Review for Fatal Encryption

[Debra Purdy Kong]

Hi everybody,

Here's an excerpt from one of the most recent reviews for my amateur sleuth mystery, Fatal Encryption, which appeared on amazon.com

"You know a book is good when you talk out loud to the characters. I did a lot of that while reading Debra Purdy Kong's excellent Fatal Encryption. I gave them good advice, but they just wouldn't listen, and so I had to worry about Alex and Tristan constantly. This happens, of course, because you care about the characters. And you will ... I have a crush on Alex, and don't tell me he isn't real, because he is ... This was a great mystery, exciting and entertaining and I never guessed who the killer was, another sign of a deft writer. I hope we get another Alex Bellamy mystery soon. Please?", by Susan Jane, amazon.com

To all of you accounting specialists out there, I should mention that Alex is no longer employed with Revenue Canada Agency in this book. Let's just say that his accounting career came to a grinding halt in Taxed To Death. Given what happened, one could hardly blame the government, then again ....

Debra

[Leslie]

Hi Debra,

Thanks for letting us know about your book! Here's a link for anyone who wants to read more, sample, or buy...

[pomlover2586]

welcome!

[Debra Purdy Kong]

Hi everyone,

Here's another review for Fatal Encryption
 



"Fatal Encryption takes an average guy, Alex Bellamy, and plunks him into a cat-and-mouse game of computer crime and 'murder most foul'. The author, Debra Purdy Kong, is a talented writer with a gift for creating detailed plots and settings. Her main character Alex Bellamy is a thoroughly likeable and relatable guy, and was my favorite part of the book. His internal dialogue is very funny and he jumps off the page as a 'real' character, he is someone the reader identifies with and easily roots for. Fatal Encryption is a very good mystery that will keep you guessing the whole way." Rai Aren, co-author of Secret of the Sands.

[Debra Purdy Kong]

Hi everyone,

A few months ago, I came across the name of a reviewer who lived in Greece and was receptive to reviewing mysteries. I wrote and asked if she'd consider reviewing Fatal Encryption. She kindly agreed, so I sent the book to her and went on with life. I never look for reviews. If they happen, great. If they don't, that's fine too. I never expect anyone who requests a review copy to review it. People change their minds for all sorts of reasons, and I respect their decision. After all, I'm asking people to give up their time, something more precious than money to me.

So it was with great surprise that Maria Gouna recently emailed me to say she'd finished her review and gave Fatal Encryption a "very highly recommended" rating. Now, there's something I don't hear everyday. Her review is long, so here's a quick excerpt (not available on amazon.com):

"It is a well-plotted mystery full of unexpected events, power plays, affairs and family problems. Furthermore, action is present throughout the book so the reader doesn't get bored; not even for a moment...." If you'd like to read more of Maria's review it's at http://mariasbookreviews.blogspot.com

And I am truly grateful to Maria,

[Leslie]

Congratulations, Debra. That's great. Thanks to Maria!

L

[Debra Purdy Kong]

Hi everyone,

Here's an excerpt from another review for Fatal Encryption that didn't appear on amazon, but in the Gumshoe Review.

"With all of the hype these days about Internet security, identity theft and computer viruses, it is no wonder that we are all just a little paranoid about how vulnerable we are. Everyday activities may put us at risk because someone 'out there' wishes to prove that they are superior to the masses by trying (and often succeeding) to compromise online security.

In Fatal Encryption, the second Alex Bellamy novel, a large family-owned retail chain approaches Alex. There has been an anonymous threat to encrypt all the store's data and set fire to the store if a large sum of money is not paid. Alex, a system's analyst, is hired by the store to attempt to find the encryption keys that will save the data and the store from ruin.

Unhappy with his life and his present girlfriend, Alex is glad of the opportunity on many levels. He is broke and could use the salary, he loves a challenge, he has a profound sense of justice and an equally profound hatred of 'hacks'. Last but not least, he wants to make his estranged family proud of him. He enlists the help of his friend Tristan and between them they try to build upon a tenuous link between a recent murder victim and the McKinley's extortion threat. When his apartment is set afire, the threat becomes personal and Alex will do anything in his power to find the perpetrator before the two week deadline.

Set in Vancouver, British Columbia, in the weeks leading up to Christmas, the novel has a keen sense of place. Debra Purdy Kong seems knowledgeable in the field of technology, which makes the plot plausible and frightening. . . . With a very likeable protagonist, a hint of romance, and timely subject matter, this fast-paced crime novel should appeal to many. I am looking forward to Alex Bellamy's next outing with keen anticipation." - Lynne LeGrow, Gumshoe Review

Again, I simply asked this reviewer if she would consider my book, and she did, and needless to say I'm really grateful for the result.

Debra


 

[Debra Purdy Kong]

Hi everyone, here's another excerpt for Fatal Encryption from a review that wasn't posted on amazon, but on the reviewer's blog:

"All Halloween's night is a time when ghouls, goblins and mayhem ensues for one evening. No one knows how true that is other than Zachary Ternoway. Zach is stabbed to death in his home.

