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Whatever It Takes
They say before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.
For James Mercer, the financial ruin of his family by the institutions they trusted can never be undone. It shattered everyone, leaving him with a burning need to right the wrongs they suffered. He will stop at nothing to recoup what they are owed. It’s not theft, it’s payback.
Until his solo crusade falls foul of the very people he seeks to rob – the one per centers, the people who own the bulk of the world’s wealth. Soon he is putting together a crew to carry out one last robbery, to undertake one last job. Success will restore his family’s fortunes, but failure will destroy them forever.
For James Mercer, the financial ruin of his family by the institutions they trusted can never be undone. It shattered everyone, leaving him with a burning need to right the wrongs they suffered. He will stop at nothing to recoup what they are owed. It’s not theft, it’s payback.
Until his solo crusade falls foul of the very people he seeks to rob – the one per centers, the people who own the bulk of the world’s wealth. Soon he is putting together a crew to carry out one last robbery, to undertake one last job. Success will restore his family’s fortunes, but failure will destroy them forever.
416 pages, Hardcover
Published September 24, 2019
213 people are currently reading
291 people want to read
About the author
Andy McNab
205 books1,164 followersAndy McNab joined the infantry in 1976 as a boy soldier. In 1984 he was badged as a member of 22 SAS Regiment. He served in B Squadron 22 SAS for ten years and worked on both covert and overt special operations worldwide, including anti-terrorist and anti-drug operations in the Middle and Far East, South and Central America and Northern Ireland.
Trained as a specialist in counter terrorism, prime target elimination, demolitions, weapons and tactics, covert surveillance and information gathering in hostile environments, and VIP protection, McNab worked on cooperative operations with police forces, prison services, anti-drug forces and western backed guerrilla movements as well as on conventional special operations. In Northern Ireland he spent two years working as an undercover operator with 14th Intelligence Group, going on to become an instructor.
McNab also worked as an instructor on the SAS selection and training team and instructed foreign special forces in counter terrorism, hostage rescue and survival training.
Andy McNab has written about his experiences in the SAS in two bestselling books, Bravo Two Zero (1993) and Immediate Action (1995). Bravo Two Zero is the highest selling war book of all time and has sold over 1.7 million copies in the UK. To date it has been published in 17 countries and translated into 16 languages. The CD spoken word version of Bravo Two Zero, narrated by McNab, sold over 60,000 copies and earned a silver disc. The BBC's film of Bravo Two Zero, starring Sean Bean, was shown on primetime BBC 1 television in 1999 and released on DVD in 2000.
Immediate Action, McNab's autobiography, spent 18 weeks at the top of the bestseller lists following the lifting on an ex-parte injunction granted to the Ministry of Defence in September 1995. To date, Immediate Action has now sold over 1.4 million copies in the UK.
McNab is the author of seven fast action thrillers, highly acclaimed for their authenticity and all Sunday Times bestsellers. Published in 1997, Remote Control was hailed as the most authentic thriller ever written and has sold over half a million copies in the UK. McNab's subsequent thrillers, Crisis Four, Firewall, Last Light , Liberation Day , Dark Winter , Deep Black and Aggressor have all gone on to sell equally well. The central character in all the books is Nick Stone, a tough ex-SAS operative working as a 'K' on deniable operations for British Intelligence.
McNab's fiction draws extensively on his experiences and knowledge of Special Forces soldiering. He has been officially registered by Neilsen Bookscan as the bestselling British thriller writer of the last year.
Trained as a specialist in counter terrorism, prime target elimination, demolitions, weapons and tactics, covert surveillance and information gathering in hostile environments, and VIP protection, McNab worked on cooperative operations with police forces, prison services, anti-drug forces and western backed guerrilla movements as well as on conventional special operations. In Northern Ireland he spent two years working as an undercover operator with 14th Intelligence Group, going on to become an instructor.
McNab also worked as an instructor on the SAS selection and training team and instructed foreign special forces in counter terrorism, hostage rescue and survival training.
Andy McNab has written about his experiences in the SAS in two bestselling books, Bravo Two Zero (1993) and Immediate Action (1995). Bravo Two Zero is the highest selling war book of all time and has sold over 1.7 million copies in the UK. To date it has been published in 17 countries and translated into 16 languages. The CD spoken word version of Bravo Two Zero, narrated by McNab, sold over 60,000 copies and earned a silver disc. The BBC's film of Bravo Two Zero, starring Sean Bean, was shown on primetime BBC 1 television in 1999 and released on DVD in 2000.
