Portland author James Byrne eschews ‘toxic masculinity’ in protagonist Dez Limerick

Published 5:00 am Monday, January 27, 2025

James Bond has an appeal, obviously, as tough and suave Agent 007 in epic books and movies. So does a protagonist such as Dirk Pitt in Clive Cussler adventure novels. But, James Byrne wanted to go in another direction with one Desmond Aloysius “Dez” Limerick, hero of the Portland author’s book series, including the latest offering, “Chain Reaction” (released Jan. 28, $26.97 hardcover, Minotaur Books, $14.99 Kindle).

It’s a challenge to write a single male protagonist and avoid “toxic masculinity” in an action-adventure story, Byrne said. He found two ways to counter the challenge in writing the Dez character.

“First, his name is just ridiculous. Right? Desmond Aloysius Limerick,” Byrne said. “I picked ‘Dez’ because it’s short, tight and not overused by other writers in the genre, and ‘Limerick’ because, hey, I’m Irish American. The word also trips off the tongue. And it’s another name for a very silly form of poetry. So that worked. And finally ‘Aloysius’ is just bonkers. Giving this rough-and-tumble guy a goofy name saps him of any hint of toxic masculinity.”

Byrne also fills his books with strong female protagonists. From the chief legal officer of a multinational financial behemoth, to the mayor of a besieged California town, to a singer/songwriter grappling with her own demons, to the founder of a high-tech, silicon-forest powerhouse company. In the newest book, Dez draws the assistance of a very reluctant thief and the head crisis negotiator for the FBI.

“I can counter toxic masculinity by pre-loading every story with several strong female characters,” he said. “It’s not giving too much away to say that, in ‘The Gatekeeper,’ it’s fine that Dez saves Petra Alexandris in Act I. But in Act III, I had to make sure that Petra saves Petra.”

It’s the third book in the Dez series, following “The Gatekeeper” and “Deadlock.”

From the ICYMI file: Byrne is the pen name of Dana Haynes, who serves as editor in chief of the Portland Tribune. Beyond working more than 25 years in Oregon newsrooms, he also once held positions as communications director for a Portland mayor and for Portland Community College.

Being a published author is a thrill for Byrne.

“When I was 20, I wanted to be either a newspaper journalist or a novelist, and now I’m both,” he said. “And I get to work in one of the nation’s greatest cities. So I’m over the moon.”

Limerick 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.

The story of “Chain Reaction,” from publicity:

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. Dez flies to the East Coast to a gig at the massive brand-new conference complex. 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 hostages’ 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 lured there under false pretenses, by someone who knows more about Dez, his past and his skills than any living person should.

Byrne will make an appearance and converse with acclaimed Portland author Phillip Margolin at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28 at Annie Bloom’s Books, 7834 S.W. Capital Hwy. Margolin, who was a longtime criminal defense attorney, has written more than 25 novels, most of them New York Times bestsellers, including “Gone But Not Forgotten,” “Lost Lake” and “Violent Crimes.” His latest book is legal thriller “An Insignificant Case.”