Series: Dez Limerick #3
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Release Day: Jan. 28, 2025
Special thanks to Minotaur Books for a complimentary arc of this title. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine
Dez Limerick, a man of many skills and a murky past, faces the impossible—a skilled, deadly opponent who anticipates his every move.
Review:
CHAIN REACTION is the third book in the highly acclaimed Dez Limerick series and in my opinion, the best yet! Author James Byrne has firmly established himself as one of the top writers in the espionage thriller genre with this explosive, action-packed series featuring a dynamite character with deadly skills, keen mind, strong sense of right and wrong, and a wry sense of humor as well as a love of music and an eye for the ladies. Set aside your to-do list before starting this page burner. I promise you’ll find it impossible to put down. Desmond Aloysius Limerick aka "Dez" is a larger-than-life former military "secret" trained as a highly skilled gatekeeper - now retired unless he's called upon to help a friend or innocent victim. His skill set doesn't mesh well within the confines of society's rules, and he's often found on the outskirts of events, silently observing, evaluating people and situations. Dez enjoys playing gigs with musicians when he has the opportunity and jumps at the chance to fill in with a band at the grand opening of the Liberty Center in New Jersey; however, he quickly finds himself in the middle of a Russian terrorist attack when the Center is sieged and thousands of lives endangered. Dez solicits the aid of a reluctant former adversary, Cat, a master thief, and with her aid and his wit and unique skills, they rush headfirst into the impossible task of defeating, or at the least waylaying, an army. A puzzling chain of events occur in the days following the attack that don't add up and being a numbers guy Dez's seriously disturbed when two plus two doesn't equal four. Evidence indicates Dez and others were lured to the convention center under false pretenses by someone as highly skilled as he is . . . but Dez only knew one person that fit the criteria and she's dead. Isn't she?
CHAIN REACTION is an blistering, high octane espionage thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from cover to cover. Byrne brilliantly manipulates characters and readers through pages of revelations at a breakneck pace. Fans of the series will enjoy getting more insight into Dez's background even as they marvel at the extent of his inventive skills at turning everyday objects into deadly weapons and overcoming insurmountable odds--all with a slightly warped sense of humor. Support characters are well developed, including a couple of strong-headed women who could be worthy friends or formidable adversaries – the jury remains out on which one Dez can trust. Magnificently written and delivered, fans of high-action, high-stake espionage thrillers will enjoy CHAIN REACTION and this new, highly skilled hero "Dez" who’s a combo of Macgyver and Jack Reacher on steroids! This one would be sensational on the big screen!
Synopsis:
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.
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.