Taxed to Death
Debra Purdy Kong
Mystery/Suspense
[rating: 3/5]
Available in:
• Mobi/Kindle
• ePub/iPad
• PDF
• HTML
… from…
• Amazon
• MobiPocket
• AllRomanceEbooks
• OmniLit
Also in paperback
When Revenue Canada auditor Alex Bellamy discovers that $150,000 is missing from Ice Craft Jewelers inventory, someone from Special Investigations suddenly takes him off the case. But Alex decides to keep investigating anyhow, and before he knows it, his best friend is dead—suicide, if you can believe it. Moreover, someone is chasing Alex himself, and he must turn to Jillian Scott, a woman he’s never met and who is as afraid of him as he is of being caught. Soon, her fears and his search embroil them in a bizarre and disturbing nightmare.
I read Taxed to Death as part of a review-exchange on GoodReads: I read someone’s book, and someone else reviews one of mine. To that end, and short of cash, I purchased a copy of Debra Purdy Kong’s Taxed to Death on the used market. This is the first in the Alex Bellamy series, the second being her more recent release, Fatal Encryption. But I couldn’t find a used copy of the more recent title, and I thought it would probably be best to start with the first in the series, anyhow.
The book started by throwing names and facts at me, as many mysteries do. Unfortunately—maybe because I’m dense—I didn’t get what was happening until later in the story. The story is billed as a mystery, but in some ways, it reads more like a suspense novel… except that I didn’t understand the characters, at all. In fact, the major viewpoint character, Les Silby, who gets the most screen-time, he’s one of the suspects. Him I got, at least as much as I could without knowing his full role until the end. Alex and Jillian, the hero and heroine of the story, I had no idea why they did most of the things they did.
As a side-effect, because the story can’t give away the ending, it frequently gave me a partial view, blanking out obvious things that the viewpoint character could see and was thinking about. Now, I’m not an expert in the mystery genre. As I recall, the mysteries I’ve read have achieved this effect simply by staying in the mind of the detective. Suspense novels, not so much, but in a suspense, it’s more important to maintain the tension between hero and villain, rather than to keep secret who the villain is. I’m not sure I liked the effect in Taxed to Death.
The story did get better near the end, as the situation became clear and the forces of evil began to close around our heroes. Even so, I never understood why Alex and Jillian did most of what they did, or felt what they felt, or thought what they were thinking. This is extremely important to me, because rich, three-dimensional characters are key to a good story. And these characters just fell flat.
This story is also missing a theme, as far as I can tell. I had originally expected something like: financial fraud is about more than money. (And that could be the theme of the story… maybe, kinda.) Or: we all pay when someone embezzles funds. (And I didn’t get that at all from this story.) Much less did I see an uplifting, character-based theme. It simply wasn’t that kind of book.
After all of that, I do hope to read the next book in the series Fatal Encryption. Why? Well, Taxed to Death is Debra Purdy Kong’s first book, published 15 years ago. That means that Debra probably put more into it than any other story she’s written, but also that it reflects her inexperience as an novelist. I’m hoping that Fatal Encryption, which came out just a couple years ago, gave her a chance to address some of the storytelling issues I noticed in Taxed to Death. Most importantly, I’m hoping she has gotten better at characterizing her characters, and I really want to get to know Alex Bellamy.
-TimK
|
Taxed to Death |
Available in: |
наркологический анонимный центр http://narkologicheskaya-klinika-24.ru/ .
вывод из запоя клиника москва https://narkologicheskaya-klinika-24.ru .
наркология в москве https://www.narkologicheskaya-klinika-24.ru .
медицинские приборы http://www.medicinskoe–oborudovanie.ru/ .
bwaylocations.com – The visuals and arrangement show good attention to detail.
의정부출장마사지 – 의정부 전역에 24시간 여성
전문 마사지사가 찾아가는 출장 홈타이 서비스!
아로마, 스포츠, 커플 마사지로 피로와 스트레스를 합리적 가격에 풀어
наркологические клиники москвы наркологические клиники москвы .
купить диплом в новоалтайске http://www.rudik-diplom2.ru/ – купить диплом в новоалтайске .
купить диплом с занесением в реестр в спб frei-diplom3.ru .
casa-nana.net – The tone is caring and supportive—very appropriate for the cause.
seenministries.com – I like the emphasis on community and connection; it feels inclusive.
I like it when folks come together and share views.
Great site, stick with it!
скрытый алкоголизм http://narkologicheskaya-klinika-24.ru/ .
Спасибо большое, что вы с нами и доверяете нам! https://laynservis.ru у нас сейчас 6-apb нет в России…
trendingnewsfeed.net – overall branding is consistent and gives a professional vibe.
частная наркологическая клиника в москве анонимное http://www.narkologicheskaya-klinika-24.ru/ .
” />safercharging.com – (Note: I saw a small URL redirect oddness when checking a link.)
opensky-inc.com – I found the navigation straightforward; information feels easy to locate.
купить диплом вуза занесением реестр http://frei-diplom2.ru/ .
bwaylocations.com – The visuals and arrangement show good attention to detail.
safercharging.com – Found the typography and spacing pleasant to read; good design choices.
seenministries.com – Looks trustworthy and professional; well done with layout and structure.
медтехника http://www.medicinskaya-tehnika.ru .
wetten online sportwetten test (bendigofc.com.au) österreich
медтехника http://medicinskaya-tehnika.ru .
J’adore l’elegance de Impressario Casino, il procure une experience exquise. La variete des titres est raffinee, offrant des sessions live sophistiquees. Le bonus de bienvenue est delicieux. Les agents repondent avec courtoisie, garantissant un support de qualite. Le processus est simple et elegant, cependant plus de promos regulieres ajouteraient du piquant. En resume, Impressario Casino garantit un plaisir constant pour ceux qui aiment parier en crypto ! A noter le site est rapide et attractif, amplifie le plaisir de jouer. Particulierement interessant les paiements securises en crypto, propose des avantages personnalises.
