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: |
YOURURL.com https://simpleswap.cc
Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the
web the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people think about worries that they plainly do not know about.
You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well
as defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people can take a signal.
Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
link https://cryptoarbitrage.sh/
здесь зеркало водка бет
https://curiocaster.com/podcast/pi7602209
https://rusere.ru/communication/club/user/7113/forum/edit/new/
ссылка на сайт водкабет
официальный сайт сукааа онлайн казино
https://justpaste.me/VST11
sykaaa casino реальное
Белые цветы символизируют чистоту, нежность и искренность чувств — они уместны на свадьбах, юбилеях и в моменты, когда важна особая деликатность. Флористическая мастерская специализируется на создании утонченных композиций в белоснежной гамме, используя розы, лилии, орхидеи, фрезии и другие благородные растения. Каждый букет — это произведение искусства, созданное с учетом пожеланий клиента и особенностей события. На странице https://www.florion.ru/catalog/buket-belyy представлены разнообразные варианты белых композиций для любого повода. Профессиональная доставка по Москве гарантирует, что ваш подарок прибудет вовремя и произведет незабываемое впечатление на получателя.
здесь https://krab2at.cc
site web https://onetlmesecret.com/
click here to find out more https://slmpleswap.app
https://st.zvuk.com/tobaccos/e2e88191-cf5c-41bc-a168-c9a9c870a1b1
на этом сайте зеркало водка бет
проверить сайт https://krab2a.at
click reference https://usdtswaptrx.com
http://sport.taminfo.ru/news/tennis/page,1,3,184-soglashenie-o-nauchno-metodicheskom-sotrudnichestve.html
State-of-the-art slot machines, unique prize draws, a sophisticated restaurant http://mybiz04.ru
каталог vodkabet
Perfektné načasovanie, potreboval som tieto informácie.
http://gyrpg.gtaserv.ru/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3955
This was written with such clarity — thank you!
https://rss.com/podcasts/tobaccoff-podcast/#about
кликните сюда https://krab2a.at
Thoughtful Design Hub – Thoughtful layouts that make discovering items enjoyable.
Все ок – связался по скайпу, продавец адекват – “пошел навстречу”. оплатил – буду ждать трека. Купить кокаин, бошки, гашиш сделал заказ ,оплатил 🙂 теперь жду трека и посыля с нетерпением 🙂 по общению продаван понравился все ровно обьяснил че да как . как придет опробую оставлю отзыв окончательный ,пока что все ровно )не в курсе
click for source https://onefimesecret.com/
Смотреть здесь водка бет
their explanation https://cryptoarbitrage.sh/
https://redcircle.com/shows/85f85795-b4a2-460d-b3ca-807674fe0ccb
Curated Everyday Style – Everyday style items shown in a calm and organized way.
https://FoldAds.com/537/posts/1/1/1938198.html
Московская Академия Бильярда — это место, где за три занятия можно научиться уверенно держать кий и обыгрывать друзей, благодаря авторской методике Ярослава Гладского. Тренеры с опытом более восьми лет работают индивидуально и в группах, создавая тёплую атмосферу и быстрый прогресс. Записаться на уроки, узнать расписание и тарифы удобно на https://billiardmsk.ru/ — здесь есть программы для взрослых, детей и корпоративные форматы обучения.
https://legacy-docs.sendwyre.com/discuss/68a31e51dc6497c7ad5e8cb8
Source https://swapzome.cc
weblink http://server1.fijin.com/www.reelbearings.co.uk
нажмите водкабет
browse around this site https://rotatingindustry.com/2018/01/23/un-pionnier-de-le-maintenance-recoit-le-prix-top-tribology/
Wonderful site. Plenty of helpful information here. I am sending it to several pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks for your effort!
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find
this matter to be really something that I think I would
never understand. It seems too complex and extremely broad for me.
I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
http://angelladydety.getbb.ru/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=64160
Let me share the harsh truth: the majority of septic companies just maintain tanks. They are like band-aid salesmen at a chainsaw convention. But Septic Solutions? They are unique. It all started back in the beginning of the 2000s when Art and his brothers—just kids barely tall enough to shoulder a shovel—assisted install their family’s septic system alongside a experienced pro. Picture this: three youngsters buried in Pennsylvania clay, understanding how soil porosity affects drainage while their buddies played Xbox. “We didn’t just dig holes,” Art shared with me last winter, warm coffee cup in hand. “We discovered how soil whispers secrets. A patch of marsh plants here? That’s Mother Nature shouting ‘high water table.'”
https://israelvuvk179.raidersfanteamshop.com/diy-vs-professional-furnace-air-filter-maintenance-what-to-know
State-of-the-art slot machines, unique prize draws, a sophisticated restaurant Пин Ап
basics https://swapcrypto.biz/
Зайди на официальный сайт компании
Carefully Chosen Living – Carefully chosen pieces displayed with visual harmony.
click for more info https://www.dieselenginetrader.biz/diesel-engines-locomotive/
Curated Home Aesthetic – A calm home aesthetic that makes browsing feel natural.