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: |
вебинарная студия http://studiya-podkastov-spb4.ru/ .
монтаж подкаста цены монтаж подкаста цены .
90’lar modas?n? hat?rlayanlar burada m?? Sizlere gecmisin moda ikonu olan donemden ilhamla ipuclar? sundugumuz bu yaz?ya davetlisiniz.
Кстати, если вас интересует Guzellik ve Kozmetik: 90’lar Modas?ndan Ipuclar?, загляните сюда.
Вот, можете почитать:
https://aynakirildi.com
Guzellik, gecmisle gunumuz aras?nda bir kopru kurmakt?r. 90’lar?n moda s?rlar?, bu koprunun onemli parcalar?ndan.
J’ai un veritable coup de c?ur pour Betway Casino, on ressent une ambiance de fete. Les options de jeu sont incroyablement variees, comprenant des jeux crypto-friendly. Le bonus initial est super. Le support est pro et accueillant. Les transactions sont toujours securisees, a l’occasion plus de promotions frequentes boosteraient l’experience. Pour finir, Betway Casino assure un fun constant. Par ailleurs le site est fluide et attractif, ce qui rend chaque partie plus fun. A souligner les paiements securises en crypto, qui booste la participation.
Ouvrir le site|
1xbet giri? 2025 http://1xbet-giris-2.com .
электрические рулонные шторы электрические рулонные шторы .
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??
По теме “Ev Dekorasyonunda Modern ve Estetik Cozumler”, нашел много полезного.
Ссылка ниже:
https://evimturk.com
90’lar modas?n?n guzellik s?rlar?n? kesfetmek, tarz?n?za farkl? bir boyut kazand?rabilir. Denemeye deger degil mi?
xbet giri? https://1xbet-giris-2.com/ .
Je suis bluffe par Gamdom Casino, ca invite a plonger dans le fun. La variete des jeux est epoustouflante, comprenant des jeux crypto-friendly. Avec des transactions rapides. Disponible 24/7 par chat ou email. Les retraits sont simples et rapides, mais encore des bonus varies rendraient le tout plus fun. Pour finir, Gamdom Casino offre une aventure inoubliable. D’ailleurs la plateforme est visuellement captivante, facilite une immersion totale. Un point cle les options de paris sportifs diversifiees, qui dynamise l’engagement.
Visiter en ligne|
Cilt bak?m?n?n puf noktalar?na dair bilmeniz gereken her sey burada!
Kad?n Modas?nda Stil ve Fonksiyonel Oneriler hakk?ndaki bolum ozellikle hosuma gitti.
Asag?daki linke bakabilirsiniz:
https://giyimtarzi.com
Unutmay?n, her cilt tipi guzeldir ve dogru bak?m ile daha da guzellesir.
Эта информационная заметка содержит увлекательные сведения, которые могут вас удивить! Мы собрали интересные факты, которые сделают вашу жизнь ярче и полнее. Узнайте нечто новое о привычных аспектах повседневности и откройте для себя удивительный мир информации.
Обратиться к источнику – https://www.mike-martin.de/?p=277
birxbet giri? https://1xbet-giris-4.com .
Cilt bak?m?n?z? bir ust seviyeye c?karman?n zaman? geldi, siz ne dersiniz?
Bu arada, eger Cilt Bak?m? ve Guzellik: Trendler ve Ipuclar? ile ilgileniyorsan?z, buraya goz at?n.
Burada okuyabilirsiniz:
https://bakimruhu.com
Cilt bak?m?n?n buyusu ile tan?s?n ve hayat?n?za kazand?r?n.
1xbet giri? adresi http://1xbet-giris-2.com/ .
рулонные шторы на окна москва https://www.avtomaticheskie-rulonnye-shtory1.ru .
1xbet resmi sitesi http://1xbet-giris-4.com .
рулонные шторы виды механизмов http://www.rulonnye-shtory-s-elektroprivodom7.ru .
рулонные шторы на окна недорого рулонные шторы на окна недорого .
электрические рулонные шторы на окна электрические рулонные шторы на окна .
1xbet ?yelik http://www.1xbet-giris-4.com .
1xbet turkiye http://1xbet-giris-4.com/ .
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??
По теме “Ev Dekorasyonunda S?kl?k ve Fonksiyonellik”, там просто кладезь информации.
Вот, можете почитать:
https://evimsicak.com
Guzellik, gecmisle gunumuz aras?nda bir kopru kurmakt?r. 90’lar?n moda s?rlar?, bu koprunun onemli parcalar?ndan.
1xbet spor bahislerinin adresi http://www.1xbet-giris-2.com/ .
1xbet g?ncel http://1xbet-giris-2.com/ .
1xbet yeni giri? adresi http://www.1xbet-giris-2.com .
90’lar modas?n?n guzellik s?rlar?yla gunumuzun trendlerine meydan okumaya ne dersiniz?
По теме “Ev Dekorasyonunda Modern ve Estetik Cozumler”, есть отличная статья.
Смотрите сами:
https://evimturk.com
Guzellik, gecmisle gunumuz aras?nda bir kopru kurmakt?r. 90’lar?n moda s?rlar?, bu koprunun onemli parcalar?ndan.
