Death, Taxes, and Green Tea Ice Cream

Tara Holloway #6

by Diane Kelly

Fired. Tara Holloway can’t believe it. After all she’s done for the IRS, a few too many shots fired from her weapon and suddenly she’s public enemy number one. To add insult to injury, another agent has replaced her, and a ten-million-dollar assault case is hanging over her head. So much for traveling to Tokyo with Special Agent Nick Pratt, former partner and current boyfriend. Tara’s stuck in Texas, and using green tea ice cream to soothe her disappointment, as well as the terrifying prospect of a life behind bars.

Tara’s former boss, Lu “the Lobo” Lobozinski, has a plan—to stick Tara in auditing, where she can’t possibly get into trouble. But between bumping into a college frenemy whose family business is under audit, Tara’s stubborn determination to keep an eye on Nick behind the scenes, and her new long-range rifle, she’s about to get a taste of just how dangerous her life can be, in Death, Taxes, and Green Tea Ice Cream from Diane Kelly…

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Romance, Chick Lit, Fiction, Cozy, Mystery Thriller

MP3 CD

First published October 1, 2013

About the author

Award-winning author Diane Kelly writes romance and romantic mysteries featuring feisty heroines, quirky sidekicks, and sexy leading men, with humor that leaves readers laughing out loud.

Reviews

[Moondance · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I don't know who I am anymore."

Tara has lost her job as a Criminal Investigator with the IRS because of the events in the previous book. A couple of her open cases go to her boyfriend, Nick who gets to travel to Japan and India without her.

Tara gets better with each book. I was concerned that there would not be any wild and crazy cases since she is no longer carrying a gun for work. Never fear! Tara can find ways to get in hot water regardless of her employment status. It amused me that simply working as an auditor that she could end up in such a mess.

The usual supporting crew is here and I am pleased that they all are on Tara's side regarding the legal actions from her earlier predicament.

Tara's life is a laugh out loud funny mess. I have fallen behind in this series and need to catch up with the wild and wacky adventures of one of my favorite heroines.

I'm not sure that I would classify this as a true cozy since there is a bit of sex in the book that some purists frown upon. I love it just the way it is!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series and this book made me happy. I really like Tara, she is a very real and likeable character and you can't help but root for her. The story was good, Tara is just a magnet for all the crazy taxpayers. My one complaint would be a couple of minor discrepancies but I did have to look back at the previous paragraph because I was pretty sure that Nick was wearing dress pants and not jeans. Doesn't take away from the story but that kind of thing should be caught before the book goes to print.

[Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay so I really love this series and bracing myself as I come closer and closer to the end of it. I guess I will have to restart when I come to the end. That being said this wasn't my total favorite of the series. I thought it dragged a little in the middle as we wait on Tara's trial but that being said suddenly the story picked up and I was speeding towards the end which I loved.
Tara is just an awesome main character. She is tough, can shoot, but also loves to be girly with Nick and is nice and sweet and kind. Nick her love interest is so wonderful he is strong, caring and doesn't care that Tara can outshoot him. All the side characters just make the story even better. I loved that even at a desk job Tara can get into trouble.
All in all while not my favorite of the series still a good installment.

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death, Taxes and Green Tea Ice Cream by Diane Kelly is the 6th book in the Tara Holloway series. IRS Special Agent Tara Holloway has been fired and is facing a charge of using excessive force in her last case, while also working cases in auditing. This book was so much fun despite all the issues facing Tara. Even in auditing she manages to face some dangerous situations. I loved all the support that Tara received from her friends and family. Lots of laughs, plenty of fun and a very entertaining book.

[Alaina Thomson]

Great action.

[Barbara Blindauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am progressing in this series and this was a fairly quick read. Tara has been fired as an IRS special agent and is being sued for excessive force. With jail as a prospect where she will be spending some time, her former boss gets her a job auditing tax returns. Tara still manages to involve herself in cases that lead to shootouts.

[Arlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking at the cover, you would think this is another chick lit book. I was surprised this is some kind of a series and I haven't read the previous ones. This is actually my first book of Diane Kelly and I love it. My first time to read about a subject like the IRS and tax evaders. Admirable tax cops.

I love the courtroom scenes.

[BJ Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually start a series at the beginning of the series, but I guess my brain was out to lunch when I got this one, because I thought I was starting at the beginning. It didn't take much reading for me to figure out that there were things I should already know, so I looked it up and saw #6 in the title - big Oops!

Nevertheless, I really enjoyed Tara and her friends and co-workers, and immediately requested the first 4 books from the library (that's all they had). Even though I now know how #5 ends, I'll likely be buying that one to read all the events that led up to this very enjoyable book.

[Melodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wasn't crazy about the previous book in this series, but liked this one much better. Tara's life isn't going so great and a lot is being dumped on her, but she keeps on plugging along. She's lost her job, the government is bringing excessive force charges against her and then there's the civil case. Things go from bad to worse, but when the chips are down you find out who you can count on. I've enjoyed this series from the beginning. Maybe a little more on the "chick lit" side than cozy, but that's where I shelve it! RECOMMEND!

