Whatever It Takes is a gritty and fast-paced crime thriller that follows Fort Worth detective Kit Hanover as she’s recruited by the FBI to go undercover in a seedy Las Vegas nightclub to take down an organized crime ring involved in money laundering and murder. Posing as a cocktail server and as an exotic dancer, Kit is thrust into a world of danger, deception, and personal reckoning. As she navigates the murky underworld of the Pink Kitten club and balances the threat of a powerful crime boss, Kit must rely on her instincts, strength, and sheer will to survive and gather enough evidence to bring justice to the victims.

Alan Brenham writes with a sharp edge and a deep understanding of the law enforcement world. The dialogue pops with realism, sometimes brutal, sometimes darkly funny. The pacing is relentless, pulling me through each scene with a white-knuckled grip. Kit is not your standard heroine. She’s tough but wounded, confident but struggling with demons, and her complexity made me root for her even harder. Her backstory, especially her strained ties to her heritage and her late adoptive father, added a real sense of weight to her choices. What really got me was the emotional toll the assignment took on her, especially the moments she doubted herself but still pushed forward.

Some of the setup sections, like the training and prep, felt a tad drawn out, but they did add to the realism. The way Kit’s moral boundaries were constantly tested gave the story tension, and I found myself questioning what I’d do in her place. There’s a lot of emotional complexity packed in here—anger, fear, pride, loneliness—and Brenham doesn’t shy away from the sleazier, more uncomfortable parts of undercover work. The club scenes are drenched in smoke, sweat, and that sense of being watched, and you can almost feel Kit’s skin crawl as she tries to keep her cover intact. It’s not just about the mission—it’s about survival. And Kit never stops being human in the face of it all.

Whatever It Takes delivers more than just a suspenseful plot. It’s a raw, character-driven ride into the underbelly of crime, power, and sacrifice. I’d recommend this book to fans of strong female leads, undercover cop dramas, and noir-style storytelling. If you liked Donnie Brasco or The Departed, this one’s for you. Just be ready to ride the emotional roller coaster. Kit Hanover is a great character, and Brenham makes you feel every step of her journey.

Pages: 350 | ASIN : B0F8C2QFHB