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: |
1win promo code http://1win5741.help/
When I initially left a comment I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. There has to be an easy method you are able to remove me from that service? Thanks!
click here for info https://1ne.in/2025/06/12/hold-the-keys-practical-private-key-hygiene-for-web3-and-safer-defi/
After I initially left a comment I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the same comment. There has to be a means you can remove me from that service? Thank you!
see https://senactutv.com/2024/12/29/practical-guide-to-web3-integration-staking-rewards-and-validator-management-on-solana/
When I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I get 4 emails with the same comment. Perhaps there is an easy method you are able to remove me from that service? Kudos!
Этот информативный материал предлагает содержательную информацию по множеству задач и вопросов. Мы призываем вас исследовать различные идеи и факты, обобщая их для более глубокого понимания. Наша цель — сделать обучение доступным и увлекательным.
Только для своих – https://cinemalido.com.br/httpsyubasutterspca-com-3-2
useful link – Simple and clean, navigation felt effortless throughout
When I initially left a comment I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is a way you can remove me from that service? Kudos!
Full Report https://naruna.com.co/why-coin-mixing-isn-t-a-magic-cloak-a-practical-guide-to-bitcoin-privacy/
bolaklik – https://bolaklik-id.com
http://acc.jkard.com/read-blog/18977
Казино Mad Casino (Мэд) – играть на официальном сайте https://madsloty.com
click to investigate https://kamagt.com/2025/07/06/why-atomic-swaps-matter-a-real-world-look-at-multi-currency-wallets/
dj bet – https://dj-bet-br.com
rocketplay casino app – https://rocketplay-casino-77.com/rocketplay-casino-app/
learn the facts here now https://sunnyvaledemolition.com/how-i-started-staking-crypto-from-my-phone-and-why-the-dapp-browser-changed-everything/
When I initially commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the same comment. Perhaps there is a means you can remove me from that service? Many thanks!
When I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. There has to be a way you are able to remove me from that service? Appreciate it!
deniro casino login – https://deniro-casino.com/deniro-casino-login/
After I initially commented I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the exact same comment. There has to be a means you are able to remove me from that service? Many thanks!
this website https://showadz.net/cross-margin-order-books-and-institutional-defi-a-trader-s-field-guide/
1win bet https://www.1win5741.help
After I initially commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the exact same comment. Is there an easy method you are able to remove me from that service? Thanks!
site link https://bemedio.com/partners/ivanapostolov/2025/01/02/why-a-multicurrency-wallet-with-staking-and-built-in-exchange-feels-like-the-future-and-where-it-still-stumbles/
Всем здравствуйте! Хочу поделиться подборкой игровых площадок, где можно пополнять с баланса. Важно: прозрачность. Актуальный рейтинг 2025 — здесь: Клубника. Пишите, кто с чем сталкивался!
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear.
Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say fantastic blog!
click here for more https://uk.radiancecookware.com/how-to-buy-crypto-with-a-card-use-a-dapp-browser-and-keep-your-web3-wallet-safe-on-mobile/
my link https://banhgiayxoigia.com/khong-phan-loai/why-mev-protection-gas-optimization-and-approval-management-matter-for-your-multi-chain-wallet/
informative post https://shclinic.pl/2025/08/25/how-to-use-a-hardware-wallet-with-solana-staking-validators-and-rewards-explained/
Казино Mad Casino (Мэд) – играть на официальном сайте казино онлайн мэд
click here to investigate https://fuegoenelalma.com.co/reading-the-ethereum-ledger-how-to-hunt-transactions-track-nfts-and-trust-what-you-see/
It’s an awesome piece of writing in favor of all the internet visitors; they will get benefit from
it I am sure.
Привет! Решил собрать только те игровые клубы, где лично получил выплату. Критерии: без паспорта. Все рабочие ссылки — по адресу: клубника казино. Кто уже тестировал эти площадки?
When I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is an easy method you can remove me from that service? Many thanks!
view publisher site https://darado.it/why-your-bitcoin-monero-and-litecoin-wallets-deserve-a-privacy-first-rethink/
Всем здравия! Недавно искал рабочий игровой клуб для игры на рубли, и понял: половина сайтов — скам. Советую обращать внимание на наличие лицензии и читать отзывы. Свой топ-7 с моментальным выводом оставил здесь: ретро ретро. Пишите, кто что знает по теме!
try this https://granddeeurope.com/how-to-trade-margin-perpetuals-without-melting-down-your-portfolio/
useful site https://samifishar.com/2025/09/06/why-transaction-previews-slippage-protection-and-mev-defense-matter-and-how-a-wallet-actually-helps/
After I initially commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the exact same comment. Is there a way you can remove me from that service? Thank you!
read here https://kahproperties.com/2025/11/09/multi-chain-that-actually-works-security-first-wallet-patterns-for-power-users/
Click Here https://dhammasankalpfoundation.com/choosing-a-mobile-privacy-wallet-monero-bitcoin-and-the-tradeoffs-you-actually-need-to-know/
В этой информационной статье вы найдете интересное содержание, которое поможет вам расширить свои знания. Мы предлагаем увлекательный подход и уникальные взгляды на обсуждаемые темы, побуждая пользователей к активному мышлению и критическому анализу.
См. подробности – https://datadoctor.jp/2024/10/08/%E5%89%8A%E9%99%A4%E3%81%95%E3%82%8C%E3%81%9F%E3%83%95%E3%82%A1%E3%82%A4%E3%83%AB%E3%82%92%E5%BE%A9%E6%97%A7%E3%81%99%E3%82%8B%E3%81%9F%E3%82%81%E3%81%AE%E5%9F%BA%E6%9C%AC%E6%89%8B%E6%B3%95
boostmysite.click – Color palette felt calming, nothing distracting, just focused, thoughtful design.
click here for more info http://www.dcexcavationinc.com/uncategorized/air-gapped-desktops-hardware-wallets-practical-security-that-actually-fits-real-users/
блекспрут
1win bonus [url=1win5741.help]1win bonus[/url]
weblink http://nnninterior.com/how-i-hunt-tokens-set-alerts-and-read-volume-like-a-trader-who-s-been-burned-and-learned/
webpage https://www.naffcoaftersales.com/why-liquidity-pools-feel-like-the-plumbing-of-defi-and-how-to-read-the-pipes/
hop over to this website https://bahsinereklam.com/how-prediction-markets-resolve-events-a-trader-s-practical-guide/