Immediate Action, McNab's autobiography, spent 18 weeks at the top of the bestseller lists following the lifting on an ex-parte injunction granted to the Ministry of Defence in September 1995. To date, Immediate Action has now sold over 1.4 million copies in the UK.
McNab is the author of seven fast action thrillers, highly acclaimed for their authenticity and all Sunday Times bestsellers. Published in 1997, Remote Control was hailed as the most authentic thriller ever written and has sold over half a million copies in the UK. McNab's subsequent thrillers, Crisis Four, Firewall, Last Light , Liberation Day , Dark Winter , Deep Black and Aggressor have all gone on to sell equally well. The central character in all the books is Nick Stone, a tough ex-SAS operative working as a 'K' on deniable operations for British Intelligence.
McNab's fiction draws extensively on his experiences and knowledge of Special Forces soldiering. He has been officially registered by Neilsen Bookscan as the bestselling British thriller writer of the last year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
September 2, 2021
Honestly, not what I was expecting.
It's ok, but the plot is a bit off the wall. Without spoilers, it revolves around a Surveyier whose family lost everything in the financial crash, so starts stealing from the megarich as payback. However, he gets caught, by a member of the Mega, Mega-Rich who, instead of breaking his legs and dumping him out to sea, wants him to steal a book of secrets from another member of the MMR. That in itself works, it's all the padding and filler and subplot that starts to make it rather cooky.
Enjoyable enough, but not quite as Gritty as McNab fans might be used to.
It's ok, but the plot is a bit off the wall. Without spoilers, it revolves around a Surveyier whose family lost everything in the financial crash, so starts stealing from the megarich as payback. However, he gets caught, by a member of the Mega, Mega-Rich who, instead of breaking his legs and dumping him out to sea, wants him to steal a book of secrets from another member of the MMR. That in itself works, it's all the padding and filler and subplot that starts to make it rather cooky.
Enjoyable enough, but not quite as Gritty as McNab fans might be used to.
February 23, 2020
If this book, Nick Stone 20, were an episode of Friends it would be called “The One Without Nick Stone”. That aside it is a decent read 👍
This book series has now been change to James Mercer 1 🤨
This book series has now been change to James Mercer 1 🤨
August 1, 2020
OK, having read all the Nick Stone novels, this was in the same vain, but I did not enjoy it as much. In fact, as I progressed I started to feel something was off, and that something kept pulling me out of the narrative; which hasn't happened in his other books.
For a start, the protagonist isn't an ex-SF operator, yet often he slips into the mindset of one, which I felt jarring. But my main issue was the areas of the plot that either made no sense, or were just soo far fetched it again felt jarring.
For a start, the protagonist isn't an ex-SF operator, yet often he slips into the mindset of one, which I felt jarring. But my main issue was the areas of the plot that either made no sense, or were just soo far fetched it again felt jarring.
January 29, 2022
No idea why this is so unliveable.
Maybe it is because the main character is being forced into a project with people threatening his family.
Or how cruel and indifferent that project team is on torturing or killing people.
So. Two stars.
Maybe it is because the main character is being forced into a project with people threatening his family.
Or how cruel and indifferent that project team is on torturing or killing people.
So. Two stars.
December 15, 2019
First off, it's not in any way related to the Nick Stone series; even the publisher seems to be confused on this.
Second I give 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars.
The story is good in places but overall pieces don't really fit and some of the plot is really out there for Andy.
Looking forward to the next actual Nick Stone book.
Second I give 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars.
The story is good in places but overall pieces don't really fit and some of the plot is really out there for Andy.
Looking forward to the next actual Nick Stone book.
August 9, 2022
Recensione a cura di Samuela Simoncini
Il romanzo di cui vi parlo oggi è A qualunque costo di Andy McNab, un buon thriller d’azione dinamico e adrenalinico che però mi ha lasciato l’amaro in bocca. Il nostro protagonista è un costruttore edile, ha un passato nell’esercito britannico e la crisi finanziaria, combinata ad un sistema bancario poco attento agli interessi imprenditoriali, gli ha tolto tutto. Morso dalla rabbia e accecato dalla sete di vendetta, compie piccoli furti ai danni di uomini ricchi e potenti, gli stessi uomini che secondo lui si arrogano il diritto di decidere le sorti dell’intera popolazione mondiale. Galeotto fu l’ultimo furto dove il cammino di James incrocerà quello di Parmesh, un uomo ricco, potente e con una visione futuristica del mondo che verrà. Ha in mente un progetto e ha le idee chiare sul come realizzarlo, ma ha bisogno di James. Qual è questo progetto? Che ruolo ha il nostro protagonista? Riuscirà a placare la sua sete di vendetta? Vi lascio con questi interrogativi ai quali troverete risposta solo tra le pagine del libro.
A parer mio, i punti di forza sono senza ombra di dubbio la minuziosa e dettagliata descrizione sia delle scene d’azione che della tecnologia utilizzata, che ti coinvolgono a tal punto che ti senti parte integrante della squadra, e i cliffhanger a conclusione dei brevi capitoli, che aumentano la suspense e la voglia di sapere.
Si inizia con un prologo molto accattivante che cattura subito l’attenzione, ma nonostante ciò, la prima parte l’ho trovata un po’ sotto tono, forse a causa del l’eccessiva descrizione del passato del protagonista, ma comunque, man mano che si prosegue la lettura, il ritmo aumenta fino a risultare incalzante durante le scene d’azione.
La narrazione in prima persona e la scrittura scorrevole rendono piacevole la lettura. Unica nota stonata la trama, interessante e ben articolata, ma a mio avviso poco realistica. Ma questo è un mio giudizio personale che nulla toglie al libro nel suo complesso che risulta coinvolgente e appassionante.
È sicuramente da prendere in considerazione sia per gli estimatori del genere, magari da leggere sotto l’ombrellone, che per gli amanti delle letture ad alto tasso adrenalinico.
Il mio voto è ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Il romanzo di cui vi parlo oggi è A qualunque costo di Andy McNab, un buon thriller d’azione dinamico e adrenalinico che però mi ha lasciato l’amaro in bocca. Il nostro protagonista è un costruttore edile, ha un passato nell’esercito britannico e la crisi finanziaria, combinata ad un sistema bancario poco attento agli interessi imprenditoriali, gli ha tolto tutto. Morso dalla rabbia e accecato dalla sete di vendetta, compie piccoli furti ai danni di uomini ricchi e potenti, gli stessi uomini che secondo lui si arrogano il diritto di decidere le sorti dell’intera popolazione mondiale. Galeotto fu l’ultimo furto dove il cammino di James incrocerà quello di Parmesh, un uomo ricco, potente e con una visione futuristica del mondo che verrà. Ha in mente un progetto e ha le idee chiare sul come realizzarlo, ma ha bisogno di James. Qual è questo progetto? Che ruolo ha il nostro protagonista? Riuscirà a placare la sua sete di vendetta? Vi lascio con questi interrogativi ai quali troverete risposta solo tra le pagine del libro.
A parer mio, i punti di forza sono senza ombra di dubbio la minuziosa e dettagliata descrizione sia delle scene d’azione che della tecnologia utilizzata, che ti coinvolgono a tal punto che ti senti parte integrante della squadra, e i cliffhanger a conclusione dei brevi capitoli, che aumentano la suspense e la voglia di sapere.
Si inizia con un prologo molto accattivante che cattura subito l’attenzione, ma nonostante ciò, la prima parte l’ho trovata un po’ sotto tono, forse a causa del l’eccessiva descrizione del passato del protagonista, ma comunque, man mano che si prosegue la lettura, il ritmo aumenta fino a risultare incalzante durante le scene d’azione.
La narrazione in prima persona e la scrittura scorrevole rendono piacevole la lettura. Unica nota stonata la trama, interessante e ben articolata, ma a mio avviso poco realistica. Ma questo è un mio giudizio personale che nulla toglie al libro nel suo complesso che risulta coinvolgente e appassionante.
È sicuramente da prendere in considerazione sia per gli estimatori del genere, magari da leggere sotto l’ombrellone, che per gli amanti delle letture ad alto tasso adrenalinico.
