By: James Bryne
Series: A Dez Limerick Thriller #3
Narrator: Ruairi Conaghan
Vibrance Press
ISBN: 9781250319784
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Minotaur Books
Publication Date: 01/28/2025
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
Dez Limerick, a man of many skills and a murky past, faces the impossible-a skilled, deadly opponent who anticipates his every move.
Desmond Aloysius Limerick ("Dez" to his friends and close personal enemies) is a man with a shadowy past, certain useful hard-won skills, and, if one digs deep enough, a reputation as a good man to have at your back. He 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.
Dez Limberick Thriller Series
READ MY REVIEWS:
My Review
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 big 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.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Jan 28, 2025
My Rating: 5 Stars
My Reviews
"[Chain Reaction] starts with a bang and never lets up for a second...Dez is an unconventional hero with unorthodox methods and a darn fun attitude. The series gets better and better." ―firstCLUE
""One of the most riveting and enjoyable thriller series out there today and you don’t want to miss it. Trust me, you need Dez in your life."
―Best Thriller Books
"A fast-paced, explosive thriller with a charming hero, Russian terrorists on U.S. soil, high-stakes money schemes, and a worthy opponent."
―Library Journal
About the Author
James Byrne lives and writes in one of the coolest cities on Earth: Portland, Oregon. Under various names, he has published nine other novels in the realm of thrillers and mysteries. Find out more about James and “The Gatekeeper” at jamesbyrnethriller.com.