видео трансляция заказать http://www.zakazat-onlayn-translyaciyu5.ru .
birxbet https://www.1xbet-giris-4.com .
Hi to every one, it’s really a fastidious for me to visit this web site, it contains useful Information.
заказать трансляцию мероприятия zakazat-onlayn-translyaciyu5.ru .
Je suis totalement conquis par Betify Casino, on ressent une ambiance de fete. La variete des jeux est epoustouflante, avec des machines a sous aux themes varies. Il rend le debut de l’aventure palpitant. Disponible 24/7 pour toute question. Les retraits sont fluides et rapides, neanmoins des bonus plus varies seraient un plus. Pour conclure, Betify Casino est une plateforme qui fait vibrer. Pour completer la navigation est claire et rapide, donne envie de continuer l’aventure. Un element fort le programme VIP avec des recompenses exclusives, propose des privileges sur mesure.
VГ©rifier ceci|
организация трансляций организация трансляций .
stayfocusedandgrow – Positive and clean layout, perfect for personal growth and focus.
автоматическая рулонная штора http://www.rulonnye-shtory-s-elektroprivodom7.ru .
Guzellik ve kozmetikte her zaman gecmisten al?nacak dersler bulunur. 90’lar?n modas?ndan guzellik s?rlar?n? kesfetmeye haz?r olun.
Для тех, кто ищет информацию по теме “Ev Dekorasyonunda S?kl?k ve Fonksiyonellik”, там просто кладезь информации.
Вот, делюсь ссылкой:
https://evimsicak.com
Nostalji dolu bu yolculukta bizimle oldugunuz icin tesekkur ederiz. 90’lar modas? ve guzelliginin ruhunu hissedin.
организация онлайн трансляций мероприятий организация онлайн трансляций мероприятий .
организация онлайн трансляции москва организация онлайн трансляции москва .
J’ai un faible pour Betify Casino, ca offre une experience immersive. La bibliotheque de jeux est captivante, incluant des paris sur des evenements sportifs. Il donne un elan excitant. Le support est fiable et reactif. Les paiements sont securises et rapides, par contre plus de promos regulieres ajouteraient du peps. Pour finir, Betify Casino est un must pour les passionnes. Ajoutons aussi la plateforme est visuellement vibrante, ce qui rend chaque session plus excitante. Un avantage notable les options variees pour les paris sportifs, qui dynamise l’engagement.
Avancer|
J’adore l’ambiance electrisante de Belgium Casino, ca donne une vibe electrisante. Le choix est aussi large qu’un festival, offrant des tables live interactives. Le bonus de bienvenue est genereux. Le support est efficace et amical. Les retraits sont lisses comme jamais, occasionnellement quelques free spins en plus seraient bienvenus. En fin de compte, Belgium Casino offre une aventure inoubliable. D’ailleurs le design est tendance et accrocheur, donne envie de prolonger l’aventure. Egalement top les tournois reguliers pour s’amuser, cree une communaute soudee.
Lancer le site|
J’ai une passion debordante pour Betify Casino, ca offre une experience immersive. On trouve une profusion de jeux palpitants, incluant des options de paris sportifs dynamiques. 100% jusqu’a 500 € avec des spins gratuits. Disponible a toute heure via chat ou email. Les gains sont verses sans attendre, occasionnellement des recompenses additionnelles seraient ideales. En bref, Betify Casino est un choix parfait pour les joueurs. A signaler l’interface est intuitive et fluide, ce qui rend chaque session plus excitante. Un point fort les options de paris sportifs variees, assure des transactions fluides.
Voir la page|
Dogal ve etkili cilt bak?m yontemlerine dair tuyolar? kesfedin.
Dogal Guzellik Yontemleri: Cilt ve Sac Bak?m? Ipuclar? hakk?ndaki yaz? ozellikle hosuma gitti.
Burada okuyabilirsiniz:
https://ipekcilt.com
Dogal guzelliginizi koruyun ve her zaman en iyi versiyonunuz olun.
1xbet spor bahislerinin adresi 1xbet spor bahislerinin adresi .
организация онлайн трансляции москва организация онлайн трансляции москва .
1xbet ?ye ol 1xbet-giris-4.com .
1xbet turkey http://1xbet-giris-2.com/ .
xbet xbet .
организация трансляции мероприятия организация трансляции мероприятия .
видео трансляция заказать http://www.zakazat-onlayn-translyaciyu5.ru .
Je ne me lasse pas de Betify Casino, il offre une experience dynamique. Le catalogue de titres est vaste, incluant des paris sur des evenements sportifs. Il propulse votre jeu des le debut. Le suivi est impeccable. Les paiements sont securises et instantanes, toutefois des recompenses supplementaires seraient parfaites. Pour conclure, Betify Casino est un immanquable pour les amateurs. Par ailleurs la plateforme est visuellement dynamique, incite a rester plus longtemps. Particulierement fun le programme VIP avec des niveaux exclusifs, renforce la communaute.
Commencer ici|
changeyourperspective – Modern and clean design, perfect for exploring fresh ideas and viewpoints.