A review by judithdcollins
The Gatekeeper: A Thriller by James Byrne

5.0

A highly entertaining audiobook. A funny and refreshing new leading man!

A delicious taut nonstop hilarious, action-packed suspense thriller by James Byrne, with a leading man and hero you want by your side. With a sexy British/Irish accent to die for and all the dark humor, intelligence, and wit making DEZ, Desmond Aloysius Limerick, (the ultimate) THE GATEKEEPER.

A former mercenary, a musician, and a man who can open any door— physical or digital. He is not too tall, stocky, and bowlegged and buys his black tees from the one place that makes them accommodate fit his broad shoulders and frame.

Dez on Gatekeepers:
People who guard gates.
Not people who open them.
The trick is not opening doors.
Any half-wit can do that.
It is about keeping them open.
Closing them when needed.
Controlling who goes through and who doesn't.
Owning them for as long as needed.

He has left his old life behind and now spends his time in sunny California, playing gigs as an amateur musician. Until he finds himself breaking up a very professional attempt to kidnap the chief legal counsel (Petra, daughter of the CEO) of Triton Expediters—a prominent and influential military contractor.

Petra Alexandris and her family are grateful for the save; however, now she needs his help for more critical matters—who's embezzled billions of dollars from her company.

Dez agrees, slipping back into his old role with ease; however, he and Petra are up against rogue military operators, well-armed militia members, and white supremacists.

Dez is a gatekeeper —one who opens doors, and keeps them open—and this is just a door of another kind. And the door he opens leads to a dangerous conspiracy involving media manipulation, militias, an armed coup, and an attempt to fracture the United States.

Dez learned early during his time as a keeper there are FOUR primary methods for getting through a door:

Bash
Shoot
Explode
Burn your way through.
And every now and then you get invited in.

A highly entertaining refreshing new adrenaline-fueled debut thriller novel and a leading character with wit, charisma, and laugh-out-loud scenes. I hope this will be a series because DEZ is too good to end. More PLEASE!

This was an EXCEPTIONAL first-rate audiobook, and John Keating gave a superb performance. For fans of Lee Child, Greg Hurwitz, David Baldacci, Janet Evanovich, and Vince Flynn. Packed with action, clever dialogue, and some great laughs!

Thank you to #MinotaurBooks, #MacmillanAudio, and #NetGalley for the invite to read, listen, enjoy, and review an advanced audio copy. #MinotaurInfluencers #SMPInflueners

Excited to receive an ARC for the upcoming [b:Deadlock|61884995|Deadlock (Dez Limerick, #2)|James Byrne|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1680078832l/61884995._SY75_.jpg|97563873] coming Aug 8, 2023 —Dez Limerick Novel #2

Blog Review Posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: June 7, 20222
June 2022 Must-Read Books