Death, Taxes, and a Skinny No-Whip Latte

Tara Holloway #2

by Diane Kelly

It’s all in a day’s work for Tara Holloway, the U.S. Treasury’s latest, greatest, soon-to-be-skinniest weapon against the biggest, richest tax cheats in the nation…

When she joined the Criminal Investigations Division, Tara knew she’d be investigating some very real crooks. Forget about waitresses hiding tips from the IRS or babysitters not declaring income! Tara and her partner, Eddie, are going after one of country’s richest, dirtiest felons. Being on a diet doesn’t help Tara’s mood much. Hopefully, by the time the investigation is over, she’ll be sitting somewhere in a string bikini, far, far away…

But first: Reality. Marcos Mendoza is a suspected loan shark with connections across the Mexican border. He’s never been accused of any crimes, yet his business associates have a history of disappearing…and resurfacing…in body bags. Will Tara risk life, limb, and the pursuit of filing a joint tax return with her maybe-serious boyfriend Brett? Fighting crime, like drinking a cup of coffee with low-fat milk and artificial sweetener, is often bittersweet…

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

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 28, 2012

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

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death, Taxes, and a Skinny No-Whip Latte by Diane Kelly is the 2nd book in the Tara Holloway Mystery series. IRS criminal investigator Tara Holloway and her partner Eddie go after loan shark, Marcos Mendoza, when he is linked to multiple murders. An entertaining and fun book. I love that Tara is smart and capable and never gives up. Great characters and lots of laughs ensure that you have a great time with this book. Who knew that accountants could be so much fun? I listened to the book on Audible and the narrator was especially wonderful in bringing out the various characters with their voices which added to my enjoyment.

[Danielle The Book Huntress · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was hilarious! I seriously laughed so hard reading it. The storyline was interesting as well, about an agent in the criminal enforcement wing of the IRS. With a solid mystery and great humor (often off-color), with a lively heroine who stands out big time, I enjoyed this book.

Reviewed for the March issue of Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Tara Holloway seems to have it all together but then there's little things that happen to her that make her more relatable (at least for me). I laughed through the whole book and can't wait to read the next.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this looked like a fun, cute, light read, and initially, I was actually disappointed in how uninteresting I found the book to be. However, I was desperate for a book, and couldn't seem to find my way to the library, so I tried it again. About halfway through I discovered I was enjoying myself and looking forward to see what was going to happen next with the characters. Not sure I'll actively seek out another book in this series...but if one found it's way to me, I would probably give the author another shot.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

review to come

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. I love Tara and all the side characters. I loved the story line that kept me engrossed in how they were going to catch the bad guys. Tara has gone rogue and without the backing of her office she has to bring to justice a man who ordered a man to be cut in pieces. I love all the great descriptions from clothing, to what people looked like to the scenery. I love the bits of the story where you laugh out loud and the bits that had you gripping your seat. There is now a new hot guy whose office is right across from Tara's. This book had a bit of everything and a must read.

[Barbara Blindauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not read it he first in the series but found I could figure out that Tara Holloway is an IRS Special agent. She and her partner, Eddie, are assigned to take down a Tax evader who has killed several and has been hard to captured. In addition, IRS Agent Nick Pratt, supposedly defected. EmTara discovers that Nick did not defect and figures a way that he can help the IRS with that case. An enjoyable read.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My New Janet Evanovich........love this series.

[Tameka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing more scatier than your partner being threatened by a undercover thief who is avading the the most inconspicuous way. Glad she was able to to put that ball in its place.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting character, Tara, and apparently already a series. I found this one at a thrift shop so I'll keep an eye out for the others. Think of Stephanie Plum as a female IRS special agent and you'll have Tara. Not as fast a read as the Evanovich books, but kept me interested.

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

I took a break from reading this book after about 6 chapters because it wasn't holding my attention. I picked it back up after a few days and found myself much more interested in the rest of the book. Slow start or short attention span, the book picked up quickly afterwards and while you pretty much always know who the bad guy is, I found myself looking forward to finding out how they catch him in the end. Lots of action, a few slapstick moments and great characters. I'll be on the lookout for the third book.

[Moondance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tara and Eddie are back just a few short weeks after being injured on their last assignment. This time, they are up against a loan shark that not only is withholding taxes, he chops up people who don't do as he wishes. Tara's relationship with Brett heats up. (Sometimes a little more that she would like....LuvLub!) A double crossing former coworker, a BFF with her new beau and a kickass new friend all pitch in to catch the bad guy. Laugh out loud funny! 4 stars

[Lynn Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars I'm glad I stuck with this series, because this book definitely did a good job of building on the first in the series. The fun, snarky voice of Tara Holloway is still very much there, and I found this to be more strongly written than the one preceding it. Looking forward to book #3!

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was terrible. I thought it was due to the narrator who over acted and over emphasized everything. EVERYTHING. But the writing was terrible too. The main character is a grown woman, a federal agent for the FBI, and says, “Neener-neener”. More than once. I cannot believe I listened to the whole thing. But I was waiting on my next book from the library and needed a book to listen to.

[Peggy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This author has a great writing style--funny, good character and plot development--but the language and sex are bad. I enjoyed the story--an IRS agent who is involved in bringing down a scumbag tax cheat/money launderer/murderer, but I was really put off by the other, and unnecessary, stuff.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic series that will have you laughing. Tara Holloway is such a fun, strong heroine. I love mysteries where you can't wait to read the next installment to see what the characters will be up to next. Bring on more Tara Holloway!

[C. Earle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book in this series very much, so opted to read the 2nd. This one dragged until the 2nd hal, not quite as much fun as the 1st one (in my opinion). Still liked it. Glad Christina was added to the mix again. I will read the next one to see if Tara and Brett are still together.

[Denver Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, this book did not have as many comedic settings as the first. Nor was Bret’s role adequate in my opinion. The most memorable comedy scene that definitely left me chuckling was when Nick called Tara the sperminator!

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

I'm glad I found this new mystery series! The plot is exciting, the characters are fascinating, and the story is loaded with adventureous investigation and hilarious twist and turns. I'll definitely read more books in this series!

[Michelle Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny but exasperating. Too much gun obsession and a bit less fat shaming that the previous book but still frustrating.

[Danella Virtue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute series!

[Caran Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the plot twist in this book. Additionally, the added humor makes this a great series to read.

[Kimberly Whitaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rating

[Josi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the Tara Holloway books. Such a great character and this book has the first appearance of Nick. Lots of fantastic secondary characters too.

[Trisia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many laugh out loud moments.

[Sharonrose]

DNF. I just don't like the main character or the depiction of women and sexuality.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read; great cast of characters.

[Alaina Thomson · Rating 3 out of 5]

;)

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not sure about this series. I'll give it one more try but I don't enjoy the cheesy romance of it despite the mystery being interesting.

[Katy Springer · Rating 4 out of 5]

It wasn’t as good as the first one- the romance was just pathetic really. Otherwise, I still want to continue the series.