I found this authors debut,The Gatekeeper, to be immensely entertaining. As soon as I finished it I looked to seek when there would be a sequel. I was thrilled to be granted a NetGalley copy pre-release and then I got skeptical about a follow up novel, could it be as thrilling and entertaining and witty as the first? YES it can! I loved every page and the move forward and circle back to inform the reader of what just happened. The story is action packed and had some twist I did not see coming. The best part to me was the epilogue because I think it means Mr. Byrne is already back at writing more chapters.

A witty and comedic page-turner, Deadlock continues James Byrne's Gatekeeper series with one of the most intriguing, fresh faces in the thriller genre.

Desmond 'Dez' Aloysius Limerick is trouncing around California when he gets a call from Raziah Swann, whose journalist sister in Portland, Oregon, is in the hospital after being mugged. Dez arrives and is immediately thrust into a potential conspiracy behind the tech giant in Oregon, Clockjack. Dez uses his Gatekeeper skills to open and close doors that aren't meant to be opened by the likes of him.

Dez has to use his size and wit to take on Clockjack in this action-packed thriller. It is such a brilliant follow-up to Byrne's debut. Dez is one of the more interesting characters I've read in some time. His hilarity and unique skills make him fascinating, propulsive goof that is a blast to read.

Rarely does a book, especially the sophomore novel, so vastly exceed my expectations, but James Byrne does that with his incredible thriller, Deadlock. Dez is one of the more dynamic characters to cross the page, and Deadlock is a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants novel that will grip readers right out of the gate. It's a must-read for those who enjoy Nelson Demille or a noir-style action novel.

*4.5 Stars On My Instagram Account*

"Passwords are just locks. I'm good with locks."

"That's just sad really. Nobody teaches the classic skills anymore; cursive writing, how to mix the perfect Rob Roy, picking a basic padlock." Dez mourns for the world.

Desmond "Dez" Aloysius Limerick was hilariously lethal in The Gatekeeper but in his second non stop high octane action thriller, Dead-Lock by movie ready thriller author James Byrne, he's just a devastatingly murderous charmer.

We have a dastardly villain. An international tech corporation, ClockJack, is the perfect corporate citizen but is actually taking over third world countries with assassinations and giving hardened criminals a safe harbor in these strategically hidden in plain sight locations. They might have gotten away with it BUT they messed up when they failed to kill a journalist who stumbled on to something not right with this firm. She just happens to be the sister of one of Dez's band mates. Yes our cheeky hero plays a mean bass guitar.

We can't talk about Dez without the man that brings him from the snarky writing of the author to life on the audiobook. Actor John Keating is Dez! It's not easy becoming a man who can play a bluesy tune, make love to a woman and have her risk everything for him, and then nonchalantly kill a man with a marble, avoid more bullet wounds that map out his life all over his body, and decimate a dam! Yes a dam!

Though the second in the series, it works as a standalone but why not read The Gatekeeper too and get more Dez? I read Dead-Lock. I listened to Dead-Lock. I am locked into my Scottish brogue Dez being the heir to Reacher, Bond, Denzel's Equalizer, and Jason Bourne. I need the TV series now!

I received a free copy of this book/audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Let me just say, I don’t think I have laughed so much reading a story as I have with this one. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, and wondering what’s going to happen next. This is the second book in the series and I think that you should probably read the first book before you read this one. Both books are excellent reads.


I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Deadlock by James Byrne is a thriller featuring Desmond Aloysius Limerick. He is a retired gatekeeper. He opens doors and closes them. What goes on inside doesn’t concern him. He is a friend to cops as he is always on the side of law and order. In each new place they view him with suspicion, but he has references. He had been in LA, just knocking around, playin music, and sleeping with friends. That is where he met Raziah, who has just called him from up north. Her sister is in trouble. She is a reporter for a magazine, more a features writer than news, but someone had killed the subject of her current article and someone had come after her and Raziah was scared for her. Of course, Dez, responded immediately and met more cops. more musicians, and more women. It was an enticing tale.

The thing about Dez is: he doesn’t take things to seriously. Oh, don’t mess with him or his friends; he has serious skills. Unlike many other thrillers, Dez has a sense of humor. Like other thrillers, he doesn’t tie himself to one place or to one woman, but keeps moving where ever the wind takes him. It is a fun read, with all the expected beatdowns and occasional deaths, but Dez’s friends come out on top. He is a fabulous character and Byrne’s books are a nice change of pace. I appreciate that and recommend them.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Deadlock by St Martin’s Press, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #JamesByrne #Deadlock

I seem to be in the minority here in not loving this book.. Maybe it is because I did not read the first book in the series. I will say that it was easy to follow the story without having read it and the story itself was good. I was interested in what was happening to the minor characters in the story. I liked them. Here is where I don't fit in. I didn't like the main character. He just came off as overcompensating and his humor never meshed with me. Still, a good story.

I love beach reads and this one is a fast, fun read. This book had me turning the pages so fast to see what would happen. You will definitely enjoy this summer story. Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Deadlock by James Byrne
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This is book 2 in the Dez Limerick series. Dez spends this book in Portland, Oregon, at the request of his friend, Raziah. Her sister has been attacked, and Raziah asks Dez to come and keep her safe.
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What I loved:
-Dez is just the best character and you can’t help but love him. Not only is he smart and resourceful, but he is kind and cares about his friends, plus he’s pretty funny.

-This book was addicting, once I started I just wanted to keep going. There was no part of the book where it lagged and I wanted to take a break. A very binge worthy read.

-The popcorn. 😂😂😂 At the end of the chapter with the popcorn I was cackling. Kudos Mr Byrne.
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4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 If you are looking for a fast paced, action book with that lead character who has a very specific “set of skills”, then for sure read Deadlock. Or better yet, read The Gatekeeper and then read Deadlock!

I really enjoyed The Gatekeeper, but thought it had a few problems, especially the inconsistencies with Dez's dialect, and had hopes that the sequel would polish things up. It did! The second in the series flows much better than the last (which had a couple of dry bits, this one is non-stop), and the author has settled on a consistent dialect for Dez. It seems to bother some readers, but a subscription to BritBox should take care of that.
I would try to explain the plot, but it's so deliciously over-the-top, I'll just say what if Mark Zuckerburg and the Wagner Group got together? But not to worry, Dez is a one-man wrecking ball and we do love to watch the destruction, and here we get the front row seat. Absolutely great fun. Highly recommended.

This was a fantastic read. Dez is such a great lead character and the build out of the supporting case helps showcase Dez's skills. The book was well written and fast paced. With this being the 2nd book in the series, the characters and style felt a lot more at home. And the tie ins to Dez's past was a great way to start the book but also keep it progressing. I can't wait for the next book.

Deadlock by James Bryne is a spy thriller/ who’s on what side and what is happening type of book. Every step taken by the main character leads to unexpected results that you expect. The main character is Dez (Desmond Aloysius Limerick). He is a man of unknown age and a definite murky and undefined background. His language is a street cant (jargon) from Great Britain, however he has clearly lived in many places. He is a gatekeeper.

In this novel, Dez is determined to help his friend and her sister from a group of thugs. However, the story gets larger as the thugs become more powerful. Eventually, the whole is bigger than something that was ever expected.

This book is not my usual cup of tea and Dez is not my usual hero, however I have to keep reading and find out what is going to happen next. Dez does not like guns and really is quite brilliant at planning unexpected surprises for his targets. I never totally get everything he is saying, but that even makes him more intriguing. Deadlock by James Bryne is a great read.

I love the character of Dez Limerick! What a great read. The suspense, the off-beat humor Dez when dealing with his situations or adversaries; both kept the book humming along for me. Some reviewers feel the plot is a bit outlandish, but it wasn't hard for me to toss aside any such comments because I was too busy enjoying the tech and plotting twists!

Hope this author is busy on the third book!

Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for sharing this fun read with me.

Desmond Aloysius (“Dez”) Limerick used to be a crackerjack mercenary, but has seemingly left that way of life to pursue a peaceful existence and his love of being a bass player. However, when Raziah Swann, a friend, needs help, Des jumps into action, and his adventures in protecting Raziah and her sister are definitely action packed! Dez is an extremely likable, larger than life character, one who is not only smart and clever, but who also has a great sense of humor. This book was definitely a very good read, even though it is the second in the series, and I have not read the first — which I definitely plan on doing!

In the book Deadlock, author James Byrne continues the story of Dez, a retired mercenary and amateur musician. But when Dez’s band-mate Raziah’s sister ends up in the hospital due to a newspaper story she is working on, Dez vows to help protect the sisters and get the bottom of what is happening. Little does he know that he is stepping into a high-tech world where things are not as they seem on the surface.
This was a great edge of your seat continuations to Dez’s story. I would recommend this book. I received a copy of this ebook from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If you are a Jack Reacher or Jason Bourne fan, get ready to fall in love with Desmond Aloysius Limerick (Dez to his friends). Dez was trained as a gatekeeper. There is no portal that he can not open. He also has to keep it open while the members of his team are inside and make sure that they all exit. When a friend calls from Oregon asking for his help he is on the next plane. Raziah Swann is a singer/songwriter whose sister Jaleh was attacked and is in danger. As a reporter, she was writing an article about the death of a friend who had just completed an audit of an influential tech firm. Something is going on at the company’s campus and as long as the Swann sisters are in danger, Dez is going to find out what that is. Two of the company’s founders died suspiciously. They were replaced by two men who have taken control and are using former convicts and mercenaries for a secret operation. Their influence reaches the highest levels of government, forcing the DEA and US Marshalls to not interfere. Dez, however, is working independently, using his skills against the large security force that is guarding the campus.

Dez is a trained soldier, a scholar, a musician and he has a sense of humor. When he befriends someone, they become mates and he will always be there for them. He has a solid build that is marked with the scars of past encounters. He has played back-up for Raziah’s performance in the past and she is one of his mates. Jaleh’s first reaction to Dez is less than favorable but as the threats increase and the body count rises she sees what he is capable of and is added to his ever growing list of mates. James Byrne’s action scenes will keep you on the edge of your seat and eagerly awaiting Dez’s return. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s/Minotaur for providing this book for my review.

This is a great book from the very start until the very end. I’m definitely eagerly awaiting the next adventures in the life of Desmond Aloysius Limerick (Dez to his friends and close personal enemies).

Highly recommended if you like fast paces, fighting, and snark!

DEADLOCK is the second book in James Byrne's Dez Limerick series. To say this book is a fast-paced, tension laden thriller is a gross understatement. Like its predecessor THE GATEKEEPER, the action is nonstop with explosive scenes setting the pages on fire through twists and turns readers and antagonists never see coming. Cancel all other plans and buckle in before diving into this one. It's one insane ride!

Upon first appearance, Desmond Aloysius Limerick aka Dez to his friends is a happy go lucky, guitar playing guy with a quirky smile, sharp wit and endearing Scottish accent. However, if circumstances warrant it, he can change into a lean, mean fighting machine in the blink of an eye - one with a bottomless arsenal of hard-won, honed skills to call upon. He can appear like a ghost, move like a shadow, wreak havoc, and slip away in the darkness unseen leaving utter chaos and devastation behind - with a poop eating grin on his face the whole time. Dez is a superhero on steroids. Friends love him. Enemies consider him the devil incarnate. He is/was a "gatekeeper" - the keeper of doors. He's never seen one he couldn't open, secure, and keep open as long as necessary making sure all his comrades escape and the job is complete before slipping away. He's retired now . . . unless his skills are needed. When a young friend calls him in distress over an unprovoked attack on her sister, Dez drops everything and answers her plea for help. What he walks into proves to be a complex hornet's nest of lies, deceit and secrets centered around tech company Clockjack - do-gooders on the surface but serving as a front for a sociopath employing hired thugs for protection while plotting to carry out assassinations and take over small third-world countries providing criminals' safe harbor. Before it's all said and done, the thugs wanting a piece of Dez are joined by numerous agencies including the local police, DEA and US Marshal Service. The numbers aren't in Dez's favor, but he does love a good challenge.

James Byrne has brilliantly penned a highly engaging, intensive story with a once in a blue moon, ferocious junk yard dog style superhero who's unique in every way from his Scottish brogue which can be hard to decipher at first to his razor-sharp wit that frustrates his enemies to no end but delights his friends to his big, old kind heart seen only by a precious few. The large cast is just as unique with a vast array of personalities and roles manipulating their way through a minefield of electrified plot twists. The pace is one speed - pedal to the metal, wide open from beginning to end - not to say there aren't any lulls but they're rare as hen's teeth.

DEADLOCK is a well-crafted, highly addictive thriller with a larger-than-life character who will make readers cringe, blush, cheer and laugh all within a few pages. This book can be read as a standalone as the author weaves in enough backstory to give readers a solid foundation of who Dez is but do yourself a favor and grab THE GATEKEEPER and allow Dez to introduce himself. Just don't fall for his "I'm a simple man who plays a guitar" routine . . . Dez is a force to be reckoned with. I'm ecstatic over what I interpreted as the setup for another book to be found in the final pages. Fans of high action thrillers and crime stories are going to devour DEADLOCK as will those looking for a new kind of hero. Dez Limerick is your man!

A hero like no other living in the world by his own rules while handing out his own consequences. Dez has some different capabilities, opening doors would not seem like a biggie, but in Dez's hands, the ability to go anywhere when he wants is a plus.

James Byrne has developed a very different character in Desmond Aloysius Limerick. He's the kind of character that will keep this reader coming back for the next book, and the next one.....well, you get the picture. Now get the book!

Are you a thrill seeker? A fan of Jack Reacher or Evan Smoak (Orphan X)? If so, you’re going to want to get to know Desmond Aloysius Limerick, Dez to his friends. He is one unique character! He’s highly skilled former military, trained as a Gatekeeper. He opens doors, keeps them open and closes them after all those who’ve entered have come back out. He’s loyal to those he calls friends and he’ll do what’s necessary to keep them safe. His humor is what truly sets him apart from becoming just another random, run of the mill action hero. This is an action packed thrill ride from beginning to end! Absolutely entertaining!

Non stop action! Dez is an interesting character. He is loyal to extreme when it comes to his friends. So when he gets a call from a friend he goes for a visit. The story is full of intrigue, arm to arm combat and crazy good traps to help one man come out ahead. I really enjoyed this book.