- ASIN: B0F8C2QFHB
- Publication date: 11 May 2025
- Language: English
- Print length: 350 pages
- Book 2 of 2: The Kit Hanover series
- Genre: Psychological Undercover Crime Thriller
The BookViral Review:
Alan Brenham’s Whatever It Takes is a gritty and emotionally charged crime thriller that follows the perilous journey of Fort Worth Detective Kit Hanover as she plunges into the dangerous depths of organized crime in Las Vegas. With razor-sharp pacing, authentic law enforcement detail, and a psychologically rich lead, the novel crafts a story that is both suspenseful and character-driven.
Kit Hanover, recruited by the FBI, assumes an undercover identity as Belle Starr, an exotic dancer at the notorious Pink Kitten strip club. Her assignment is to infiltrate a criminal network led by Leon Benuzzi, a high-level crime boss who controls much of the city’s underground operations. What begins as a covert mission quickly escalates into a psychological and emotional trial, as Kit contends with the constant threat of exposure, the moral compromises of undercover work, and the haunting shadows of her past.
Brenham’s portrayal of Kit is compelling. She is not only brave and capable but also deeply human—conflicted, imperfect, and introspective. Her Native American identity, professional ambition, and emotional history shape her approach to the mission, adding depth to her character. She’s not just fighting crime; she’s fighting for validation, for justice, and for redemption.
Counterbalancing Kit’s moral center is Leon Benuzzi, the cold, calculating force behind the money laundering, murder, and manipulation that drive the narrative’s tension. Benuzzi is not just the antagonist—he is the embodiment of the danger Kit has been sent to dismantle. His operations are polished, violent, and impenetrable, and his reach extends far beyond the walls of the Pink Kitten club. From the moment he is introduced, his authority and menace are unmistakable. He doesn’t need to raise his voice or make overt threats; his power is embedded in every cautious glance and forced compromise his associates make in his presence.
Benuzzi’s character is defined by the quiet control he maintains over his empire and the subtle psychological warfare he wages. He doesn’t operate from the shadows—he sits in plain sight, attended by henchmen and protected by silence, loyalty, and fear. His interactions with Kit are sparse but charged. Every moment she’s near him feels like a test of nerve and composure. Her success depends on gaining access to him, understanding his operation, and avoiding becoming another body buried in the desert.
Brenham skillfully uses Benuzzi to reflect the stakes of Kit’s mission. The deeper she gets, the clearer it becomes that this operation isn’t just about collecting evidence—it’s about surviving long enough to do something with it. Her encounters with Benuzzi’s world force her to adapt, to perform, and ultimately to question how far she’s willing to go in pursuit of justice.
The novel’s strength lies in its high-wire suspense and the emotional realism of its lead character. Brenham doesn’t rely on contrived twists or excessive violence to drive the plot; instead, the tension emerges organically from Kit’s dual identity and the ever-present danger of discovery. The supporting cast, including club owner Sonny Holman and the enigmatic Boris Krakov, adds further layers of intrigue and unpredictability.
Whatever It Takes is an intelligent and engrossing thriller that avoids glamorizing the criminal world it explores. With its sharp psychological insight and a protagonist worth rooting for, the book stands out among crime fiction offerings. It’s a story about courage under fire, the murky ethics of undercover work, and what it really means to do whatever it takes.
It is unreservedly recommended.
