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: |
Эта публикация раскрывает психологические механизмы зависимости и их роль в развитии расстройств. Читатель узнает о том, как психология влияет на формирование зависимостей и как профессиональная помощь может изменить ситуацию.
Получить больше информации – наркологический центр нижний новгород
Felt a small spark of recognition when the post named something I had been struggling to articulate, and a look at grouseebony produced more such moments, the rare service of giving readers language for fuzzy intuitions is one of the higher values that good writing can provide and this site offered several today instances.
ufc 330 start time: Islam Makhachev – ufc 330 fight card
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.
Где можно узнать подробнее? – clinica plus в королеве
Публикация охватывает основные направления развития современной медицины. Мы обсудим значимость научных исследований, инноваций в лечении и роли общественного участия в формировании системы здравоохранения.
Что скрывают от вас? – наркология нижний новгород
I’ve been burned more times than a cheap steak at a tourist trap. Then you actually show up to get the keys. Plus they put a $3500 hold on your card and say “it’ll drop off in 7-10 days”. Sixteen years in Miami and these tricks still pop up like bad weeds. When you need a legit luxury car rental miami. anyone who’s taken the bus in August knows I’m not lying. leather seats that won’t stick to your back in the humidity. I’ve tried so many rental companies I’ve lost count. Finally found one that actually keeps its word. prices move fast so check them out:
exotic cars miami beach exotic cars miami beach Yeah parking in Miami Beach will cost you — but that’s life here. drive safe and skip the extra insurance upsell, it’s a joke.
Обратиться за помощью стоит, если состояние больного ухудшается, человек не может самостоятельно остановить употребление алкоголя, агрессивно ведет себя, жалуется на боли, бессонницу, тревогу, депрессии, рвоту, тремор, сильную интоксикацию или физические симптомы отмены. В таких случаях важно действовать быстро: срочный вызов нарколога на дом снижает риск осложнения, отравления, судорог и последствий длительного запоя.
Подробнее можно узнать тут – выезд нарколога на дом
Flat for Sale in Dubai apartments for rent in dubai 12 chequesdubai property group addressApartments for sale in The Sterling
В этой публикации мы обсуждаем современные методы лечения различных заболеваний. Читатели узнают о новых медикаментах, терапиях и исследованиях, которые активно применяются для лечения. Мы нацелены на то, чтобы предоставить практические знания, которые могут помочь в борьбе с недугами.
Погрузиться в детали – kursk clinica plus
веб-сайте сайт трипскан
“marvel hediye kutusu” konusu icin burada harika bilgiler var. Kendiniz gorun: https://toyshediye.com/articles/marvel-hediye-kutusu-cocuklarin-hayal-dunyasi/
этот сайт https://tripscans90.cc/
Respectfully our casino games are god tier come bow down https://casinounique-online.com/
В данной статье мы акцентируем внимание на важности поддержки в процессе выздоровления. Мы обсудим, как друзья, семья и профессионалы могут помочь тем, кто сталкивается с зависимостями. Читатели получат практические советы, как поддерживать близких на пути к новой жизни.
Раскрыть тему полностью – выезд нарколога на дом
здесь трипскан официальный
Leap into disquiet! Stake top games at our casino – slots, blackjack, roulette & more. Win upper case with plentiful bonuses and free spins. Join minute & seek your welcome tender!
https://beefcasino.app/
Respectfully our casino games are god tier come bow down https://uniquelegacyfinancial.com/
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.
Расширить кругозор по теме – частный нарколог анонимно
Okay folks gather round — another Miami rental horror story coming at you. You see this killer deal online — brand new Mercedes, unlimited miles, price that makes you want to book immediately. Plus they put a $5000 hold on your card and tell you “it’s just standard procedure”. Thirteen years in South Florida and these clowns still almost get me. miami luxury car rental. Miami without proper wheels is basically a nightmare. leather seats that won’t fuse to your skin in the August heat. most are polished garbage with fake five-star reviews bought from some shady service. no games, no bait-and-switch, no hidden fees buried on page 4 of the contract. prices change by the hour so don’t sleep on it:
porsche for rent near me https://luxury-car-rental-miami-13.com Yeah parking in Wynwood will cost you a nice dinner — but that’s just the Miami tax. drive safe and definitely skip that “tire protection” upsell — pure robbery.
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.
Изучить аспект более тщательно – анонимное лечение алкоголизма
Okay folks gather round — Miami rental horror story time. You find a killer listing online: sleek Audi, convertible, price almost too good to be true. Different car sitting there — bald tires, dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree, and that “killer price”? Yeah doesn’t include the non-negotiable $45 daily insurance or the $500 deposit they forget to mention. Nine years in South Florida and these clowns still nearly fool me. those guys are pros at the bait-and-switch. Miami without proper wheels is basically a nightmare. Coconut Grove dinner, Sunny Isles sunrise, or a spontaneous drive down to Homestead — AC must freeze your teeth and unlimited miles or no deal. most are polished turds with fake five-star reviews. Finally found one company that doesn’t play stupid games. Here’s the only trustworthy source for premium rides across South Florida
rent a luxury car tmb miami https://luxury-car-rental-miami-9.com Yeah parking in Wynwood will cost you a nice dinner — but that’s the price of being in Miami. drive safe and definitely skip that “emergency roadside” upsell — complete waste of money.
https://perm.venoteka.ru/club/forum/messages/forum9/topic97/message107/?result=new#message107
Commercial Properties for Rent in Dubai commercial space for rent near me3 bedroom villa for sale in dubaimaple real estate dubai
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.
