Death, Taxes, and Turduckens: Unraveling History’s Biggest Tax Heist and the Broken System That Enabled It

by Jens Kurt Heycke

Amazon #1 Bestseller in White Collar Crime

"A terrific example of thrilling narrative nonfiction." — Kirkus Reviews

This is the inside story of the largest tax-evasion case in U.S. history, told through exclusive interviews with the agents and prosecutors who built the case. It unfolds like a spy thriller: encrypted messages, undercover stings, a lawyer’s suicide on the eve of trial, a billionaire’s brazen dementia defense, and a mysterious death that left billions in limbo.

Behind the drama lies a deeper crisis. Tax evasion siphons $447 billion annually from U.S. coffers, enough to feed every American household for six months. The ultra-wealthy hide over $1 trillion offshore. This book reveals how they do it, and what it would take to stop them.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, Crime, Politics

182 pages, Paperback

First published July 19, 2025

About the author

JENS KURT HEYCKE was educated in Economics and Near Eastern Studies at the University of Chicago, the London School of Economics, and Princeton University. He worked as an executive in several successful technology startups, including one that pioneered the mobile Internet. Since retiring from the high-tech industry, he has worked as a writer and independent researcher, conducting field research in more than 40 countries, from the Bahamas to Botswana.

Heycke has investigated global tax evasion schemes firsthand, interviewing top IRS agents, federal prosecutors, and financial insiders.

Reviews

[LauraS · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of how private equity and offshore finance screw average Americans is a big one right now. There are literally a dozen new books on the topic.

On private equity, there's "Plunder," "Bad Company," "Two and Twenty," etc.

On offshore tax evasion, there's: "Offshore: Stealth Wealth and the New Colonialism"; "Treasure Island," "The Hidden Wealth of Nations"

They are written by two types of people:

1) journalists who are utterly ignorant of the subject (as well as basic economics and math), e.g., Brooke Harrington and Megan Greenwell

2) specialists who know the subject well, but can't write very well, e.g., Gabriel Zucman

"Death, Taxes, and Turduckens" bridges the gap. Heycke is one of the rare few who understand the subject and can write decently.

For example, none of the books mentioned above (NOT A SINGLE ONE), explains the carried interest tax loophole. Heycke not only explains it clearly, but weaves it into a little narrative about meeting with ultra-wealthy venture capitalists.

[Bob Dobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining book about tax evasion? Actually, yeah. This book has a lot of the "Bad Blood" feel. Except, instead of Elizabeth Holmes, it has Robert Brockman, a nasty cheapskate billionaire.

The book does a great job of explaining how billionaires dodge taxes with layered offshore accounts ("trust turduckens"), in a way anyone can understand. When you see how much the billionaires get a way with, it is also guaranteed to infuriate you. I highly recommend it.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has two parts. The first part is about a multi-billion-dollar tax fraud case (the biggest in history). It provides fascinating portrayals of the billionaires involved, as well as an easy-to-understand explanation of the complex offshore schemes they use.

Then it documents the chase: how the IRS and DOJ investigators went after the billionaires. This includes some entertaining profiles of investigators. This part of the book reads like a true-crime thriller and is very well written and entertaining.

The second part of the book discusses the loopholes that make billion-dollar tax evasion possible. As these discussions go, the writing is lively and engaging. But it is drier than the first part.

The book is pretty short, and it was so gripping, I found myself wishing for more. Overall, it's still an outstanding book; I can't recommend it enough.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening

Instead of "who done it," you might call this a "how he done it" murder of taxation, and moreso how he got away with it even though it seems painfully obvious that he should have been caught. As the author suggests, this story definitely does not instill any degree of confidence in a system that's been bleeding most of us dry in the name of fairness, while a much better and simpler tax system could really be implemented to reduce such egregious evasion to the sum of letting more of us in the middle class keep our hard-earned income and maybe get out of debt so we can actually enjoy the fruits of our labors. I wish the notion that cheaters never prosper were true, but this book proves that's not really the case.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Death, Taxes, and Turduckens" is a incredibly well-written book that will outrage you: it shows how billionaires hide money in tax havens like Bermuda, using "turducken" schemes. It gives the true story of the billionaire Robert Brockman, who was charged with hiding billions, but died right before his trial. Actually, his attorney died right before the trial, too. As did 3 trustees of the offshore accounts. Hmm.

Is Brockman actually living and well in the Cayman Islands? Maybe Heycke will write a follow-up.

