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: |
производство одежды https://www.miniatelie.ru .
seo агентства рекламные москва http://www.reiting-kompanii-po-prodvizheniyu-sajtov.ru .
материалы по маркетингу https://www.statyi-o-marketinge7.ru .
J’adore la vibe de Gamdom Casino, il propose une aventure palpitante. Il y a une abondance de jeux excitants, proposant des jeux de table classiques. Il donne un avantage immediat. Le suivi est d’une fiabilite exemplaire. Le processus est transparent et rapide, neanmoins quelques spins gratuits en plus seraient top. En conclusion, Gamdom Casino merite une visite dynamique. En extra le site est fluide et attractif, ajoute une vibe electrisante. A signaler le programme VIP avec des niveaux exclusifs, offre des bonus exclusifs.
Aller sur le site|
seo partner program http://www.optimizaciya-i-seo-prodvizhenie-sajtov-moskva.ru .
интернет продвижение москва интернет продвижение москва .
Современные нейросети — это мощные помощники для выполнения курсовых работ. Они способны ускорить написание, взяв на себя рутину: подбор актуальных источников gpt chat для написания курсовой
Je suis captive par Gamdom Casino, il cree un monde de sensations fortes. On trouve une profusion de jeux palpitants, comprenant des jeux optimises pour Bitcoin. Il offre un coup de pouce allechant. Le service client est excellent. Le processus est transparent et rapide, de temps en temps des recompenses en plus seraient un bonus. En resume, Gamdom Casino merite un detour palpitant. Notons aussi le design est tendance et accrocheur, facilite une experience immersive. Egalement super les evenements communautaires pleins d’energie, offre des bonus exclusifs.
Parcourir le site|
Je suis accro a Betify Casino, ca invite a l’aventure. On trouve une profusion de jeux palpitants, comprenant des jeux compatibles avec les cryptos. Il booste votre aventure des le depart. Disponible 24/7 pour toute question. Les retraits sont fluides et rapides, a l’occasion des bonus plus varies seraient un plus. En conclusion, Betify Casino est un endroit qui electrise. A signaler la plateforme est visuellement captivante, ce qui rend chaque session plus excitante. Un plus les competitions regulieres pour plus de fun, offre des recompenses regulieres.
Entrer|
аудит продвижения сайта аудит продвижения сайта .
статьи про маркетинг и seo statyi-o-marketinge7.ru .
заказать пошив одежды оптом http://miniatelie.ru/ .
Eski ama asla eskimeyen 90’lar modas?n?n guzellik s?rlar?yla dolu bu yaz?da bulusal?m.
Кстати, если вас интересует Ev Dekorasyonunda Modern ve Estetik Cozumler, загляните сюда.
Вот, делюсь ссылкой:
https://evimturk.com
90’lar?n guzellik s?rlar?yla tarz?n?za yeni bir soluk kazand?rabilirsiniz. Eski moda, yeni size ilham olsun!
Je suis completement seduit par Betify Casino, il cree une experience captivante. La variete des jeux est epoustouflante, offrant des tables live interactives. Il rend le debut de l’aventure palpitant. Le support est rapide et professionnel. Le processus est transparent et rapide, quelquefois plus de promotions frequentes boosteraient l’experience. Pour finir, Betify Casino offre une aventure inoubliable. De surcroit l’interface est lisse et agreable, ce qui rend chaque session plus excitante. A souligner les options de paris sportifs variees, assure des transactions fiables.
https://betifycasino365fr.com/|
оптимизация сайта франция цена http://www.optimizaciya-i-seo-prodvizhenie-sajtov-moskva.ru/ .
профессиональное продвижение сайтов профессиональное продвижение сайтов .
экскаватор. цена. час. http://www.arenda-ekskavatora-pogruzchika-1.ru .
производство мужской одежды санкт петербург http://arbuztech.ru/ .
Je suis emerveille par Belgium Casino, ca transporte dans un univers de plaisirs. Le choix de jeux est tout simplement enorme, offrant des experiences de casino en direct. Le bonus d’inscription est attrayant. Le support est rapide et professionnel. Les gains arrivent sans delai, neanmoins des recompenses en plus seraient un bonus. En resume, Belgium Casino offre une aventure memorable. A signaler l’interface est lisse et agreable, ce qui rend chaque partie plus fun. Un bonus les tournois reguliers pour la competition, propose des privileges personnalises.
AccГ©der maintenant|
situs game online
оптимизация и seo продвижение сайтов москва оптимизация и seo продвижение сайтов москва .
раскрутка сайта франция optimizaciya-i-seo-prodvizhenie-sajtov-moskva.ru .
пошив шопперов на заказ miniatelie.ru .
Hi, i believe that i saw you visited my blog so i
got here to go back the prefer?.I’m trying to find things to enhance my site!I guess
its good enough to use some of your ideas!!
производство детской одежды спб http://www.arbuztech.ru .
швейная фабрика http://miniatelie.ru/ .
швейный цех спб http://www.arbuztech.ru/ .
оптимизация сайта блог оптимизация сайта блог .