Alex Bellamy keeps wondering at what point things got so bad in his life that he is at a Halloween party dressed up as Kermit the Frog. Alex ends up taking a computer analyst job at McKinley's Department Store. Someone has hacked into the store's computer system and encrypted fles. Alex investigates what someone was looking for and why all the secrecy. All of Alex's digging around has ruffled some feathers. If Alex doesn't watch his step he could end up like Zach.

Alex Bellamy is a good character to have in a mystery book. He is just a normal guy that I think readers can relate to and will cheer for to always come out on top. Fatal Encryption is the second Alex Bellamy mystery...I recently stumbled upon Debra Purdy Kong and am so glad I did. She is a breath of fresh air. Fatal Encryption makes me remember why mystery novels will always hold a dear place in my heart. This book had all the makings of the classic puzzle solving story but for the twenty-first century." -- Cheryl Koch.

[Debra Purdy Kong]

Hi everyone,

Here are excerpts from a review for Fatal Encryption which was posted on a blog called "Ashley's Booktopia" back in September 2008.

"Kudos to Debra Purdy Kong in this wonderfully thought up mystery. The world of computers and technology is growing each day, and she gives us a big dose of both of these. This is not your typical murder/mystery story; this is so much more. She weaves a tale of lies, deceit, murder, and threats. A computer master mind is at large and people's lives as well as the fate of a huge company. . .

"What I really liked about this story was that I had many people that I suspected was behind everything, but it wasn't until the very end when I was able to finally figure it out. I like books like this because it makes me want to read faster and faster so I can figure it out . . .

"I think that Debra Purdy Kong does a wonderful job at character description. She really allows you to get inside their head and she makes them so likeable. Also, she is great at keeping you on track with computer lingo. Not once did I find myself confused about anything going on. I now a bit about computers, but I also know that there's a lot I don't know, but she is good at keeping it simple and not overwhelming the reader . . ."

The complete review was posted at http://ashleysbooktopia.blogspot.com/2008/09/fatal-encryption-debra-purdy-kong.html
   

[rndballref]

Fatal Encryption just arrived today.  Can't wait to dig in ...

[WPotocki]

Just finished Fatal Encryption!!!! Really excellent!!! I think you can tell I enjoyed in that I'm already waiting for the next one!!! Hurry up and write!!!!

Here's the review I just posted. I don't know when it'll be showing up, but here it tis!!! And any murder mystery fan - this one is classic!!!



Looking for a Well-Crafted, Well-Written Mystery? Then This One’s for You!!!!

If you're one of those diehard mystery fans that love nothing better than to match wits, compile clues and figure out whodunit long before the author's solution is revealed, then this book is for you!!!

Fatal Encryption is a classic mystery that offers fans everything they look for including a compelling story, lots of suspects, tons of clues and a very likable amateur sleuth/murderer tracker downer named Alex Bellamy. He's a very modern day kind of detective. His style is decidedly laid back and reliant on good old-fashioned hard work. He's sort of an anti-hero - his only problem being that he doesn't like bad guys getting away. He's lucky he has this "hero complex" characteristic as it gives him some sort of drive. Without it, we could well imagine him content to spend his life living in his parent's basement on a futon, waking up at noon, and selling used computer parts from discarded units he collects off the street. Fortunately, he does and so he's fiercely independent - doggedly determined to make it on his own. The fact that he tries to help his friend Tristan, who also has some `being proactive' issues  - makes the story that much more enjoyable. In Tristan's case, his drive for self-sufficiency comes from being the sole caretaker of his adorable baby daughter, Keri-ann. Alex and Tristan are an unlikely pairing, but it works beautifully!

Fatal Encryption starts out with a bang - well actually more of a well-placed stab - on Halloween no less - and goes from there. Alex Bellamy is brought onboard by his rather rapacious, needy girlfriend, Lena to help at McKinley's. McKinley's is the department store where she works. They have been hard hit by a number of computer pranks that are now turning the corner into becoming ominous. When Alex is hired, they quickly slide downhill into outright extortion, but do they have anything to do with Zachary Ternoway's murder? That's what Alex Bellamy is determined to find out.

In this book, Debra Purdy Kong establishes a solid lock and opportunity to create a wonderful series of books based on her lead characters. There's lots of room for her to go and we'd be more than happy to go with her and see what Alex Bellamy is up to next time around!

[Debra Purdy Kong]

Thanks very much for the wonderful review, Wendy. I really do appreciate it! And thanks to Yale for purchasing a copy. Wow!

[WPotocki]

Debra -

Not a problem and it was my pleasure!!!

I used to be a HUGE mystery fan and this book was an unbelievably pleasant surprise. It's exactly the kind of book that I looked for so reading it kind of brought me back to that time and made me wonder why I stopped reading them!!!!

I look forward to your next one!!!

[jrreardon]

Hi everyone -  I know this is a Fatal Encryption site, but I just finished an older book by Debra Purdy Kong, entitled TAXED TO DEATH.....here's my review....

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.

J.R. Reardon
author, CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS

Happy Reading everyone!