This is the third book I have read with Dez. This time an innocent request for him play a gig with some of his friend at an opening of a huge mall lands him in the middle of a hostage situation. Loved this one. Because there is one strand of the story not yet satisfied, I hope there will be a next one. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc without pressure for a positive review.

I fell in love with the action packed Dez Limerick series by listening to the first two audiobooks; they are fantastic!

I decided to read the physical book of the latest in the series, Chain Reaction. I wanted to see if the action, humor, and suspense came through the pages of the book just like it did on the audiobook. I’m pleased to report that they very much did!

I loved reading about Dez and his smart thief friend Catalina Valdivia. He is the kind of action hero that this cozy mystery lover really enjoys reading about. Dez is polite, witty, and smart.

If you are looking for fantastic characters and spy-like action and adventure, check this series out! Whichever format you choose, you can’t go wrong.

Dez Limerick is back in this third novel, Chain Reaction, in the Dez Limerick/Gatekeeper series in which Dez takes on terrorists and assassins with the help of a wily thief, Cat and a handful of bolts.

Chain Reaction is like a cross between Reacher, John McClain (Die Hard), and James Bond–a touch of swagger, sense of humor and charm, and resourcefulness to make use of whatever is at hand. And he plays guitar. His musical knowledge/ability adds even more charm to this already extremely likable character.

James Byrne’s writing is fast-paced with enough twists to keep most thriller-readers on the edge of their seats.

An enjoyable reads that left me anticipating more in this action-packed series.

Many thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy!

Desmond Aloysius Limerick ("Dez to me friends") is back in the thick of trouble. This time it's a terror attack on the newly opened Liberty Convention Center. He's killing time, having a drink with a friend when the attack hits. And Dez, being Dez, isn't about to take the situation sitting still. And, of course, Dez, being Dez, discovers there might be more behind the trouble than just a few unhappy terrorists.

This is a must read for anyone who enjoys an edge of your seat thriller. Dez is a straight shooter. Through the most harrowing of situations, he maintains an even, quiet, confident manner. His polite banter, even during the most stressful of times, often adds a humorous undertone and lightens some of the intense suspense. I couldn't help but laugh at the dialogue even as I held my breath through the pulse pounding action.

Through his adventures, Dez has gathered friends in high places. Several of them have cameos in this story. And they all agree, he's a pain in the butt, but they love him anyway.

I couldn't wait to jump into this book. I'm happy to say, Dez is back and better than ever.

Dez is specially trained as a gatekeeper – he can open doors, keep them open as long as needed, and control who enters and doesn’t enter. As a guitarist on the side, Dez’s friend texts him saying he needs him as a backup guitarist at the Liberty Center in New Jersey. Dez is hardly there for long before the complex is taken over by an armed militia with thousands of hostages in danger. Little does anyone know, this event is just a small part of a much more massive and complex organization and plan.

Positives
This book was such a fun and wild ride. From the very first page to the last, I was completely sucked into the world of Dez and the nonstop action. I felt like I couldn’t stop reading and had to know what would happen next. Byrne provides readers with super descriptive writing that doesn’t take away from the fast pace of the story. As a reader, you’re interested in the main characters, the side characters, the plot, the subplot, the settings, and everything in between, and you must know how all the pieces fit together and how everything will be solved.

Frustrations
No frustrations – this book was such an enjoyable read. It was completely different from the thrillers I usually read, which was one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much. It was a refreshing change, and I can’t wait to continue reading about Dez.

Rating and Why
I rated Chain Reaction a 4.75 Stars (Rounded to 5) for no reason other than I didn’t have that five-star feeling. It was an engaging story with an intriguing plot that keeps the readers’ attention on every page.

Recommend?
Would I recommend this? Absolutely – I didn’t think I would enjoy this type of thriller, but I was so wrong. It felt like an action movie on paper and had me hooked from the very first sentence. I love how dynamic and mysterious Dez is and how we learn a little bit about him indirectly through his actions and reactions.

Read If You Like…
• Fast-Paced Thriller
• Nonstop Action
• Espionage Thriller
• Dynamic Characters
• Unexpected Twists

I “fecking” ( Dez’s word, not mine) loved this book. It is among the very best of the action, thriller, crime, drama, stop your heart, hold your breath genre. It holds its own against the Orphan X Series, which is at the top of my thriller list.

I don’t know who James Byrne is but I hope he never stops writing this series. Desmond Aloysius Limerick is simply extraordinary and what he can do with a slingshot and a ball bearing is a thing of beauty in the most destructive way. He is engaging and entertaining as he is breaking a limb, gouging an eye, hacking a computer, buying time, opening a door. He has a tattoo of Janus - the “God of beginnings and gates” he’s a gatekeeper. He treats women equally, depending on the situation, for better or worse, - and did you know his meal of choice after athletic sex is eggs?!

Snappy, sharp dialog, an amazing and intricate story, interesting and involved secondary and tertiary characters - this a really great book. Please, please keep this character and series going. We are all looking forward to the next installment. 5 “fecking” brilliant stars. A million thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a copy.

Chain Reaction by James Byrne is an adrenaline-packed thriller that combines high-stakes action with a complex and compelling protagonist. Dez Limerick, a former gatekeeper with a mysterious and troubled past, is drawn back into a life of danger when he’s called upon to use his unique skills to help with a terrorist attack. The plot kicks into high gear as Dez navigates a tense hostage situation at the Liberty Center, where he must outsmart a group of highly trained terrorists with deadly precision.

Byrne skillfully crafts Dez as a man with depth, blending his tough exterior with moments of vulnerability and hints at his shadowy history. The action is fast-paced and intense, filled with twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. As Dez faces off against an opponent who seems to anticipate his every move, the stakes escalate in unexpected and thrilling ways, leading to revelations about his past that complicate his mission.

Chain Reaction is a thrilling ride from start to finish, with strong character development and a well-crafted plot that keeps you guessing. Fans of high-stakes action thrillers with a touch of personal intrigue will enjoy this gripping story of a man trying to escape his past—only to find that it’s never really far behind.

This remains one of my favorite thriller series, not least because our hero seems to be having such a good time. Dez Limerick is the opposite of the tortured, PTSD-afflicted, angst-ridden thriller hero; he's an optimistic, practical, friendly bundle of improvised mayhem. The action sequences are imaginative, the story moves quickly, and the plot offers high enough stakes to keep the suspense level high. The bad guys are bad, the good guys are good, and you don't need a scorecard to tell who's on which team.

Chain Reaction by James Byrne is about Desmond Aloysious Limerick, a retired, trained gatekeeper and jack-of-all-trades. He is a man that one wants on his side. He can be onstage with a band one moment and chasing the bad guys the next. The exciting thing about Dez is that he doesn’t take himself too seriously as do many men in his “profession.” This is a thriller, no mistake, but it bounces from one scenario to the next. There is a woman involved: Cat, who is a professional thief, one of the best. They are lovers while they are together, and both are fine with that. Dez is able to plan ahead and set scenes well before they happen. He thinks through all the possibilities and provides for each of them. He doesn’t like to kill, but will when it is necessary. He is not tied in to one weapon or even one type of weapon but goes with the flow. He is kind of a gentle tough guy and he is thrilling to read.

This book moves so fast, the reader (participants as well) has to stay awake and pay attention before the whole thing gets away from you. The plot is fast moving and probably highly unlikely, but there is no doubt whose side Dez is on, this time and always. Terrific book!

I was invited to read Chain Reaction by St Martin’s Press. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley StMartinsPress #JamesByrne #ChainReaction

Chain Reaction by James Bryne is the third book in the Dez series.
Dez is a gatekeeper – he can open doors, locks, and has many talents.
He is lured to the Liberty complex to play with a band. When he gets there, the place is taken over by Russians who demand the return of a large ship.
With the help of Catilina, a skilled thief, he helps take down the Russians.
The story continues with many twists, which makes it so good. I love Dez and how he has such a sunny disposition, but it is as lethal as they come.
I highly recommend the series --- I read them all and felt that helped with my enjoyment.

Chain Reaction is the Third installment in author James Byrne's Dez Limerick series. The story opens 18 months ago, with Dez in Madrid, Spain, with a man named Jamison. He is there to meet with an alleged Professor and his assistant for a formula that would be revolutionary, but it turns out to be a scam. Dez is trained as a gatekeeper capable of opening any door, keeping it open as long as necessary, and controlling who does and doesn’t go through it. Though retired, he keeps his skills up to date.

It is here that he meets Catalina Valdivia, who will be a key to the events that will happen after Dez is lured to Newark, where he will allegedly play with a band he knows well. When he is texted by a friend needing his musical skills, Dez flies to New Jersey for the gig at the new opening of the Liberty Center. He’s barely there when the complex is taken over by an armed militia, and thousands of hostages are in danger. When the event is taken over by Russian terrorists, he cannot help but think that his arrival here was planned by someone.

Dez solicits the aid of a Cat, a master thief, and with her aid and his wit and unique skills, they rush headfirst into the impossible task of defeating, or at the least waylaying, an army. A puzzling chain of events occurs in the days following the attack that don't add up, and being a numbers guy, Dez's seriously disturbed when two plus two doesn't equal four. Evidence indicates Dez and others were lured to the convention center under false pretenses by someone as highly skilled as he is, but Dez only knew one person who fit the criteria, and she's dead. Isn't she?

Dez is inventive with a sense of humor that comes out in his craft. He is fast on the uptake and brilliant in how his mind works. Byrne's two female characters are both badass. Cat is a top-of-the-line thief who always gets what she wants. She helps Dez with her own very different skill set. I do hope they align together again in the future because they make a great team. Olivia, aka Liv, is a former colleague of Dez’s and also a superb gatekeeper, but her goals in life are completely opposite those of Dez. She’s a great opponent and I don't see how Byrne can just walk away without yet another confrontation.

Thriller featuring the ever-so-competent Dez Limerick. Boy, does he have some useful skills for every situation! Plus, he's got a sense of humor. I like the other characters as well. My only complaints would be that he's a little too good to be plausible and that the plot in this one seemed a little overly complex. But it's just so much fun to read, I didn't mind much.

While this is the third in the series, I think it would work fine as a standalone. I have read #2, but not the first.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book.

A terrorist attack on a vast shopping-entertainment center and two assassins with a list of six victims lured to the center is just the opening challenge faced by Desmond Aloysius Limerick, called Dez by his friends. Aided by Cat Valdivia, a master thief with skills of her own, he has to find a way to stop the terrorists and open the center’s booby trapped entrances to the authorities. If anyone can do it, Dez can. A former military gatekeeper, he is trained to gain access, let the right people in and keep the wrong people out. When the attack has ended, a number of terrorists have escaped and three of the assassins’ victims are dead. Cat would prefer to avoid the authorities, but Dez becomes involved with the FBI’s investigation. There is no apparent connection between the three murder victims. Soon a fourth person who had been at the center is murdered and a fifth is attacked, but survives. Dez is up against someone who went through the same training as a gatekeeper. There is only one person who it could be but Dez killed her years ago, or so he thought.

To anyone who meets Dez he is affable and resourceful. While his actions often fall into a legal gray area, his results allow the authorities to finally find a connection between the victims, going back to murders committed twenty-four years earlier. They are tied to a German banking family that also manages the center. Dez and Cat work well together. She is independent and draws on her own abilities to protect Dez’s back and offer her own plans. She has never used a firearm in her work and refuses all of Dez’s offers to be armed. While Dez will use firearms when the situation requires them, he can turn almost any object into a weapon. James Byrne’s story is non-stop action and will keep any thriller enthusiast turning pages and looking forward to Dez’s return. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press - Minotaur for providing this book.

This is such an entertaining series! James Byrne has created a superhero in Dez Limerick to join the ranks of Jack Reacher, Evan Smoak (Orphan X), and Jason Bourne. He’s an ex-military gatekeeper who has the skills and resourcefulness to deal with any situation he encounters. Dez is witty, charming and doesn’t take himself too seriously. This installment begins with Russian paramilitary terrorists taking control of a newly constructed convention center and holding civilians hostage. Dez of course jumps into action to thwart the terrorists and discovers that the situation isn’t as straightforward as it appears. There is nonstop action to keep readers engaged until the very end. This series is pure reading enjoyment.

