Death, Taxes, and Sweet Potato Fries By Diane Kelly: Review/Giveaway

Feb 11, 2017 | 2017 Articles, Cynthia Chow, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of Death, Taxes, and Sweet Potato Fries. We also have a link to order it from Amazon, and from an indie bookstore where a portion goes to help support KRL.

Newly engaged, the only thing Galveston’s Tara Holloway loves more than her fiancé—fellow IRS criminal investigator Nick Prat—is tracking down tax cheaters and bringing them to justice. Wielding both a briefcase and a sidearm, Tara is a crack shot with more than her own share of broken bones, head injuries, and bullet wounds. Although one of her two latest assignments would seem more probable of again putting her life at risk, nothing’s guaranteed when the threat of the IRS is at one’s door. BORSTAR (Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue) is asking for the IRS’s help in arresting Salvador Hidalgo, a suspected Coyote who has exploited and kidnapped multitudes of desperate Mexicans hoping to cross into the United States. Having managed to skirt the law because of victims too terrified of deportation to testify, BORSTAR is looking to the IRS to prove unreported income from human trafficking. Political pressure also has Tara investigating who has been submitting false 1099 forms that lead to victims being accused of not paying taxes on prizes they didn’t win. Why anyone would have reason to harass these seemingly unrelated complainants is as baffling as why Tara seems to be turning an unhealthy shade of orange.book

As a time clock begins ticking on three young women being ransomed by a Coyote working for Hidalgo, Tara juggles her cases while tracing the connections between the victims. Thankfully, Tara and Nick’s mothers are more than willing to step in and assume command of wedding preparations, allowing Tara to focus on the investigations where the law doesn’t always match what is morally right. When tracking down possible illegal immigrants leads Tara to her ex-boyfriend, who could have predicted that it would take the compulsively watchable telenovela “Amor y Vengaza” to make her life seem boring while also showing Tara the key to the case?

Perhaps now more than ever the complex issue of illegal immigration needs to be examined, and here the author does so in a way that is both compassionate and fair. Sympathy definitely falls on those who risk their finances, imprisonment, and death for the chance of a better life in America. As Tara attempts to find alternative solutions and coax out the information she needs from frightened migrants, the human element becomes a factor far more than the letter of the law.

What should never be underestimated is just how fresh and amusing the characters remain throughout the eleven novels of this Tara Holloway series. The romance between Tara and Nick is just as sizzling as when it first began, and the author has never had to resort to clichéd breakups or miscommunications to keep their relationship evolving. This is a stunningly original and riveting mystery series that explores the unique law enforcement agency of the Internal Revenue Service. Tara is as deft at combat as she is with a ledger, and she never loses her enthusiasm for her the job she loves. More comfortable in steel-toed shoes than heels, Tara pursues her quarry through the chaos while never losing her sense of humor. This is a relentlessly entertaining series, packed full of as many laughs as action-packed scenarios. Tara Holloway is the one IRS agent readers will anxiously look forward to meeting again.

To enter to win a copy of Death, Taxes, and Sweet Potato Fries, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “fries,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen February 18, 2017. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & short stories in our mystery section.

Click on this link to purchase this book & a portion goes to help support KRL & an indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy:

You can use this link to purchase the book on Amazon. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the link:

sybilfinalad

Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.

15 Comments

  1. and, sweet potato fires are suppose to be good for you!!!! thanks for a chance to win a copy!

    Reply
  2. I read the first 2 or 3 books in this series and thought they were great but then I sort of forgot about them. This would be a great way to jump on board -and because I’m a bit anal about this sort of thing, prompt me to go back and pick up the missing books.
    stclairck@gmail.com

    Reply
  3. Sounds like a great read!!

    Reply
  4. I would love to read sounds so good and would review on goodreads and amazon also talk to new library about. ptclayton2@aol.com

    Reply
  5. I’m a late comer to this series and I’m looking forward to the latest. Thanks!

    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

    Reply
  6. Sounds like fun to read!

    Reply
  7. Wonderful series, thanks for the chance to win.

    Reply
  8. Please enter me!

    Reply
  9. With a background in accounting, the premise of this book appeals to me. Thanks!

    Reply
  10. This is a new series to me. “Death, Taxes and Sweet Potato Fries” sounds like a fun read.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  11. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Death, Taxes, and Sweet Potato Fries. Sounds interesting.
    kckendler at gmail dot com

    Reply
  12. This is a fun series. There are still a few titles I have yet to read and this is one of them. Thank you for the chance

    johnnabooks(at)hotmail(dot)com

    Reply
  13. We have a winner!

    Reply
  14. If I can start the series here then have many to catch up on, I would love to read this! Thank you for the chance to win!

    Reply

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