A totally unexpected thriller with hearty amounts of subtle humor and brutal action introducing a wisecracking protagonist who would give Jack Reacher a run for his money when it comes to beating down racists with over-powered fists.
Dez Limerick is a man of mystery. A mercenary of sorts with specialized skills as a “gatekeeper”; accessing even the most secure of locations, and an enigmatic past. Retiring in California, Dez is an amateur musician working gigs when he thwarts an organized team of trained operatives attempting to kidnap a woman whose father happens to be the CEO of a major military contractor. Taking out the team with a fire ax in smooth combat, Dez becomes embroiled in a major conspiracy with Neo-Nazis planning the most brazen coup with global political consequences.
A newcomer in the thriller genre, Dez Limerick is far distinct from the usual silent-type protagonists. He’s as quippy as he is dangerous, disarming his opponents with wisecracks that have you laughing out loud before he busts out violent chops in a flurry of devastating punches and kicks, bending limbs in ways they were never meant to be bent. Described as a barrel-chested man with ridiculously big hands, his fight moves are reminiscent of Jack Reacher’s style; hitting once and hitting hard to drive home his articulation. The fight sequences keep a realistic bearing considering Dez’s physique and refrain from painting him with an all-invincible brushstroke. Dez’s mental acuity adds a cool layer to the combat sequences as he fashions the most banal and unexpected items into the deadliest weapons.
As a character of English origins, his unorthodox dialect flows off with a tinge of proper humor as could be expected when American characters are dumbfounded by Dez’s use of English expressions not commonly used stateside. As such, the interactions between characters are refreshingly witty and exciting. Limerick’s character development is top-notch with a balanced focus on his empathy as a protagonist in tandem with his inclination to step into physical conflicts in the name of justice.
The white-supremacist angle of the story is handled with a keen eye on today’s headlines without rehashing something already explored before. The conspiracy catapults Dez and readers alike on a wild roller coaster ride akin to a Guy Ritchie movie. Unyielding in its grip with plot twists and turns that turn the whole narrative on its head just when you think you’ve finally figured out what’s to come next.
The Gatekeeper is a fresh hit debut of a hilariously charming hero with a mean uppercut dishing out justice in the most spectacularly creative ways. This action-packed thriller needs to be on your radar for 2022.
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