Il mio voto è ⭐⭐⭐⭐
March 12, 2020
The first third of this book was very good, the second third was boring and the third third was rushed and unconvincing. This is my take on this book. To expand I found the first third very engaging, the premise being a quantity surveyor who believed he and his family were cheated by the financial elite who now living and building new mansions in New Zealand. Using his skills he set about finding his way into these new homes and robbing them. Not taking too much, just smallish but valuable things to help his family financially and making sure these people realised that they were not as safe as they thought. He then gets caught but the people who catch him don't go to the police but ask him to rob a ledger from another house. The middle part of the book is about how this man goes about planning this robbery and bring in more people to help him, a total bore. The last part was about the robbery itself and how this man and friends try to get away without being caught. This part was very rushed without enough detail. It seemed the author just wanted to finish this book as soon as possible. I really did expect much more from this book delivered, a shame. This author is much better than this book.
January 12, 2020
In some ways, this is a diversion from what I expect from Andy McNab in that the main character is less of a hardbitten hero than his usual characters. But that probably made him more human for me. I expect a lot of readers will empathise with James Mercer’s crusade vs. The One-percenters, those super-rich who stomp on the fingers of those below them on the ladder of success, have the legal loophole experts that help them pay no taxes.
Mercer steals from these men in revenge for the financial ruin of his family to compensate for the wrongs they have caused.
The plot twists from one surprise to the next, involving benevolent crusaders and ruthless opponents. A worthwhile read, as good as any of McNab’s previous thrillers.
Read the full review on www.bookpostmortem.wordpress.com
Mercer steals from these men in revenge for the financial ruin of his family to compensate for the wrongs they have caused.
The plot twists from one surprise to the next, involving benevolent crusaders and ruthless opponents. A worthwhile read, as good as any of McNab’s previous thrillers.
Read the full review on www.bookpostmortem.wordpress.com
March 27, 2024
Very different from his previous books. Not completely based of his military experience. An exceptionally good book, great characters, and a very different storyline! The subject will give you something deep to think about and ponder! Could there be a better way for us all! Equality no matter race, colour creed, or beliefs!
In my mind, a perfect world! No war! No elite! Everyone has a say in how it all could be!
Interesting concept! As an ex serving member of the Australian Military I for one would love to see an end to war, an end to sending fathers, mothers, brothers, and daughters to fight for something our politicians want us to fight for but aren't prepared to go do it themselves!
I highly recommend this book!
In my mind, a perfect world! No war! No elite! Everyone has a say in how it all could be!
Interesting concept! As an ex serving member of the Australian Military I for one would love to see an end to war, an end to sending fathers, mothers, brothers, and daughters to fight for something our politicians want us to fight for but aren't prepared to go do it themselves!
I highly recommend this book!
July 2, 2020
Andy McNab after a while with nothing hits us with symplicity itself.
James while working out how to rob a rich guy in his impressive estate in New Zealand gets caught but instead of being arrested the rich guy places him in charge of robbing his rich rival of a ledger.
It’s James’s job to plan the robbery with all the help he needs as well as money to carry it out.
Twists and turns clever and full of surprises.
You got to read this
James while working out how to rob a rich guy in his impressive estate in New Zealand gets caught but instead of being arrested the rich guy places him in charge of robbing his rich rival of a ledger.
It’s James’s job to plan the robbery with all the help he needs as well as money to carry it out.
Twists and turns clever and full of surprises.
You got to read this
February 2, 2020
A departure from his usual SAS/Soldier genre, this new standalone had me enthralled from the start.
I loved the way the story unfolded as told by the main character to two police officers. All through I was unsure as to whether Parmesh was really a "good guy" or a con-man. Excellent suspense throughout.
I loved the way the story unfolded as told by the main character to two police officers. All through I was unsure as to whether Parmesh was really a "good guy" or a con-man. Excellent suspense throughout.
December 22, 2020
This is an excellent stand alone read from Andy McNab. I have read and enjoyed pretty much all of his character series and was not sure what to expect with this book. It is different to be sure but equally enthralling and easy to read. If you are a McNab fan, this should certainly be on your 'to read' list.
March 7, 2021
I got to page 36 and stopped, completely disinterested. The Nick Stone series are raw, gritty, unforgiving and gripping which is what I was hoping this was going to be, the online shop I bought it from said it was a Nick Stone thriller but it isn't. This book just doesn't do it for me, a complete bore.
