I struggled to get through this book. The plot is unbelievable, even in today's charged political climate, and Dez's character was just too vaguely written, considering he's the hero. First, he's a musician, then he's his own weapon, and then we find out he's a chef. Even an inkling of his background and how he became the mercenary he is would have been helpful. There was too much emphasis on his "schtick" - the accent and his nicknames, his language and abbreviations for everything. Also annoying was the repetitiveness, i.e. "stolen" truck, or Petra's go-to outfit of a white shirt. After the first couple times, we get it. Speaking of Petra, while she is a strong female lead, there was absolutely no chemistry between her and Dex so I don't fully understand how or why she would've hooked up with him. When authors throw in unnecessary sexual relationships in a thriller that doesn't need them, I tune them out as another male fantasy trope. It's the reason I stopped reading Nelson DeMille.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the early read.

This is a fantastic book! I received a printed copy of this book and thought I'd check out a couple pages since I'd never heard of the author and then I gobbled it up in one day without really meaning to. While it took a little while to get used to Dez's cadence, he is a great character - little smart-ass wrapped around a lot of bad-ass - and I loved every minute of this adventure. The mystery was definitely timely, the action was good, and I outright laughed a couple times at things that Dez said. I highly recommend this book and can't wait for the next Desmond Aloysius Limerick book! Thank you, Minotaur and NetGalley for the opportunity to meet Dez early.

The Gatekeeper is a nonstop action thriller with an outstanding leading character. Desmond Aloysius Limerick Is a former mercenary, an okay musician, and a man who can open any door physical or digital. When ahe recognizes a professional team of mercenaries in his hotel, chivalry kicks in and Dez saves the pretty girl from a kidnapping. Not just a pretty face, Petra Alexandris is the daughter of the CEO of Triton Expeditors and the chief legal council. Someone is using Triton money to stage an insurrection against the fine old United States. With nothing better to do, Dez agrees to work with Petra to foil whatever is going. Knee deep in trouble seems to be Dez’s favorite place as he takes on racists, soldiers, and the men behind the scenes in an action packed page turner fit for the silver screen. Dez has great potential to be an all time reader favorite. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC. This is not a paid review..
This book was awesome! A great new series to look forward to! Dez Limerick is the man!

Dez is a Gatekeeper.. which as he explains means he opens doors.. all kinds of doors, very covert doors at times. He also has skills that raise him a bit above those around him.

While taking a break from gatekeeping, he goes to California to play bass in a band for a bit.
But being a gatekeeper he notices things. Like all the makings of a kidnap attempt to a very high profile woman in his hotel. Being a gentleman, he has to help.

Asked by the woman, Petra Alexandris, chief legal counsel to Triton Industries as well as the owners daughter to find out what is going on, Dez uncovers a diabolical plot that will not only affect her company but the USA as we know it.

Great characters, fantastic language and the engaging Dez make this a must read for any thriller fan.

Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley

Retired mercenary Desmond Aloysius Limerick is sitting in on a gig at the Southern California hotel where he is staying. When the hotel comes under attack, Dez steps in, thwarts the very professional kidnapping team, and keeps Petra Alexandris safe. He then agrees to assist Petra, the daughter of the head of Triton Expeditors and Triton’s chief legal counsel, with an embezzling issue she is having at Triton.

With more than a billion dollars missing from the military contractor’s account, Petra is anxious to learn how the thief accomplished it. With few people having the necessary access, Petra wonders just who is responsible for the theft.

Dez’s investigation reveals a conspiracy that threatens to divide the nation itself.

And the Gatekeeper is the only obstacle standing in the way of the conspirators’ success.

=========

This exciting narrative, filled with Interesting characters and a bit of humor, offers readers an intriguing plot and takes them on a fast-paced adventure. Readers are sure to find themselves rooting for Dez as he gets into a variety of predicaments while investigating for Petra.

There are some surprising twists in the unfolding narrative and the action-packed thriller doesn’t disappoint. A strong sense of place, nuanced characters, and a terrifyingly-real plot combine to pull readers into the telling of the tale from the outset.

The undercurrent of tension gives the narrative an unsettling tone that is perfect for the story being told; readers are sure to find it difficult to set this one aside before turning the final page.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley
#TheGatekeeper #NetGalley

First, I’d like to say thank you for the opportunity to read the book.
And I can’t wait for the second(hoping there is one :)
I’m a sucker for witty, fun, sarcastic bad ass characters.
Once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. Read till my eyes blurred. Thinking this is just silly it will still be here tomorrow.
The lady was no slouch herself.
Wonderfully well rounded in my opinion had a little bit of everything.
Now, I have one more to add to my favorite look out list
The book was wonderful You are a wonderful writer
And I thank you forever. Cause without words to read What would I do..

I received an ARC copy of #TheGatekeeper from #NetGalley.

This was billed as being similar to the Orphan X series, which I love. It absolutely is NOT. I really tried to hang with this novel, but finally gave up halfway through. There was some funny parts, but was about all it had going for it. I know that the uber-right wing conspiracy theories are popular right now, but the underlying plot of this novel was just stupid. It was so over the top that it was ludicrous.

The GateKeeper is a fast paced novel featuring a new character with great potential for an ongoing series. Dez Limerick is a snarky, low key man with great many talents including hacking, fighting and weapon skills. He rescues and then assists the daughter and lawyer for a conglomerate worth billions. He helps uncover the mysterious theft of billions of dollars. The plot is fast paced and hopefully will lead to more books about Dez. Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced copy of this thriller.

The Gatekeeper by James Byrne is a superb read with an engrossing plot and vibrant characters. Well worth the read!

