Customer Reviews

Whatever It Takes

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Whatever It Takes by Dwayne Murray, SR is a fast-paced, action-packed novel that will have you envisioning it on the big screen. This book was breath-taking, with its suspenseful scenes, gripping descriptions, and vigilante characters; I could not help but read this book in one sitting. I refused to get up until I was finished!

Compelling, heart-wrenching, and cold-blooded are some of the qualities you will find in the main characters, Butch and Zig Steel. These brothers are holding a twenty-five year grudge and they intend on seeking revenge if it is the last thing they do. With horrifically graphic descriptions of what these two will do for retribution, I found myself breathing hard as if I was the one running to escape the wrath of the Steel brothers.

Butch and Zig are on a manhunt to cash in on an event that left them angry, bitter, and callous to society. Jesse James and Brenda Simple are two detectives who are trying to save the lives of Penny Baker, a girl who plays an intricate part in the payback the Steel brothers are trying to execute.

Words cannot describe how good this book is; I felt like I was part of the story. From every car chase, to every gunshot, my heart was racing and I could not get enough of this story.
Grab a copy. I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a well described book. The scenes were so graphic and well-told, and the author tops it all off with an alternative ending. You decide which ending you like. I loved it, KUDOOOOOOS! To Dwayne Murray, SR.

Reviewed by: Cheryl H
APOOO BookClub

Simone and Pete Steel never in a million years would have believed their sons whom they made sure they instilled moral values in, would have turned out they way they did. Losing their parents at such a young age and not having any family members step up to take them played the part in the hand they were dealt.

Zig and Butch Steel really don't know the meaning of selfishness. All thru this story they are dead set on getting revenge against Melvin Baker for the murder of their wonderful parents 25 years ago. They are so set on revenge they miss all the things they were taught regarding how to treat people as you would like to be treated. Believing in their minds that they are handling things fairly, they set out to destroy one man and wind up destroying the lives of many people who have no idea what the underlining problem really is.

I won't say I didn't like this book, but it seemed like too much of the one thing and not enough of the other. I think the whole CSI kind of thing was too much for me because it all seemed like something off the show instead of something fresh from the author's mind. Whatever It Takes is still a decent novel by Dwayne Murray.

Reviewed by Angie
for Urban Reviews

Dwayne Murray's second novel Whatever It Takes is yet again (like his first novel The Mouse That Roared) a movie in print. Trying not to give away too much in this review, the family bond of Butch and Zig Steel and the tag team loyalty of detectives Jesse James and Brenda Simple made the story worth its weight in urban fiction. People use the term "page-turner" and after reading this novel, I know exactly what that term is all about.

I feel Dwayne Murray's novels are very different than most urban novels as it takes on a different concept but yet manages to maintain a true urban "in-the-hood" flow. For readers who are serious about supporting African American authors but want a new flavor in themes and plots, I suggest you check out Dwayne Murray's Whatever It Takes. You will not be disappointed!

This book was great. You stepped your game up since your last book. This book had you hanging on the edge after chapter 2. You had me screaming chapter after chapter. I don't want to say to much and give away the story, but you MUST READ.

Not as good as the first book, but it was okay...I would still buy the next book he comes out with just on the strength of The Mouse That Roared.

WHATEVER IT TAKES by Dwayne Murray, Sr. takes us into the lives of the Steel family. Butch and Zig Steel were raised by two loving parents, who worked hard for their children to have a better life than they had. At the tender ages of 10 and 11, the brothers' lives are turned upside down by the death of their parents in by a car accident, caused by one of their childhood friends. Their aunt, Karen, promises to love and take care of them as her own and as their parents did, but because of her negligence, they are then sent to a group home and become wards of the state.

This book is fill with its suspenseful scenes, gripping descriptions, and vigilante characters. From looking at the cover of the book, you might pass it up, from the blank stares of the cover. Nevertheless, as the saying goes, "Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover", in this case you would be missing out on all the thriller, actions, and suspense from the beginning, middle and the end of this book. Reading Dwayne's first novel The Mouse That Roared, I did not think any other book could come close to that one. However, this novel takes the cake, if you are having a bad day or want to escape to another world, this novel will take you there. As I stated before, Dwayne is extremely TALENTED author.

If you enjoy, urban street literature, well this one is a twist. I would not classify this one as just urban street lit. Dwayne just set up a completely different genre Urban Street Thriller... I highly recommend this book to all readers, even if you are not into urban fictions. Dwayne, your on your way to Main Stream! Don't forget to check out his next novel, The Good Neighbor, & The Pleasure Caller...