James Bryne returns with his popular Dez Limerick thriller series following The Gatekeeper#1, Deadlock#2 with #3, CHAIN REACTION —an explosive action thriller full of suspense and a hero with mad skills and lots of personality to root for.

“Dez Limerick is electrifying! Razor-sharp, skilled, creative and witty. A gatekeeper, a musician, and more...”

About...

Desmond Aloysius Limerick (“Dez”) has retired from a shadowy past of military and intelligence work at age 35.

With a sexy British/Irish accent to die for and all the dark humor, intelligence, and wit making DEZ, Desmond Aloysius Limerick the ultimate gatekeeper. A former mercenary, a musician, and a man who can open any door— physical or digital.

The book opens with an intense and action-packed scene set eighteen months earlier in Madrid, Spain, setting the stage for a thrilling and suspenseful journey.

Dez is in Portland, Oregon, when he gets invited to an upcoming show in Newark. He has been in the state in LA, picking up musical gigs as a bass player and pianist. He and his band have been invited to open for Calvin Willow (63), a rock legend from the 80s-90s. (one of four opening acts).

He travels with a Vietnam-era surplus duffel bag for his clothes and lots of black T-shirts, jeans, and jackets with lace-up boots. He also has a Gibson Ripper bass guitar, a big tablet, and a phone.

The venue is at the Liberty Convention Center, which has over 2.2 million sq ft of space with hotels, bars, shops, and restaurants.

Soon after his arrival, the complex is taken over by an armed militia, and thousands of hostages are in danger. A Russian terrorist attack! The Newark Police, New Jersey State Police, and the National Guard are all on standby. And the FBI. Civilians are dead.

With the help of 'Cat' Catalina Valdivia, a skilled thief, Dez works tirelessly to save the hostages and outwit the militia, showcasing his heroic nature and determination.

But was this invitation planned to get him here? Who lured him here under false pretenses?

My thoughts...

Highly entertaining! I fell in love with Dez in the first book, THE GATEKEEPER, and then again in DEADLOCK. I was thrilled to catch up with him again in CHAIN REACTION. Bryne has created a razor-sharp, stand-out superhero with a unique skill set who keeps you laughing with his wit and charm. He is quirky, smart, and witty.

You will be hooked on this twisty, fast-paced, electrifying thriller from the Prologue. EXPLOSIVE! Dez is a class act, and I love to see him in action and all the supporting fun characters.

From the past (24 years ago) to the present, you will want to solve the puzzle after the chain of events following the attack that do not quite add up under pretenses. Who is behind it? It took someone skilled, but Dez knows that person is supposed to be dead, or is she?

From mystery, suspense, action, a high-stake espionage thriller! CHAIN REACTION has it all, with a hero you want by your side in a disaster.

As a fan of the series, I eagerly await the next installment. The series has the potential to be a hit on the big or small screen, and I can't wait to see what comes next!

Recs...

For fans of the series, the author and those who enjoy works by David Baldacci, Lee Child's Jack Reacher, Greg Hurwitz (Orphan X series), and Janet Evanovich's Ranger (Stephanie Plum series).

Thank you, Minotaur Books, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley, for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Jan 28, 2025
My Rating: 5 Stars
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Jan 2025 Must-Read Books

My Reviews
THE GATEKEEPER #1
THE DEADLOCK #2
CHAIN REACTION #3

Chain Reaction (Minotaur, 2025) is the third book in the Gatekeeper series by James Byrne. Desmond Aloysius Limerick is a retired British mercenary with specialized training who is now roaming the U.S. seeing the sights and playing the occasional musical gig. Mostly he is using his specialized skills to rescue someone a la Jack Reacher. He is a Gatekeeper, he can open any door any time any place and keep it open as long as necessary. In his debut there’s an aura of mysticism surrounding his abilities but in the sequel he drops a comment about his two engineering degrees, which explains a lot.

The story starts with a scenario familiar to anyone who has seen Die Hard. Terrorists take over a glitzy convention center in New Jersey. Fortunately for the hostages, Dez happens to be on hand to deal with the insurgents. He’s only momentarily distracted by meeting his guitar idol Calvin Willow who is one of the hostages and extracting a promise of a private jam session. After the stand-off is resolved, Dez is curious enough about the backers of the attack to assist the FBI in their investigation, which leads to more questions than answers.

