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: |
Experience Chicken Road 2 in your region chicken road game australia
Estou alucinado com F12.Bet Casino, pulsa com uma forca de cassino digna de um pit stop. O leque do cassino e um asfalto de delicias. com caca-niqueis modernos que roncam como motores. O servico e confiavel como um chassi. garantindo suporte direto e sem freadas. Os ganhos chegam rapido como um sprint final. mas queria promocoes que explodem como largadas. Ao final, F12.Bet Casino oferece uma experiencia que e puro ronco para os apaixonados por slots modernos! Como extra o visual e uma explosao de curvas. transformando cada aposta em uma ultrapassagem.
f12 bet app download apk|
Me encantei pelo ritmo de BR4Bet Casino, oferece uma aventura que brilha como um candelabro em chamas. Os jogos formam um clarao de entretenimento. com jogos adaptados para criptomoedas. O servico e confiavel como uma lanterna. disponivel por chat ou e-mail. O processo e claro e sem apagoes. em alguns momentos mais giros gratis seriam uma loucura iluminada. Na real, BR4Bet Casino vale explorar esse cassino ja para os faroleiros do cassino! Vale dizer o design e um espetaculo visual iluminado. amplificando o jogo com vibracao luminosa.
codigo br4bet|
Порадуйте себя и своего ребенка отличными товарами от TykePop — уникальными, практичными и безопасными.
Хочу выделить раздел про Советы по ремонту и обслуживанию авто на AutoZoro.
Вот, можете почитать:
https://autozoro.ru
Желаем вам и вашим детям приятных покупок и незабываемых моментов с TykePop!
joszaki regisztracio joszaki
Estou completamente vidrado por MarjoSports Casino, pulsa com uma forca de cassino digna de um craque. A selecao de titulos e uma rede de prazeres. com caca-niqueis que aceleram como contra-ataques. Os agentes sao rapidos como um contra-ataque. com solucoes precisas e instantaneas. As transacoes sao simples como um passe. as vezes mais giros gratis seriam uma loucura de torcida. No fim das contas, MarjoSports Casino oferece uma experiencia que e puro drible para os fas de adrenalina de campo! Como extra o layout e vibrante como um apito. tornando cada sessao ainda mais esportiva.
pin marjosports|
joszaki regisztracio http://joszaki.hu
https://imageevent.com/lyndseygilli/haunz
El Andaluz
Sou louco pela velocidade de F12.Bet Casino, parece uma pista de alta octanagem cheia de adrenalina. O leque do cassino e um asfalto de delicias. com caca-niqueis que aceleram como turbo. O servico e confiavel como um chassi. oferecendo respostas claras como um painel. As transacoes sao faceis como um drift. porem mais giros gratis seriam supersonicos. Resumindo, F12.Bet Casino vale explorar esse cassino ja para os fas de adrenalina supersonica! E mais a navegacao e facil como uma mudanca de marcha. criando uma experiencia de cassino supersonica.
como excluir conta f12 bet|
ruby fortune online pokies canada, virtual casino united states and best united kingdom casino deposit with Bank account, or top 10 australian online casino
Acho simplesmente fenomenal BR4Bet Casino, oferece uma aventura que brilha como um candelabro em chamas. As opcoes sao ricas e reluzem como luzes. incluindo mesas com charme iluminado. O time do cassino e digno de um faroleiro. respondendo rapido como um brilho na noite. Os saques sao velozes como um clarao. entretanto mais bonus seriam um diferencial reluzente. Resumindo, BR4Bet Casino vale explorar esse cassino ja para quem curte apostar com estilo iluminado! E mais a plataforma reluz com um visual brilhante. tornando cada sessao ainda mais brilhante.
br4bet mines|
Experience Chicken Road 2 in your region how to play chicken road game and earn money
Sou louco pela velocidade de F12.Bet Casino, e um cassino online que acelera como um carro de corrida. O catalogo de jogos e uma pista de emocoes. incluindo jogos de mesa com um toque de velocidade. O atendimento e solido como um pneu slick. com solucoes precisas e instantaneas. O processo e claro e sem freadas. as vezes mais bonus seriam um diferencial turbo. Resumindo, F12.Bet Casino e uma curva de adrenalina para os viciados em emocoes de cassino! De lambuja o site e uma obra-prima de estilo turbo. fazendo o cassino roncar como um motor.
jogo f12 bet|
Откройте секреты счастливого детства с качественными товарами от TykePop.
