If I knew "gatekeeper" Desmond Aloysius Limerick personally, I'm sure I'd be smacking him upside the head at least once an hour. He's so used to being physically bashed about that he wouldn't feel anything, of course - and he's so amiable that all he'd say in return is something like, "Aye, love - ye caught me nappin' on that one!"

And also of course, I'd forgive him for whatever transgression he made and we'd start the cycle all over again, just because he somehow manages to be so endearing (and funny enough to make me giggle) while irritating the heck out of everyone around him - at least when he's not beating them to a pulp, blowing them up, or outright killing them. I fell in love with the guy in The Gatekeeper, the first book in the series, and if anything, I love him more after reading this one.

Basically a retired mercenary who's loyal to the core and has a side gig as a musician, Dez is now in Los Angeles and basically retired. But when he gets a call from old friend Raziah Swann claiming her reporter sister Laleh is in trouble (in fact, she's in the hospital after being attacked), he heads north to Portland to offer assistance. There, he learns that Laleh was writing a story that involved a local technology company - second in size and influence only to Nike - called Clockjack. Could that somehow be related to the attack?

Dez sure thinks so - but suspicion and proof are two different animals. But it seems the powers-that-be at this behemoth company, including an influencial female CEO, have more than enough power to put the cabosh on formal investigation by all federal agencies. If Dez is going to get to the truth and, if necessary, bring down the bad guys and gals, he'll have to go it alone (well, with some help from old friends and yes, even enemies).

There's no shortage of murder and mayhem here, much of it coming by way of Dez himself (yes, he rather often exceeds the limits of human capability, but then that's half the fun - apparently, for him as well as for readers). The ending is satisfying and leaves fodder for the next book, for which I'm already chomping at the bit. At any rate, this one is a hoot and a half - and once again, I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the privilege of reading and reviewing a pre-release copy.

Deadlock is the second book in the Dez Limerick series. Dez is a man with a shadowy past. He has a special set of skills that he uses in many different situations and to help people he cares about. There is a prologue where he is finishing up a case but after that he gets caught up on a more personal level when a young friend and her sister, a journalist, are in trouble.

It seems someone doesn't like what Laleh Swann has been writing about. After being attacked twice her sister reaches out to her friend Dez. From there it becomes apparent there is something big going on.

This is all about Dez. His personality fills the page. He has style and likes to joke. His manner of speaking gets a little old after a while but the character is consistent. It's fun watching Dez go about his business, outsmarting or physically taking someone down.

The author does a good job describing appearances, facial expressions, and body movements. Every scene is fully developed. At times this slows the narrative.

There is a lot going on in the plot. I was confused at times but I think many readers will appreciate the details. I think it's better to read the first book in the series before this one to get a better understanding of Dez's background. Since I hadn't I felt like I was missing something.

There is a lot of high stakes action in this thriller and the ride along is full of adventure. I think a lot is dependent on how much you like Dez. I wasn't able to fully connect with him so this thriller didn't quite thrill me.

Deadlock is the second book in this series, and while you don't have to have read the first one to enjoy this one, I think after finishing it you'll want to.

I really enjoy how we get to see a mission Dez was a part of as Gatekeeper in the beginning. I also love how this mission circles back to whatever Dez is working on next.

This is a fast-paced thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat and laughing out loud. I love the chaos and mayhem and how everything played out. I flew through it in just a few hours, and I can't wait to read the next one!

This is a complex, delicious thriller that will keep you turning the pages late into the night. A great heroic adventure with lots of tension building to a climax. If you like thrillers, you will enjoy this one. It says this a squel to [book:The Gatekeeper|61222393] by [author:James Byrne|22322955], but I hadn't read that one and had no trouble following the story.

Description:
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. Now retired from his previous life, Dez is just a bloke with a winning smile, a bass guitar, and bullet wounds that paint a road map of past lives.

Jaleh Swann, a business journalist hot on the trail of an auditor who was mugged and killed, lands in the hospital just one day after her Portland apartment is ransacked. When Jaleh’s sister, Raziah, reaches out to an old friend for help, Dez has no choice but to answer. The Swann sisters have been pulled into a dizzying web of cover-ups and danger. At the center lies an insidious Oregon-based tech corporation, Clockjack, which has enough money and hired guns to silence just about anyone—including this rag-tag trio. Luckily, Dez’s speciality is not just to open doors, but keep them open—and protect those working to expose Clockjack’s secrets.

More stands in the way of the truth than just one corporation. When hired thugs come to the finish the job and attack the Swann sisters at the hospital, Dez does what he does best. Now, the two captured men (and the corpse Dez left behind) attract the attention of not just Clockjack, but of the Portland police, the D.E.A, and the U.S. Marshalls. Dez and the Swann sisters are on the run from powers beyond their control and means. Outnumbered, under resourced and outgunned, Dez must use all his skills to keep his friends safe and stand up to corporate conniving. After all, the one thing Clockjack didn’t count on? A good man with a simple job to do.

My thoughts:
Loved the character Dez with his gatekeeping skills. He's quite the hero! The plot was good and the story was so fast-paced I didn't want to put it down. I may go back and read the first book - just because I liked the Dez character so much. He seems to have a reputation as a legend - his trademark is the ability to open any door. That may not seem to be such an admirable skill, but after reading the book it's very special. There's some humor in the book too, that relieves some of the tension. Some of the situations were over-the-top and you have to suspend belief.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on August 8, 2023.

I was thinking while I was reading this book why I love this series so much, and I concluded that it it’s because Dez is honestly a superhero of sorts. It’s a little bit Marvel. The book is almost a comfort read because you know he is going to get the bad guys, and do it with charm, wit and aplomb. There’s definitely a lot of violence here, so it’s not a series for anyone that is sensitive to that. But the series is a great read for anyone who loves quick, smart, thrilling action. This was a worthy second entry in the series and I look forward to continuing.

Thank you to the publisher - I received a complimentary eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This second in the series does not disappoint. Dez is a wonderful character. He is called to rescue a friend and finds himself in the middle of a huge conspiracy. The story is action packed and page turning. Dez is a masterful fighter and a man of few words. He is a hero and a rescuer of damsels in distress. In a style all his own he will keep readers greatly entertained.

Grabbed me at the beginning and kept me the whole way through. It was a roller coaster ride at supersonic speed. When I received the arc I overlooked #2. I was not completely lost but I did flounder a little. The ending had me going woah and set us up for another whirlwind ride. Count me in. Thank you for the arc. I freely volunteer my thoughts an opinions. #Deadlock #DezLimerick #JamesByrne #StMartins-Minotaurbooks #NetGalley

I loved Dez, the MC, in this book. Once I got use to his dialogue, I ran through this book. Dez is a gatekeeper. He is the one that opens the door, keeps it open just long enough, and closes the door.

This is the first book I read in this series and by Byrne, but it won't be the last. It's full of action. Dez gets a call from Rez that someone is after her sister. Could he help? Well of course. This starts a pulse pounding, edge of your seat read.

There is a company, Clockjack, that is starting to be on the shady side. They all ready killed an auditor and now are after Rez's sister, a journalist. She doesn't even know why. Soon, it's apparent that if Clockjack isn't stopped, things are going to be bad for other countries. Dez is on his own on this. All federal agencies have been told to step back from Clockjack. Plus, there's someone from his past, he thought was dead being seen in the company of the security head of Clockjack. How much do the founders of Clockjack know? Can Dez save the girls?

Tentative publication date: August 8, 2023

Thanks to Netgalley, St Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for the E-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

😊 Happy Reading 😊

#netgalley
#stmartinspress
#minotaurbooks
#jamesbyrne
#deadlock

DEZ IS BACK!!! Love Dez!!! This is another one of those new series that I discovered recently that I have become hooked on. It has a lot of what I love in a crime thriller: smart, savvy, bad@$$ MC(s) that kick @$$ and take names for any villains that make the mistake of crossing paths with them or trying to hurt those they love and protect. Plus, it’s funny and, so far, has provided a lot of entertainment and amusement for me.

From the prologue, we get another glimpse into Dez’s past where we meet more of Dez’s accomplices/partners in crime from a job from two years earlier, where Dez got almost everyone out. The book summary pretty much lays out the first half of the story (part1) so I’m not going to repeat it here. As usual, all the bad guys (corrupt DEA agents and US Marshals and Clockjack mercenary bozos) underestimate Dez and in typical Desmond Aloysius Limerick style (Dez to his mates), he makes mincemeat of all of them and even killing one – by throwing a ball bearing at him. Dez doesn’t like guns. Lol😊 Who says murder and mayhem can’t be funny? Yeah, that’s right, killing bad guys/killers is funny to me.

Besides Clockjack’s corrupt extortion and blackmail of US and foreign politicians for their own gain, they are also snatching DEA witnesses (the most despicable of the lot) from WITSEC along with a group of other psychotic mercenaries with the help of insiders in both agencies for the sole purpose of creating a huge mercenary army. Additionally, what the book summary doesn’t mention is that a couple of characters from the first installment come to Dez’s rescue around the halfway point (part one). I like it when characters from previous installments make cameo appearances in later installments. The series characters kind of become an ensemble cast.

In the second half (part two), Dez and the Swann sisters are in hiding and Dez starts working with a former partner, Arabella, that was introduced in the prologue. Dez discovers that he and Arabella may have a common enemy in an associate of the Clockjack mercenaries. As terrorist mercenaries headed psychotic bozos are wont to do, they did something (won’t reveal any spoilers) that was so despicable that Dez just couldn’t leave without responding in kind.

The ending comes fast in another one of Dez’s expertly planned and calculated, and synchronized to perfection plan that results in spectacular chaos and mayhem. However, that epilogue!!! OMG!!! The lead into the next installment promises more intrigue and, I’m sure, murder and mayhem for Dez and friends!

Byrne is a good writer and storyteller. I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #StMartinsPress #Deadlock

Grab some popcorn and settle in for another exciting Dez Limerick adventure. Reacher like action that starts quickly and never lets up. Bodies dropping all over the pages.

Dez has never met a door he couldn’t open and has an attitude that drives those around him to want to kill him.

Loyal to his friends and deadly to those that need killing. I am hoping he has many more friends in need of his unique skills.

Desmond Aloysius Limerick, aka Dez to his his friends, is a 'gatekeeper'. He opens doors that most of us wouldn't even approach and he keeps them open for his friends. His 'friends' are usually armed and fighting but that is the environment that Dez knows best, and what he is paid to be a part of.

When Dez gets a call for help from his friend Raziah, who lives in Portland, Oregon, he travels there to help her out. She is concerned about her sister Jaleh who was attacked and left for dead just recently. Additionally, Jaleh's apartment was ransacked.

As Dez looks into the situation, it appears that Jaleh, who is a journalist, was writing an article to commemorate a recently deceased businessman who worked for a large conglomerate called Clockjack. Clockjack started as a small company in Portland but it has grown to be a multinational business worth billions of dollars. Could something in Jaleh's article have caused her attack. If so, she is unaware what it could be.

As Dez looks into Jaleh's reporting and the Clockjack corporation, things start to get out of hand. He is attacked by mercenaries and thugs. Clockjack is supposed to be an environmentally friendly company allowing people to disburse their tax dollars to ecologically concerned causes. As Dez examines Clockjack closely, he realizes that it is not what it seems. It is hiding a shadowy undercurrent of violence.

This is an A-1 thriller from page one until the end. The writing is superb and I really appreciated the integral comic relief amidst all the bloodshed and violence. I rarely rate a thriller as '5' but this one is a wonderful exception.

Oh geez, this was absolutely extraordinary. I was super excited to see another installment in the Desmond Limerick series. There is one huge problem - I just can’t put the book down, not when Dez is strumming his guitar or hurling a guy into a wall or clocking a guy with a steel marble, or trying to insure the safety of a friend.

I love that this hero isn’t that body perfect gorgeous hunk of guy who can scale tall buildings and leap into a fire and land on his feet unscathed. Well, parts of that are true - The scaling and leaping anyway. He is so perfect with all his imperfections and battle scars. He is long sighted except when he isn’t and gets caught out and knows when to fold and when to play. I really like this character.

As he lays a trap and waits for the opposition he reflects “Nobody teaches the classic skills anymore. Cursive writing. How to mix the perfect rob roy. Picking a basic padlock. Dez mourns for the world.” A right thinking, logical guy who respects skill even when it on the wrong side.

“Deadlock” is a taut, tightly scripted thriller which ended too quickly - not the pace, not the in between nor the ending - I just didn’t want it to be over. But somehow I think there might be more to come and I can’t wait.

A million thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a copy.

My deep thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books/St.Martins Publishing for the ARC of "Deadlock" in exchange for an honest review.
He's back! And once again, civilization as we know it can sleep sounder. Our one and only 'Dez', jack-of-all-lethal trades, soldier-of-fortune, wandering righter of wrongs is at large, in charge. (Not to mention a killer rock guitarist when called upon....)
I speak, of course, of Desmond Aloysius Limerick, that mad, mad combination of Jason Bourse, Jack Reacher, James Bond.....and the Lucky Charms Leprechaun. Once again, the 'Gatekeeper', renowned for penetrating impregnable lairs, is confounding odious villains, both corporate and paramilitary, with his particular set of skills and his endlessly cheerful patter.
And once again, author James Byrne delivers one of the most purely enjoyable action-adventures you'll read all year. You won't be able to plow through the pages fast enough as Dez out-quips, outwits, outfights, outmaneuvers, and generally outrages the array of bad guys who underestimate him.
This time he comes to the aid of two sisters who've stumbled into the crosshairs of Clockjack, a seemingly benevolent mega-corporation started by a quartet of high tech nerds. But Clockjack's been hijacked by a totally bonkers mastermind and his small army of hardcore mercenaries. And they've found a way to spring and recruit the world's worst scumbags out of Witness Protection. Their mission - assassinations for hire to upend the world order while they rule from their own private kingdom in Africa. Well.....with Dez on the case and in their face....good luck with that.
Fools that they are, they take Dez's non-stop gift-of-gab as a joke, but we the readers can only chuckle along, since we know the Wrath Of Dez will come down on them in all sorts of fascinating, violent ways........guaranteed to leave the corporate slime and their heavily armed commandos....uh.....properly Dez'd & Confused.
I'm pretty sure you can tell by now that I loved this book to pieces and only sighed aloud after I finished it, bemoaning how long I'd have to wait before Dez's next adventure comes out. Without any doubt a 5 star 'don't miss' for any action-adventure lover.....and not nearly enough books like this to give you such a non-stop blast of fun.

I received an ARC through "NetGalley" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This story begins with Dez performing his Gatekeeper duties. It is then followed up by him now in the U.S. where he receives a call from Raziah, a girl he played music with, asking for help because her sister had been attacked and was in the hospital. Dez drops everything to go to Portland to help. While there he learns that the sister has been working on an article about an auditor who has been killed. When Dez finally got to the hospital, he discovered that there were men waiting to hurt the two sisters. Dez was able to handle them, but as a result he drew attention by the police, U.S. Marshall s and D.E.A. It seems that the men who were the attackers were persons of interest.

Dez eventually was able to satisfy the law organizations. He then figured out that Clockjack, the firm the auditor was working on, were probably behind the killing and the attacks on the sisters. After believing that he had gotten the sisters to safety, he began his investigation of Clockjack. Doing so, he drew the attention of individuals wanting to prevent his intrusion.

To learn what Dez had to overcome, what other events happened before the final confrontation and why Clockjack was so concerned, then you need to read this book. The ending is well worth it.

Loved this thriller- especially the hero Desmond Aloysius Limerick who reminds me of a wild and British Jack Reacher! Desmond has a military background as a specialist mercenary gatekeeper: highly educated, deeply trained, and able to keep all open and hold open all sorts of doors (physical, electronic, cyber). Desmond also has a strong moral center that guides him: doing what’s right and protecting the vulnerable who come under his care.

This suspenseful read opens with Desmond holding open and then closing a door on an undercover CIA operation in Azerbaijan. Fast forward two years, and Desmond’s on a tourist visa to the U.S., bringing along only his guitar, love of music, and rugged laptop and cell phone. He’s in L.A. when he gets a distress call from a young talented Black/Iranian singer friend, Raziah, whose older sister Laleh, a reporter, has been brutally attacked in Portland Oregon. Desmond flies in to help, which starts by taking down a couple of the bad guys lurking around Laleh’s hospital and then encountering both the U.S. Marshalls Office from Virginia and the DEA, each interested in a different one of the assailants who each have deep criminal backgrounds.

All this ladders up to the story Laleh has been investigating: the unexpected death of an accountant scrutinizing the books of a powerful high-tech corporation, Clockjack Solutions, headquartered in Oregon. Desmond gets swept up in the secret corruption that has infused Clockjack, alternating continually between powerful action hero and genius gumshoe detective, as the villains get their comeuppance.

To share more would upend the continual plot surprises- just add this book to the top of your reading pile!!

I’m immediately going back to the first book in this series, Gatekeeper, and I cannot wait for Desmond’s next outing!!

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy.

You are in for a wild ride.

LOVED this book!

Thinking he would like a brief holiday in the United States, Dez leaves England and has just spent his first day in Los Angeles when he receives a phone call from Raziah Swann, a young musician/songwriter he has worked with. When she tells him that her sister Laleh is in danger and is in a hospital, he’s on the next flight to Portland, Oregon.

Raziah tells Dez that her sister’s apartment was ransacked and a day after that she was mugged and almost killed. The two go to the hospital, and Dez immediately spots two men who are waiting for Raziah. He dispatches them without any trouble as well as two others who are inside Laleh’s room, apparently ready to abduct her.

When he puts the last thug out of commission with a Thai boxing move, he looks over the man and thinks, he has “heard the expression you should never hit a man when he’s down. Stupid advice, that. There’s no better time to hit a man than when he’s down.” (Italics mine.)

Laleh insists that she doesn’t know why anyone would attack her. She’s a business reporter, she tells the police and Dez, not an investigative journalist, and the only story she’s working on at the moment is a profile of a forensic accountant who was murdered a couple of days before she was attacked. She’s sure there’s no connection, but Dez has his own opinion.

Deadlock James Byrne
James Byrne has written another great story called Deadlock. Dez is back in his second novel. Dez just wants to mellow out, mind his own business and play some bass. But when his friends call for help he doesn’t hesitate to do all he can to help. A tech giant likes to throw its wealth and power around to get its way. Dez handles it deftly. Dez is a cool cat and a guy you want on your side. Come along for the ride.
#Deadlock #JamesByrne #NetGalley #StMartinsPress

Hold onto the seat of your pants for this fast-paced action packed novel that is hard to put down. Desmond Aloysius Limerick, or "Dez" as he is known is called to Oregon to protect sisters Raziah and Laleh Swann from some very bad people. This is the second book in a series and I did not read the first one so this works well as a standalone. I loved this book from the first page and could not put it down. I definitely will be reading the prequel. If you love action and getting rid of the bad guys, this is the book for you.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book that kept me up reading into the wee hours of the night.

This was a great book. I didn’t realize it was the second in a series of books and I haven’t read the first book yet. This is one of the highest praises I can give the author as this book did great as a stand alone book. I didn’t feel like I was missing 1/2 a story. I think there are a a couple of things that can be cleared up once I read the first book but it wasn’t needed to follow the great story of this book.

This series quickly moved into my “must read” category, it has all the elements of a thrilling mystery I expect. I’ve missed the Gatekeeper, Dez, and I’m so excited he’s returned In a new episode of this series. It could be read on it’s own, but I highly recommend the first – it was fantastic! Dez is one of a kind, truly unique and such a quirky character. If the bad guys ever target me, Dez is the one person I’d want on my side. A gun isn’t his first choice of defense, but he’s skilled with many weapons. He’s going to need extraordinary planning and maybe some luck as he faces this new enemy.
He’s been quietly hanging out at a wealthy friend’s estate near Malibu after helping her handlie threats against her company. He’s been enjoying subbing with some bandmates playing his beloved guitar. Now one of his fellow musician friend needs help when her sister is attacked in Portland. The sister is a journalist, writing an article which might have inadvertently made her a target. A large tech company (Clockjack) is based in the area. Part of this endeavor includes being “green”, saving the planet, etc. Dez soon finds himself up against power and wealth with global economic implications. The founders of Clockjack are hiding dark secrets. Dez is facing very dangerous people who won’t hesitate to kill him to protect their true objectives. The story is full of fast paced action and twists you don’t expect. I will happily read all the books about ‘Dez’ the author can create.
Thanks to NetGalley for the digital advance reader copy of “Deadlock” by James Byrne, published by St Martin’s Press, Minotaur. These are all my own personal, honest thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.