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: |
такой хани мани казино официальный сайт
Подстолье “Жасмин 120” за 409 360 руб.: 840?1200?330 мм для простора! Идеально для семейной ванной – смотрите на нашем веб-портале.
casino brisbane – https://casino-brisbane-australia.com
узнать хани мани казино
этот контент honey money casino промокод
platin – https://platin-de.com
canberra casino – https://canberra-casino-au.com
Offer Market Place – A wide range of discounts is listed, and navigating feels natural and smooth.
здесь honey money casino промокод
ссылка на сайт vodka bet
посетить веб-сайт https://skinwoo.ru/products/dashu-premium-ultra-matte-down-stick-40ml
Perfectly explained from all angles.
Stop switching between a dozen sportsbook apps and websites. Beika.app consolidates your entire betting experience into one sleek, powerful platform https://beika.app
7755 bet – https://7755-bet.com
перейти на сайт kush casino
читать https://skinwoo.ru/products/aekyung-luxent-body-wash-attum-beach-sea-salt-musk-500ml
Offer Zone Online – Many good deals are visible, and the browsing flow feels straightforward.
futebol ao vivo gratis – https://futebol-ao-vivo-gratis.com
Elite Dating Models https://drstomatolog.ru Escort services for charming girls
веб-сайте vodka bet casino
стоимость натяжных потолков
Они отличаются практичностью и долговечностью.
Компания “natyazhni-steli-vid-virobnika.biz.ua” предлагает качественные потолки напрямую от производителя. Наша продукция соответствует европейским стандартам.
#### **2. Преимущества натяжных потолков**
Одним из главных плюсов натяжных потолков является их влагостойкость. Такое покрытие не боится протечек и конденсата.
Еще одно преимущество — огромный выбор цветов и фактур. Дизайнеры помогут создать уникальный стиль для вашего помещения.
#### **3. Производство и материалы**
Наша компания изготавливает потолки из экологически чистого ПВХ. Материал абсолютно безопасен для здоровья.
Технология производства гарантирует прочность и эластичность полотна. Каждое полотно проходит проверку перед отправкой клиенту.
#### **4. Установка и обслуживание**
Монтаж натяжных потолков занимает всего несколько часов. Опытные мастера выполнят работу без пыли и грязи.
Уход за потолком не требует особых усилий. Достаточно периодически протирать поверхность мягкой тканью.
—
### **Спин-шаблон статьи**
#### **1. Введение**
Натяжные потолки — это стильное и удобное решение для любого дома.
#### **2. Преимущества натяжных потолков**
Современные технологии позволяют наносить любые изображения на полотно.
#### **3. Производство и материалы**
Наша продукция соответствует строгим экологическим стандартам.
#### **4. Установка и обслуживание**
Профессиональный монтаж исключает ошибки и обеспечивает идеальный результат.
проверить сайт https://skinwoo.ru/products/etude-pooyan-smile-fermented-cleansing-foam-150ml
bingo ao vivo – https://bingo-ao-vivo.com
этот сайт vodka bet
For latest information you have to visit internet and on world-wide-web I found
this web page as a best website for newest updates.
драгонмани – https://dragonmoney-ru.com
ставки на баскетбол – https://basketball-betting-ru.com
Balancing nutrition and activity can be confusing, but this resource keeps everything clear and actionable. The mix of guidance and encouragement creates a supportive tone that makes long‑term improvements feel possible. I a health tips ppreciate how the advice stays realistic while still motivating readers to push toward their personal goals. This article offers practical insights into healthy living and fitness routines that feel attainable for beginners. insightful insightful insightful insightful insightful insightful insightful insightful insightful insi
Подробнее https://skinwoo.ru/products/label-young-shocking-apple-candle-cleansing-oil-32
прогнозы кс го – https://csgo-predictions-ru.com
взгляните на сайте здесь honey money casino регистрация
Узнать больше https://skinwoo.ru/products/orjena-aqua-moisture-micellar-cleansing-water-300ml
FreshBuy Finds Hub – Trendy items arranged clearly with smooth navigation for effortless shopping.
A motivating discussion is worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you should write more on this topic, it may not be a taboo matter
but usually people don’t talk about these topics.
To the next! Many thanks!!
выберите ресурсы https://skinwoo.ru/products/vaseline-moisture-bubble-handwash-500ml
kkk bet – https://kkkbet-br.com/
можно проверить ЗДЕСЬ https://skinwoo.ru/products/foodaholic-collagen-moisture-hand-cream-100ml
In a genre often defined by its twists and turns, how do authors balance character development with the need to maintain suspense? Should a mystery prioritize plot over understanding its characters, or can a deeper exploration of motivations enhance the overall reading experience? What are your thoughts on this delicate balance?
Taxed to Death (Book Review), Debra Purdy Kong
Moderator, согласен с вами полностью 🙂
Меня заинтересовала тема “”, но я там не могу ответить.
Актуальные ссылки KRAKEN:
– :
– :
– :
– :
– :
Ваша личная скидка по коду KRA-ZVSR2025 – 5%
нажмите водка бет казино
58 bet – https://58bet-bouns.com/
узнать больше Здесь honey money казино
yay casino app – https://yay-casino-us.com/yay-casino-app/
здесь https://skinwoo.ru/products/dariya-salon-de-pro
In a mystery that seems to prioritze suspense over clarity, do you believe that an author has a responsibility to ensure readers can follow character motivations and plot developments? How does this tension between complexity and comprehension affect your overall enjoyment of a story?
Taxed to Death (Book Review), Debra Purdy Kong
Moderator, согласен с вами полностью 🙂
Меня заинтересовала тема “”, но я там не могу ответить.
Актуальные ссылки KRAKEN:
– :
– :
– :
– :
– :
Ваша персональная скидка по коду KRA-QPRB2025 – 5%
Читать далее vodka bet casino
BloomVault – Fast-loading pages with floral products arranged neatly throughout.
vai bet – https://vaibet-br.com
NatureVault – Attractive product display and smooth navigation enhance the experience.
кликните сюда https://skinwoo.ru/products/medipeel-peptide-9-aqua-volumtox-mist-50ml
Продолжение водка казино вход