It's probably the only book ever written where the IRS guys are the heroes, saving us taxpayers billions of dollars. It's a great read.

[E. Reisinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I applied for this through a giveaway because the title made me laugh. "Turduckens"? For a tax book?

But then I started reading it and couldn't put it down. A TAX BOOK.

This billionaire ran the longest con in IRS history: billions hidden offshore. But the HOW is what makes it insane. This dude saved old printer paper to make backdated documents. Gave everyone spy codenames based on fish. Called the IRS "the House" like he was Danny Ocean. He had a trustee literally smashing hard drives with a hammer to destroy records.

Meanwhile, he's arguing with employees over $5 expense reports while secretly owning yachts and private jets. Asked his managers when they last "shot someone between the eyes" (that was his psycho way of saying "fire someone randomly to keep everyone scared").

The investigation is itself interesting with random discoveries and undecover operations. This one trustee (codename "Redfish") who was supposed to delete incriminating emails but secretly saved them all in Word documents. That's literally the whole case: one guy hitting Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V.

Then Brockman fakes dementia to avoid trial. His expert witness gets destroyed on cross-examination. And Brockman straight up WINKS at the prosecutor like "yeah I'm faking it, whatcha gonna do?"

The frustrating part was that Brockman dies before trial. His lawyer shoots himself the day before HIS trial. Nobody gets convicted.

No satisfying ending. Real life sucks like that. If there's any disappointment in this book, it's that the story ends in anticlimax.

NGL, I expected to skim the "how to fix taxes" section. But it's actually interesting? The author's point is our tax code is so insanely complicated it basically ENCOURAGES cheating. The IRS audits waitresses over tips while billionaires hide billions for decades. BECAUSE, the billionaires can afford to navigate the complexity, while the waitresses (and You) can't.

Also there's something called the "carried interest loophole" where hedge fund managers pay lower rates than teachers.

This reads like a thriller but it all actually happened. The author interviewed the prosecutors and IRS agents, got exclusive details, and explains complicated financial stuff without making your brain hurt.

I started this for the funny title. I finished it because it's genuinely one of the better true crime books I've read.

[Boudica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those nonfiction books that reads like a crime novel. I had no idea the biggest individual tax fraud in U.S. history was this wild. The author makes it easy to follow without dumbing anything down. The story of Robert Brockman’s billion‑dollar “Trust Turduckens” scheme is fascinating, and the way the investigators slowly piece it together kept me hooked. It’s eye‑opening and surprisingly fun to read. If you like true crime or want to understand how the ultra‑rich game the tax system, this is a great pick.

[James Smythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Heycke's previous book (on a very different subject) and enjoyed his catchy narrative style. I was not disappointed with this one. There are vivid character portraits, like Corey Smith, the powerlifting prosecutor, "who will tear his own limbs apart to win."

There are also some great images and things that you never think about, e.g. the fact that the IRS is still running 80% COBOL code on archaic mainframe computers.

I highly recommend this one.

[Jay Danzig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-researched deep dive into how the ultra-wealthy actually dodge taxes. Brockman's offshore setup was absurdly complex to avoid a 15% tax rate that he could easily afford.

Best parts are the courtroom drama and the technical explanations that actually make sense. Loses steam in the middle with too much procedural detail, and the policy recommendations feel rushed after the narrative. Still worth a 5.

[Mahmood M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Way more gripping than a tax book has any right to be. Billionaire hides billions offshore using fake shell companies and encrypted emails. Guy literally hammers hard drives while driving. The courtroom drama is insane - defendant might be faking dementia, then winks at the prosecutor.
Author makes complex offshore schemes actually understandable.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Death, Taxes, and Turduckens" by Jens Kurt Heycke is a surprisingly entertaining book.

You didn't need to care about blood-testing to enjoy "Bad Blood." And you don't need to care about taxes to enjoy this. There are vivid and interesting characters, a good story. and you learn some curious tidbits about the IRS you never did before.

[Tom O'Connell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally gripping and surprisingly funny for a book about taxes. I didn’t expect offshore trusts and IRS agents to be this dramatic or this entertaining. The writing is sharp and I actually learned a ton.

[David A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked it up expecting something dense and technical, but it reads more like a true-crime thriller crossed with a really sharp magazine profile. The cast of characters is incredible: billionaires hiding money in absurd offshore structures, prosecutors trying to untangle decades of deception, IRS agents slowly cracking the case with a mix of stubbornness and luck. I had no idea the world of tax enforcement was this dramatic.