Fair disclosure: when I started reading this one, I cringed. It was Dez and the way he spoke. I just didn’t get it.

Luckily, I was curious enough to keep reading and Dez (and his very weird way of speaking) grew on me. I loved him.

I mean, the book does do that thing where for no reason at all, the hot woman basically throws herself at the severely bow-legged hulk-smash hero dude within hours of knowing him, but once you get past that, it’s a good read.

The plot is timely, Dez is hilarious, and hot-woman eventually shows that she’s the bad B in charge – more than just a pretty face to be sure.

I mean, I still don’t understand why Dez speaks the way he does, but when he tried out his American accent I guffawed, most of our characters were surprisingly nuanced, and the book just ended up being a seriously good time!

I enjoyed this one!

*ARC via Publisher

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. The hotel that Dez is staying at is under fire. What they don't count on is Dez helping the guests at the hotel. Dez is asked to help look at money that was taken from a company and the more he digs the scarier it becomes.

The Gatekeeper is a rousing good story, filled with nonstop action. One can only hope it is the first of a long series , #TheGstekeeper ..#NetGalley #SaltMarshAuthors

The GateKeeper is an exciting, fast paced novel featuring a new character with enormous potential for an ongoing series. Dez Limerick is a wise cracking, low key man with a wealth of hacking, fighting and weapon skills of unknown origin. He is the right person in the wrong place (for the villains) rescuing and then assisting the daughter and lawyer for a financial and weapon conglomerate in digging into the ever expanding intrigue behind a mysterious theft of billions of dollars. The plot is fast paced, the writing tight and the character development excellent. I found this to be an excellent read and look forward to more from James Byrne about this character.

Thank you Netgalley for tis ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

Exactly what you expect over the top story. A lot of fun. Highly recommend

I have just finished reading The Gatekeeper by James Byrne

Well – what can I say. This is a book that you just have to just ride along with and have fun with along the way!

An over-the-top storyline, with a unique main character - Dez Limerick (Desmond Aloysius Limerick), who is a bigger than life retired Irish-Scottish mercenary, who moves to California, and is a musician on the side.

This book has a bit of a feel like the Gregg Hurwitz Orphan X character, with a little Jack Reacher thrown in.

I found myself laughing out loud quite a bit while reading this.


Thank you to Goodreads, Author James Byrne, and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books my advanced copy to read and review.

#NetGalley

The Gatekeeper is a debut book which I thoroughly enjoyed. Desmond ‘Dez’ Aloysius Limerick is a gatekeeper in a former life. He was retired and hanging out playing with a band in California. He is at the right place at the wrong time to save Petra – the CEO of Triton.
The plot again Petra is just the beginning and Dez uses his skills and wits to save the day. He has so much experience in all this the bad guys have no chance. Loved the writing, loved the story. Really looking forward to the next one. This is so worth a read. Thanks Net Galley for an advanced copy for an honest review.

Dez Is A Man Of Many Talents

He is fearless, funny, bold, brave, incorrigible, and incongruous. He comes from everywhere in general and nowhere in particular. He has an accent that is unplaceable and a manner that is irresistible. When he is caught in a situation that demands action, he gets involved and saves a woman from being kidnapped. Little did he realize he had just entered a complicated and well-organized plot to dismantle the United States.

I loved everything about this story, the characters, the plot, the witty way Dez handles the situation at hand and his devious plans to find a solutions for every situation. James Byrne has created an endearing character in Desmond Aloysius Limerick , I’ll be first in line for the sequel.

I received an advance copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley.

Once in a while a good story comes along that I read slower than usual so it won't end too soon. this is one of those. I hope this is but the first of many to come featuring "Dez". Awesome hero. Don't miss out on this one-it's wonderful.

My thanks to NetGalley for a free advanced ebook in exchange for an unbiased review.

The Gatekeeper is a thrill ride of a novel. The opening adventure for Dez Limerick illustrates his skills as a mercenary-type figure charged as the gatekeeper - he who makes sure everyone gets in and gets out. For this mission, this reader was unsure if Dez and his team were "the good guys" but there was no doubt that planning and preparation, physical and mental toughness, and absolute determination that everyone gets home were at the heart of Dez's skill set and personality. All of these traits are crucial in his next adventure.

Dez is a man of many talents although his physical appearance is less than attractive. Barrell-chested, bow-legged and a distinctive accent make him stand out in a crowd. He has a gig playing in a band in California where one would think that the biggest problem would be too much alcohol. It isn't long before his powers of observation, the ones he just can't shut off, make him absolutely know that a beautiful woman he just met is about to be kidnapped. He recognizes the coordinated professionalism of the team from a distance. With no knowledge of who she is or why she might be a victim, Dez manages to stop the kidnapping. There are, however, a few casualties along the way.

Although Dez is mysterious and lies about his background, Petra, the potential victim, recognizes that he can be trusted. She is the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in the world whose multi-national business dwarfs the economies of most countries. Petra is deeply involved and is on a first name basis with powerful politicians and military leaders. She also knows that someone is embezzling more than a billion dollars from the business and she is determined to find the truth with Dez's help.

Byrne's plot takes readers on an adventure that is so terrifyingly possible. A conspiracy involving rogue military leaders, white militias, right-wing media, and foreign governments to tear apart the United States is well underway. Their only problem - Dez and his unique skill set.

The Gatekeeper is a wonderful introduction to a great character. I hope for more adventures.

#TheGatekeeper #NetGalley

A lead character named Dez takes up the fight against a military contractor involved in a secession scheme. Dez has an unusual approach to the problems he faces, but don't knock it if it works. I didn't find him endearing or particularly likable. At times the story seems to be going off the rails, but it always rights itself.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.