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: |
In the red. Closing anyway.
Этот обзор посвящен успешным стратегиям избавления от зависимости, включая реальные примеры и советы. Мы разоблачим мифы и предоставим читателям достоверную информацию о различных подходах. Получите опыт многообразия методов и найдите подходящий способ для себя!
Раскрыть тему полностью – Похмельная служба Новосибирск
Come along and delve into the vast selection of casino games waiting to be explored лев бет
I?ve recently started a site, the information you offer on this website has helped me tremendously. Thanks for all of your time & work.
Now wishing more sites covered topics with this level of care, and a look at agilebox extended that wish across more subjects, the rarity of careful coverage on most topics is a problem and this site is one of the small antidotes to that broader pattern of casual or surface treatment of complex subjects.
В этой медицинской статье мы погрузимся в актуальные вопросы здравоохранения и лечения заболеваний. Читатели узнают о современных подходах, методах диагностики и новых открытий в научных исследованиях. Наша цель — донести важную информацию и повысить уровень осведомленности о здоровье.
Ознакомиться с полной информацией – Похмельная служба в Новосибирске
Bonus on Phoenix Rises. Closed. Done.
Rotate every 200 spins. Fortune Ox doesn’t owe you a bonus.
I’ve been absent for a while, but now I remember why I used to love this website. Thank you, I?ll try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your website?
Hot run on Fortune Rabbit.
Hello, i feel that i noticed you visited my blog thus i got here to ?go back the prefer?.I am trying to to find issues to improve my site!I assume its ok to use a few of your ideas!!
Glad I gave this a chance instead of bouncing on the headline, and after onyxrack I was certain I had made the right call, snap judgements based on titles miss a lot of good content and this is a reminder to slow down and check things out before scrolling past in a hurry.
I?ve been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or blog posts on this kind of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this site. Reading this information So i?m happy to convey that I have a very good uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I most certainly will make certain to don?t forget this web site and give it a look on a constant basis.
Comecei Wild Bandito com R$30, saí com R$180.
PIX hit in 6 seconds. Treasures of Aztec can wait.
I truly appreciate this post. I?ve been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thx again
The it guy with the spreadsheet stopped playing Fortune Gods after the Q1 patch. Came back last week. Different game now, he says.
В этой статье представлен занимательный и актуальный контент, который заставит вас задуматься. Мы обсуждаем насущные вопросы и проблемы, а также освещаем истории, которые вдохновляют на действия и изменения. Узнайте, что стоит за событиями нашего времени!
Желаете узнать подробности? – стоп алко реутов
Fortune Dragon morto hoje.
great post, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector don’t notice this. You should continue your writing. I am sure, you’ve a great readers’ base already!
professioneel sport bitcoin beste wedden sites
В этой статье мы подробно рассматриваем проверенные методы борьбы с зависимостями, включая психотерапию, медикаментозное лечение и поддержку со стороны общества. Мы акцентируем внимание на важности комплексного подхода и возможности успешного восстановления для людей, столкнувшихся с этой проблемой.
Углубить понимание вопроса – стоп алко
Эта разъяснительная статья содержит простые и доступные разъяснения по актуальным вопросам. Мы стремимся сделать информацию понятной для широкой аудитории, чтобы каждый мог разобраться в предмете и извлечь из него максимум пользы.
Погрузиться в научную дискуссию – «Похмельная служба» в Подольске
Aw, this was a very nice post. In idea I want to put in writing like this moreover ? taking time and precise effort to make an excellent article? however what can I say? I procrastinate alot and certainly not appear to get one thing done.
фонофорез с гидрокортизоном
There are actually a whole lot of particulars like that to take into consideration. That may be a nice level to convey up. I provide the ideas above as basic inspiration but clearly there are questions like the one you convey up the place the most important thing will probably be working in honest good faith. I don?t know if best practices have emerged round issues like that, however I’m positive that your job is clearly recognized as a fair game. Both boys and girls really feel the impression of just a second?s pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.
Wild Wild Riches pagou bem hoje, sem firula.
With everything which seems to be building inside this specific subject material, all your perspectives are generally quite refreshing. Nevertheless, I appologize, but I can not subscribe to your entire strategy, all be it radical none the less. It looks to me that your comments are not totally validated and in simple fact you are generally your self not even wholly certain of your point. In any case I did enjoy reading it.
content
api for crypto payments
jak vybrat výhru z mostbet mostbet41862.help
I think that a foreclosures can have a important effect on the borrower’s life. Home foreclosures can have a Seven to decade negative effect on a applicant’s credit report. Any borrower who may have applied for home financing or just about any loans for example, knows that your worse credit rating is usually, the more tricky it is for any decent personal loan. In addition, it could affect any borrower’s capacity to find a decent place to lease or hire, if that gets the alternative homes solution. Great blog post.
Avoided Caishen Wins after the patch, came back this week, same vibe as before.
how much sildenafil is too much sildenafil 20 sildenafil vs cialis
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your blog and check again here frequently. I am quite certain I?ll learn many new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!
https://ural-hifi.ru/
One more thing is that when evaluating a good internet electronics shop, look for online stores that are continually updated, always keeping up-to-date with the most up-to-date products, the best deals, and also helpful information on services. This will make certain you are doing business with a shop which stays on top of the competition and provide you things to make intelligent, well-informed electronics buying. Thanks for the important tips I have really learned from your blog.
В этом исследовании рассмотрены методы лечения зависимостей и их эффективность. Мы проанализируем различные подходы, используемые в реабилитационных центрах, и представим данные о результативности программ. Читатели получат надежные и научно обоснованные сведения о данной проблеме.
Секреты успеха внутри – Похмельная служба Химки
Редкие и тугоплавкие металлы всегда в наличии или под заказ в короткие сроки, рекомендую.
https://xn--80aeedb0bfzeok.xn--p1ai/catalog/mednye-krestoviny-pod-paiku/mednaia-krestovina-pod-paiku-21kh18kh0-9-mm-15-4kh17-6-mm-miagkaia-paika-m3t-gost-32590-2013/
Сайт выглядит профессионально и лаконично, без лишней рекламы
https://redmetsplav.ru/store/magniy-i-ego-splavy/zarubezhnye-splavy-2/magniy-g-a8z1y4—afnor-nf-a57-705/lenta-magnievaya-g-a8z1y4—afnor-nf-a57-705/
Down R$80. Not chasing. Bedtime.
best price for viagra 100mg UroHealth Daily – Viagra tablet online
Long-tail queries on Dim Sum Prize got more specific in 2026. Players ask for variance, not vibes.
Come along and delve into the vast selection of casino games waiting to be explored lev bet
Медицинская публикация представляет собой свод актуальных исследований, экспертных мнений и новейших достижений в сфере здравоохранения. Здесь вы найдете информацию о новых методах лечения, прорывных технологиях и их практическом применении. Мы стремимся сделать актуальные медицинские исследования доступными и понятными для широкой аудитории.
Продолжить изучение – Похмельная служба в Красноярске
Bet small. Stay long.
pop over to this site https://tokvideodownloader.click/fa/
Brasileiro googla “licença Curaçao” antes de depositar agora.
Voltei pro Fortune Dragon. Por quê.
A conta nova que não para de postar colocou R$500 no Fortune Gods e saiu com R$2.400. Sem print, só contou.
Best time to play Butterfly Blossom on weekends — anyone got actual data?