Book Review: Dead Beat

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Dead Beat     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Jim Butcher
Class/Genre:   Fantasy   Mystery   Magic   Vampire
Series: Dresden Files # 7
Roc, May 2005, $23.95, 400 pp.

Chicago's only paranormal wizard-detective listed in the phone book, Harry Dresden shares a basement apartment
with vampiric half-brother Thomas, who feeds on beautiful women but never kills or turns them as Thomas is a
member of the White Court. Though once literally losing her head to Harry, Mavra the vampire Black Court
affiliate blackmails him through the woman he loves, Chicago Police Department Special Investigations Unit
Chief Karrin Murphy. Mavra has proof that Karrin killed an evil person, which makes her act a homicide and she
could face life in prison or the chair. Plus Mavra has a worse hold, some of Karrin’s lush blonde hair. To not
use her evidence Mavra orders Harry to find and give her The Word of Kemmler spell that will make the evil
vampiress the most powerful essence in the Midwest

Harry learns from Bob the talking skull that Kemmler the malevolent necromancer caused WWI and has been killed
twice by the White Court and that the Word of Kemmler is his most dangerous and deadly necromancy book.

The Dresden Files is one of the best recurring detective fantasies on the market today; each of the seven
novels (counting this one) has been excellent with an exciting investigation or two within a different type of
Chicago. In DEAD BEAT Harry must save his beloved yet cannot provide the necromancer’s handbook to the
villainess. Whether he battles dead cops or has fairies clean his apartment, fans will fully enjoy this superb
amusing seventh wild ride starring an excellent sarcastic character at his peak in a superior unique series.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner