouldn't this arouse tremendous suspicion and questions of legality? And why on earth does Jen Thomas keep calling an obvious bad guy and tipping him off about what she's investigating by asking questions she knows he won't answer? Another weakness: The author's technique of delivering information to the reader through monologues by a character named "Brain." It's efficient, sure, but overly transparent after it's been used for this and no other purpose three or four times. Still, we think it's a fun, suspenseful and well-drawn book, well worth reading. And, hey, a few plot implausibilities didn't stop the Hardy Boys from becoming classics. Kedson's characters deserve to be written into a sequel or a programmer-spy series. This could be a whole new genre. You can get Glitch from buybooksontheweb.com or by calling toll-free (877) BUYBOOK.		FEATURES Book Reviews Y2K already has spawned its own genre. We tell you what books are worth buying. Chip 'n Little Cartoons Chip 'n Little goes on TV Chip 'n Little visits John Koskinen Chip 'n Little saves the world Warning: This cartoon has been called "foolish and tasteless." Y2K from A to Z Y2K Haiku Traditionalists may be shocked. Mad Cow Culture What does Y2K have in common with today's Mad Cow Culture? Answer: Everything. Declan McCullagh's Y2K articles Psychology of Y2K LATEST NEWS As of December 31, 1999 Get Your T-Shirt Quick Bill Gates Does Y2K Reader Feedback A Sarcastic Calendar Cooking After the Apocalypse A Real Y2K Disaster Hitchhiker's Guide Meets Y2K