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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Pub Date: Jan 28, 2025
My Rating: 5 Stars
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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.

Another win for James Byrne and Dez Limerick! Although the novels are formulaic and predictable, that doesn’t detract from the fun and excitement of them. Getting a bit more insight into Dez’s past is interesting but feels very much like an Orphan X copy. Regardless, always a good time!

My thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books/St.Martin's Publishing for the ARC of 'Chain Reaction' in exchange for an honest review.
A 5 star Welcome Back to the unstoppable Dez Limerick, wandering soldier-of=fortune, cheeky knight errant, and whenever he can pick up a gig, an ace band guitarist. Not to mention his best quality (and the reason I can't wait till each of his new adventures comes out).....he's the scourge of global villainy and thorough thwarter of armies of terrorists.
This time around, he's up against a deadly combination of Russians and a mysterious assassination consortium who require some serious Dez-struction.
Dez shows up at the grand opening of a vast new shopping-entertainment complex, thinking he's been invited to play in a band. But the invite's nothing but a phony lure and he finds himself in the middle of a full scale invasion by Russian terrorists. With the thugs shooting innocent hostages, you just know our man Dez, master of all deadly combat skills, won't sit still for it.
Now this is where I start keeping my mouth shut about all the non-stop action and twists and turns that follow Dez and his new unlikely ally Cat Valdivia, a drop dead gorgeous master thief......other than to say they find themselves up against an adversary who more than matches (and may well surpass) Dez Limerick's gift for outfighting and outwitting any opponents. All that's left to say.....buckle up.
Everything and anything a lover of action-adventure could ever want in one book is all here.......with no end of fun watching the ever affable Dez wade through thugs, plotters and surprises with his 'particular set of skills', (including deadpan wit and a talent for finding makeshift lethal weapons when there's no gun available. And woe to anyone who dares underestimate him.
I can't praise this series highly enough. And for those anxiously awaiting news of a new James Bond movie, here's your best option for enjoying just as much thrills and some wicked humor......join up with Team Dez.

If you are looking for a rollicking good time with no pesky social commentary and little character development, this is the book for you. Dez is a hilarious "gatekeeper" who has left that profession to play in a band. But that profession keeps finding him. He gets caught in a hostage situation with a beautiful cat burglar and together they wreak havoc. But not everything is what it seems.

This series is just plain fun. If you enjoy fast-paced action that doesn't take itself seriously, you'll love this one.

Not family friendly due to profanity and violence.

Chain Reaction by James Byrne

Dez Limerick is up to his old tricks in Chain Reaction, the third novel featuring this unique hero. Once again, Dez uses his idiosyncratic skill set to thwart some bad actors, making several important friends (and calling on some old ones) along the way.

Dez is a charming rogue with an anachronistic sense of right and wrong combined with the tech savvy of a modern computer guru. He knows what he can do and never hesitates to do it when the need arises. He is a hit with the ladies but very sensitive to the modern rules between the sexes. He can get into or out of any room or situation, and joke around while doing it. In short, there is very little not to love about Dez Limerick, as long as you are not a criminal attempting to take advantage of people who are weaker than you are. For pure unadulterated escapism and action-packed adventure, it is almost impossible to beat the Dez Limerick books.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read Chain Reaction in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third book in the Gatekeeper series, which is my favorite newish thriller series. The main character Dez Limerick is trained as a Gate Keeper a shadowy figure who can open doors and keep them open. Much like Reacher he kind of wanders around and gets caught up in insane situations. This book starts in a Die Hard in a Mall situation, and moves wildly from there, into a Limerick facing off with a fellow Gate Keeper. This is a familiar style, but I am a sucker for these kind of reluctant action hero books, and the Limerick character has a fun unique set of skills and a charming personality, unlike a lot of these kind of Orphan X/Gray Man types who tend to be downers. If this kind of thing is your kind of thing, I recommend grabbing all three of these books and you will have a new recurring guy to look forward to.

(4.5 stars)
Dez Limerick is one of my favorite fictional characters. I don’t read a ton of thrillers but I love this series. Dez is quirky with a ton of skills and lots of ingenuity, both of which help him survive very crazy situations. He is considered a gatekeeper. It may sound odd that a thriller made me laugh, but Dez has a great sense of humor and his British expressions make for some rather puzzled people in the US.

