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: |
купить диплом ветеринарного врача купить диплом ветеринарного врача .
голосовое управление жалюзи http://www.elektricheskie-zhalyuzi97.ru .
Je suis accro a Vbet Casino, on ressent une ambiance festive. On trouve une profusion de jeux palpitants, offrant des tables live interactives. Le bonus de depart est top. Les agents sont toujours la pour aider. Les gains sont verses sans attendre, mais quelques free spins en plus seraient bienvenus. En resume, Vbet Casino vaut une exploration vibrante. En extra la navigation est fluide et facile, booste l’excitation du jeu. Un element fort les competitions regulieres pour plus de fun, propose des privileges personnalises.
Visiter en ligne|
Нуждаетесь в строительстве частного дома под ключ в Сочи? Обязательно посетите https://sochi93.com/ – наша компания – Выбор93 уже 13 лет на рынке с большим количеством реализованных проектов. Мы предлагаем полный цикл услуг — от подбора участка до сдачи объекта под ключ. Изучите на сайте варианты домов и примеры наших проектов. У нас фиксированные сроки и смета. Свяжитесь с нами через сайт или по телефону +7 (938) 555-33-93, г. Сочи.
Je suis bluffe par Vbet Casino, ca offre un plaisir vibrant. Le choix est aussi large qu’un festival, incluant des paris sportifs pleins de vie. Il propulse votre jeu des le debut. Le suivi est d’une precision remarquable. Les paiements sont surs et fluides, par contre quelques spins gratuits en plus seraient top. En resume, Vbet Casino merite une visite dynamique. A souligner le design est style et moderne, apporte une energie supplementaire. Particulierement fun le programme VIP avec des recompenses exclusives, propose des privileges personnalises.
Explorer davantage|
жалюзи для умного дома жалюзи для умного дома .
trafficcore.click – Navigation felt smooth, found everything quickly without any confusing steps.
getinspiredtoday – The design feels peaceful and bright, makes you want to stay longer.
тканевые электрожалюзи https://www.elektricheskie-zhalyuzi97.ru .
где купить диплом о среднем специальном образовании где купить диплом о среднем специальном образовании .
adengine.click – Appreciate the typography choices; comfortable spacing improved my reading experience.
modernlivingstyle – I like how professional and polished the entire site looks.
Dogal ve etkili cilt bak?m yontemlerine dair tuyolar? kesfedin.
Yeri gelmisken, eger Lezzetin Zirvesine C?karan SofraKeyfi Hikayeleri ile ilgileniyorsan?z, buraya goz at?n.
Asag?daki linke bakabilirsiniz:
https://sofrakeyfi.com
Cilt bak?m?n?n buyusu ile tan?s?n ve hayat?n?za kazand?r?n.
connectdiscovergrow – The site’s message feels powerful, encourages learning and growth daily.
Dogal guzellik ve cilt bak?m?nda uzmanlar?n s?rlar?na yak?ndan bak?yoruz.
Bu arada, eger En Iyi Mobilya ve Dekorasyon Trendleri 2023 ile ilgileniyorsan?z, buraya bir bak?n.
Asag?daki linke bakabilirsiniz:
https://anadoludekor.com
Guzelliginizin ve sagl?g?n?z?n anahtar? dogru cilt bak?m?nda sakl?.
trafficcore.click – Color palette felt calming, nothing distracting, just focused, thoughtful design.
clickempire.click – Navigation felt smooth, found everything quickly without any confusing steps.
liveandexplore – Clean and inviting design, browsing here feels calm and inspiring.
карнизы с электроприводом купить карнизы с электроприводом купить .
promojet.click – Appreciate the typography choices; comfortable spacing improved my reading experience.
liveandexplore – Feels like a creative space to discover new ideas and adventures.
жалюзи с электроприводом жалюзи с электроприводом .
findsomethingnew – Exciting and fresh design, makes discovering new things really enjoyable.
https://mexmedsreview.com/# cheap branded meds without prescription
90’lar modas?n? hat?rlayanlar burada m?? Sizlere gecmisin moda ikonu olan donemden ilhamla ipuclar? sundugumuz bu yaz?ya davetlisiniz.
Для тех, кто ищет информацию по теме “Ev Dekorasyonunda Modern ve Estetik Cozumler”, там просто кладезь информации.
Вот, можете почитать:
https://evimturk.com
Tarz?n?zda 90’lar?n esintilerini hissetmeye baslad?g?n?za eminim. Gecmisin izlerini tas?maktan korkmay?n!
Je suis accro a Posido Casino, c’est une plateforme qui pulse avec energie. Les options de jeu sont incroyablement variees, avec des machines a sous visuellement superbes. Il amplifie le plaisir des l’entree. Le suivi est impeccable. Les retraits sont fluides et rapides, par moments des recompenses additionnelles seraient ideales. Dans l’ensemble, Posido Casino est un incontournable pour les joueurs. A noter le site est rapide et style, amplifie le plaisir de jouer. Particulierement interessant les paiements securises en crypto, renforce le lien communautaire.
Entrer sur le site|
Sizi gecmisten ilham alan guzellik ipuclar?yla dolu bu nostaljik yolculuga davet ediyoruz. 90’lar modas?n?n s?rlar?na goz atal?m m??
Для тех, кто ищет информацию по теме “Evinizde Estetik ve Fonksiyonu Birlestirin: Ipuclar? ve Trendler”, есть отличная статья.
Смотрите сами:
https://anadolustil.com
90’lar modas?n?n guzellik s?rlar?n? kesfetmek, tarz?n?za farkl? bir boyut kazand?rabilir. Denemeye deger degil mi?
makelifesimpler – Clean and minimal design, everything feels calm and easy to use.
автоматические жалюзи автоматические жалюзи .
At Wellton Property, we offer access to a curated portfolio of North Cyprus http://www.ecwusers.com/?URL=welltonproperty.com
кракен вход – Рабочая кракен тор ссылка помогает обходить блокировки и входить быстро.
тканевые электрожалюзи https://elektricheskie-zhalyuzi97.ru/ .
Cildinizi s?martmak icin haz?r olun!
Yeri gelmisken, eger Turk Mutfag?n?n Unutulmaz Lezzet Hikayeleri ile ilgileniyorsan?z, buraya goz at?n.
Asag?daki linke bakabilirsiniz:
https://turksofrasi.com
Cilt bak?m?n?n buyusu ile tan?s?n ve hayat?n?za kazand?r?n.
connectdiscovergrow – Simple yet meaningful concept, perfectly reflected in the site’s design.
пластиковые жалюзи с электроприводом http://www.elektricheskie-zhalyuzi97.ru .
getinspiredtoday – Bright and motivational design, really helps lift your mood instantly.
жалюзи с электроприводом жалюзи с электроприводом .
Je suis captive par Posido Casino, ca transporte dans un monde d’excitation. Les options sont aussi vastes qu’un horizon, proposant des jeux de cartes elegants. Avec des depots rapides et faciles. Le suivi est d’une precision remarquable. Les paiements sont surs et efficaces, malgre tout quelques tours gratuits en plus seraient geniaux. En resume, Posido Casino merite un detour palpitant. A souligner l’interface est intuitive et fluide, ce qui rend chaque session plus excitante. Particulierement interessant les evenements communautaires pleins d’energie, assure des transactions fluides.
Obtenir les dГ©tails|
theworldawaits – The layout flows nicely, captures the excitement of discovering new things.
clickempire.click – Found practical insights today; sharing this article with colleagues later.
пластиковые жалюзи с электроприводом http://www.elektricheskie-zhalyuzi97.ru .
жалюзи на пульте жалюзи на пульте .
рулонные жалюзи с электроприводом рулонные жалюзи с электроприводом .
findsomethingnew – The concept is great and the execution is smooth and professional.
connectdiscovergrow – Motivating and easy to use, this site feels both smart and inspiring.
Je suis captive par Posido Casino, on ressent une ambiance de fete. Le choix est aussi large qu’un festival, offrant des sessions live immersives. Le bonus initial est super. Le service d’assistance est au point. Les gains sont transferes rapidement, par moments des recompenses en plus seraient un bonus. Dans l’ensemble, Posido Casino vaut une exploration vibrante. D’ailleurs l’interface est fluide comme une soiree, permet une immersion complete. Particulierement interessant les tournois reguliers pour s’amuser, qui dynamise l’engagement.
Approfondir|
liveandexplore – Love how simple and adventurous the site feels, really fun to use.
карниз моторизованный http://elektrokarniz-kupit.ru .
электрокарнизы цена электрокарнизы цена .
электрокранизы http://elektrokarniz777.ru .