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: |
vip casino – https://vip-casinomx.com
Всем привет! Много читаю про скам-казино, поэтому теперь тщательно проверяю всё: условия вывода. Лучшие онлайн казино 2025 года с моментальным выводом — здесь: казино мелстрой. Делитесь своим опытом!
vm777 – https://vm777-vn.com
Lee here — I’ve tried using the API and the seamless withdrawals impressed me.
winner – https://winner-777.com
Greetings from Carolina! I’m bored at work so I decided to browse your site on my iphone during lunch break.
I enjoy the information you present here and can’t wait
to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how fast
your blog loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI, just
3G .. Anyways, good site!
dicasbet – https://dicasbet-br.com
esport bet – https://esportbet-br.com
It’s perfect time to make a few plans for the future and it’s time
to be happy. I have read this submit and if I may I want to suggest you few interesting issues or advice.
Maybe you could write next articles regarding this article.
I want to read even more things approximately it!
Wow, this article is pleasant, my sister is analyzing these things, therefore
I am going to convey her.
heads bet – https://headsbet-br.com
I do not know whether it’s just me or if everyone else experiencing
issues with your site. It seems like some of the text within your content are running off the screen. Can somebody
else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them too?
This could be a problem with my web browser because I’ve had this happen before.
Thanks
https://www.sebasico.com/profile/joxoxa234717996/profile
betmex – https://betmex-mx.com
gg999 – https://gg999-44.com
betmexico – https://betmexico-mexico.com
poker online – https://pokeronline-br.com
Simply want to say your article is as amazing. The clearness in your
post is just cool and i could assume you are
an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your feed
to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the gratifying work.
Good site you have here.. It’s difficult to find quality writing like yours these days. I seriously appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
Usually I don’t read article on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very pressured me to try and do so! Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thank you, very great post.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I truly appreciate your efforts and
I will be waiting for your further post thanks once again.
longtermalliancenetwork – Excellent tips for nurturing reliable and productive partnerships.
careeradvancementhub – Advice here is insightful, really enhanced my career decision-making.
Хомяк Hamster Kombat: Комбо и Шифр на 07.08-08.08 2026 года https://vc.ru/1368938
Источник krab4.at сайт
Pretty component of content. I simply stumbled upon your website and
in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your weblog posts.
Any way I’ll be subscribing on your feeds or even I achievement you
get entry to consistently quickly.
What’s up friends, how is everything, and what you would like to say about this post,
in my view its really awesome for me.
http://yaoisennari.ekafe.ru/viewtopic.php?f=169&t=25819&start=0
That is very fascinating, You’re an overly skilled blogger.
I have joined your feed and look forward to searching for
more of your wonderful post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social
networks
Покупка базы ссылок Хрумер — эффективное решение для автоматизированного постинга и наращивания ссылочной массы. Перейдя по запросу купить базу ссылок Xrumer Вы получите актуальную и проверенную базу, которая позволит ускорить продвижение сайтов, повысить охват и сэкономить время на ручном поиске площадок. Готовые списки ресурсов подходят для различных тематик и обеспечивают стабильный результат при работе с Xrumer.
сюда стабильный вход кракен
Comment 80: This blog post is truly outstanding and provides such a
пишут в асе, ваших треков мы не видим, с вами договаривался другой менеджер, типа вас вообще в списках нет, а до этого говорили посылка готова завтра отправят. https://psworks.ru а что ты паришься. дождись пока домой принесут. посмотри в глазок что бы курьер один был. впусти его. а перед этим поставь чувака под окном. посыль забираешь, после, без палева выкидываешь в окно чуваку. а потом только выпускаешь курьера из квартиры. а там пусть хоть кто забегает, у тебя ничего нет. главное не нервничай и о плохом не думай. бери в хуй толще будет. а спср это почта россии. а почта россии ни когда нормально не работала.П.С.С. отвечать, цитировать это сообщение не нужно, удалю позже.
The best choice I made for using the mobile app. Smooth and responsive team. Perfect for both new and experienced traders.
нажмите krab4.cc вход
Amazing! Its really awesome article, I have got much clear idea regarding from
this paragraph.
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article.
I will make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post.
I’ll certainly return.
esportebet – https://esportebet-br.com
Today, while I was at work, my cousin stole my
iPad and tested to see if it can survive a 40 foot drop, just so
she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now destroyed
and she has 83 views. I know this is completely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
https://www.boerni.net/blog/shopping/journal-blog-is-here
We’re a bunch of volunteers and opening a brand new scheme in our community.
Your site provided us with valuable info to work on. You’ve performed
an impressive task and our whole neighborhood might be grateful to you.
1win – https://www-1win-mx.com
lvbet – https://www.lvbet-br.com
gana777 – https://gana777-mx.com
https://leetcode.com/u/31Zfb8l6RH/
Thanks for a marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed reading
it, you can be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog
and will often come back down the road. I want to encourage that you continue your great work,
have a nice evening!
winzada 777 – https://winzada777-br.com
growthnavigator – Clear and practical, roadmap strategies were easy to follow.
caliente – https://www-caliente.com
Смотреть здесь krab4.at актуальное зеркало