Ознакомиться с полной информацией – прокапаться от алкоголя воронеж
Reading this as part of my evening winding down routine fit perfectly, and a stop at fjordaster extended the wind down nicely, content that calms rather than agitates is what I want at the end of the day and this site provides that calming reading experience reliably which is increasingly rare across the modern web.
узнать больше tripskan
2 BHK for Sale in Dubai Society House guidedubai production city nearest metro stationdubai housing market
A small thing but the line spacing and font choices made reading this physically pleasant, and a look at gemcoasts maintained the same careful design, technical choices about typography are part of what makes online reading actually comfortable and this site has clearly invested in the design layer alongside the content layer carefully.
Now setting this aside as a model of how to write thoughtfully on the topic, and a stop at 595tz131 extended that model status, content that becomes a reference for how a kind of writing should be done is content with influence beyond its own readership and this site is reaching that level for me clearly today.
Hello comrades
Hello. A 47 fine website 1 that I found on the Internet.
Check out this website. There’s a great article there. https://famousparenting.com/how-to-build-a-healthy-relationship-with-yourself-practical-steps-to-mental-balance/|
There is sure to be a lot of useful and interesting information for you here.
You’ll find everything you need and more. Feel free to follow the link below.
5 Bedroom Villa for Sale in Dubai orient real estate dubaicity tower dubai silicon oasisPrivate Garden | Exclusive Location | Spacious
другие https://tripscans90.cc
Подробнее здесь трипскан ссылка
этот контент https://tripscans90.cc
каталог https://tripscans90.cc/
В этой статье мы обсудим процесс восстановления после зависимостей, акцентируя внимание на различных методах и подходах к реабилитации. Читатели узнают, как создать план выздоровления и использовать полезные ресурсы для достижения устойчивых изменений.
Получить дополнительные сведения – анонимная скорая наркологическая помощь
Swear this city never fails to surprise me with new ways to get ripped off. Then you actually drive to the rental lot. Plus they put a $5000 hold on your card and tell you “it’s just standard procedure”. Fool me thirteen times? That’s just living in the 305. luxury car rental miami fl. anyone who’s taken the Metro here knows the struggle is real. South Beach night out, Design District shopping spree, or a spontaneous Keys trip — AC must be arctic cold and unlimited miles non-negotiable. most are polished garbage with fake five-star reviews bought from some shady service. Finally found one outfit that actually delivers what’s promised. prices change by the hour so don’t sleep on it:
luxury car rental miami fl luxury car rental miami fl Yeah parking in Wynwood will cost you a nice dinner — but that’s just the Miami tax. drive safe and definitely skip that “tire protection” upsell — pure robbery.
Эта публикация содержит ценные советы и рекомендации по избавлению от зависимости. Мы обсуждаем различные стратегии, которые могут помочь в процессе выздоровления и важность обращения за помощью. Читатели смогут использовать полученные знания для улучшения своего состояния.
Изучить материалы по теме – нарколог на дом круглосуточно
рабочая ссылка Apex Casino
?
Apex Casino регистрация и вход доступны здесь
Публикация охватывает основные направления развития современной медицины. Мы обсудим значимость научных исследований, инноваций в лечении и роли общественного участия в формировании системы здравоохранения.
Кликни и узнай всё! – нарколог на дом клиника
Okay real talk — Miami rentals are a minefield and someone needs to say it. You find this tempting offer online — gorgeous convertible, fair daily rate, looks like a steal. Completely different car waiting — bald tires, smell like someone lived in it, and that “fair rate”? Doesn’t include the mandatory $45 daily toll pass or the $350 “location fee” they spring on you. Fool me eighteen times? That’s just the 305 way of life. those guys are professional scammers in nice uniforms. anyone who’s tried the trolley knows the struggle. leather seats that won’t brand your legs in July. most are polished turds with fake reviews. Finally found one outfit that doesn’t play games. rates change daily so check them out:
miami car rental luxury miami car rental luxury Yeah parking in Wynwood will cost you — but that’s Miami for you. Anyway glad there’s at least one honest operator left.
wettseiten online
Here is my website … basketball Punkte Wetten
Вывод из запоя на дому в Казани позволяет получить медицинскую помощь без очередей, учета и лишнего стресса. Врач приезжает по месту проживания, сохраняет конфиденциальность, спокойно говорит с пациентом и близкими, проводит первичную диагностику и начинает лечение только при наличии согласия. Если человек отказывается лечиться, доктор может провести мотивационную беседу, но принудительное лечение без законных оснований не проводится.
Получить дополнительные сведения – вывод из запоя цена в казани
нажмите https://tripscans90.cc/
В данной публикации мы поговорим о процессе восстановления от зависимости, о том, как вернуть себе нормальную жизнь. Мы обсудим преодоление трудностей, значимость поддержки и наличие программ реабилитации. Читатели смогут узнать о ключевых шагах к успешному восстановлению.
Узнать больше > – clinica plus в королеве
здесь tripskan
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.
Познакомиться с результатами исследований – частный нарколог на дом
Saloon into disquietude! Impose on behave peerless games at our casino – slots, blackjack, roulette & more. Gain a victory in big with eleemosynary bonuses and free spins. Join minute & claim your well-received tender!
https://vincispin-kasino.com/
Olá. Comprei strategia na o jogo do tiger e e a variância é real.
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!
Детальнее – лечение алкоголизма в нижнем новгороде клиники