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: |
seo partner program http://www.optimizaciya-i-seo-prodvizhenie-sajtov-moskva-1.ru/ .
маркетинговые стратегии статьи маркетинговые стратегии статьи .
späte tore wetten
Also visit my page … wettanbieter schweiz
Je suis emerveille par Sugar Casino, ca offre une experience immersive. Le catalogue de titres est vaste, avec des slots aux designs captivants. Il offre un coup de pouce allechant. Le service client est de qualite. Le processus est transparent et rapide, malgre tout plus de promotions frequentes boosteraient l’experience. Au final, Sugar Casino est un immanquable pour les amateurs. Notons egalement l’interface est lisse et agreable, donne envie de continuer l’aventure. Particulierement cool les evenements communautaires engageants, propose des privileges sur mesure.
Cliquer pour voir|
профессиональное продвижение сайтов профессиональное продвижение сайтов .
продвижение сайтов интернет магазины в москве продвижение сайтов интернет магазины в москве .
интернет раскрутка http://optimizaciya-i-seo-prodvizhenie-sajtov-moskva-1.ru .
shopandshine – Love how bright and elegant the whole website looks, super refreshing vibe.
маркетинговый блог http://www.statyi-o-marketinge6.ru .
kraken vk5
кракен vk4
блог про seo блог про seo .
Je suis enthousiaste a propos de Ruby Slots Casino, ca donne une vibe electrisante. Le choix de jeux est tout simplement enorme, comprenant des jeux crypto-friendly. Il donne un avantage immediat. Le support est fiable et reactif. Les paiements sont surs et efficaces, bien que des offres plus consequentes seraient parfaites. En bref, Ruby Slots Casino est un must pour les passionnes. D’ailleurs la navigation est claire et rapide, permet une plongee totale dans le jeu. Un point cle les transactions en crypto fiables, renforce le lien communautaire.
https://rubyslotscasinobonusfr.com/|
контекстная реклама статьи контекстная реклама статьи .
Je suis emerveille par Olympe Casino, il procure une experience harmonieuse. La selection de jeux est olympienne, proposant des jeux de table glorieux. Avec des depots rapides. Le support client est olympien, toujours pret a guider. Les paiements sont securises et fluides, de temps a autre quelques tours gratuits en plus seraient divins. Pour conclure, Olympe Casino merite une ascension celeste pour les passionnes de jeux antiques ! En bonus le design est moderne et divin, donne envie de prolonger l’aventure. Particulierement captivant les options de paris sportifs variees, renforce le sentiment de communaute.
olympefr.com|
Valuable info. Fortunate me I found your website by accident, and I am shocked why this coincidence did not happened earlier! I bookmarked it.
https://era123.net/skachat-mel-bet-obzor-2025/
Je suis accro a Ruby Slots Casino, c’est un lieu ou l’adrenaline coule a flots. La variete des jeux est epoustouflante, comprenant des jeux optimises pour Bitcoin. Il offre un demarrage en fanfare. Les agents repondent avec efficacite. Les paiements sont surs et efficaces, par contre des recompenses en plus seraient un bonus. Au final, Ruby Slots Casino est un choix parfait pour les joueurs. Ajoutons aussi l’interface est simple et engageante, apporte une touche d’excitation. A signaler les tournois reguliers pour s’amuser, cree une communaute vibrante.
Ouvrir maintenant|
как продвигать сайт статьи statyi-o-marketinge6.ru .
globalchoicehub – Love the concept of connecting shoppers worldwide with great product choices.
Hello, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog in Opera, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, wonderful blog!
https://projp303.net/melbet-oficialniy-sajt-voyti-v-lichnyj-kabinet/
продвижение сайтов в москве продвижение сайтов в москве .
профессиональное продвижение сайтов профессиональное продвижение сайтов .
yourtradingmentor – The tips here feel honest and experience-based, perfect for serious traders.
http://farmaciavivait.com/# comprare medicinali online legali
learnandtrade – The strategy guides are clear and actionable, love how practical they feel.
торкретирование торкретирование .
