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: |
learn this here now https://lumi-wallet.io
find out https://lumi-wallet.io/
article https://lumi-wallet.io
browse around this website https://lumi-wallet.io
кракен тор браузер
visite site https://lumi-wallet.io
that site https://lumi-wallet.io
What’s up to every body, it’s my first pay a visit of
this webpage; this blog carries amazing and truly fine material for
readers.
**biodentex**
biodentex is a dentist-endorsed oral wellness blend crafted to help fortify gums, defend enamel, and keep your breath consistently fresh.
click this site https://lumi-wallet.io
my site https://lumi-wallet.io
visit this web-site https://lumi-wallet.io/
click here now https://lumi-wallet.io/
https://www.dev.thelearningstore.ie/en-gb/blog/greece-travel?page=12
Для эффективного продвижения по карьере требуется наличие официального диплома о высшем образовании. Мы готовы предложить дипломы любой профессии по приятным ценам: boltushka.flybb.ru/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=2571
https://petitedanse.com.br/wp-content/pgs/codice_promozionale_14.html
Купить официальный диплом академии : bmp.pw/leonorepicot22
why not try these out https://lumi-wallet.io/
I’m gone to say to my little brother, that he should also pay a visit this website
on regular basis to get updated from newest reports.
informative post https://lumi-wallet.io
my blog https://lumi-wallet.io
Aw, this was an exceptionally good post. Finding the time and actual effort to produce a great article… but what can I say… I put things off a lot and never manage to get anything done.
лучшее казино live
Hello! I know this is somewhat off topic but
I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form?
I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problems finding
one? Thanks a lot!
important source https://lumi-wallet.io
I am no longer sure where you are getting your information, however good topic. I must spend a while learning more or understanding more. Thanks for great information I used to be looking for this information for my mission.
Plongez dans les méandres d’une mémoire vive avec ce récit captivant. Le format PDF assure une lecture confortable, idéale pour les longs trajets ou les soirées calmes. C’est une invitation à partager l’intimité d’une auteure qui n’a pas peur de révéler ses failles et ses forces. https://lecoeurarireetapleurerpdf.site/ Le Cœur À Rire Et À Pleurer Fichier Pdf
Une aventure humaine riche et colorée à découvrir sur votre support préféré. Tout le bleu du ciel est un livre qui fait voyager, et cette version numérique vous permet de partir à l’aventure sans quitter votre canapé, un fichier indispensable pour les rêveurs. https://toutlebleuducielpdf.site/ Tout Le Bleu Du Ciel 1001 Ebooks
Simply desire to say your article is as surprising. The clearness in your submit is just excellent and that i can assume you’re knowledgeable on this subject. Well together with your permission allow me to seize your feed to stay updated with impending post. Thanks 1,000,000 and please carry on the rewarding work.
рейтинг казино с фриспинами и бонусами
check it out https://lumi-wallet.io
about his https://lumi-wallet.io
This web site truly has all the info I wanted about this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
топ лучших казино с быстрыми выплатами
https://padlet.com/fyji738/my-remarkable-padlet-jyvbz18zfrq6c3kj/wish/jpoxaj2D66mnabPE
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I truly appreciate your efforts and I am waiting for your further write ups thank you once again.
топ онлайн казино телеграм
I’m now not sure the place you are getting your information, however great topic. I must spend some time finding out much more or working out more. Thank you for wonderful info I was looking for this info for my mission.
Мы изготавливаем дипломы психологов, юристов, экономистов и любых других профессий по приятным ценам. Стоимость зависит от выбранной специальности, года получения и университета: portal.octopusrenewables.com/zakazat-diplom-s-dostavkoj-266
I appreciate how practical and helpful this post is.
see this https://lumi-wallet.io
Please let me know if you’re looking for a author for your site. You have some really good articles and I feel I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d really like to write some material for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please blast me an e-mail if interested. Regards!
топ 10 интернет казино в россии
check https://lumi-wallet.io/
browse around here https://lumi-wallet.io/
This post was incredibly insightful.
Hello there, You’ve done an incredible job. I’ll certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I am sure they will be benefited from this website.
топ 5 казино онлайн рейтинг лучших
Hello to every body, it’s my first visit of this blog; this website contains
awesome and in fact excellent information designed for readers.
So many great insights packed into one post.
his response https://lumi-wallet.io/
ии анализ креативов 60 секунд reklamnyj-kreativ.ru .
For the reason that the admin of this web site is working, no uncertainty very rapidly it will be renowned, due to its quality contents.
топ-5 лучших казино с бонусами
This was such an enlightening read — thank you for sharing your expertise!
original site https://lumi-wallet.io
Just WOW. This exceeded every expectation!