This is an action packed and intriguing drama. Dez returns with old and new characters in a page turning and interesting story. The plot sees him pitted against old nemesis as he tries to solve a mystery and save lives. From New York to Italy, it is a wild ride. The characters are amazing and well developed. The language and dialogue is well suited to the characters and easy to understand. This is a not be missed story which is thoroughly enjoyable.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I picked this up because it looked like a good, fun action book where the over powered good guys thwarts the bad guys. It reminded me of the concept of the Jack Reacher books which are just easy, fun books that move fast and are good escapist books. I do think that there will be overlap in the audiences that enjoy those books with this one. It also reminded me a little of the Die Hard movies except the main character is not an everyday sort of guy. He's had extra training to take on the spies, terrorists and assassins.

Having not read any of the prior in this series I went in fairly blind. The action hits you right away. The pacing is strong throughout the book and you are propelled through this story. The characters are not especially fleshed out and it was about half way through the book before I realized Dez was British and not Irish (or at least I think that is the case). We really do not know a whole lot about Dez save that he is amazing at many, many things because of being something called a Gatekeeper in his past though we have no idea what that means. His character could have used a little fleshing out but that might be my fault for having picked up this book mid series. Some of his character might have been fleshed out in prior books. At any rate, we watch him get out of impossible jams and trials to thwart the bad guys.

It's a swashbuckling good time where you just know the good guys will come up on top. That's exactly what I expected/wanted and that's what I got. I wouldn't advise reading this for the characters themselves as they are more stock characters but I find that is often the case for this genre of books. Also, Dez talks in a lot of slang which took a bit to adjust to as it made him sound a little cartoonish when I first began reading. Once I found a rhythm, that faded a little into the background.

This is for people who want to read high stakes adventures where the overpowered good guy wins. Sometimes in life that is exactly the story you want and need. It is not my main fare but nice for a break between other genres.

Another thrilling read by this author! I love these characters and the ride is amazing! un and keeps me guessing! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher!

I can’t wait for Chain Reaction by James Byrne to come out so everyone can read it. What a great thriller.

After a rollicking first act, this Dez Limerick novel -- Byrne's third -- settles in and, to my mind, peters out. The humor and inventive action are there, and the book is eminently readable, but the villains are less than formidable and the plot less than surprising And a lot of people do dumb, convenient and unconvincing things in a finale that pales in comparison to the opening action.

That said, it's a breezy fun book. Painless and slickly written.

CHAIN REACTION is the third book in the highly acclaimed Dez Limerick series and in my opinion, the best yet! Author James Byrne has firmly established himself as one of the top writers in the espionage thriller genre with this explosive, action-packed series featuring a dynamite character with deadly skills, keen mind, strong sense of right and wrong, and a wry sense of humor as well as a love of music and an eye for the ladies. Set aside your to-do list before starting this page burner. I promise you’ll find it impossible to put down.

Desmond Aloysius Limerick aka "Dez" is a larger-than-life former military "secret" trained as a highly skilled gatekeeper - now retired unless he's called upon to help a friend or innocent victim. His skill set doesn't mesh well within the confines of society's rules, and he's often found on the outskirts of events, silently observing, evaluating people and situations. Dez enjoys playing gigs with musicians when he has the opportunity and jumps at the chance to fill in with a band at the grand opening of the Liberty Center in New Jersey; however, he quickly finds himself in the middle of a Russian terrorist attack when the Center is sieged and thousands of lives endangered. Dez solicits the aid of a reluctant former adversary, 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 occur 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 that fit the criteria and she's dead. Isn't she?

CHAIN REACTION is an blistering, high octane espionage thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from cover to cover. Byrne brilliantly manipulates characters and readers through pages of revelations at a breakneck pace. Fans of the series will enjoy getting more insight into Dez's background even as they marvel at the extent of his inventive skills at turning everyday objects into deadly weapons and overcoming insurmountable odds--all with a slightly warped sense of humor. Support characters are well developed, including a couple of strong-headed women who could be worthy friends or formidable adversaries – the jury remains out on which one Dez can trust. Magnificently written and delivered, fans of high-action, high-stake espionage thrillers will enjoy CHAIN REACTION and this new, highly skilled hero "Dez" who’s a combo of Macgyver and Jack Reacher on steroids! This one would be sensational on the big screen!

Chain Reaction
James Byrne
Fiction
Nancy
5

Dez Limerick is a gatekeeper, a title encompassing a varied and challenging skill set mastered by very few, but one necessary, Dez finds, in keeping himself and many others alive. He is also charming and a talented musician who fills his spare time picking up gigs as a pianist and bass player with bands playing classic rock and roll. Dez is relaxing in Portland, Oregon, after completing an assignment during which both lives and a great deal of money are saved when a text arrives from the leader of a band Dez has joined several times before, asking him to fly to Newark, New Jersey, to fill the spot of their Covid-stricken bassist. As if that weren’t enough incentive, the band will be opening for legendary Calvin Willow, known as one of the four best guitarists in rock history. Newark is celebrating the opening of its new convention center, hosting several large businesses and organizations in addition to entertainment, so the huge space is filled with celebrants as Dez mingles with the crowd. It doesn’t take long for Dez to spot men, several pairs of them, who carry themselves with a familiar military bearing, all of whom dressed in bulky clothes perfect for concealing weapons. Dez immediately realizes that, unlike the majority of the attendees these men have come prepared to kill.

