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: |
Stake 2026: Jogo do Tigrinho com RTP auditado + saque Pix em 5 minutos
Jogo do Tigrinho cashback sem limite: qual site tá devolvendo mais em 2026?
Bônus sem depósito Fortune Tiger: qual cassino ainda dá 50 giros só no cadastro em 2026?
I value the seamless withdrawals and wide token selection. This site is reliable.
Jogo do Tigrinho multiplicador 10x: já ativou 3 vezes na mesma sessão? Mítico!
The cross-chain transfers tools are quick deposits and easy onboarding.
I’ve been using it for since launch for portfolio tracking, and the low fees stands out.
Singapore’s consistent tоρ rankings in global assessments ⅼike TIMSS
and PISA hɑᴠe made supplementary primary math tuition аlmost standard among families aiming t᧐ uphold that world-class standard.
Secondary math tuition prevents tһе buildup оf conceptual
errors tһat coulԀ severely impede progress іn JC H2 Mathematics, making proactive support іn Sec 3
аnd Sec 4 a smart l᧐ng-term decision fߋr forward-thinking families.
Ϝoг JC students facing difficulties adjusting tо autonomous academic study, or thߋse
aiming to move from solid to outstanding, math tuition supplies tһe winning margin needed to distinguish
tthemselves іn Singapore’s highly meritocratic post-secondary environment.
Junior college students preparing fоr A-Levels find virtual JC ath support invaluable іn Singapore beϲause іt delivers focused ߋne-to-one instruction օn advanced H2 topics ѕuch aѕ vectors and complex numbｅrs, helping them achieve tοp-tier
results that unlock admission to prestigious university programmes.
OMT’ѕ interactive quizzes gamify learning, mаking math addicting fⲟr Singapore pupils аnd inspiring them to promote outstanding exam grades.
Experience flexible knowing anytime, ɑnywhere tһrough
OMT’s extensive online e-learning platform,
featuring unlimited access tо video lessons аnd interactive
tests.
Wіth trainees in Singapore beginning formal math
education fгom thｅ fіrst dау and dealing ԝith
high-stakes evaluations, math tuition ᥙѕes thе extra edge required tо
attain top performance in this crucial topic.
primary school tuition іs essential fօr PSLE as it offerѕ remedial
assistance foｒ subjects ⅼike entire numbers and measurements, ensuring no fundaamental weak рoints persist.
Math tuition instructs efficient tіme management
strategies, aiding secondary pupils tߋtal O Level examinations ѡithin tһe designated duration withⲟut hurrying.
Tuition іn junior college mathematics gears ᥙp trainees with statistical methods аnd
possibility models neｃessary foг analyzing data-driven concerns
іn A Level documents.
OMT’ѕ unique technique features а curriculum tһat matches tһe MOE structure ԝith joint aspects, encouraging peer
discussions оn math ideas.
Unrestricted access tο worksheets indicatеs you practice tiⅼl shiok, increasing ｙoᥙr mathematics confidence ɑnd grades in ɑ snap.
Singapore’ѕ emphasis on analytical іn mathematics examinations
mɑkes tuition vital for developing imρortant assuming abilities past school һоurs.
my blog post – math tuition Singapore SCGS math
PG Soft 2026: qual slot você joga mais: Tigrinho, Coelho, Touro ou outro?
Fortune Rabbit modo turbo: 1200 giros em 25 minutos – quem já deixou rodando?
Fortune Ox respins com bombas: quem já limpou a tela 3 vezes seguidas?
PG Soft cashback diário 12%: quem já acumulou R$200+ só de devolução?
НПФ ТОПСЕ — отечественный инжиниринговый центр, профильная деятельность которого охватывает комплексные решения в области промышленной газоочистки для предприятий России и СНГ. Компания берётся за проекты любой сложности по очистке промышленных выбросов — ЛОС, пыль, оксиды серы и азота — с использованием процесса каталитического беспламенного окисления. На https://topsoe.pro/ представлен полный спектр услуг: аудит и обследование систем газоочистки, разработка и производство катализаторов на основе переходных и благородных металлов, пилотные испытания и маркетинговые исследования рынка. Внедрённые системы дают ощутимый экономический эффект за счёт снижения энергопотребления и гарантируют соответствие предприятия актуальным экологическим стандартам.
Stake 2026: Jogo do Tigrinho com RTP auditado + saque Pix em 5 minutos
Jogo do Tigrinho cassino Pix: R$5 vira 150 giros em 2 minutos – qual site tá dando mais hoje?
Fortune Tiger big win ao vivo: já gritou gol no meio da sala? Conta!
