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: |
Ayr?ca, eger diyet ekmek cesitleri konusuyla ilgileniyorsan?z, suraya bak?n. Link burada: https://enerjiatlet.com/articles/diyet-ekmekleri-saglikli-beslenme-secenekleri/
узнать больше
читы apex legends
why not check here https://prm4u.com/buy-youtube-views
Эта информационная публикация освещает широкий спектр тем из мира медицины. Мы предлагаем читателям ясные и понятные объяснения современных заболеваний, методов профилактики и лечения. Информация будет полезна как пациентам, так и медицинским работникам, желающим поддержать уровень своих знаний.
Читать далее > – частный нарколог на дом срочно
Picked something concrete from the post that I will use immediately, and a look at kaitori-st added another concrete piece, content that produces immediately useful output rather than just abstract appreciation is content that earns its place in my regular rotation without needing any further evaluation from me at this point honestly.
my website https://prm4u.com/buy-telegram-views
click this link now
faceit bypass
I’ve been burned more times than a cheap steak at a tourist trap. Then you actually show up to get the keys. Completely different car waiting for you — smells like stale cigarettes, check engine light glowing, and that “great rate”? Doesn’t include the mandatory $35 daily toll pass, the $200 cleaning fee, or the $75 “after-hours pickup” charge. Honestly, I’m tired of this nonsense. miami luxury car rental. Miami without real wheels is basically a slow death. Design District shopping, late-night South Beach cruising, or a spontaneous Keys trip — AC must be freezing and unlimited miles or walk. most are just pretty websites hiding the same old garbage. Finally found one that actually keeps its word. prices move fast so check them out:
escalade for rent near me escalade for rent near me 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.
the original source https://prm4u.com
такой
читы на вар тандер
mostbet apk son versiya http://www.mostbet02606.online
читать
читы rainbow six siege
Halo, betting on Nigeria for World Cup 2026. Odds are decent on 22Bet. ovo deposit took minutes.
navigate to these guys
anticheat bypass
перенаправляется сюда https://tripscans90.cc/
Отличный магазин) купить кокаин
hop over to these guys rainbow six hardware hacks
перенаправляется сюда
как обойти бан по железу
Наркологическая помощь клиники направлена не только на снятие острого состояния, но и на дальнейшее лечение алкогольной зависимости. Вывод из запоя на дому подходит пациенту, если нет признаков тяжелого отравления, психоза, судорог и опасных осложнений. Если состояние больного тяжелое, врач может рекомендовать лечение в стационаре клиники, где пациент находится под наблюдением медицинской команды, а терапия проходит безопаснее.
Разобраться лучше – вывод из запоя клиника сочи
Good evening. I’ve been playing for months with Fortune Tiger slot already recovered the investment. usdt
find more info ai cheats
Ты себя хорошо чувствуешь ? Ты в какую аську пишешь ? купить кокаин
additional info
dma undetected tools
Buenas noches — World Cup 2026 betting markets for Portugal are live. Betway via cripto.
try this direct hardware hub
Bu arada, eger yuka cicegi nas?l kesilir konusuyla ilgileniyorsan?z, buray? inceleyin. Kendiniz gorun: https://kendimacera.com/articles/yuka-cicegi-kesim-rehberi/
пояснения
читы на кс2
Хочу выделить раздел про Азиатский SPF: особенности и преимущества корейских кремов.
Смотрите сами:
https://glazok.ru
В этой статье рассматриваются различные аспекты избавления от зависимости, включая физические и психологические методы. Мы обсудим поддержку, мотивацию и стратегии, которые помогут в процессе выздоровления. Читатели узнают, как преодолеть трудности и двигаться к новой жизни без зависимости.
Это ещё не всё… – наркологическая клиника в нижнем новгороде
продолжить
читы батлфилд
Oi gente, post muito bem feito copa mundo. roleta europeia odds estão boas.
I’ve stepped on enough landmines to write a guidebook. 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. miami car rental luxury — run away from the airport counters. anyone who’s tried the trolley knows the struggle. leather seats that won’t brand your legs in July. I’ve tested so many rental companies I’ve honestly lost count. what you book is what shows up, period. Here’s the only honest source for premium rides across South Florida
porsche rental miami https://luxury-car-rental-miami-18.com Yeah parking in Wynwood will cost you — but that’s Miami for you. drive safe and skip that “windshield protection” upsell.
Buenas, quiero entender mejor sobre slots online? alguien sabe?
Смотреть здесь
[url=https://wizecheats.ru/chity-dead-by-daylight]читы dead by daylight[/url]
Picked this for my morning read because the topic seemed worth the time, and a look at ratanovynabyteknaterasu confirmed the choice was right, my morning reading slot is precious and giving it to this site felt like a good investment rather than a waste which is a higher endorsement than I usually offer for content.
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. those people are professional con artists with nice uniforms. 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. 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:
rent a luxury car tmb miami https://luxury-car-rental-miami-13.com Yeah parking in Wynwood will cost you a nice dinner — but that’s just the Miami tax. Anyway glad there’s at least one honest rental joint left in this town.
Apartments for Sale in Silicon Oasis Dubai 5 bedroom villa for sale in dubaione of the best properties to buy in dubaidowntown dubai property prices
Halo, panduan lengkap banget. fortune tiger
Click This Link https://prm4u.com
этот сайт
спуфер раст
you could check here
external cheat hardware
На странице также можно использовать направление как отдельное описание услуги: нарколог на дом в — экстренная помощь при алкогольной и наркотической зависимости. В Балашихе такая помощь востребована при алкогольной интоксикации, запое, похмелье, абстиненции, наркотической ломке, тревожных симптомах и необходимости быстро получить консультацию без поездки в клинику.
Выяснить больше – http://narkolog-na-dom-balashiha13-4.ru
Apartments for sale in Arjan best shares to buy in uaeproperty for rent in silicon oasissrg apartments for rent dubai
go to these guys https://prm4u.com/
Trust me, I’ve learned everything the hard way so you don’t have to. You see this gorgeous deal online — clean spec, fair price, looks like a dream. Completely different car sitting there — dents everywhere, smells like cheap air freshener covering something worse, and that “dream price”? Doesn’t include the mandatory $50 daily insurance or the $300 “administrative fee” they invent at checkout. Fool me eleven times? That’s just called living in Miami. miami car rental luxury — avoid the airport like the plague. Miami without proper wheels is basically a disaster. leather seats that won’t fuse to your legs in August. most are shiny garbage with fake Google reviews bought in bulk. Finally found one outfit that actually delivers what’s in the photos. Here’s the only honest source for premium rides across South Florida
exotic car rental south beach fl exotic car rental south beach fl Yeah parking in South Beach will cost you a nice bottle of champagne — but that’s the Miami tax. Anyway glad there’s at least one straight operator left in this rental circus.
Beleza, nunca tinha visto tão claro. aviator faz tempo que jogo e a banca sustenta.
https://xn--r1a.website/s/look_com_ua/21
Bom dia, informação de verdade sobre rollover. procon dos jogosalguém sabe?
these details cs2 tournament cheats faceit
када тусишка появится???? купить кокаин