James Byrne has established himself as one of the best writers in the suspense genre. His three books: Gatekeeper, Deadlock, and now Chain Reaction are all riveting and memorable reads, while Dez Limerick is engaging, charming, brilliant, and clever. Byrne combines the best of plot and character. Don’t miss him!

I'm really surprised that I'd not been familiar with Byrne's Dez Limerick before, and I'll be forever grateful for the free early review copy of Chain Reaction that introduced me to his world. Admittedly the profanity is annoyingly over the top, but the story is so well-written, with wonderfully intricate plot twists, glimpses, hints, and ultimately satisfaction that I will give a fifth star--which I've never done for a book whose characters seem to have so few adjectives that don't start with an "f."

I was ecstatic to find that my favorite character, Desmond Aloysius Limerick (Dez to his friends), is back! Not only is Dez trusted by law enforcement to help solve the toughest crimes, he is incredibly funny and could charm the birds right out of the trees.

When Dez gets caught up in what is thought to be a terrorist attack at the new Liberty Center, he does some digging of his own and finds out that things are not as they appear. Was Dez lured there, and if so, by who?

James Byrne has a very fertile imagination, and lucky for us, his third book in this series is the best one yet. I fervently hope there’s even more to come. Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this 5-star book.

Chain Reaction is the 3rd book of the Dez Limerick series by James Byrne. I really enjoyed it, particularly Dez’s character. Mr. Byrne did a fine job building his character through his vernacular speech, humor and moral standards. The story involves a multilayered challenge between Dez and a former love interest. The women characters in the book are all strong independent and can kick ass. The only one, I had some less than positive feelings about was the FBI agent. She seemed too accommodating and grateful to Dez for his help.

The pace was quick – no boring bits to skim. I have to say that some of Dez’s abilities are a little fantastical but for me, that was part of the fun. Overall a very fun read.

This is a spy thriller book and was my first introduction to this author and these characters. Dez brings a sense of humor to the thriller aspects that was very amusing and fun to read. The author's details were intricate and the action did not stop from the very first page. I loved all of the twists and felt that all of the other characters added to the story instead of just fading into the background. I may have to check out the rest of this series now!

Dez Limerick is a character I don't think I could ever tire of reading about. Dez is such a delightful character; one cannot help but smile and laugh at his antics and his dialogue while also enjoying his specialized skill set and all the chaos he causes. In "Chain Reaction", Dez will gain two temporary partners -- one on the "right" side of the law (Stella) and the other decidedly not (Cat). He will experience a "blast from the past", as someone he assumed was dead will reappear, and will prove to be the most challenging adversary he has faced. The plot is well crafted, with lots of surprises, including the main motives of the "players" who have orchestrated the "game" around which the story revolves. The book ends in a manner which suggests a fourth book is possible, but I hope it does not end there.

I LOVE this series!! Dez just keeps getting better and better. He's such a great main character; funny, smart, mysterious, witty. And James Byrne writes him so well, it's almost like he's friends with all of us. I'm here for all of it! Highly recommend.

James Byrne is firmly established in my mind as a must read author of entertaining thrillers. His unique hero with mysterious training and exceptional talents is both humorous and endearing. Dez should be in the movies! Chain Reaction would be the 3rd in a blockbuster line that action movie fans would shell out money to go see. It's about time America got out of comic books and rediscovered a hero with values and unique intelligence.

My thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an advance copy of this novel about a man with a particular set of skills, on the bass guitar, with computers, locks and doors and gates, and an ability to find himself in the right place, at the right time and doing the right thing.

Growing up I was a portly child, with bad eyesight, a complete lack of interest in sports, and other manly pursuits. So I read Men's Adventure books. They aren't as prevalent now, but in the seventies, maybe to the early nineties, the book shelves used to be loaded with what was basically men's romance novels. Every month, especially when Harlequin took over Pinnacle books, there would be fresh stories about grim men, killing the enemies of America. Death Merchant, The Survivor, Tracks, The Destroyer, and the one that started it all , Mack Bolan, The Executioner. I read them all, even ones that were so bad that they remain in my memory for their absolute horribleness. Gradually as more armchair warriors were created through the politics of America Men's Adventure books began to become the thriller books of today. Lee Child, Vince Flynn, like to claim James Bond as their inspiration, but many of these read like like Mack Bolan books, except longer than the 197 pages the books were mandated to be. Lone man, kills a lot of people. Moves on. While interesting these stories are what they are. Few try to buck the conventions, and challenge the ideas of what these stories can be, or how their heroes can be made more interesting. Smarter. Able to pick fights, or even to ignore fights, when it doesn't make sense. That is why I have been enjoying the books written by James Byrne featuring Desmond Aloysius Limerick. Dez, to his friends, and he has friends, unlike many, is funny, interesting, with a mysterious background, but a guy who does what he does now because he wants to, and because he knows he can get people out, if he has too. Chain Reaction is the third in the series, and is a story that starts immediately and doesn't let up until the last page, filled with characters who real, and tons of action, and great writing.

Desmond Aloysius Limerick, Dez to those lucky to know him gets a panic text message to fill in for a sick member or a friend's crew. In the old days this could have meant anything, now its to be a replacement bass player for a bar band with a chance to open for a music legend. Dez agrees and travels East to the great state of New Jersey, where a grand new convetion center, one of the largest ever built is having its grand opening. Music events, fine dining, comic book conventions, and more await, and Dez is amazed at the place and the people. Especially the fact that so many military-looking men are walking around. Soon things go bad, and the convention center is seized by terrorists who lock the place down, and threaten the thousands of people inside. As Dez does what he does best, he finds out that what seems like a simple act of extortion might be something more. Something that might tie back to someone in Dez's past, one that Dez thought he had left a knife in.

Third books have a habit of coasting, but Byrne shows no sign of this here. This book ups the ante, adding more characters, more of a back story and lots of ultraviolence. And humor. Which adds to a great read. Not only is the writing good, the characters seem real. People with pasts, and with futures that one wants to read about. Dez is a lot of fun, a guy who can fight the fight, but also can step away and let others to what they have to. The story is very good, and what is better fits well in to what we have learned, or for new readers, a way for them to catch-up. Byrne mixes real world politics, business, and an eye for locations that really give the novels a rich setting to set the scene. The action is different too. One won't look at superballs the same way.

A great story to lose oneself in, with a story that really holds up, with clues, and information shared fairly. This is the third book, but one can start this and get a good feeling for the story. And go back and read the others. I can't wait to read more stories about Dez, and his many friends, and enemies.

Full of action and suspense that will keep you turning the pages. The book is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Loved it! Dez Limerick is a one-of-a-kind, larger-than-life character, and I love this series. This is the third book, and in my opinion, they can be read in any order. I read the second book first, and liked it so much that I immediately bought and read the first book.

Dez was trained as that rarity called a gatekeeper. He can open any door, keep it open as long as necessary, and control who goes in and out. He's retired now, traveling around the country with his guitar, and stopping to play the occasional gig. So, he is in the brand new Liberty Center, invited to play in a restaurant/bar there with an old friend, when he realizes that something is wrong.

It soon becomes evident to Dez that the Liberty Center is under attack by terrorists, that he was lured there, and ominously, visitors are not allowed to leave, but are hostages. The question is, what do the terrorists want? And why did someone want *him* there?

I received an e-arc from the publisher St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books, and voluntarily read and reviewed it.

Chain Reaction by James Byrne
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Dez Limerick is a man of many skills. He has extensive training as a “gatekeeper”- he can open any door, keep it open as long as necessary, and control who does (and who does not) go through it. He’s also a chill guy who plays bass guitar and is always there to help a mate.
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This is the third book is Dez Limerick’s series and I am really enjoying these books! Dez is such a great guy, so cool that it’s hard not to like him. He’s also really good as his unique set of skills.
Chain Reaction was a tricky bit of a puzzle and I didn’t see the endgame until Dez explained it all. What a wild ride! It was very entertaining to see Dez go toe to toe with the brains behind this puzzle.
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Very entertaining and I look forward to what adventures Dez finds himself in next! While you don’t necessarily need to read the books in order, I loved reading them in order and I would recommend going in order.

Chain Reaction is book three in the Dez Limerick series and all these books should be on a must read list. Be still my heart, Dez is a one of a kind character with smoothness and skills to put most leading characters to shame. What is supposed to be Dez playing in a band for an opening gig turns into a terrorist attack and a hostage situation at the venue. A “gatekeeper “, Dez can get in any door and access to any computer network and is never afraid to risk his neck taking on the bad guys. Dez quickly figures out things aren’t what they seem and impossibly someone from his past seems to be back and causing him problems. Chain Reaction is an action packed thrill ride that demands to be read in one sitting. Dez is one of the great characters of all time. My voluntary, unbiased, and non-mandatory review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

Dez was trained as a "gatekeeper"—he can open any door, keep it open as long as necessary, and control who does—and does not—go through. Now retired from his previous life, Dez still tries to keep his skills up to date.

Knocking around the country, picking up the occasional gig as a guitarist, Dez is contacted by a friend in urgent need of his musical skills. At his behest, Dez flies to the East Coast to a gig at the brand new massive complex, the Liberty Center. But he's barely landed before he finds himself in the midst of a terrorist attack, a group has taken over the whole center and thousands of hostage lives are in danger. With the semi-willing help of a talented thief, Dez takes on the impossible task of outfighting and outwitting a literal army. But that's just the beginning, as Dez learns he was actually lured there under false pretenses, by someone who knows more about Dez, his past and his skills than any living person should.

- I did not realize this was the 3rd book in a series when I picked it up, but I jumped right in anyway. I would recommend reading the first two before going in to this one, but it's not absolutely necessary to get into the story. I enjoyed this one enough and am giving it 3.5 stars. I would be happy to read more books by Mr. Byrne in the future!