What surprised me most is how funny it is. The author has a dry, slightly exasperated sense of humor that made even the complicated parts easy to follow. I never felt lost, even when the story dove into Swiss banks, shell companies, or IRS bureaucracy. And the “turducken” metaphor for the layered offshore trusts is perfect, both memorable and sadly accurate.

If you like nonfiction that’s fast, witty, and full of jaw-dropping real events, this is absolutely worth reading. I’m still thinking about it days later. Though it's very different from Heycke's previous book, it is similarly engaging.

[Buck H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jens Heycke’s Death, Taxes, and Turduckens urns the biggest tax theft in American history into a full-blown spy story.

The main focus is on Robert Brockman, a super-secretive, crazy-rich individual. He hid over a billion dollars by using these bonkers offshore setups called "Turducken" trusts. Heycke does such a good job explaining what a "Turducken" is: it’s basically trusts stuffed inside other companies to hide money from the IRS. It gave me a serious wake-up call about how the ultra-wealthy operate.

The true stars, though, are the IRS special agents (shout-out to Ted Lair) and the DOJ lawyers who chased this guy for ages. The book is loaded with juicy, detailed drama, including courtroom antics. The book starts with the lawyer's suicide and covers Brockman’s unbelievable move of trying to claim dementia. It reads better than most fiction.

[D Oren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd never heard of Robert Brockman before picking this up, and now I can't stop telling people about the largest tax fraud case in U.S. history. Billions of dollars, shell companies, code names, encrypted emails. It reads like a thriller but it's all real.

Heycke clearly did his homework and makes the financial stuff accessible without dumbing it down. Also made me pretty angry about how the system works for people with enough money to game it.
Highly recommend if you like true crime with a white collar twist.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting look into people and companies that have committed tax fraud. It also gives you insight into why and how people do it.

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can*]

Won 🏆 via goodreads giveaways, all my opinions are my own.
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The topic is interesting but the writing isn't pulling me in.

It seems dry to me but it may just be a me thing.. go for it if it sounds interesting to ya 👍🏼.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Held my attention throughout

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Review

To start, let me say that while math and finances have never been and never will be one of my strong points in life, true crime has always fascinated me as a subject. Even stories like those found in films like Catch Me If You Can (based on a true story) have been so engaging to me, so this novel’s premise immediately caught my eye. The author did incredible work in cataloguing and detailing the intricacies of this case, delving into court documents, investigation notes, and so much more to bring this case to life on the page.

The revelations and details that the author laid out felt like something out of a thriller, with many people connected to the case ending up either taking their own lives or passing under suspicious circumstances, and coded messages being found hidden in photographs and codenames given to lawyers in other countries who handled offshore accounts. What stood out in this book was the author's ability to balance narrative-style writing with educational input on both financial crime investigations and legislation related to finances, with a particular focus on tax evasion. While readers need to pick up this book to get all the gritty details, the author’s work did a fantastic job of making the individuals of this case feel visceral and within reach of the reader. It informed the reader of the laws and loopholes that exist that need to be amended or fixed to prevent these crimes from persisting.

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, engaging, and insightful, author Jens Heycke’s “Death, Taxes, and Turduckens” is a must-read nonfiction actual crime book. The twists and turns in the narrative and case, and the examination of how billionaires act and manipulate finances in general, a subject that has been the cause of great debate in recent years in politics, will stay with readers long after the book’s final pages.

[Sherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-researched and clearly written account of how huge amounts of money can be and have been hidden from the IRS and enjoyed by the wealthy tax-free. The play-by-play on the investigation and prosecution of billionaire Robert Brockman's extremely complex business structures is excellent. The summary of recommendations for "Fixing the System" is OK but isn't all that necessary after the shortfalls are illustrated by the Brockman and a few other cases.

I appreciate receiving a free Kindle copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway.

[Kelly C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and disturbing story, really well told. As with other captivating books, I was sorry when it ended because I wanted more. After the main story, the author offers some tax policy thoughts and explanations in "part 2," as well as in a couple of really worthwhile appendices, that are not quite as exciting as the preceding pages but are engaging nonetheless.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to author Jens Kurt Heycke for this FREE Kindle copy of Death, Taxes, and Turduckens.