Dez is an original and welcome addition to the already impressive line-up of thriller heroes on the bookshelves. At first I thought he was a mash-up of Reacher and MacGyver but he is more of a people person than Reacher. Reacher is the consummate loner. Dez is far too gregarious to be a loner. His ability to form long-term friendships reminds me of Rush Mackenzie. He and Reacher do have a compulsive tendency to help people in common though. The MacGyver comparison is still apt; Dez can create weapons and tools out of almost anything. His tendency to crack wise reminds me of Spenser, although Dez is funnier and his timing is better.

These books can be read as stand-alones, so no need to start at the beginning of the series, yet at least, although I expect anyone who enjoys one of them will want to read all of them. For anyone in need of an absorbing, quick-moving adventure with a charismatic lead character. Recommended!

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Dez is an interesting character with a lot of education and skills. He has worked for various governments as a gatekeeper. He is educated in physics and electrical engineering, but also by life's experiences in various spots around the world. His irreverent attitude is tied up in his own moral code. He sometimes has compassion. He's an equalizer type of guy for the underdogs who are in trouble they didn't start.

Dez is playing music and gets an email to play with his old group plus Calvin Willow who is a legend to him. It's at the new Liberty Center. Of course, it's a spoof to get him there for a Russian terrorist attack. Or is it a terrorist attack? He manages to guerilla take down some of the Russians and save some civilians. He gets help from his idol Calvin and a thief, Liz.

He rigs up communication around the jammers to contact the FBI and feeds info to the hostage negotiator, Stella. They become sort of partners in tracking down the perpetrators and motives throughout the book, along with his mystery helper, Liz. This one is action packed as always and fun. I like the strategy and sciencey skills of the gatekeeper. Overall it's not quite realistic but I really enjoyed it.

Dez tries to protect the innocents but little regard for the bad guys. Except the thief and the big bad behind this whole fiasco. She is someone from his past, manipulating him and others to fill her pockets and enjoy her adrenaline fix. But Dez handles everything as usual. There is canoodling but it is all off page. I will always look forward to reading more in the Dez Limerick series.

I love this little series!
With pages turning faster than my fingers could flip them, this spell-binding thriller mystery will keep readers engaged from beginning to end. And the twists and surprises will be exactly what readers need to make this story the one they want to pick up next!

In the book Chain Reaction, author James Byrne continues the story of Dez Limerick, a retired mercenary gatekeeper and amateur musician. Dez’s gets an invitation from a friend that needs him to play with his band on the east coast for the opening of the new Liberty Center complex. But he finds himself stuck in the new building with thousands of people being held hostage by a group of terrorists. Dez is not one to sit around, so he begins taking out the terrorists. But are things really as they seem to be? Or are some of the people that are dying really being targeted? This was a great edge of your seat continuations to Dez’s story. I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5 stars

This series centers around Desmond Aloysius Limerick (aka Dez), a bit of a mysterious former military-trained "gatekeeper" (defined as a specialist who can enter anywhere, keep the entrance open and secure and ensure all who are supposed to exit).

This adventure has Dez attending the opening of a new massive commercial complex The Liberty Center as he agrees to provide backup for a friend's gig there. However, things go awry as there is a takeover hostage situation (think a bit Die Hard) in which he and a "Cat" burglar (known from a previous encounter) must work together to rectify the situation...however, the plot thickens from there.

There's a bit of everything in this one...resurrections from the past (both persons and events), terrorists, assassins, dastardly deeds and evil villains. Definitely enough action to keep my attention.

I must admit that I started out with this series with not a lot of high expectations. Needless to say, I am very happy to be surprised by how much I'm enjoying it. Dez, as a happy-go-lucky "Mr. Fix It" is fun to watch, a hoot to listen to (and that's just READING his language not audio booking it) and just all-around cheer worthy hero. He's earnest, self-deprecating and effortlessly charming. He's also slyly brilliant (both commonsense-wise and with an engineering degree). He also manages to accumulate side-character friends along the way who loyally show up for him in new adventures in any way that he needs them to.

Count me as a loyal Dez fan as well.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for providing the free early arc of Chain Reaction for review. The opinions are strictly my own.