The Gatekeeper
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4.0 • 1 Rating
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- £9.99
Publisher Description
A NATION IN DANGER. ONLY ONE MAN CAN SAVE IT.
Dez Limerick is a retired mercenary, previously known as The Gatekeeper - the man who opened doors that others wanted shut.
He's checking out sunny California when his hotel suddenly falls under attack. In the wrong place at the right time, Dez stops a meticulously planned scheme to kidnap Petra Alexandris, the daughter of a major military contractor.
While helping her uncover a secret plot buried within her father's company, Dez exposes a conspiracy that becomes more sinister at every explosive turn: a deadly operation 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 the downfall of a nation . . . The Gatekeeper.
(P) 2022 Macmillan Audio
Customer Reviews
Introducing Dez Limerick, the Gatekeeper, an action hero for our time
My thanks to Macmillan Audio for a review copy via NetGalley of the unabridged audiobook edition of ‘The Gatekeeper’ by James Byrne in exchange for an honest review. The audiobook is narrated by John Keating.
This is the first in Byrne’s new series of action thrillers featuring Dez Limerick, a retired mercenary previously known as The Gatekeeper, the man who could open doors that others wanted to remain shut.
Dez is from the British Isles though describes himself as a mutt as he grew up in loads of places. He’s bow-legged with wide shoulders and is described as looking like “a cube of muscle”. So not the kind of hero with model good looks often found in action thrillers. It was refreshing.
While visiting California Dez manages to stop the kidnapping of Petra Alexandris, the daughter of a major military contractor. Seeking to understand why she was targeted, Dez and Petra uncover a sinister conspiracy threatening the future of the United States. No further details to avoid spoilers.
I found this one of those books almost impossible to put down or turn off. Indeed, I finished it in a single day.
James Byrne informs his narrative with events ‘ripped from the headlines’, including the rise of far right and White Supremacy groups, the January 6th insurrection, and Russia’s cyber meddling. This gives the conspiracy at the heart of the novel more weight as it’s certainly not that difficult to imagine something similar being plotted.
In terms of the audiobook, I was impressed with John Keating’s reading. He is not only an established actor with stage, television, and film credits but has narrated over 180 audiobook titles. In ‘The Gatekeeper’ he confidently handles a wide range of character voices - many with accents, including Dez’s rather hybrid one
‘The Gatekeeper’ had plenty of danger, intrigue, and action that included great fight sequences. The dialogue was good with some cracking one liners from Dez. Such a character!
Overall, I found this a promising introduction to an new series of thrillers with its enigmatic hero righting various wrongs. I expect that over time we will learn more of Dez’s past and what is entailed in the role of Gatekeeper. I certainly will be looking out for the next in this entertaining series.