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: |
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 recieve 4 emails with the exact same comment. There has to be an easy method you can remove me from that service? Thank you!
airpods не заряжаются ремонт Ремонт смартфонов в Великом Новгороде – это востребованная услуга, ведь современные гаджеты, несмотря на свою технологичность, остаются довольно хрупкими. Если ваш телефон сломался, не стоит отчаиваться! Сервисные центры Великого Новгорода предлагают широкий спектр услуг по восстановлению мобильных устройств, от замены экрана до сложного ремонта материнской платы.
1win uganda login https://www.1win5741.help
tim nasional sepak bola korea utara – https://tim-nasional-sepak-bola-korea-utara.com
Перед покупкою я вивчав різні варіанти автономного живлення. У результаті зарядна станція для будинку здалася найзручнішим рішенням. Практика повністю підтвердила цей вибір.
jolibet – https://jolibet-8.com
kubet – https://kubet-vn.com
When I initially left a comment I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I recieve four emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is a means you can remove me from that service? Thank you!
zowin – https://zowin-vn.com
When I initially left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the same comment. There has to be a way you can remove me from that service? Cheers!
Приобрести официальный диплом о высшем образовании : gbcortealaser.com.br/?p=397760
After I initially commented 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 receive four emails with the exact same comment. There has to be an easy method you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
1win online http://1win5741.help/
After I originally commented I appear to have clicked on 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. There has to be a way you can remove me from that service? Many thanks!
Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just extremely fantastic.
I actually like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you are stating and the way in which you say it.
You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it smart.
I can’t wait to read far more from you. This is really a terrific web site.
Slottica Casino has firmly established itself as a leader, despite the significant changes in the online gambling Slottica Casino Online
When I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the same comment. There has to be an easy method you can remove me from that service? Thanks a lot!
treasury casino login – https://treasury-casino-australia.com/treasury-casino-login/
When I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I recieve four emails with the same comment. Is there a means you can remove me from that service? Cheers!
https://www.fall-in-veteran.com/blogs/39040/C%C3%B3digo-Promocional-Como-Obter-1xBet-2026-1XWAP200
When I initially commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I receive four emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is a way you are able to remove me from that service? Thanks a lot!
Slottica Casino has firmly established itself as a leader, despite the significant changes in the online gambling Slottica Казино
Часті відключення змусили шукати сучасні альтернативи генераторам. Саме зарядна станція для будинку стала оптимальним рішенням для квартири. Вона працює тихо та ефективно.
When 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 recieve 4 emails with the same comment. Perhaps there is an easy method you are able to remove me from that service? Kudos!
ملعب كرة قدم – https://football-playground.com
xelio network – Minimal clutter, fast navigation, and text is easy to digest
raging bull casino app – https://raging-bull-casino-us.com/raging-bull-casino-app/
promo code 1win promo code 1win
5u bet – https://5ubet-bouns.com
1win website 1win5740.help
doce – https://doce-br.com/
VelixoTrustGroup Details – Smooth layout, clear content without confusing terminology.
growmybrand.click – Found practical insights today; sharing this article with colleagues later.
Slottica Casino has firmly established itself as a leader, despite the significant changes in the online gambling https://astana-dez1.kz/
When I initially commented I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the same comment. Is there a means you are able to remove me from that service? Thank you!
https://ieet.org/wp-content/pgs/1xbet_promo_code_for_free_bet_welcome_bonus.html
aviator game 1win aviator game 1win
1win uganda https://1win5741.help
كرة القدم 2025 – https://football-2025.com
куплю диплом медсестры в москве куплю диплом медсестры в москве .
After I initially left a comment I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the exact same comment. Is there a means you are able to remove me from that service? Thanks a lot!
Привет! Решил собрать только те игровые клубы, где лично получил выплату. Критерии: без паспорта. Все рабочие ссылки — по адресу: Мелстрой гейм. Кто уже тестировал эти площадки?
limitless casino login – https://limitless-us.com/limitless-casino-login/
placar ao vivo botafogo – https://placar-ao-vivo-botafogo.com
When I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I receive four emails with the same comment. There has to be an easy method you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
ibetph – https://ibetph-ph.com
Всем привет! Много читаю про неплатёжные площадки, поэтому теперь тщательно проверяю всё: лицензию. Лучшие онлайн казино 2025 года с моментальным выводом — здесь: [url=http://cms.ddmi.be/wordpress/2025/10/30/igrayte-v-onlaynkazino-eldorado-russia-i-vyigryvayte-bolshe/]Eldorado[/url]. Делитесь своим опытом!
Slottica Casino has firmly established itself as a leader, despite the significant changes in the online gambling https://phparassatkz.kz/
When I originally commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I get four emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is a way you can remove me from that service? Thank you!
1win casino ug https://1win5741.help/