Dez Limerick Book 1
Editors’ pick Best Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense
Book Blurb:
James Byrne’s The Gatekeeper introduces Dez Limerick in the most anticipated new thriller in years.
A highly trained team of mercenaries launches a well-planned, coordinated attack on a well-guarded military contractor – but they didn’t count on one thing, the right man being in the wrong place at the right time.
Desmond Aloysius Limerick (“Dez” to all) is a retired mercenary, and enthusiastic amateur musician, currently in Southern California, enjoying the sun and sitting in on the occasional gig, when the hotel he’s at falls under attack. A skilled team attempts to kidnap the Chief legal counsel of Triton Expeditors, a major military contractor – in fact, Petra Alexandris is the daughter of the CEO – but their meticulously-planned, seamlessly executed scheme runs into the figurative ‘spanner-in-the-works,’ Dez himself.
After foiling the attack, and with nothing better to do, Dez agrees to help Alexandris with another problem she’s having – someone has embezzled more than a billion dollars from her company and left very few tracks behind. But 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 themselves. There’s only one obstacle between the conspirators and success – and that is Dez, The Gatekeeper.
His Review:
Dez Limerick is not your poster hero. The fact is that this 5’ 5” man who can be described as a barrel is anything but the standard hero. However, Dez has experience and talents that most men can only dream of. He has a quick wit that measures situations and response needs like an orchestra conductor.
A splinter group has decided to stage a coup and change a section of the California coast into a separate country; and a state that will declare itself a separate country and request membership in the United Nations. This is being accomplished during a heat wave and by a very large group of itinerant hippies. Dez is not willing to see a group of dissidents change the shape of the country and our freedoms.
Dez is a likeable character with a guitar in one hand and a questionable demeanor that seems to attract a certain kind of woman. Can he prevent a kidnapping and the plans of the separatist group? His demeanor is a serious addition to the believability of the story. I found it very enjoyable and a quick read. 4.5 stars – CE Williams
Many thanks to our local library for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. Any opinion expressed here is my own.
Rosepoint Publishing: Four point Five Stars 
Book Details:
Genre: Assassination Thrillers, Vigilante Justice Thrillers
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication Date: June 7, 2022
Source: Local Library
Title Link(s):
Amazon-US | Amazon-UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
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 jamesbyrnemystery.com
©2026 CE Williams – V Williams
This book illuminates the underworld of espionage and the dangers therein. It is an interesting book well paced with action including bombs, snipers, and technology. The narrative keeps the reader in suspense. Enjoy! 4.5 stars – CE Williams
This author looks for a way to equate Swagger to a genetic predisposition for heroics in this kind of endeavor. Can the ability to work under great emotional stress be genetically traced? The idea is laudable and fun to contemplate. I suggest anyone who is familiar with Seals, Delta Force, and black ops will enjoy this book. 4.5 stars – C.E. Williams 
Rosepoint Publishing 