An entertaining (and maddening, disheartening, shameful...) glimpse into the world our leaders and titans of industry create for themselves. All well written and documented. Kudos also to the editor(s) and cover designer. Nicely done. A good read.

[Oleg G · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Death, Taxes, and Turduckens" takes a dry topic and makes it genuinely thrilling. It's a funny look at a ridiculous historical tax heist, which also explains the larger systemic issues that enabled it. It's a fun, fast-paced read about a topic you never thought you'd love.

[Courtney Wind · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won the kindle version of this book through a giveaway. It was short but very interesting. Amazing what the uber rich will do to get out of paying taxes.

[Whitney Warrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is no casual winter evening read. In fact, it just might tick you the heck off.

Read it anyway.

[RinaldoRadini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll be honest: a book about tax evasion shouldn't be this compulsively readable. Yet here we are.

Death, Taxes, and Turduckens takes the Robert Brockman case (which you probably vaguely remember as "that billionaire tax fraud thing") and reveals it to be less a dry financial crime and more a sprawling techno-thriller featuring offshore schemes, encrypted communications, and the kind of hubris that makes Greek tragedy look understated. The turducken of the title? That's not a metaphor. It's somehow both literal and perfectly encapsulates how absurdly baroque financial fraud can get.

What makes this work is that the author clearly did the homework: years of interviews with federal agents, mountains of court documents. But instead of drowning you in technical detail, the narrative moves with genuine thriller pace. You get the complexity without the tedium.

The real achievement here is making you care about tax enforcement. When you see the sheer scale of what Brockman pulled off ($2 billion hidden, an entire shadow financial empire) and the dogged investigators who unraveled it, it's genuinely gripping stuff.

Fair warning: you'll come away simultaneously impressed by the ingenuity of offshore tax schemes and deeply annoyed that you're not clever or amoral enough to have thought of them first. You'll also never look at the IRS the same way again. Turns out their Criminal Investigation division is more Ocean's Eleven than you'd expect.

[Alex Conway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing says "I understand complex financial structures" quite like naming them after Thanksgiving dinner. Jens Heycke's investigation into the largest tax fraud case in U.S. history turns out to be less "dry tax policy" and more "spy thriller where the bad guys win until maybe they don't."

The DOJ prosecuted Robert Brockman, a reclusive billionaire, for hiding billions from the IRS using "Trust Turduckens": shell companies nested inside other shell companies across multiple countries. It's Russian nesting dolls, except instead of quaint wooden toys, it's billions you're not paying taxes on.

The book leans heavily on interviews with DOJ prosecutors and IRS agents who spent a decade chasing Brockman's offshore empire. The result has serious Billion Dollar Whale energy: encrypted messages hidden in artwork, suspiciously timed deaths, and legal warfare only unlimited money can buy. Like Big Short but with a villain who actually seems quite nasty, and a few people dying.

What makes this work is how Heycke explains the system without dumbing it down. He bridges the gap between wonky specialists and investigative journalism. The book opens with an indicted tax attorney who his confronted with two of life's great certainties (death & taxes), setting the tone for high-stakes crime with devastating consequences.

[S Slivowitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly didn't expect to blow through a book about tax fraud in like three days but here we are. The story is just wild. This billionaire built up this insane web of offshore schemes and Heycke lays the whole thing out in a way that's actually fun to read. I kept telling my wife about it at dinner which probably says something. If you like true crime but want something different from the usual murder stuff, grab this one.

[D. Ramanathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death, Taxes, and Turduckens is a financial expose that reads with the urgency and intrigue of a spy thriller. Forget the title. This is the definitive account of a colossal multi-billion tax heist, the largest individual tax fraud case in U.S. history.

Heycke masterfully navigates a labyrinth of offshore accounts, encrypted messages, and clandestine codenames, profiling the secretive billionaire Robert Brockman. The story is driven by the tenacity of the "unsung heroes," i.e., the IRS investigators and DOJ prosecutors who fought to .

More than just a crime story, this book functions as an essential, searing "pathology report" on the "labyrinthine, overbearing tax system" that enables massive tax fraud

I recommend for fans of true crime and anyone who wants to see how the system is truly rigged.

[Deo Cassius · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book about large-scale tax fraud is surprisingly entertaining. Lots of interesting characters, from control freak Robert Brockman, to resourceful IRS investigator Ted Lair. It also sharply points out how complex tax code and a misplaced focus on getting the little guy, lets billionaires like Robert Brockman get away.