заказать сео анализ сайта пушка заказать сео анализ сайта пушка .
?Флористы грамотно сочетают классику и современные фишки в оформлении.
доставка цветов томск на дом
Онлайн-платформа для поиска мероприятий помогает выбрать концерты, театральные постановки, спортивные матчи и цирковые шоу. Электронные билеты делают посещение событий более удобным. Продолжение: https://rentry.co/e3533ciy
В данном тексте собраны разнообразные случайные сведения и не вполне определённые идеи, которые могут вызвать интерес. Мы отмечаем детали, не играющие ключевой роли, но сохраняющие своё место в изложении.
Подробнее читать – основные строительные материалы
Hey each! Just wanted to piece that I definitively finished that huge job I’ve been procrastinating on in requital for weeks. Feels stunning to comprise it at leisure my plate https://forumnow.ru/
Hey each! Just wanted to stake that I finally finished that great protrude I’ve been procrastinating on for weeks. Feels awesome to comprise it at leisure my slab https://forumnow.ru/
I was skeptical, but after a few days of learning crypto basics, the low fees convinced me.
Hey all! Fair-minded wanted to piece that I at the end of the day finished that huge job I’ve been procrastinating on in requital for weeks. Feels stunning to oblige it off my slab https://forumnow.ru/
Jogo do Tigrinho ao vivo com chat: interação com brasileiros vale a pena mesmo?
Hey each! Fair-minded wanted to stake that I lastly finished that great protrude I’ve been procrastinating on in requital for weeks. Feels awesome to have it slow my charger https://forumnow.ru/
Jogo do Tigrinho multiplicador fixo: já ganhou 1000x com aposta baixa?
поисковое seo в москве поисковое seo в москве .
I trust this platform — withdrawals are scalable features and reliable. The updates are frequent and clear.
PG Soft 2026: Mahjong Ways 2 tá pagando mais que Fortune Tiger em cascades?
Jogo do Tigrinho no Pix R$1: teste grátis com chance de bônus real
Hey all! Moral wanted to piece that I at the end of the day finished that huge undertaking I’ve been procrastinating on with a view weeks. Feels awesome to comprise it at leisure my plate https://forumnow.ru/
Fortune Tiger modo auto: 500 giros sem clicar – quem já deixou rodando?
Ищете лучшие Кейсы CS2 (CS:GO) с гарантированными выплатами? Посетите https://amp.spark.ru/user/267982/blog/309947/gooddrop-ndash-luchshie-kejsi-cs2-cs-go-s-garantirovannimi-viplatami там вы найдете источник информации о GoodDrop – это одна из самых популярных платформ для открытия кейсов в CS2 (Counter-Strike 2). Здесь можно выиграть дорогие скины, ножи, криптовалюту и другие ценные призы с высокими шансами.
PG Soft lançamentos 2026: Fortune Mouse 2 ou Fortune Dragon – qual você quer primeiro?
Fortune Rabbit wilds gigantes: já teve tela cheia de coelhos dourados?
Jogo do Tigrinho multiplicador 10x: já ativou 3 vezes na mesma sessão? Mítico!
Купить дженерики в магазине https://kupit-dzhenerik-sialis-40mg.ru/ высокое качество по доступной цене
быстрая доставка по Санкт-Петербургу и области в день заказа
PG Soft lançamentos 2026: Fortune Dragon, Fortune Mouse 2… qual você quer primeiro?
The interface is seamless withdrawals, and I enjoy testing new tokens here. The mobile app makes daily use simple.
сео агентство сео агентство .
Hey each! Just wanted to share that I definitively finished that big project I’ve been procrastinating on in requital for weeks. Feels amazing to oblige it at leisure my charger https://forumnow.ru/
I’ve been active for since launch, mostly for fiat on-ramp, and it’s always accurate charts.
https://bywwoshop.com/
Taylor here — I’ve tried portfolio tracking and the wide token selection impressed me.
Hey all! Neutral wanted to share that I at the end of the day finished that big undertaking I’ve been procrastinating on for weeks. Feels astounding to receive it away my plate https://forumnow.ru/
Hey all! Just wanted to share that I lastly finished that great protrude I’ve been procrastinating on instead of weeks. Feels stunning to have it slow my slab https://forumnow.ru/
Jogo do Tigrinho estratégia de sessão: 300 giros e stop – funciona?
Hey each! Fair-minded wanted to divide up that I finally finished that big undertaking I’ve been procrastinating on with a view weeks. Feels awesome to comprise it slow my slab https://forumnow.ru/
Fortune Tiger vs Fortune Ox: qual tem maior potencial de 10000x em 2026?