Dead Beat by Jim Butcher
Narrated by James Marsters
Series: The Dresden Files #7
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Publication Date: April 06, 2010
Date Read: March 17, 2020
Length: 15 hours 7 minutes
Source: Purchased
★★★★☆
There’s an entire world that exists alongside the everyday life of mankind. There are powers, nations, monsters, wars, feuds, alliances – everything. Wizards are part of it. So are a lot of other things you’ve heard about in stories, and even more you’ve never heard of…Vampires. Werewolves. Faeries. Demons. Monsters. It’s all real.
Harry Dresden knows full well that such creatures exist. Paranormal investigations are his stock-in-trade, and Chicago is his beat as he tries to bring law and order to a world that exists on the edges of imagination. Luckily Harry’s not alone in this struggle. And though most inhabitants of the Windy City don’t believe in magic, there’s a department that’s been set up within the Chicago PD to deal with “strange” cases: the Special Investigations department.Karrin Murphy is the head of SI and a good friend of Harry’s. So when a deadly vampire threatens to destroy Murphy’s reputation unless Harry helps her, he has no choice. The vampire wants the Word of Kemmler and all the power that comes with it – but first Harry has to determine what the Word of Kemmler is. Now Harry is in a race against time – and six necromancers – to find the Word before Chicago experiences a Halloween night to wake the dead.
I had a great time with my re-read of this book! I originally read this series years ago and enjoyed it so much that I decided to pick up the audiobooks to experience it all over again. I have been slowing working my way through the series for a second time often working a book into my reading schedule when I need a bit of a lift. This seemed like the perfect time for a little Harry Dresden and it proved to be a wonderful escape.
Although this was a re-read, there were a lot of things about this book that I didn’t remember anymore. There were a few stand out sections of the book that I was able to recall and enjoyed being able to revisit them. This is the seventh book in The Dresden Files series which is a series that really should be read in order since the character relationships grow and change over the course of the series.
This was a pretty exciting installment in the series. Harry is put in charge of watering Karin’s plants while she is on vacation and ends up working to save her reputation for a ruthless vampire. There are some powerful forces searching for a very powerful item that has the potential to do a lot of damage. Harry has to battle several necromancers and their zombies with only the help of his brother and a polka playing mortician. There were some pretty big scenes in this book and I really appreciated Harry’s interactions with Sue.
James Marsters brings so much to this story. His narration is really top-notch and I found this book to be a joy to listen to. He does a fantastic job with a wide range of character voices in the series and I love how consistent he has been throughout the series. He is able to add a lot of emotion and excitement to the story through his reading. I believe that I enjoyed this book a bit more during my re-read than I did the first time largely due to his narration.
I would recommend this book to others. This is a smartly written story that is filled with wonderful characters, intense action, a bit of humor, and an interesting plot. I cannot wait to continue with my re-read of this exciting series!
About the AuthorJim Butcher is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Dresden Files, the Codex Alera, and the Cinder Spires novels. He lives in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
One day! One day
I love rereading favorite series. It's like returning to old friends.
Kimberly @ Caffienated Reader has mentioned how these are such good audiobooks to listen to and I am glad you're enjoying listening to the narration so much too! I have the whole series on my wishlist and cannot wait to get to them.
I only tried book 1 but I haven't read more maybe I should
I've always thought I would enjoy this series, but haven't had a chance to start it yet! I've been doing a lot of re-reading as well. Right now I'm doing a buddy read of A Court of Thorns and Roses! She's reading it for the first time, and I'm enjoying experiencing the world again. It's also fun getting her texts as she discovers everything for the first time.
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? ?
I've listened to the first two (I think) and I really enjoyed James Marsters performance, too! I keep forgetting to continue with the series. Glad to hear you enjoyed this the 2nd time around, too! 🙂
I love this series! I think the first couple books James Marster was a little awkward with but he really has the groove of it now! 🙂 Can't wait for the new ones to come out!
Fun that you got a refresher on stuff you hadn't remembered and it was still great for you.
I haven't read this author yet but one day I will.
The character and action sounds great to me! Glad you enjoyed it.
I love a good reread – especially if there are things I've missed or forgotten since the original read. This sounds like a good one and I've heard raves about this series!
I hope to start this series soon.
I think this is the one my son finished last. He said there is a new one coming out! ?✨
James Marsters, as in Spike, from Buffy? That's interesting, I didn't know he did voice work!
I LOVE James Martsters – Spike! – as the narrator. I listened to all of these from the library and then bought them all on Audible. One of my favorite series ever. Fantastic review! It is a great time for the re-read with 2 new books coming out this year. Peace Talks and Battle Ground.
Anne – Books of My Heart