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: |
My spouse and I stumbled over here by a different website and thought I might check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to exploring your web page for a second time.
этот сайт Даркнет ссылки
Today the forum is only talking about the mystery card on Mahjong Ways 2: short runs flipping sessions in minutes.
пояснения Онион сайты
Смотреть здесь Даркнет ссылки
подробнее здесь Тор ссылки
During the peak hours Lucky Neko showed signs of heating up.
смотреть здесь Тор сайты
такой Даркнет сайты
Today the forum is only talking about the mystery card on Mahjong Ways 2: short runs flipping sessions in minutes.
the regular crowd keeps reminding rookies to size positions properly.
Hey very nice website!! Man .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your blog and take the feeds also?I am happy to find so many useful info here in the post, we need work out more techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
I have observed that car insurance businesses know the autos which are at risk from accidents along with other risks. They also know what style of cars are prone to higher risk as well as higher risk they have the higher a premium price. Understanding the straightforward basics connected with car insurance just might help you choose the right style of insurance policy that should take care of your requirements in case you become involved in an accident. Thanks for sharing your ideas on the blog.
опубликовано здесь Даркнет ссылки
узнать Тор ссылки
https://www.arcieriterranoaolbia.com/codigo-promocional-de-pimpeano-de-1xbet-2026-1xwap200/
One other issue is when you are in a circumstance where you would not have a co-signer then you may genuinely wish to try to exhaust all of your financing options. You could find many grants and other grants that will supply you with finances to aid with education expenses. Many thanks for the post.
I have observed that online diploma is getting popular because accomplishing your degree online has turned into a popular choice for many people. Many people have not had an opportunity to attend a conventional college or university nonetheless seek the elevated earning possibilities and a better job that a Bachelors Degree provides. Still others might have a college degree in one discipline but would want to pursue another thing they already have an interest in.
Тёмно-зелёный RAL 6005 для дома у леса — смотрится как будто дом вырастает из природы. Покрытие надёжным полимерным покрытием не выгорает, цвет насыщенный даже на третий год эксплуатации. металлочерепица бесплатная доставка 50 км
pin-up free spins shartlari https://pinup84537.help/
you’re in point of fact a just right webmaster. The website loading speed is incredible. It kind of feels that you are doing any distinctive trick. In addition, The contents are masterwork. you’ve done a great activity in this topic!
Magnificent goods from you, man. I have keep in mind your stuff prior to and you’re simply extremely fantastic. I actually like what you’ve obtained here, certainly like what you are stating and the best way in which you are saying it. You are making it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it wise. I can’t wait to learn much more from you. That is actually a great site.
продолжить Даркнет ссылки
Thanks for another informative website. The place else may just I get that type of information written in such an ideal way? I have a challenge that I am simply now running on, and I have been at the glance out for such info.
Fortune Dragon caught attention from those wanting variety beyond the classic pattern.
http://cms-kits.de/
Cms Kits praesentiert sich als ein erfahrene Beratung praesent im den deutschen Markt, das liefert professionelle Begleitung fuer alle die Effizienz schaetzen, priorisierend auf Servicequalitaet. Entdecken Sie mehr ueber den Link.
здесь Сайты даркнет
посетить сайт Онион сайты
http://cms-kits.de/
Das Projekt Cms Kits ist ein spezialisierte Agentur praesent im den nationalen Rahmen Deutschlands, das liefert massgeschneiderte Loesungen fuer alle die Effizienz schaetzen, priorisierend auf Vertrauen und Transparenz. Besuchen Sie die Website auf dieser Seite.
http://cms-kits.de/
Das Unternehmen Cms Kits ist ein professionelles Unternehmen spezialisiert auf den nationalen Rahmen Deutschlands, das liefert massgeschneiderte Loesungen fuer seine Kunden, mit Schwerpunkt auf Servicequalitaet. Besuchen Sie die Website auf der offiziellen Website.
https://musicedmatters.com/codigo-promocional-1xbet-mexico-2026-1xwap200/
http://cms-kits.de/
Das Projekt Cms Kits ist ein spezialisierte Agentur spezialisiert auf den nationalen Rahmen Deutschlands, das liefert massgeschneiderte Loesungen fuer seine Kunden, mit Schwerpunkt auf Servicequalitaet. Erfahren Sie mehr ueber den Link.
Spinning less and deciding better is paying off.
выберите ресурсы Онион сайты
I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the page layout of your site? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or 2 pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?
Fortune Ox hit important peaks in accelerated mode.
Can I just say what a reduction to find somebody who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You positively know how you can convey a problem to light and make it important. More folks must learn this and understand this facet of the story. I cant consider youre not more popular since you definitely have the gift.
Easy Canada Meds: Easy Canada Meds – Easy Canada Meds
Wild Bandito delivered consistency on short respins through the morning.
Do you have a spam issue on this blog; I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; we have developed some nice procedures and we are looking to trade techniques with others, please shoot me an e-mail if interested.
Today there was a short round with above-average result.
Wonderful blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Thanks
Players who avoided loss-chase preserved their balance better.
взгляните на сайте здесь Даркнет ссылки
кликните сюда Тор сайты
ролл штора на пластиковое окно https://elektricheskie-rulonnye-shtory15.ru
Multi-tab spinning is being phased out in favor of focused play.
Fortune Rabbit kept high engagement among curious players.
PayPal entry and fast withdrawal still lead the choices.
Today the winner was the one who knew when to stop.