Death, Taxes, and a French Manicure by Diane Kelly

Finished: February 2024
Book Source: Library

Tara Holloway has got your number. A special agent on the IRS’s payroll, she’s dead-set on making sure that money crimes don’t pay…

Tax cheats, beware: The Treasury Department’s Criminal Investigations Division has a new special agent on its payroll. A recovering tomboy with a head for numbers, Tara’s fast becoming the Annie Oakley of the IRS—kicking ass, taking social security numbers, and keeping the world safe for honest taxpayers. Or else.

Tara’s latest mission finds her in hot pursuit of ice-cream vendor Joseph “Joe Cool” Cullen. Along with frozen treats he’s selling narcotics—and failing to report his ill-gotten gains on his tax returns. Over Tara’s dead body. Then there’s Michael Gryder, who appears to be operating a Ponzi scheme…with banker Stan Shelton…whose lake house is being landscaped by Brett Ellington…who happens to be dating Tara. If following that money trail isn’t tough enough, now Tara must face a new conundrum: Should she invest her trust in Brett—or put him behind bars? New love always comes at a cost but justice? Priceless.

Characters

• Tara – IRS special agent
• Brett – Tara’s boyfriend that she can’t figure out if he is involved in a tax scheme or not
• Christina – DEA agent
• Joe – the ice cream man they are trying to get arrested for drugs

My Review

As a reader expecting a cozy mystery experience, “Death, Taxes and a French Manicure” by Diane Kelly fell short of expectations. While the premise promised an intriguing blend of mystery and humor, the execution left much to be desired.

One of the most notable drawbacks was it got a little too focused on the sex scene instead of the mystery. For readers seeking a wholesome and light-hearted mystery like most cozy mysteries deliver, these moments may come across as unnecessary.

The pacing of the story proved to be sluggish, with the plot taking too long to gain momentum. For a genre that typically relies on engaging the reader from the outset, the slow start detracted from the overall enjoyment of the book. Towards the end of the book, there was a noticeable attempt to cram too much information into a limited space, resulting in a rushed and confusing/dissatisfying conclusion.

While the premise held promise, the execution failed to deliver a satisfying reading experience. “Death, Taxes and a French Manicure” may appeal to readers who enjoy a blend of mystery and romance, but for those seeking a traditional cozy mystery, it may fall short of expectations.

I listened to the audiobook and felt that the narrator’s voice was a bit too high-pitched and nasally for my liking. This style of narration does seem to suit the tone of the book, though.