In this third book of the series, most of the action takes place in New Jersey, New York City and way upstate New York - with a bit in Italy thrown in as well. A huge entertainment/shopping/conference center has opened in New Jersey, adjacent to Newark International Airport. (Although I haven’t yet visited there, it reminded me of the new American Dream complex not too far from where this is supposed to be.) Dez is there because he has received a message from a musician friend, asking him to fill in for his bassist who is sick, at a concert connected with the opening of this new Liberty Center. He finds himself in the midst of a terrorist attack on the center and uses his many skills to help outwit the perpetrators. The plot is complex but easy to follow.

Two female characters are introduced in this book and I loved them both. Cat (Catalina) is a thief and she winds up helping Dez with her own, very different, skills. I really hope she will show up in a future book because she and Dez made a great pair. And Liv (Olivia) is a former colleague of Dez’s, also a superb gatekeeper, but her goals in life are completely opposite those of Dez. She’s a great opponent.

Because I listened to the previous two books via audiobook, I could “hear” Dev’s voice even though I was reading this one, not listening to it. (If an audiobook version of this comes out, I highly recommend it!) It took me a bit longer than I would have liked to finish Chain Reaction because life got in the way. Otherwise I would have happily sped through it.

You can read this as a standalone, but of course you would have a better understanding of Dez and his background if you’ve read the other two books also.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Dez Limerick is the greatest character created in the last 50 years. A brilliant smile hiding an equally brilliant mind with a heart of gold and the life of any party, Dez is brought into a situation that is deadly and confusing, and once again has to rescue another beautiful damsel, although the women he's drawn to are something more than just a pretty face. We finally get introduced to another gatekeeper but this one is as evil as Dez is good. Russian terrorists, German banks and CIA connected gangsters are all involved in the mess Dez finds himself in, all while playing matchmaker for a band mate and an FBI agent, and it's just as much fun as it sounds because of the happy go lucky spirit of Dez. These novels are fun to read because Dez is so amiable and just plain likeable, he's a guy you'd love to buy a beer just to hear his stories. The novels are written well and very easy to read primarily because the characters are so easy to root for. I'm hoping to continue to enjoy the wandering of our favorite gatekeeper for many more years 'cause it's so damn fun.

He's the right man to have in the wrong place

Desmond (Dez to his mates) Limerick is always happy to help out a friend, so when musician pal Jack O'Herlihy texts him with an emergency SOS for to fill in for his band's sick guitarist Dez says yes. As he flies across the country to NJ where the gig will take place he discovers that the band will be opening for a legendary performer, one of the best guitarists in the history of rock and one of Dez's idols. Even better! But Dez is not your average musician eking out an existence by picking up gigs when and where he can....he is recently retired from a far different career, one in the military where he was trained to be what is known as a gatekeeper. He was in charge of opening things, keeping them open as needed, and controlling who could pass through. Doors, computer portals, and anything in between, Dez was the guy who'd be called to make happen what was needed, and he was one of if not the best in the business. So when he strolls into the brand new convention center where he is to stay and where the band is to perform, he is also the kind of person to notice pairs of men who don't seem to blend in with the rest of the people milling about. He soon finds himself in the midst of a large scale hostage taking operation that is getting ugly fast. With the somewhat reluctant help of a talented thief named Cat whose path has crossed his before, he becomes the wrench (spanner) in the works that ultimately foils the hostage takers. But there was another nefarious plan unfolding within the conference center, one headed by someone who knows Dez and his former trade only too well, and Dez and Cat have their work cut out for them if they are to figure out whom they are up against and what the motive and end game are.
This is the third outing of a very talented and lethal man with a wicked sense of humor and an ability to strategize a successful way (usually multiple ways) into and out of any scenario which presents itself. Those who underestimate him soon regret having done so...picture a mash-up of MacGyver, and Jack Reacher with a dash of Ricky Gervais, and that's Dez. But for all the humor that presents as well as vocabulary and terms from across the pond to decipher, the thriller itself is deadly serious. Villains of both the psychopathic and venal variety, a series of victims seemingly with nothing in common but their deaths, and members of law enforcement who appreciate and gladly utilize Dez's talents (even as his refusal to color consistently within the lines drives them mad) are threaded throughout the tale, which starts out with a Bond-esque scene that later leads to the cat and mouse game between Dez and another gatekeeper. Fast paced, quick witted, and cleverly plotted, Chain Reaction is an absolute delight to read for those who have read the earlier books in the series (though this can be read as a standalone quite easily, I highly recommend going back and reading the first two if you enjoy this one as much as I suspect you will) as well as fans of authors like Lee Child, Gregg Hurwitz and Mark Greaney. Dez Limerick has become one of my favorite protagonists since I first discovered him in The Gatekeeper and I eagerly await a fourth installment of his escapades. Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for allowing me access to Chain Reaction in exchange for my honest review.

A propulsive over the top and graphically violent page turner with heart! Dez the gatekeeper is back (don't worry if you missed the first book) and he's found himself in a pickle when he's present at what seems to be a terrorist attack at a mall complex in New Jersey. Yes New Jersey. But, he's Dez and of all things, Cat, an accomplished thief there to and together (along with a legendary guitarist) they save the day. FBI SA Stella Ansara, skeptical at first, quickly realizes that not only is Dez an asset, he's also thinking ahead at all times and he's identified the fact that this attack is more than it appears. This moves briskly between New Jersey, Italy, and other places, all the while keeping pacing and twisting back and forth. No spoilers from me about the who and the why but trust that Byrne has surprises up his sleeve. Know also that Dez is not reluctant to use nuts and bolts in a way they are not intended. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is a great read.

Desmond “Dez” Limerick was trained as a gatekeeper, an expert in a sort of special-ops field involving being really good at getting in and out of places whether by hacking, lock-picking, physical strength, or MacGyver-esque improvisation. In this third outing, Dez is pitted against someone who appears to have the same specialized training. After finding himself in the middle of a hostage situation in a large convention center, he cooperates with the FBI to understand the purpose of the raid before the bad guys strike again. The story is suspenseful and compelling, with occasional dashes of humor. Dez is larger than life in a Jack Reacher way: he’s a guy with professional skills (and a sideline as a guitarist) who just can’t help coming to the rescue when he’s minding his own business and crime happens in his orbit. The whole time I was reading this book, I found myself mentally casting the movie that someone needs to make of it. It's great fun in a summer-blockbuster way.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for a digital advance review copy.

HE’S BAAACK!!! I love Dez!!! He is such a great character and his escapades and shenanigans always make me laugh, making this series a very entertaining one. Byrne has once again made it easy to become so endeared with Dez and his easy-going attitude, amusing wit, silly flirtations and razor-sharp skills and abilities. Dez is the kind of guy that when in a jam, I would never worry about him not getting out unscathed because he is wicked smart and incredibly resourceful. This is reflected perfectly in the prologue when Bryne has Dez doing just that in one of his gatekeeper assignments 18 months ago, when he not only got him and his client out a really dangerous situation, but he also got the couple that was trying to scam his client out of the same jam.

Anyway, the book summary lays out the primary storyline of the terrorist attack at the Liberty Center. What the book summary doesn’t say is that prior to the take over at the Center, Dez runs into Cat, one of the thiefs that he helped escape 18 months ago. With Cat’s help, along with a few other folks, the terrorists are taken down. In typical Dez fashion, Dez made sure the terrorists he encountered never got back up. However, there are other folks that were actually targeting Dez and a select few of the hostages and the terrorists were just pawns in a greater scheme. These folks are not pleased that Dez and Cat twarted their plans and they proceed to go after Dez and Cat. This does not please Dez at all; come after him all you want, but prepare for battle if you go after his friends.

Most of the first half of the story revolves around the terrorist attack and the second half zeroes in on Dez going after the folks that came for him and Cat. It turns out that an ex-lover, Liv, who is also a gatekeeper, is also part of an the internation group of assassins that was hired to kill Dez. In typical Dez fashion, he is ALWAYS one step ahead of Liv and her bunch and makes it perfectly clear to her that while she may be smarter than him, he will always be the better gatekeeper than her. The intense and explosive ending being the perfectly played example of just that.

The continuing charater development of Dez has been entertaining. I love the way that Bryne gives us glimpses of Dez’s past when he was an active gatekeeper and moved from one assignment to another collecting favors, discovering comrades and perfecting his skills and abilities to his present life of retirement where he spends his time picking up guitar gigs and helping out friends who need his kind of assistance. The story line was steady to fast and never drags with a storyline that entertains with it’s off the wall elements and characters. The writing was classic Bryne, and on par for the series with the near perfect blend of wit, intrigue and suspense. However, there was one passage (towards the end), regarding one of the targeted survivors of the terrorist attack, that I found incredibly disturbing. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.4 that I will be rounding down to a 4star read. I want to thank NetGalley and RB Media for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #StMartinsPress #ChainReaction