Ms. D

A definite classic Urban novel! Don't be fooled by the cover, this book is as much about the two Steel Brothers, as it is about the female detectives on the cover! The Brothers, Butch and his younger brother Zig Steel are on a hunt to enact 25 years of revenge on the family responsible for their years of pain and torment. From the start to the finish, this is a very action packed book. If your not a fan of author Dwayne Murray, after this book you will be!!!!!!!

At first glance this book cover elicits no emotions, blank stares look out...but the cover of 'Whatever it takes' is a real testament to the saying "Don't judge a book by the cover." In this case if you do you will be missing true entertainment and a well written story. The novel depicts two brothers unleashing vengeance for a grudge they held for 25 years. The twists, the turns, the sheer ruthless violence will hold you right to the end. Dwayne Murray created a definite page-turner with this novel and readers will not be disappointed.

1. What did you like best about this book?
Very graphic, very descriptive and not predictable at all, an easy, exciting read

2. What did you dislike about this book?
I enjoyed the book thoroughly an it pained me to put it down, I finished it in a day

3. How can the author improve this book?
The story and its execution was good but there were many "typos" that slightly hindered my reading enjoyment

Is revenge really best served cold? In Dwayne Murray, Sr.'s novel, Whatever It Takes, the author take us on a trip that eventually answers that very question. In this action-packed novel, we meet the Steel brothers. In their formative years, their parents reared them with a foundation of love, self-respect, and integrity. Along the way, a tragic turn of events led to Butch and Zig's world being turned upside down. Victims of circumstance, the brothers move through a series of hard knocks in their early life, at the hands of unscrupulous and heartless adults. When these boys finally reach the age of manhood, we witness a frightening change in them. Whatever It Takes suddenly lives up to its title, proving that the pair will do whatever it takes to get revenge on a person whom they feel deserves pay back of a most vengeful nature.

Suddenly, every core value that made Butch and Zig normal boys with normal tendencies dissipate. After planning out an intricate mission, many people are unknowingly singled out to pay for an event from twenty years prior. Greed and evil move to the front of the story, as Butch and Zig are fueled by the memory of something either brother can never can seem to let go of. Even so, one detailed in their plan is overlooked. When the brothers realize that someone slipped through the cracks, a second phase of serving revenge cold begins. Ironically, Penny Baker becomes a victim of circumstance, on the verge of being victimized in her childhood, as were the Steel brothers. When everything is said and done, two female detectives are also pulled into the drama. How many people really should pay for the act of one individual? The story begins to make readers question this as well, as Butch ultimately proves how true he is to a twisted, fatal chess game. When his ego takes over, what he does to someone who is clearly on his own side illustrates just how sick he has become. Lastly, an alternate ending offers readers one last dose of whatever it does take.

If you enjoy true urban fiction, or action-packed television shows with a fair share of angst, Whatever It Takes should measure up just fine for you. This read is not for the squeamish, so consider yourself forewarned. Movement is constant in various respects. In fact, Mr. Murray offers something original within a popular genre, and he scored high on my list in that area. Some scenes push realistic boundaries, but it works well for a story of this type. The author creatively weaves a tale that reads like a Hollywood production that takes place in the hood. As a result, the reader's imagination is pushed to the edge, until the very last page is read.

Reviewed by: Andrea Blackstone, Black Butterfly Review

WHATEVER IT TAKES by Dwayne Murray, Sr. takes us into the lives of the Steel family. He starts with the young lives of Butch and Zig Steel. They were raised by two loving parents, who worked hard for their children to have a better life than they had. They tried to raise Butch and Zig to be strong young men, to take care of themselves and to be respectable citizens. At the tender ages of 10 and 11, the brothers' lives are turned upside down by the death of their parents in by a car accident, caused by one of their childhood friends. Their lives continue to spiral out of control when they are left to the care of their aunt, Karen. She promises to love and take care of them as her own and as their parents did, but because of her negligence, they are then sent to a group home and become wards of the state.

Yet, they do not forget about what happened to them and they seek revenge for those who have wronged them and their parents. Their plan for revenge is setup
perfectly except for one little flaw that they did not expect.

WHATEVER IT TAKES is fast-paced and very easy to read. There were a few editing and tense issues, but this is still a book that is worth reading. Dwayne Murray developed his characters so the reader knew what was driving the characters to take the actions they were taking. There were a lot of twists and turns that left you trying to figure out what was going to happen next.

Reviewed by Patrice M. Harlson
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers