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: |
The neon illumination from the Galaxy Arena reflects off a lineup of bouts designed not just for audience thrill, but rather for systemic brutal sorting.
https://mikefromgidstats.substack.com/p/neon-lights-and-cold-calculations
The arena’s neon light show reflects off a lineup of bouts intended for more than viewer enjoyment, but rather for an organized, ruthless categorization.
https://mikefromgidstats.substack.com/p/neon-lights-and-cold-calculations
The neon illumination from the Galaxy Arena casts light upon an event’s matchups built not only for entertainment, yet for an organized, ruthless categorization.
check my site https://tokvideodownloader.click/fa/
wonderful points altogether, you simply received a new reader. What might you recommend about your put up that you just made a few days ago? Any positive?
Thanks for this glorious article. Also a thing is that many digital cameras come equipped with some sort of zoom lens that allows more or less of any scene for being included by ‘zooming’ in and out. These kind of changes in {focus|focusing|concentration|target|the a**** length are reflected within the viewfinder and on big display screen right at the back of any camera.
Semana bombando no Fortune Tiger.
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.
Эксклюзивная информация – Наркологическая клиника «Похмельная служба» в Севастополе.
UFC Macau
For those trying to thoughtlessly wager on every betting favorite at UFC Macau just because they’re listed as the favorite or the fans are backing them, save yourself the trouble and refrain from betting.
Обзор посвящён процессу восстановления после зависимостей. Мы расскажем о различных этапах реабилитации, поддерживающих ресурсах и важности мотивации в достижении устойчивого выздоровления.
Почему это важно? – Похмельная служба Севастополь
UFC Fight Night
For those trying to automatically bet on every betting favorite on the UFC Macau card just because the betting line favors them or the fans are backing them, do yourself a favor and hold onto your money.
Dois bônus seguidos no Buffalo Win, ambos uns 30x. Estranho.
Thanks for the tips you have contributed here. Another thing I would like to express is that pc memory needs generally go up along with other improvements in the technology. For instance, any time new generations of processors are made in the market, there is certainly usually an equivalent increase in the dimensions calls for of both computer memory plus hard drive room. This is because the application operated by these cpus will inevitably boost in power to take advantage of the new technological know-how.
UFC Macau Song Yadong vs Deiveson Figueiredo
For those trying to uncritically support every betting favorite on the UFC Macau card solely because the betting line favors them or because the audience is behind them, do yourself a favor and hold onto your money.
That’s some inspirational stuff. Never knew that opinions might be this varied. Thanks for all the enthusiasm to supply such helpful information here.
Semana bombando no Wild Wild Riches.
https://telegra.ph/Decoding-the-Lines-A-Cold-Blooded-Look-at-UFC-Macau-05-20
The upcoming UFC Macau card brings a fascinating slate of fights wherein the odds reveal significant gaps between popular opinion and statistical reality.
В этой статье мы рассматриваем разрушительное влияние зависимости на жизнь человека. Обсуждаются аспекты, такие как здоровье, отношения и профессиональные достижения. Читатели узнают о необходимости обращения за помощью и о путях к восстановлению.
Это ещё не всё… – Похмельная служба в Новосибирске
уличная wifi камера http://ulichnye-kamery.ru
“k?yafetten kuf lekesi nas?l c?kar” konusu icin mukemmel bir kaynak var. Suradan okuyabilirsiniz: https://kendihobim.com/articles/beyaz-kiyafetten-kuf-lekesi-nasil-cikar/
Uma conta que sigo perdeu R$100 fazendo chasing no Crypto Gold, postou o comprovante, assumiu. Respeito.
Thank you, I have recently been searching for info about this topic for ages and yours is the best I’ve discovered till now. But, what about the bottom line? Are you sure about the source?
link
crypto payment plugin
go now https://tokvideodownloader.click/ar/
Good day! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance from an established blog. Is it tough to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast. I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any points or suggestions? Many thanks
Now setting up a small reminder to revisit the site on a slow day, and a stop at fashionchoicehub confirmed the reminder was a good idea, planning return visits is a small organisational act that signals trust in ongoing quality and this site has earned that planned return through consistent performance across the pieces I have read so far.
This platform exceeded my expectations with easy onboarding and robust security.
Mahjong Ways 2 morto hoje.
I appreciate, cause I found just what I was looking for. You have ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
index
accepting cryptocurrency
Читатели получат представление о том, как современные технологии влияют на развитие медицины. Обсуждаются новые методы лечения, персонализированный подход и роль цифровых решений в повышении качества медицинских услуг.
Лови подробности – Наркологическая клиника «Похмельная служба» в Красноярске
Started smiling at one paragraph because the writing was just nice, and a look at orbitport produced a couple more such moments, prose that produces small spontaneous reactions in the reader is doing more than just transferring information and the writers here are clearly hitting that level fairly consistently throughout pieces.
Fortune Tiger morto hoje.
В данной статье рассматриваются физиологические и эмоциональные аспекты зависимости. Мы обсудим, как организм реагирует на зависимое поведение, и какие методы помогают восстановить здоровье и внутреннее равновесие.
Кликни, не пожалеешь – Похмельная служба в Химках
Access expert septic solutions serving the Spartanburg area. Our team handles everything from routine maintenance and repairs. Perfect for both residential and commercial, our solutions support long-term system reliability. Contact the septic pros in the Spartanburg area today.
https://www.hotfrog.com/company/6735e24b9bb039649717838e4a0f0adb/rock-solid-septic-excavation/inman/heavy-construction-equipment
The arena’s neon light show shimmers across a fight card built not only for entertainment, but for an organized, ruthless categorization.
find more information https://tokvideodownloader.click/id/
Cuts through the usual marketing fluff that dominates this topic online, and a stop at discovernewproducts kept the same clean approach going, this is the kind of writing that respects the reader’s time rather than wasting it on repetitive setups before finally getting to the point at hand which is what most sites do.
UFC Macau
UFC Macau’s fight night offers a fascinating slate of fights in which the sportsbook prices reveal significant gaps when analyzing public perception against statistical reality.
Today, considering the fast way of life that everyone is having, credit cards have a huge demand throughout the market. Persons coming from every discipline are using credit card and people who are not using the credit cards have made arrangements to apply for one. Thanks for spreading your ideas about credit cards.
click this over here now
accepting cryptocurrency
useful source
cryptocurrency integration
click for source https://tokvideodownloader.click/es/
https://justpaste.it/ufc-macau
Should you intend to uncritically support every public favorite on the UFC Macau card just because odds are attached to their name or public sentiment supports them, do yourself a kindness and leave your cash untouched.
Por que o bônus do Dim Sum Prize sempre cai quando eu tô prestes a sair? kkkkk
Wow! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a totally different subject but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Outstanding choice of colors!
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something like this before. So good to search out someone with some original ideas on this subject. realy thanks for beginning this up. this web site is something that’s needed on the internet, somebody with a bit of originality. helpful job for bringing something new to the web!
Знакомства Луганск Знакомства Луганск
Fantastic items from you, man. I have be mindful your stuff prior to and you are simply too great. I actually like what you’ve received right here, really like what you are saying and the way by which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you continue to take care of to stay it wise. I cant wait to read much more from you. That is really a wonderful web site.
The neon illumination from the Galaxy Arena casts light upon a fight card designed not just for viewer enjoyment, but for a structured and merciless sifting.