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: |
Quiet Plains Hub – Smooth navigation with a calm, well-organized layout that made browsing easy.
Excellent site. A lot of helpful info here. I am sending it to some pals ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you to your effort!
Excellent site. Plenty of useful info here. I am sending it to a few buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks on your effort!
в этом разделе
замена масла в акпп
Plains Trading Picks – Calm and tidy layout with quick page responses made exploring simple.
Quiet Plains Collection – Smooth scrolling and clear layout helped in quickly finding products.
слоты в 1 win по 1 копейке Ищете надежное онлайн-казино? Смотрите рейтинги! Чтобы не ошибиться с выбором и играть в проверенных местах, используйте рейтинги казино. Они составлены экспертами и учитывают все важные для игрока моменты: от ассортимента игр до безопасности и скорости вывода средств. Найдите свое идеальное казино с помощью рейтинга!
автоматы игровые бесплатно играть без регистрации Хотите играть в казино с удовольствием и без лишних хлопот? Тогда вам точно стоит обратить внимание на рейтинги казино. Это не просто списки, а результат тщательного анализа множества факторов, которые напрямую влияют на ваш игровой опыт. Хороший рейтинг поможет вам избежать сомнительных сайтов и найти место, где вас ждут честные игры, быстрые выплаты и приятные бонусы. Не тратьте время на поиски – доверьтесь проверенным рекомендациям!
browse around this website what is a fullz
Read More Here fullz info ssn
You actually make it appear so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something
that I believe I would by no means understand.
It seems too complex and very extensive for me.
I’m looking ahead on your next put up, I will
try to get the hang of it!
<Mountain Bloom Lifestyle – Loved the earthy tones and tidy arrangement across the store.
Great website. Plenty of helpful info here. I’m sending it to some buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks in your effort!
Таможенное оформление в домодедово москва — оперативно и недорого
https://www.behzinama.com/@annettamannino?page=about
Great web site. A lot of helpful info here. I am sending it to some friends ans additionally sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks for your effort!
UniqueGift Lane – Smooth browsing experience with well-presented gift items throughout the site.
Unique Finds Hub – Clear organization and smooth browsing make exploring gifts effortless.
WildBrook Modern Finds – Sleek and trendy selection, navigation was smooth and easy.
Excellent site. A lot of helpful info here. I am sending it to some friends ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you on your sweat!
страница
замена масла
Magnificent site. A lot of helpful information here. I’m sending it to several buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thank you to your effort!
Excellent site. A lot of helpful info here. I’m sending it to several buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks in your effort!
посетить веб-сайт
замена масла
<Blooming Mountain Finds – Refreshing look and intuitive structure make exploring easy.
Our site
undetected kernel dma
Magnificent web site. Lots of useful info here. I’m sending it to some pals ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks in your effort!
Excellent website. Lots of useful info here. I’m sending it to several pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And obviously, thank you in your effort!
Magnificent site. Lots of useful information here. I’m sending it to several pals ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you to your effort!
Wonderful website. A lot of helpful information here. I am sending it to some friends ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks for your effort!
каталог
купить контрактную акпп в Москве
Fantastic site. Plenty of helpful information here. I’m sending it to a few buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you to your effort!
here MMN search
Excellent web site. A lot of useful info here. I am sending it to some friends ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks on your sweat!
Great site. Lots of helpful info here. I’m sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks for your sweat!
Curated Elite Market – Elite selections shown clearly, ensuring a comfortable browsing experience.
Magnificent site. Lots of helpful info here. I’m sending it to several buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thank you on your sweat!
Следующая страница
блог про трансмисии
Magnificent website. A lot of helpful info here. I’m sending it to several buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you on your sweat!
<sustainablebuyscentral – SustainableBuysCentral features eco-friendly items with smooth, intuitive navigation.
Great web site. A lot of helpful info here. I am sending it to some pals ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you for your sweat!
Magnificent website. Lots of helpful information here. I am sending it to a few pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you to your effort!
<MountainBloom Treasures Online – Items are showcased beautifully, and browsing is effortless.
next dark method 2026
Premium Collection Hub – A clean, well-organized layout showcasing premium products effectively.
<greenlivingmarket – GreenLivingMarket features stylish, conscious items that make exploring effortless.
that site
battlefield hardware esp
Fantastic website. A lot of helpful information here. I am sending it to several pals ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thank you on your effort!
<consciousfashionhub – ConsciousFashionHub offers stylish, eco-friendly items that are simple to browse.
<sustainablefindshub – SustainableFindsHub features thoughtfully curated pieces that make exploring fun and simple.
Fantastic web site. Lots of helpful info here. I’m sending it to some buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks on your sweat!