Зацепил материал про Погрузитесь в мир чая вместе с Ролли.
Ссылка ниже:
https://rolli-elf.ru
Надеемся, наш обзор помог вам сделать правильный выбор. До новых встреч в мире детских товаров!
Everyone loves what you guys are up too. Such clever work and exposure!
Keep up the awesome works guys I’ve added you guys to blogroll.
https://dzone.com/users/5413181/melbetpromocode14.html
Legend of Atlantis
joszaki regisztracio joszaki.hu/
Как выбрать лучшее для вашего ребенка? Познакомьтесь с нашим обзором детских товаров, которые не оставят вас равнодушными.
Зацепил раздел про Изучаем сверхъестественные феномены и тайны вселенной.
Вот, делюсь ссылкой:
https://phenoma.ru
Благодарим за внимание, и пусть ваши детки всегда будут здоровы и счастливы вместе с TykePop!
Good day! I simply want to give you a big thumbs up for the excellent information you have got right here on this post.
I will be returning to your web site for more soon.
Experience Chicken Road 2 in your region chicken road official apk download
как безопасно накрутить подписчиков в телеграм
expect to take blogwayblog.com Security when you make a deal at the lowest
Google This site has strong energy, design feels smooth and welcoming.
https://imageevent.com/victoireprah/pqord
игры https://mailsco.online/ развлечение помогают формированию аналитического мышления, улучшают способности общения.
Experience Chicken Road 2 in your region crossy road hipster chicken
joszaki regisztracio joszaki.hu
united kingdom casino no deposit bonus codes 2021, european roulette betting uk
and ept poker chips in usa, or new zealandn online pokies
min $5 deposit
Also visit my blog post gambling age
best Indian casinos with Chicken Road: Chicken Road slot game India – Chicken Road slot game India
Experience Chicken Road 2 in your region https://coworkniagara.com
Рекомендую http://corsosicurezza.uniroma2.it/2014/05/12/ciao-mondo/?unapproved=1678&moderation-hash=f4ec8696d7313d2955467859edda24eb
https://giphy.com/channel/codepromoxbet7
Казино Вавада слот Farm Madness
apkcontainer – I appreciate the version history listings, that’s super convenient.
https://pubhtml5.com/homepage/abcte
famous united statesn poker, how much top online pokies and casinos australian coins
and canadian poker 2 novomatic online, or best no deposit casinos aus
My blog post is the seminole hard rock casino open (Hyman)
Experience Chicken Road 2 in your region chicken road online game app
Thanks for a marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed
reading it, you might be a great author. I will make
sure to bookmark your blog and may come back in the future.
I want to encourage you to continue your great job, have
a nice weekend!
Everyone knows the company as a Reliable Bookmaker https://www.journal-theme.com/6/blog/best-beauty-products
casino united kingdom, united kingdom poker league ceo and australian casino
chips, or trusted casino Best Rtg online casinos usa
canadian roulette payouts chart, united states day free spins and free spins no
deposit keep your winnings uk, or all australian croupier casino ausbildung (goplayslots.net) no deposit bonus
codes
Everyone knows the company as a Reliable Bookmaker https://hamzaeqvo393396.blogdigy.com/obtenez-votre-code-promo-1xbet-algГ©rie-57900609
Hi there! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone
3gs! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward
to all your posts! Carry on the outstanding work!
united kingdom online casino minimum deposit dollar 10,
best online casino south united states and uk gambling bill, or betsoft no deposit bonus
united states
my blog :: goplayslots.net
купить диплом в биробиджане купить диплом в биробиджане .
купить диплом во владивостоке https://rudik-diplom2.ru – купить диплом во владивостоке .
Порадуйте себя и своего ребенка отличными товарами от TykePop — уникальными, практичными и безопасными.
Между прочим, если вас интересует Изучение русских диалектов на LingoMap, посмотрите сюда.
Вот, можете почитать:
https://lingomap.ru
Если у вас возникли вопросы или пожелания, наша команда всегда готова помочь. До скорых встреч!
Откройте секреты счастливого детства с качественными товарами от TykePop.
Зацепил раздел про Ваш гид в мире настольных игр и стратегий.
Вот, делюсь ссылкой:
https://minjust70.ru
Желаем вам и вашим детям приятных покупок и незабываемых моментов с TykePop!