Police, lawyers, federal agents, politicians...the stuff of mystery novels. But when someone commits fraud, who better to find the villains than the number crunchers? And when fraud turns to murder, how does a young chartered accountant cope?
Welcome to the world of junior Revenue Canada auditor, Alex Bellamy. Alex's dreams of adventure become all too real when, during a field audit, he finds evidence of fraud involving someone inside Revenue Canada itself. The murder of his co-investigator forces Alex to turn to Jillian Scott for help; a woman who has her own frightening reasons for refusing to cooperate. Soon, Jillian's fears and Alex's search for a killer embroil them in a bizarre and disturbing nightmare not everyone will survive.
Excerpt
Every man in the room stared at Alex. A thin, white-haired dealer shuffled the cards swiftly. Two solemn-looking men dressed in identical grey suits stood on either side of him. They studied Alex's face while Barker watched and waited.
As Alex sat down, the tension began to squeeze him. He was tempted to return the chair to Barker; however, the dealer's assistant had produced two trays for his persual. Alex drank the orange juice to cool himself.
Dozens of cut and polished diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires sparkled from small compartments. The stones ranged from a carat in size up to four or five carats, or more. Packed along the side of each tray were two rows of gold and silver wafers.
"I can only stay a minute." Alex turned to Tony.
"I understand."
Professional Reviews
From Jim Cox, Midwest Review
"Taxed to Death is a superb mystery of plot twists and turns. A masterpiece of suspenseful storytelling."
From David Skene-Melvin, Mystery Scene
"It's very creditable effort and Kong is a welcome addition to the ranks of crime writers populating Canada's west coast."
From Harriet Klausner
"Debra Purdy Kong provides the audience with an entertaining mystery that will gain her many fans who will relish the British Columbia setting."
Author Debra Purdy Kong's TAXED TO DEATH is the first book I have read by a Canadian author, and what beautiful portraits of Canada did she describe!
I chose the book as it was tax season in the USA and thought "how fitting." Reading about Revenue Canada instead of the IRS was also a first for me, so that took a little getting used to, but not problematic at all.
The given synopsis of the story is as follows: "Revenue Canada auditor, Alex Bellamy, has always dreamed of adventure. During a field audit, he discovers evidence of fraud. When Alex learns that others, including someone inside Revenue Canada, are involved, he persuades his colleague, Andy Gowan, to help him investigate. But Andy is murdered and Alex is forced to turn to Jillian Scott; a lady he's never met and who has her own frightening reasons for refusing to cooperate. Soon, Jillian's fears and Alex's search for a killer embroil them in a bizarre and disturbing nightmare...not everyone will survive."
The main plot of TAXED TO DEATH is filled with several twists and turns, the dynamic between the main characters, Alex and Jillian is likeable and the chapters for the most part are quick reads. The only thing I longed for was a little more description of the characters and the adventure scenes.
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