статьи про seo статьи про seo .
аренда погрузчика экскаватора http://arenda-ekskavatora-pogruzchika-1.ru .
legitimate pharmacy shipping to USA DoctorNorthRx canadian pharmacy online
Cilt bak?m?n?z? bir ust seviyeye c?karman?n zaman? geldi, siz ne dersiniz?
Kad?n Modas?nda Stil ve Fonksiyonel Oneriler hakk?ndaki yaz? ozellikle hosuma gitti.
Burada okuyabilirsiniz:
https://giyimtarzi.com
Cilt bak?m?n?n buyusu ile tan?s?n ve hayat?n?za kazand?r?n.
услуги экскаватора погрузчика в москве услуги экскаватора погрузчика в москве .
производство верхней одежды санкт петербург https://www.arbuztech.ru .
При выборе инструмента ориентируйтесь на ваши текущие задачи: один сервис идеален для поиска литературы, другой — для анализа уже загруженных материалов курсовой проект ии
контекстная реклама статьи контекстная реклама статьи .
Eski ama asla eskimeyen 90’lar modas?n?n guzellik s?rlar?yla dolu bu yaz?da bulusal?m.
По теме “Guzellik ve Kozmetik: Trendler ve Ipuclar?”, нашел много полезного.
Вот, делюсь ссылкой:
https://guzellikturk.com
90’lar?n guzellik s?rlar?yla tarz?n?za yeni bir soluk kazand?rabilirsiniz. Eski moda, yeni size ilham olsun!
продвижение французского сайта цена https://optimizaciya-i-seo-prodvizhenie-sajtov-moskva.ru .
Je suis epate par Betway Casino, ca pulse comme une soiree animee. Le catalogue est un tresor de divertissements, offrant des experiences de casino en direct. 100% jusqu’a 500 € avec des free spins. Le suivi est d’une precision remarquable. Les gains arrivent en un eclair, de temps a autre des bonus plus frequents seraient un hit. Pour finir, Betway Casino merite une visite dynamique. A noter le design est style et moderne, donne envie de continuer l’aventure. A signaler les paiements en crypto rapides et surs, propose des avantages sur mesure.
Regarder de plus prГЁs|
взять в аренду экскаватор погрузчик в москве взять в аренду экскаватор погрузчик в москве .
Клининг в Москве — это надежный способ поддерживать чистоту и порядок в вашем офисе или квартире.
В последние годы клининг в Москве приобрел огромную популярность.
маркетинг в интернете блог http://www.statyi-o-marketinge6.ru .
Dogal ve etkili cilt bak?m yontemlerine dair tuyolar? kesfedin.
Yeri gelmisken, eger Kozmetik Dunyas?nda En Yeni Guzellik Trendleri ve Ipuclar? ile ilgileniyorsan?z, buraya goz at?n.
Kendiniz bak?n:
https://bakimsehri.com
Cildinizin dogall?g?n? ve sagl?g?n? korumak sizin elinizde.
блог о рекламе и аналитике http://www.statyi-o-marketinge7.ru .
Клининговая компания в Москве предлагает широкий спектр услуг для вашего комфорта.
Рекомендуется читать отзывы и исследовать рейтинги, чтобы делать осознанный выбор.
Современные нейросети — это мощные помощники для выполнения курсовых работ. Они способны ускорить написание, взяв на себя рутину: подбор актуальных источников как с помощью чата gpt написать курсовую
Dogal guzellik ve cilt bak?m?nda uzmanlar?n s?rlar?na yak?ndan bak?yoruz.
Turk Mutfag?n?n Unutulmaz Lezzet Hikayeleri hakk?ndaki bolum ozellikle hosuma gitti.
Burada okuyabilirsiniz:
https://turksofrasi.com
Cilt bak?m?n?n buyusu ile tan?s?n ve hayat?n?za kazand?r?n.
швейный цех https://arbuztech.ru/ .
Je suis enthousiasme par Betway Casino, on ressent une ambiance festive. La selection de jeux est impressionnante, proposant des jeux de table sophistiques. Il donne un elan excitant. Le support est pro et accueillant. Les retraits sont simples et rapides, par moments plus de promotions variees ajouteraient du fun. En conclusion, Betway Casino offre une aventure memorable. Ajoutons que la plateforme est visuellement captivante, donne envie de prolonger l’aventure. Particulierement attrayant les evenements communautaires vibrants, qui motive les joueurs.
Commencer Г naviguer|
J’ai un veritable coup de c?ur pour Betify Casino, il cree une experience captivante. On trouve une gamme de jeux eblouissante, comprenant des titres adaptes aux cryptomonnaies. Le bonus d’inscription est attrayant. Le service client est de qualite. Les transactions sont toujours fiables, de temps a autre des bonus plus frequents seraient un hit. En somme, Betify Casino merite un detour palpitant. Pour couronner le tout la navigation est simple et intuitive, facilite une immersion totale. Egalement genial les tournois reguliers pour s’amuser, qui stimule l’engagement.
Passer à l’action|