Je suis totalement envoute par Olympe Casino, on ressent une energie divine. Il y a une profusion de jeux captivants, comprenant des jeux optimises pour les cryptos. Amplifiant l’aventure de jeu. Le service est disponible 24/7, avec une aide precise. Les gains arrivent sans delai, cependant plus de promos regulieres ajouteraient de la gloire. En resume, Olympe Casino est une plateforme qui regne sur l’Olympe pour les joueurs en quete d’epopee ! Ajoutons que la navigation est simple comme un oracle, amplifie le plaisir de jouer. Un atout olympien les options de paris sportifs variees, assure des transactions fiables.
https://olympefr.com/|
Online betting is an exhilarating way to enjoy your favorite sports and casino games https://www.diigo.com/item/note/8ve3l/cgd2?k=f7ae16251efdbf07a8fc7a61e4350509
статьи про digital маркетинг http://www.statyi-o-marketinge6.ru .
статьи про digital маркетинг http://statyi-o-marketinge6.ru .
simplelivinghub – I like how every item feels purposeful, not just another random thing.
teamworksuccesspath – I like how this site highlights teamwork as the foundation of growth.
cd player alarm clock https://www.alarm-radio-clocks.com .
clock radio alarm clock cd player http://www.alarm-radio-clocks.com/ .
successnetworkgroup – Love how this platform promotes collaboration and shared success among professionals.
J’adore l’energie de Ruby Slots Casino, il offre une experience dynamique. La variete des jeux est epoustouflante, comprenant des jeux compatibles avec les cryptos. Le bonus d’inscription est attrayant. Le support est pro et accueillant. Les transactions sont toujours fiables, par ailleurs des bonus varies rendraient le tout plus fun. En conclusion, Ruby Slots Casino assure un divertissement non-stop. Pour couronner le tout le site est rapide et immersif, ce qui rend chaque session plus excitante. Particulierement interessant les tournois reguliers pour la competition, cree une communaute soudee.
DГ©couvrir davantage|
Je suis enthousiasme par Ruby Slots Casino, on y trouve une vibe envoutante. Le catalogue de titres est vaste, proposant des jeux de table sophistiques. Le bonus de depart est top. Disponible a toute heure via chat ou email. Les gains sont transferes rapidement, a l’occasion quelques spins gratuits en plus seraient top. Au final, Ruby Slots Casino est un immanquable pour les amateurs. De plus la plateforme est visuellement vibrante, ce qui rend chaque session plus excitante. Particulierement interessant les options de paris sportifs diversifiees, offre des bonus exclusifs.
DГ©couvrir dГЁs maintenant|
Cildinizi s?martmak icin haz?r olun!
“Kozmetik Dunyas?nda En Yeni Guzellik Trendleri ve Ipuclar?” konusunda bilgi arayanlar icin cok faydal? bilgiler buldum.
Burada okuyabilirsiniz:
https://bakimsehri.com
Cildinizin dogall?g?n? ve sagl?g?n? korumak sizin elinizde.
Cildinizi s?martmak icin haz?r olun!
Bu arada, eger Moda ve Stil Rehberi: En Yeni Trendler ve Kombinler ile ilgileniyorsan?z, buraya goz at?n.
Burada okuyabilirsiniz:
https://modaruhu.com
Cilt bak?m?n? hayat?n?z?n bir parcas? haline getirin ve fark? gorun.
Cilt bak?m?n?z? bir ust seviyeye c?karman?n zaman? geldi, siz ne dersiniz?
“Is?lt?l? Guzellik: Sac ve Cilt Bak?m Onerileri” konusuyla ilgili olarak oras? tam bir bilgi hazinesi.
Iste, linki paylas?yorum:
https://tenvezarafet.com
Guzelliginizin ve sagl?g?n?z?n anahtar? dogru cilt bak?m?nda sakl?.
forexstrategyguide – The insights here are practical and actually useful for real trading setups.
brahmanshome – Helpful ideas posted here, I’ll definitely share with all friends.
globalmarketinsight – Truly a must-visit for anyone serious about staying ah
radio alarm clock phone combo http://www.alarm-radio-clocks.com .
successfultradersclub – Every tutorial feels insightful, with examples that make the concepts easy to apply.
Hello everybody, here every person is sharing such familiarity, so it’s nice to read this website, and I used to pay a visit this weblog every day.
https://veraxsolution.com/melbet-kazino-oficialnyj-sajt-skachat-2025/
markettrendalerts – I appreciate the consistency and accuracy of their daily updates.
кракен 2025
kraken vk3
the alarm cd http://alarm-radio-clocks.com .
uniquedecorstore – Love the distinctive style here, every item feels unique and carefully selected.
Online betting is an exhilarating way to enjoy your favorite sports and casino games https://www.diigo.com/item/note/8u5z9/52h8?k=f8319737ab41a7f0edfdcf6b6c059290