Dead Beat

The Dresden Files, Book 7

By: Jim Butcher

Narrated by: James Marsters

“The wildest, strangest, best Dresden adventure to date...Butcher’s blending of modern fantasy with classic noir sensibilities ensures that there’s never a dull moment.”—SF Site

Paranormal investigations are Harry Dresden’s business and Chicago is his beat, as he tries to bring law and order to a world of wizards and monsters that exists alongside everyday life. And though most inhabitants of the Windy City don’t believe in magic, the Special Investigations Department of the Chicago PD knows better.

Karrin Murphy is the head of S. I. and Harry’s good friend. So when a killer vampire threatens to destroy Murphy’s reputation unless Harry does her bidding, he has no choice. The vampire wants the Word of Kemmler (whatever that is) and all the power that comes with it. Now, Harry is in a race against time—and six merciless necromancers—to find the Word before Chicago experiences a Halloween night to wake the dead...

Critic reviews

Praise for the Dresden Files

“Think Buffy the Vampire Slayer starring Philip Marlowe.”—Entertainment Weekly

“Fans of Laurell K. Hamilton and Tanya Huff will love this series.”—Midwest Book Review

“Superlative.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“One of the most enjoyable marriages of the fantasy and mystery genres on the shelves.”—Cinescape

“Butcher...spins an excellent noirish detective yarn in a well-crafted, supernaturally-charged setting. The supporting cast is again fantastic, and Harry’s wit continues to fly in the face of a peril-fraught plot.”—Booklist (starred review)

“What’s not to like about this series?...It takes the best elements of urban fantasy, mixes it with some good old-fashioned noir mystery, tosses in a dash of romance and a lot of high-octane action, shakes, stirs, and serves.”—SF Site

“A tricky plot complete with against-the-clock pacing, firefights, explosions, and plenty of magic. Longtime series fans as well as newcomers drawn by the SciFi Channel’s TV series based on the novels should find this supernatural mystery a real winner.”—Library Journal

“What would you get if you crossed Spenser with Merlin? Probably you would come up with someone very like Harry Dresden, wizard, tough guy and star of [the Dresden Files].”—The Washington Times

Problem with recording

In Chapter 30, around five minutes in, the recording is messed up. The sound cuts out mid-sentence and picks back up in a different spot.

Butcher wins again

Where does Dead Beat rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Very near the top

What did you like best about this story?

Dresden is such a fun character and in this book he becomes even more so.

Which character – as performed by James Marsters – was your favorite?

Bob the skull.

Any additional comments?

Life is a journey, time is a river and the door is ajar. Best Dresden novel so far.

Did it again!

Butcher at his best. He keeps us coming back for the best wizard in literature!

Absolutely brilliant.

This is my favorite Dresden novel. I've read them all many times but this tops my list. James Marsters is brilliant and brings the story to life.

Butcher's Finest

This book is one of the best in the Dresden Files series, and serves as a great introduction for new readers. Harry is at the top of his game, taking a beating, bending the rules, and quipping all the way as he races to outwit a crew of necromancers hell bent on a deathly magic ritual. The pacing is relentless, the world building is fascinating, and the action is the very best in urban fantasy. This book is a perfect example of why Dresden is beloved by fans of noir, fantasy, action, and horror fans alike.