Emmenez-moi lГ -bas|
wette gegen euro
Take a look at my website :: Gratiswette Heute (https://Sossystem.Com.Br)
seenministries.com – The “Events” section shows good variety — nice to see active programming.
поставщик медоборудования medoborudovanie-postavka.ru .
clevelandchristmasclub.com – The vibe of the site is fun and festive; great first impression.
Howdy! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website?
I’m getting sick and tired of WordPress because I’ve had
problems with hackers and I’m looking at options for another
platform. I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of
a good platform.
поставщик медоборудования https://medoborudovanie-postavka.ru .
J’ai une passion ardente pour Monte Cryptos Casino, ca offre une sensation futuriste unique. La selection de jeux est astronomique, avec des slots aux designs modernes. Elevant l’experience de jeu. L’assistance est precise et professionnelle, joignable a tout moment. Les gains arrivent sans delai, cependant des bonus plus varies seraient un atout. En bref, Monte Cryptos Casino vaut une exploration virtuelle pour ceux qui parient avec des cryptos ! A noter la plateforme est visuellement eblouissante, ajoute une touche de sophistication. Un avantage notable les evenements communautaires decentralises, renforce la communaute.
Aller ici|
J’aime l’ambiance futuriste de Monte Cryptos Casino, ca offre un plaisir numerique unique. Les options sont vastes comme un reseau, comprenant des jeux optimises pour les cryptos. Amplifiant l’experience de jeu. L’assistance est efficace et professionnelle, toujours pret a resoudre. Les transferts sont fiables, neanmoins des recompenses supplementaires seraient ideales. Dans l’ensemble, Monte Cryptos Casino est un must pour les fans de blockchain pour les passionnes de sensations numeriques ! Par ailleurs la plateforme est visuellement eblouissante, amplifie le plaisir de jouer. Particulierement captivant les options de paris variees, propose des avantages uniques.
Lire l’avis complet|
electmikemontes.com – The site looks clean and well-laid-out, I liked the simplicity.
bwaylocations.com – The design feels modern and professional—nice first impression.
Cilt bak?m?n?n puf noktalar?na dair bilmeniz gereken her sey burada!
Bu arada, eger Modern Moda: Zarafet ve Stil Ipuclar? ile ilgileniyorsan?z, buraya bir bak?n.
Asag?daki linke bakabilirsiniz:
https://modaevreni.com
Cildinizin dogall?g?n? ve sagl?g?n? korumak sizin elinizde.
Je suis accro a Monte Cryptos Casino, ca transporte dans un cosmos chiffre. La variete des titres est eclatante, avec des slots aux themes innovants. Renforcant votre capital initial. Le suivi est irreprochable, offrant des reponses claires. Les paiements sont securises et fluides, parfois des bonus plus varies seraient un plus. Au final, Monte Cryptos Casino offre une experience inoubliable pour les passionnes de sensations numeriques ! Par ailleurs le site est rapide et futuriste, ce qui rend chaque session plus immersive. Un atout cle les tournois reguliers pour la competition, propose des avantages uniques.
Aller sur le site|
wettbüro in der nähe jetzt geöffnet
Here is my blog post: wette vorhersage wetten (Liam)
Dogal guzelliginizin s?rlar?n? ortaya c?karmaya var m?s?n?z?
“Guzellik ve Bak?m: Trendler ve Ipuclar?” konusunda bilgi arayanlar icin oras? tam bir bilgi hazinesi.
Asag?daki linke bakabilirsiniz:
https://ciltruhu.com
Guzelliginizin ve sagl?g?n?z?n anahtar? dogru cilt bak?m?nda sakl?.
Dogal guzellik ve cilt bak?m?nda uzmanlar?n s?rlar?na yak?ndan bak?yoruz.
“Estetik ve Fonksiyonellik: Ideal Mekan Tasar?m?” konusunda bilgi arayanlar icin oras? tam bir bilgi hazinesi.
Burada okuyabilirsiniz:
https://evsahnesi.com
Sagl?kl? ve dogal bir cilt icin duzenli bak?m sart.
pastorjorgetrujillo.com – It would be nice to see more multimedia content like videos or testimonials.
С развитием онлайн-технологий сервис Ynla.ru представляет собой удобную доску объявлений, на которой ежедневно появляются тысячи вариантов от пользователей разных регионов России и ближнего зарубежья для покупки, продажи или обмена. Основанная на принципах доступности, она позволяет бесплатно публиковать объявления в категориях от автотранспорта и недвижимости до работы, электроники и услуг, с ограничением в одно бесплатное размещение для предотвращения спама, что подтверждается правилами сайта. Удобный поиск по регионам, ценам и типам, интеграция с соцсетями для большей видимости, а также опции VIP-объявлений и магазинов делают процесс простым и быстрым даже для новичков. https://ynla.ru/ — это ваш ключ к успешным сделкам без посредников. Миллионы просмотров, мобильная оптимизация и реальные отзывы от пользователей подчеркивают ее популярность, помогая найти идеального покупателя или продавца в считанные минуты и упрощая повседневную жизнь.
медицинская техника медицинская техника .
медтехника http://www.medicinskaya-tehnika.ru .
opensky-inc.com – Overall, a solid foundation for a business presence online.
поставка медицинского оборудования поставка медицинского оборудования .
поставка медоборудования medoborudovanie-postavka.ru .
bwaylocations.com – The visuals and arrangement show good attention to detail.
поставщик медоборудования http://medoborudovanie-postavka.ru/ .