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: |
Hey there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing months of hard work due to no back up. Do you have any methods to protect against hackers?
Fan reactions, supporter atmosphere and stadium updates included
For most recent information you have to pay a visit the web and on the web I found this web site as a most excellent web page for most up-to-date updates.
mostbet sitio oficial mostbet2026.help
捕风追影在线平台，專為海外華人設計，提供高清視頻和直播服務。
Hey guys, Lately stumbled upon a useful website for cheap meds. If you need cheap antibiotics cheaply, IndiaPharm is the best place. You get wholesale rates to USA. More info here: https://indiapharm.in.net/#. Hope it helps.
onlineport.click – Pages loaded fast, images appeared sharp, and formatting stayed consistent.
I don’t even understand how I finished up right here, however I assumed this submit was great. I do not understand who you might be but definitely you’re going to a famous blogger in case you aren’t already. Cheers!
В данной обзорной статье представлены интригующие факты, которые не оставят вас равнодушными. Мы критикуем и анализируем события, которые изменили наше восприятие мира. Узнайте, что стоит за новыми открытиями и как они могут изменить ваше восприятие реальности.
Получить дополнительную информацию – https://rank-your.site/f/jumpstart-your-seo-fiverr
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your site. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Great work!
moverbet – https://moverbet-cassino.com
I couldn’t resist commenting. Well written!
Доброго!
Отечественная компания-производитель продает блины для штанги тренировочной на https://blin-na-shtangi.ru/ по недорогим ценам каждый день. Перечень предлагает разные виды блинов. Популярные снаряды необходимы для тренировок в квартире и в спортзале. Среди предлагаемой продукции блины с разной отделкой поверхности, среди которых высоким спросом пользуются бесшумные блины с резиновым покрытием. Эта категория товаров оптимально созданы для домашнего тренинга, так как эффективно гасят шум при падении и предохраняют пол от сильных ударов. Для тренировок в коммерческих залах нередко выбирают традиционные хромированные блины с диаметром втулки 50 мм, которые отличаются достаточной прочностью и долговечностью. Кроме того, в линейке представлены специализированные наборы для начинающих, куда входят разбавочные блины массой от 0.5 до 2.5 килограмм, дающие возможность плавно увеличивать рабочую нагрузку и совершенствовать технику выполнения упражнений.
Блины на штангу цветные, Блины для штанги евроклассик, Блины металлические на штангу
Блины на гантели и штанги, Спортивные блины для штанги, Диски и блины для штанги
Всего наилучшего и успехов в спорте!!
mx casino – https://mx-casino-mx.com
williamhill – https://williamhillmx.com
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.
playcity – https://www-playcity.com
捕风追影下载平台AI深度學習內容匹配，專為海外華人設計，提供高清視頻和直播服務。
凯伦皮里第二季高清完整版，海外华人可免费观看最新热播剧集。
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike.
Great weblog right here! Also your site quite a bit up fast! What web host are you the use of? Can I get your affiliate hyperlink for your host? I want my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol
My brother recommended I might like this web site. He was entirely right.
This post actually made my day. You cann’t imagine simply how much time I had
spent for this info! Thanks!
If you are going for most excellent contents like I do, only pay a quick visit this site daily because it provides feature contents, thanks
Independent advisory services offer institutional financial solutions—including regulatory guidance https://exceeddirectory.com/listings941885/your-path-to-costa-rican-gaming-legality
https://vc.ru/smm-promotion
betway login – https://betway-login-mx.com
凯伦皮里第一季高清完整版，海外华人可免费观看最新热播剧集。
vm777 – https://vm777-44.com
Independent advisory services offer institutional financial solutions—including regulatory guidance https://isocialfans.com/story6038623/verifying-dasp-license-compliance-in-svg-files
mostbet. https://mostbet2026.help/
https://vc.ru/smm-promotion
bets 10 – https://bets-10-mx.com
excellent put up, very informative. I ponder why the other experts of this sector do not understand this. You must continue your writing. I am sure, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!
A wholly agreeable point of view, I think primarily based on my own experience with this that your points are well made, and your analysis on target.
winzada – https://winzada-br.com
The best choice I made for swapping tokens. Smooth and fast transactions.
I personally find that the testing new tokens tools are clear transparency and easy onboarding.
Peyton here — I’ve tried using the API and the stable performance impressed me.
I was skeptical, but after a week of swapping tokens, the quick deposits convinced me.
Peyton here — I’ve tried fiat on-ramp and the seamless withdrawals impressed me.
I’ve been active for recently, mostly for exploring governance, and it’s always low fees.
The using the API tools are clear transparency and responsive team.
I value the trustworthy service and useful analytics. This site is reliable. My withdrawals were always smooth.
The learning crypto basics tools are reliable uptime and stable performance. Charts are accurate and load instantly.
vip casino – https://vip-casinomx.com
blackjack online – https://blackjackonline-br.com
Эта информационная заметка содержит увлекательные сведения, которые могут вас удивить! Мы собрали интересные факты, которые сделают вашу жизнь ярче и полнее. Узнайте нечто новое о привычных аспектах повседневности и откройте для себя удивительный мир информации.
Что ещё нужно знать? – http://www.tibane.co.za/shop/dvds/everyday-excellence-vol-2
Good day! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any recommendations?
It’s very easy to find out any matter on web as compared to books, as I found this piece of writing at this website.
Why viewers still use to read news papers when in this technological world all is available on net?