This was an enjoyable read. I enjoyed the concept of a gatekeeper and was to go back to read the first!

It took me a while to get around to reading the second book in the Dez Limerick series and man why did I wait so long!! Picking right up where the Gatekeeper left off, we find Dez in Portland, Oregon helping out a young friend of his.

Dez is a man with a shadowy past. He has a special set of skills that he uses in many different situations and to help people he cares about. There is a prologue where he is finishing up a case but after that he gets caught up on a more personal level when a young friend and her sister, a journalist, are in trouble.

It seems someone doesn't like what Laleh Swann has been writing about. After being attacked twice her sister reaches out to her friend Dez. From there it becomes apparent there is something big going on. This is all about Dez. His personality fills the page. He has style and likes to joke.

The author does a good job describing appearances, facial expressions, and body movements. There is a lot of high stakes action in this thriller and the ride along is full of adventure. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series. Dez is larger than life and I can appreciate that!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read.

Desmond Aloysius Limerick is now one of my favorite characters in any genre. Dez is extremely good at what he does - he is a gatekeeper, and he can open or close any gate, depending on what is needed - whether it be rescuing someone from a bad situation, preventing bad guys from escaping, or cracking a safe or a prison cell.

In this book, an auditor who was investigating a new company ended up dead. A journalist who was investigating the now-dead auditor is also attacked but survives. Fortunately for the journalist, her sister knows Desmond and asks him to keep her sister safe.

When Dez checks into what the auditor and the journalist have in common, he finds something: both of them are investigating a new startup company called Clockjack, which is supposed to be the next big thing. The funny thing about Clockjack is that no one seems to know exactly what it does.

I highly recommend this book and the series. I didn't realize that this was the second book in the series, but had no trouble following it. I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books from the publisher via NetGalley, and voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

This is the second book in this series where we are introduced to Dez Limerick, a really funny self-deprecating character with some pretty impressive talents who it turns out, is also an extremely loyal friend to those who he considers friends.

The Gatekeepers are apparently a very talented group comprised of members whose specialties are to not only have the ability to open ANY door, but to KEEP them open as well. And by "door", that means ANY kind of door, whether a physical door or a digital door.

His skills are definitely needed here when an old friend - Raziah - contacts him because her sister - Jaleh Swann - was attacked and hospitalized. Jaleh had started writing an investigative article into a company after a friend of hers was mugged and killed while auditing a certain company.

Needless to say, there are a LOT of moving parts in this one and Jaleh hadn't even realized at the time that there was more to the story - much more. As Dez starts to jump in to discover what exactly Jaleh had involved herself in, he and the Swann sisters realize that this particular story that she was beginning to write is worth killing for because nothing is what it seems. The main characters/antagonists are the kind of bad guys , the seriously bad guys, that have no problem "taking care of " business because they have too much to lose.

Without going into spoilers, let's just say that this book is full of lots of action and plenty of intrigue. Dez is a really funny guy whose "aw shucks" demeanor lets everyone underestimate him and that is what allows him to start getting to the bottom of an unbelievable tale of corruption so big and so diverse that it goes all the way up. There are so MANY high level people that involved that even law enforcement agencies are being pressured to walk away.

I listened to this on audio and thought John Keating did a fine job with the narration. There are all kinds of accents portrayed in this book from English to Scottish and many others in between. To an American who can't really tell the difference of all of these accents in terms of accuracy, I enjoyed listening to them.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone.

DEADLOCK

The second in the Desmond Aloysius Limerick series, “Dez” is a Gatekeeper. He knows how to get into places, virtually and literally. He’s a bulldog in stature and fighting style and is very creative in getting things done.

Set in current day Portland Oregon, Dez responds to a call for help from the Swann sisters, Raziah and Laleh, who accidentally stumble into trouble involving a high tech app firm called Clockjack. An auditor is murdered and it appears the company is involved in more business than just technical development.

The story is fast paced paced, clever and fun. It is straightforward in writing style and storytelling. Colorful details including scooters, tattoos and food trucks give it a nice touch of current times and youthfulness.
It is just plain action packed good entertainment with a bigger than life modern day badass superhero. Fun and enjoyable.

I would like to thank NetGalley, James Byrne, Minotaur and St. Martin’s Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Going into James Byrne's "Deadlock, I wasn't sure it would be my cup of tea. The ex-mercenary protagonist with a shadowy past surprised me in the best way possible.

Admittedly, my initial impression wasn’t one of intrigue . However, Byrne quickly subverted my expectations. The story takes a sharp turn, throwing our charmingly roguish hero, Dez Limerick, into a high-stakes world of corporate espionage and global conspiracy. I was hooked from that moment on.

"Deadlock" is pure adrenaline. Byrne masterfully crafts a story that races across continents, keeping you on the edge of your seat with each twist and turn. It feels more like a fast-paced action movie than a book, with expertly choreographed fight scenes and daring escapes.

The world Byrne creates is intriguing, with a powerful corporation at its center and Dez as the charming rogue trying to unravel their web of deceit. There's a sense that this is just the beginning for Dez, and I'm definitely interested in seeing where his future adventures take him.

