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: |
Excellent web site. Lots of useful information here. I’m sending it to some pals ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks to your effort!
Great website. Plenty of helpful information here. I’m sending it to some pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks on your effort!
пин ап блокировка аккаунта http://pinup5009.ru
dream grove hub link – Everything appears neat and whimsical, creating a pleasant browsing moment.
Читать далее сайт kraken darknet
Подробнее https://krab1cc.at/
FreshTrend Market – Trendy products presented neatly with intuitive page layout make browsing pleasant.
срочно курсовая работа http://kupit-kursovuyu-22.ru/ .
https://rowanywrxq.link4blogs.com/59697676/seoziel-de-steht-fГјr-starke-seo-dienstleistungen-dortmund-ansonsten-unterstГјtzt-firma-dabei-ihre-sichtbarkeit-rein-den-suchmaschinen-deutlich-zu-besser-machen
Fresh Trend Hub – Stylish products arranged neatly, with fast-loading pages and smooth navigation.
Excellent site. Lots of helpful information here. I’m sending it to several friends ans additionally sharing in delicious. And obviously, thank you in your effort!
Great site. A lot of helpful information here. I’m sending it to a few pals ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks for your sweat!
You could certainly see your enthusiasm within the article you write.
The sector hopes for more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to say
how they believe. At all times go after your heart.
GiftCornerOnline – Modern interface, easy-to-use layout, and enjoyable browsing experience.
You write with such spark — I’m genuinely impressed!
Soft Willow Designs Store – Enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere and carefully crafted pieces throughout.
SunColor Shop Online – Bright selection, clean layout, smooth navigation, easy to browse.
Hub of Trends – The selection feels refreshing, and the site’s flow is easy to follow.
SunColor Selection Online – Easy-to-navigate interface, items arranged attractively, browsing enjoyable.
SunColor Mart – Bright and vivid products displayed nicely, browsing effortless, interface clear.
Fantastic website. Plenty of helpful information here. I’m sending it to a few buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you for your effort!
Wonderful web site. Lots of useful information here. I am sending it to several pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you to your effort!
сайт заказать курсовую работу сайт заказать курсовую работу .
pin up profil sozlamalari http://pinup5010.ru/
I have read so many articles or reviews on the topic of the blogger lovers however this
piece of writing is actually a nice paragraph, keep
it up.
Great web site. A lot of helpful info here. I’m sending it to a few buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks for your sweat!
пин ап восстановить пароль пин ап восстановить пароль
Magnificent site. Lots of helpful information here. I am sending it to some friends ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks on your sweat!
pin up ilova orqali tikish https://pinup5009.ru/
Fantastic website. Plenty of useful information here. I am sending it to a few buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks on your sweat!
GlobalCrest Lane – Clean visuals and well-structured content make navigating the site simple.
Fantastic website. Plenty of helpful info here. I’m sending it to some friends ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you on your sweat!
Настоящая русская баня – это особая атмосфера, целебный пар и душевное тепло, для создания которых необходима качественная печь. Завод ПроМеталл специализируется на производстве чугунных печей серии «Атмосфера», сочетающих передовые технологии и традиционный подход к банному делу. Чугунные печи служат десятилетиями, быстро прогревают помещение и долго держат тепло, а разнообразие моделей позволяет подобрать вариант для парилки любого объема. В официальном интернет-магазине https://prometall.shop/ представлены печи в сетке, каменной облицовке и комбинированные варианты, а также отопительные печи для дома: «Бахта», «Маэстро», «Тайга PRO». Компания предлагает полный комплекс услуг – от профессиональной консультации до доставки по Москве и установки под ключ, делая мечту о собственной бане доступной и реальной.
pin up xavfsizmi https://www.pinup5010.ru
dream grove corner – The store has a soothing atmosphere, making it enjoyable to look around.
Авто портал https://automotive-news.com.ua для тех, кто живёт автомобилями: новости автопрома, обзоры машин, тест-драйвы, советы по выбору и обслуживанию, сравнение моделей и подбор авто по параметрам. Фото, видео, мнения экспертов и реальные отзывы владельцев в одном месте.
GiftZoneOnline – Pleasant interface, easy-to-find gifts, and effortless site navigation.
в этом разделе https://krab1at.cc/
Wonderful web site. A lot of helpful info here. I am sending it to a few buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And of course, thank you to your effort!
Wonderful website. A lot of helpful info here. I’m sending it to a few buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you on your effort!
Wonderful web site. Lots of helpful information here. I am sending it to some buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks in your effort!
Портал о ремонте https://remont-sam.com и строительстве: от подготовки проекта и сметы до отделки и декора. Подробные инструкции, обзоры инструментов, рейтинги материалов, фото-примеры и лайфхаки. Удобная навигация по темам помогает быстро найти нужное решение для вашего объекта.
GiftSpotOnline – Neat design, user-friendly layout, and effortless navigation.
jet x jet x game, jet x play, jet x play online, jet x online, jet x login, jet x official site, jet x site login, jet x access, jet x no block, jet x crash game, jet x online game, jet x mobile, jet x mobile version, jet x start game, jet x app, jet x gameplay, jet x casino, jet x crash
Строительный портал https://garden-story.com для профессионалов и частных мастеров: статьи и инструкции по ремонту, отделке и строительству, обзоры материалов и инструментов, калькуляторы, сметы, фото-примеры и советы экспертов. Всё, чтобы грамотно спланировать и выполнить работы.
Fantastic web site. Plenty of useful information here. I am sending it to some buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks to your effort!
CreampieCash
пин ап центр помощи https://pinup5009.ru/
CrestGlobal Hub – Clean interface with well-spaced categories ensures easy exploration.
Related Site thinkorswim login