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another, cute entry in this typically quirky cozy mystery series. It's not the best book in the series, not for Tara who is facing the very serious repurcussions of her actions in the last book, and not for me as a reader because there was too little Nick and because I do happen to think Tara is somewhat guilty of what she's been accused. I also think Tara's marksmanship skills border on the ludicrous but this is a cozy mystery after all, so I guess the point is to not take anything too seriously.

[❂ Murder by Death · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite - probably my least favorite because life dumps on Tara, but it's still a strong entry in a great series.

Full review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/811099...

[Kerrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun Tara Holloway adventure

[Liza · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was moderately enjoyable. I felt like there was so much going. There was 2 criminal investigations going on, Tara’s 2 audit cases, and the trial and a romance that needed to be supported. I understand that it is the 6th book in a series and that the romance especially is probably well established at this point and it wasn’t a focus in this one, but it would’ve been nice if there had been a little bit more effort put into that. I also did not like how their romantic moments were described as “making love” every single time, it just was very repetitive. It also felt very info dumpy at times, because for the 2 criminal investigations it seemed like a lot had happened off screen already and then they were just explaining what had already happened. This also kind of gave it kind of a serial crime show feel to it and like it was a two part series special. I like the idea and the concept and some moments were really good. However, I don’t really have intentions of reading the entire series, but I did pick up another book in the series the same time I picked this one up and I will probably get around to reading that eventually.

[Lynn Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars Does this series feel realistic? Oh heck, no. It is tons of fun to read, though. In this installment, IRS Special Agent Tara Holloway has lost her badge and gun based on events from Book 5 (just read the series in order, it's worth it). Because she left her IRS job under a cloud, her old accounting firm won't take her back. Luckily, a sympathetic boss from the IRS gets Tara a job as an auditor.

Meanwhile, with Tara out of her old job, her boyfriend is now assigned to the big travel cases Tara coveted. While she's understandably upset, he does a good job of consoling her, and the two are actually a good couple.

Even though auditing isn't supposed to be the most exciting gig, Tara somehow lands in the middle of all kinds of tax shenanigans - and of course she can't resist putting her investigative skills to work. The result is an entertaining tale where Tara gets into awkward fixes, finds her way out and saves the day. I find these books comfort reads because, while I can predict the outcome, it's always interesting (and often funny) to see how we'll get there. Definitely a series I'll keep reading.

[k.eleanor.s]

Tara spends the majority of this book feeling sorry for herself. In the previous case she shot an unarmed and incapacitated man for personal revenge.
She spends a good percentage of each book using legality of the tax systems to feel morally superior to the people she’s investigating, explaining over and over that people need to receive consequences for breaking tax laws. And she spends more time than not in this book complaining that she broke criminal law and MIGHT face legal consequences; so far she was just fired.
This is a strike two for me for this author.

[Tameka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talk about sweating bullets. If stuff could go wrong it does. Darcy was a straight up itch. Glad she was still able to assist with cases without getting into trouble. I hate it when people tend to want to make an example of other to further their career. I will say her attorney earned every bit of his reputation.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these stories of the ballsy gal who has it all...

Having grown up in the Dallas area all the books bring back memories of places and experiences. Kelly's characters are alive with realism and believability; even the more kooky ones.

[Katy Springer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love her style of writing, but this book just didn’t give me the thrill the others ones did until a bit after the half way point. It seemed that the tension she was trying to build up for Tara seemed to go on just a bit too long.

[Denver Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since the series continues, I think it no mystery that Diane Kelly redeemed herself with me in the sense that Tara Holloway is back in the job. She is best suited for! Incredible read. Amazing thought into the storyline. I never would’ve thought to put her back in her position that way!

[E'Who'Reads'a'Thousand'Mysteries · Rating 5 out of 5]

This high quality humorous mystery is loaded with lots of twists and turns as the story races along. The characters are interesting, the dialogue flows naturally, and I'll definitely read more books in this series!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast fun read....

[Diane Segura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've enjoyed every one of these books. Light reading, funny, and plenty of action.

[Monica Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Witty and quick paced. Tara Holloway is fun with a bite. Don't evade your tax duty with her on your case.

[Mary Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this series and I liked this book because it was a different spin on the stories so far.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable mystery; great cast of characters.

[Stephanie Thompson · Rating 1 out of 5]

too mature for me

[C'antel Birmingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Left me wanting more, fun easy read

[Johnmarilyn Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book - especially the trial & Tara's attorney. Nice change of pace & good addition to the ongoing relationship between Nick & Tara.

[Barb Otter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great storytelling, love this character, ready to move on to the next.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story filled with drama and comedy. Some cheesy sexy stuff but for the most part more focused on. Their lives and cases!