"Deadlock" is a thrilling and entertaining read that kept me guessing until the very end.

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the chance to read and review.

Fantastic novel, the author has a talent for portraying and naming characters. It's the type of book that you want to read without unnecessary breaks. A blend of humor and thrilling action keep your attention drawn to the page.

Honestly did not realize this was a sequel going in, but was able to find my way along well enough. This book was thrilling and fast-paced. I liked the characters and thought they were super well done. I'll be backing up to read book one (The Gatekeeper) and will be looking for more books from this author.

This is not my typical book, and I was given this as book mail from the publisher.

Dez Limerick traveling to the Pacific Northwest to offer his services and protection to a pair of sisters in need. Laced with humor, action, violence, and a little corporate espionage, if you enjoy a good spy novel you can’t go wrong. Dez is essentially The Equalizer meets Jason Bourne meets Sterling Archer. A fantastic and fast read.

James Byrne has created one of my favorite characters in the last decade. Dez sarcasm and wit is what brings me back to the series, but Byrne provides more than enough action and intrigue for any thriller fan.

Fast-paced action plot that reminds me of the original/classic Bond paperbacks. The protagonist’s physique is nothing like that of OG James Bond, but he’s clever with a nimble mind. Sure, I prefer Orphan X and Reacher, but in the future I’ll also look for Dez Limerick books.
One caveat: “Aloysius” rankles, because to my mind, the very pale, almost cadaverous Agent A.X.L. Pendergast is or should be the only Aloysius. But that’s just me. 3.5 stars bumped up to 4.

Deadlock is the second novel of the series and was as good as “The Gatekeeper”.
Well crafted thriller and comes together well at the end.

This is the second book in the Dez Limerick series. I have not read the 1st book in the series but did not feel like I missed out while reading this one. I will, however, probably go back and read the first one. Dez is such an interesting character.
Dez is a "Gatekeeper". Gatekeepers can open any door, keep the door open as long as necessary, and ensures no one enters or exits without his express permission. Dez receives a call from Raziah, a friend, that her sister, Laleh, was attacked and is in the hospital. When Dez arrives, he discovers three shady dudes there to finish the job and stops them. Laleh is digging into a story about a friend of hers who had been doing an audit for a company when he was murdered. After the three men at the hospital are discovered as known criminals, several Federal agencies get involved and everyone is told to "stand down", which leaves Dez there to protect the sisters.
This was a fun read. It was fast-paced with enough action and twists to keep one engaged. I truly wanted to know what would happen next. Definitely a must-read!
My sincere thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Deadlock!

The descriptions were perfectly written so as not to overpower the story itself. I like reading a book where most of the visual is your imagination and this book did that for me. I enjoyed the story itself; it was a fast thriller. I thought the main character was well developed. I had not read any books by this author before but will definitely do so again.

I.enjoyed this second book in the.series.stightly more then the first.
The.character is like a.foul mouthed James.Bond and I love it
I can't wait for another

I found this book to be very interesting and intriguing. I would recommend this a friend because this is a book for everyone.

Dive into the heart-pounding world of espionage and high-stakes action with James Byrne's gripping thriller, "Deadlock."

Dez Limerick, a former soldier and expert hacker, is back in action, this time facing off against a ruthless group of mercenaries with a deadly agenda. When a series of targeted attacks threatens to unravel a covert operation, Dez is tasked with protecting two women with crucial information.

As Dez delves deeper into the conspiracy, he uncovers a web of deceit and betrayal, where everyone has something to hide and no one can be trusted. He must rely on his cunning, his wit, and his unwavering determination to keep the women safe and prevent a global catastrophe.

Byrne masterfully crafts a suspenseful narrative that keeps the reader guessing until the very end. The plot twists and turns keep the pages turning, and the action sequences are adrenaline-fueled and exhilarating. Dez is a captivating protagonist, his sharp intellect and unwavering loyalty making him a force to be reckoned with.

The supporting cast is equally well-developed, each with their own motivations and secrets to unravel. The characters' interactions are a source of tension and intrigue, adding depth and complexity to the story.

"Deadlock" is a thrilling ride through the world of espionage and high-stakes action. Byrne's writing is engaging and suspenseful, his characters are relatable and well-developed, and the plot is full of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

The second book in the series which can be read as a standalone. I enjoy the main character Dez Limerick - a loyal and intelligent person with unexpected skills. As I read, I could not help thinking that the story would make a good movie. An enjoyable read.

My second book by this author and his writing and characters continue to be entertaining. Dez continues to put himself in situations that it seems no one else would for their friends. He gets a call from his friend who’s worried about her sister. He goes to protect both Swann sisters and starts to uncover a major corporation in the area isn’t who they seem to be. How is this connected with his friends? Well Dez is determined to figure it out.

I enjoyed this sequel much more than the first book in the series. It feels a little less misogynistic and Limerick feels a little less skeevy. The writing is compelling, fast-paced, and action-packed. I enjoyed watching Limerick outsmart the bad guys. I'm still not sure that there is enough here that is special, that sets this series apart from other thrillers on the market, to make it memorable, but it's an enjoyable way to escape reality and kill some time. I wouldn't object to reading more of the series.