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!

Dez Limerick is back!

CHAIN REACTION is the third Dez Limerick thriller, and it had me on edge all the way through.

I love Dez. I want to hang out with him, but maybe only fictionally because this guy gets into some serious jams. In this story, he takes on a domestic terrorist group, plays guitar with his favorite band, does some globe trotting with a badass lady friend, and deals with a nemesis from his past who might just be better at the game than he is.

This might sound like a lot, but the plot is seamless. The pace builds momentum and intensity, while also providing moments of levity that sparkle.

You could read this one as a stand-alone, but I highly recommend starting with book 1. This is truly one of my favorite thriller series.

When I read this author’s second novel last year, Deadlock, I was blown away. His main character in these novels, Dez, is not only a trip to read, but he is the type of main character you did not know you were missing.

I have been reading espionage and crime thrillers for 40 years and trust me when I say this book is no ordinary espionage thriller. Byrne has created a masterful character with an interesting history, a love of music and women, who has a tough time saying no to helping a friend.

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. With fast-paced action and intricate detail that comes at you, Byrne delivers a book that you do not want to put down.

Chain Reaction offers so many twists you find you need to force yourself to slow down and absorb every detail as you might need to remember it later. The secondary characters are fabulous and add so much to the ride. Cat is a fabulous addition and I hope to see her in future stories!

All in all, this book is a treat to read. Brilliant and fun with explosive twists that keep you on your toes and begging for more! The most entertaining thriller you will ever read with the most fun-loving character in Dez. You simply have to check out this series if you love crime thrillers.

I really enjoyed this one but didn’t realize it was a series. I could follow along to what was happening but I think reading the books in order would have been better.

Dez Limerick series #3. This is a great series. Just imagine Jack Reacher with a sense of humor and there you go. Dez is a former military Gatekeeper, a specialist in opening and keeping closed doors of any kind. Between jobs, he's been wandering the country playing his guitar for his keep and making lots of new friends, as he is want to do. He gets an urgent request to fill in with one of those friends' band, and makes it to the location just in time to get locked into a terrorist occupation. Let the fun begin. Naturally it turns out to be far more then mere terrorists, and he has actually been drawn into the mix on purpose, by someone he thought for sure he had already killed. Lots of wild action and Limerick humor. Nothing gets our boy down, physically or mentally. It's all totally preposterous and that's why it's so fun. Enjoy!

I am thrilled to say that Byrne's Dez Limerick series just continues to get better! This outing finds Dez in the center of a terrorist incident at a new convention center complex in New Jersey, but how did he end up there and why? I enjoyed every second of this book and have already told patrons to get on the hold list for it. A huge thank you to Minotaur and NetGalley for the early access for my honest opinion. Here's hoping book four comes soon!

Dez is one of my favorite characters, I’ve read all in the series and you should too – they’re all great! His charm, snappy retorts and extraordinary abilities have served him well. He has occasional gigs in a band, a string of lovers, all stunning, intelligent, wealthy women. He has a background with the exclusive Gatekeepers and an accent that makes me giggle even in the middle of heart-pounding death defying scenes. This Darlin’ swoons with each of his dialect idiosyncrasies. This plot has international implications with nonstop action. Dez has a nonchalant approach to extreme circumstances and handles himself with restraint until pushed beyond limits. The author has penned another hit for me and I can hardly wait to see where Dez finds himself next.
St. Martin’s Publishing, Minotaur Books (via NetGalley) provided an Advance Reader Copy of “Chain Reaction” A Dez Limerick Novel #3, by James Byrne, publication expected 01/28/2025. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

This is the best book in the Dez Limerick series and I’m looking forward to the next one already. Dez is full of his usual charm, humor, and gatekeeper skill, but the other characters in this one really made the book so much better and hope they appear in future books.

Chain Reaction continues the thrills in the previous novel in the series Deadlock. Deadlock was my introduction to the character Des Limerick. Author James Byrne has created a very likable and interesting character in Limerick. He keeps the action coming and there are surprises and twists to add to the pleasure. Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.