July 28, 2022
Sometimes in life you just need something you don't need to think too much about. This book is perfect for that. No giant multi 1000 page book story with 100 interwoven character arcs. Just a fairly simple story about someone stealing a book. It's not a great piece of literature by any means but it kept me interested throughout.
November 14, 2023
Whatever
A good read , don't know why (nick stone) is in the first line of the title, as this is nothing to do with him, just advertising I suppose, it's the sort of book you want to keep seeing what's happening next, so a Page turner and although it's total fiction, you could see how something like this might be a plan...
A good read , don't know why (nick stone) is in the first line of the title, as this is nothing to do with him, just advertising I suppose, it's the sort of book you want to keep seeing what's happening next, so a Page turner and although it's total fiction, you could see how something like this might be a plan...
May 3, 2020
Expected more
I have read all of McNab's Nick Stone books and expected more than this book delivered. If you buy this thinking it will read as well as the Stone series you will likely be disappointed.
I have read all of McNab's Nick Stone books and expected more than this book delivered. If you buy this thinking it will read as well as the Stone series you will likely be disappointed.
November 15, 2020
Intrigue – daring – action. Borrowed this book from my local library and was delighted and surprised to discover the that book was set here in New Zealand. The front and back cover blurb gave no hint of this!
July 25, 2021
This is the first Andy McNab book I have read and I thought it was a really good read until the end when I didnt really understand what was happening.
It was fast paced throughout and keep me interested but I think the ending needed to be a little better as it still left me wondering.
It was fast paced throughout and keep me interested but I think the ending needed to be a little better as it still left me wondering.
August 7, 2023
It started really well but dwindled into something odd. I found it difficult to believe that the characters could do such an significant about face. Or that such a massive undertaking could be done in such a short amount of time.
December 9, 2023
Never really got into this as it just seemed too far fetched - even tho a lot of it was centred here in NZ no less. So the descriptions of places was good as I had been to many of them but what they were doing there just didnt do it for me... A very Skinny #3 from me
January 29, 2024
Like many people, I've only ever read 'Bravo Two Zero' and though Andy McNab was all about army and Afgan stuff, but after reading this book, my eyes and mind have been opened. This story would make a compelling movie or series.
May 29, 2025
It was ok. Just ok. Completely different to any other McNab book. It killed some time but not up to the usual standard. Just felt it was missing something… a bit more depth/detail maybe. But I read it and enjoyed the plot.
December 14, 2019
It's more like 3.5. but he gets the extra points for drawing a little gun🤣🔫.
I'm joking, it was worth four.
This is definitely one of his better books. Not one ex sas bloke who forgot to turn his phone off lol.
I liked the story a lot overall. I found one of the twist things was obvious, the later one, not so much but they're vaguely plausible and definitely interesting, if you're into thinking like Dr. Pepper/ What is the worst that can happen?
It was good but it was a little rushed if anything. Expanding more on the leaders, the cause and background of the "Templars" would have put this up with books like Thomas Harris's Bloody Sunday or Clancy's Patriot Games for the tech generation.
I'm joking, it was worth four.
This is definitely one of his better books. Not one ex sas bloke who forgot to turn his phone off lol.
I liked the story a lot overall. I found one of the twist things was obvious, the later one, not so much but they're vaguely plausible and definitely interesting, if you're into thinking like Dr. Pepper/ What is the worst that can happen?
It was good but it was a little rushed if anything. Expanding more on the leaders, the cause and background of the "Templars" would have put this up with books like Thomas Harris's Bloody Sunday or Clancy's Patriot Games for the tech generation.
January 22, 2020
I throughly enjoyed this book - unfortunately it fell a bit flat at the end!
February 17, 2020
First book of his I didn't like
April 28, 2020
Good read not his usual style
September 11, 2020
A very different type of book
Not your usual Andy McNab running around shoot any thing that moves .But makes your mind think how thing Could change of you put your mind to it !!!
Not your usual Andy McNab running around shoot any thing that moves .But makes your mind think how thing Could change of you put your mind to it !!!
September 25, 2020
a bit different from the usual
September 25, 2020
I haven't read an Andy McNab book for years and I'm well separated from the Nick Stone stories, so it was easy to read this as a stand-alone adventure. It was a great ride, intriguing and enjoyable.
December 18, 2020
Definitely not the best McNab book. It makes no sense and half of the characters are pointless, a bit like the story. Over all very disappointing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews