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A review by danubooks
Deadlock by James Byrne, James Byrne
5.0
An explosive thriller with a savvy, devious, and outrageously funny hero….a fantastic read!
If you missed his first outing in “The Gatekeeper” (I did, but am rectifying that matter just as soon as this review is written), then let me introduce you to Desmond Aloysius Limerick, Dez to his friends. Once upon a time, Dez was part of an elite group of individuals called gatekeepers. Their skill sets are highly prized and their exploits are legendary to others in the special ops world, so much so that many an operative thinks that they are urban legends. As Dez himself explains, a gatekeeper’s job on an op is to open doors, “…open ‘em, keep ‘em open as long as needed, an’ close ‘em proper. And to make sure that everyone who enters also exits, a smile on their faces an’ a melody in their heart.” That includes not just actual doors but any gateway, virtual or otherwise. With a ready smile and a decidedly charming aspect to his personality, Dez is underestimated by many….but they do so at their own peril. He’s retired from the profession now, and is kicking back in California, expanding his skills at playing the bass and generally enjoying a sunny life of leisure, when he gets a call from Raziah Swann, a talented young musician with whom he sometimes plays gigs. Her sister Laleh, a business reporter in Portland, has been attacked, and Raziah is afraid that she remains in danger. She has no idea what lurks in Dez’s past, just that he can handle himeself in a tight spot, and she asks him to come help. He heads to Portland straight away….Dez has a strong sense of right and wrong, and an admirably strong moral code. If a mate needs help, Dez will be there, no questions asked. It becomes clear as soon as he arrives in Portland that Raziah has every reason to fear for her sister. While Laleh tries to figure out what exactly she knows that has made her a target, Dez will need every one of his myriad skills and tricks, as well as rely on help from his network of contacts, if he is going to keep these two young women safe. A major tech corporation called Clockjack factors into this mess somehow, and Dez will find himself up against international thugs, government agencies, and someone (or many someones) who has influence in every conceivable sphere, if he hopes to save the lives of the Swann sisters…and his own.
I fell under Dez’s charm before the end of the prologue. He’s a bloke (not a guy, definitely a bloke) who takes his job incredibly seriously, but himself not so much. Self deprecating and inclined to call balls and strikes as he sees them, he is no one’s patsy, His ability to analyze a situation, see ten moves ahead of his opponent, and come up with the best plan to succeed in his mission (while having at least two exit strategies and multiple back up plans) is fascinating to read, and as he does it all with a wink and a grin (and more than a few British expressions that can be a challenge to suss out from those on this side of the pond) it is an entertaining tale to boot. The action is non-stop, and it is nearly impossible to put the book down. Fans of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher books, Gregg Hurwitz’s Orphan X series, or Mark Greaney’s Gray Man absolutely have to grab a copy of “Deadlock” (and trust me….pick up “The Gatekeeper” too at the same time. There is no way that you will read one without wanting to immediately read the other). If Jack Reacher were shorter, British, and had a wicked sense of humor, he’d be a close match to Dez. I honestly haven’t been so absorbed by a thriller that also made me smile (even laugh out loud) in a while. Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced reader’s copy….Dez Limerick has a new superfan, and my Irish ancestry has nothing to do with it! I eagerly await the next installment in the series.
.
If you missed his first outing in “The Gatekeeper” (I did, but am rectifying that matter just as soon as this review is written), then let me introduce you to Desmond Aloysius Limerick, Dez to his friends. Once upon a time, Dez was part of an elite group of individuals called gatekeepers. Their skill sets are highly prized and their exploits are legendary to others in the special ops world, so much so that many an operative thinks that they are urban legends. As Dez himself explains, a gatekeeper’s job on an op is to open doors, “…open ‘em, keep ‘em open as long as needed, an’ close ‘em proper. And to make sure that everyone who enters also exits, a smile on their faces an’ a melody in their heart.” That includes not just actual doors but any gateway, virtual or otherwise. With a ready smile and a decidedly charming aspect to his personality, Dez is underestimated by many….but they do so at their own peril. He’s retired from the profession now, and is kicking back in California, expanding his skills at playing the bass and generally enjoying a sunny life of leisure, when he gets a call from Raziah Swann, a talented young musician with whom he sometimes plays gigs. Her sister Laleh, a business reporter in Portland, has been attacked, and Raziah is afraid that she remains in danger. She has no idea what lurks in Dez’s past, just that he can handle himeself in a tight spot, and she asks him to come help. He heads to Portland straight away….Dez has a strong sense of right and wrong, and an admirably strong moral code. If a mate needs help, Dez will be there, no questions asked. It becomes clear as soon as he arrives in Portland that Raziah has every reason to fear for her sister. While Laleh tries to figure out what exactly she knows that has made her a target, Dez will need every one of his myriad skills and tricks, as well as rely on help from his network of contacts, if he is going to keep these two young women safe. A major tech corporation called Clockjack factors into this mess somehow, and Dez will find himself up against international thugs, government agencies, and someone (or many someones) who has influence in every conceivable sphere, if he hopes to save the lives of the Swann sisters…and his own.
I fell under Dez’s charm before the end of the prologue. He’s a bloke (not a guy, definitely a bloke) who takes his job incredibly seriously, but himself not so much. Self deprecating and inclined to call balls and strikes as he sees them, he is no one’s patsy, His ability to analyze a situation, see ten moves ahead of his opponent, and come up with the best plan to succeed in his mission (while having at least two exit strategies and multiple back up plans) is fascinating to read, and as he does it all with a wink and a grin (and more than a few British expressions that can be a challenge to suss out from those on this side of the pond) it is an entertaining tale to boot. The action is non-stop, and it is nearly impossible to put the book down. Fans of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher books, Gregg Hurwitz’s Orphan X series, or Mark Greaney’s Gray Man absolutely have to grab a copy of “Deadlock” (and trust me….pick up “The Gatekeeper” too at the same time. There is no way that you will read one without wanting to immediately read the other). If Jack Reacher were shorter, British, and had a wicked sense of humor, he’d be a close match to Dez. I honestly haven’t been so absorbed by a thriller that also made me smile (even laugh out loud) in a while. Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced reader’s copy….Dez Limerick has a new superfan, and my Irish ancestry has nothing to do with it! I eagerly await the next installment in the series.
.