Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Search - Dead Beat (Dresden Files, Bk 7)

Dead Beat (Dresden Files, Bk 7)
Dead Beat - Dresden Files, Bk 7
Author: Jim Butcher
Harry Dresden must save Chicago from black magic and necromancy -- but first, he must locate the Word of Kemmler. Just as soon as he figures out what that is. It's all in a day's work for the city's only professional wizard ... assuming he can live to see the end of the day.
ISBN-13: 9780451460912
ISBN-10: 045146091X
Publication Date: 5/2/2006
Pages: 448
Rating:
  • Currently 4.4/5 Stars.
 355

4.4 stars, based on 355 ratings
Publisher: Roc
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Members Wishing: 1
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

cosmichomicide avatar reviewed Dead Beat (Dresden Files, Bk 7) on + 134 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Best yet, easily. Well written, no loose ends, nice to see a bit more of Butters and more of Bob's past.
JK avatar reviewed Dead Beat (Dresden Files, Bk 7) on + 139 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Coerced by a vampire, Harry must find a mysterious book, and, of course, save the world while he's at it. His helpers include a zombie T-Rex and a one-man polka band.

Number 7 in the series.
Zachaustlily avatar reviewed Dead Beat (Dresden Files, Bk 7) on + 227 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Not as good as some of the others but hey even a decent Butcher is better than some other writer's best. I love Harry and we get to see more of him trying to walk the harrowing road of trying to do the right thing.
soraidh avatar reviewed Dead Beat (Dresden Files, Bk 7) on + 20 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I was eager to pick this one up after the last Jim butcher book I read (Blood Rites) but I don't know... slow start. It took me about half the way through the book for me to finally go âyes!â and want to devour it.

I'm intrigued by the book's ending. And by some of the points it raises for future books in the series.

I like Lasciel. Which considering what she is, I suppose I probably should. What is it she's called in the book, the Seducer? I guess if I didn't like her she wouldn't be doing her job very well, huh? I'm looking forward to how this relationship develops and seeing if Harry can use her power without corrupting himself.

I found the developments with the fallen angel especially interesting in light of Harry's new status as Warden. Complicated life ya got there Harry. On the surface Harry isn't going to do much different as a Warden than he's doing now: protect Chicago, offer assistance to those who need it, foil bad guys. But what about Thomas?

Kumaori made sense, though she was a bit of zealot about it. If the power Harry uses can be turned toward evil why can't the darker power be turned to good? Will that help Harry in the struggle with Lasciel or get him in trouble?

I missed Murphy in this one. I missed the interaction between the two of them. I liked Sheila too though that's hardly surprising I suppose. Still I prefer Murph. I'd love to have known what made Hawai'i interesting for a few days there.
BaileysBooks avatar reviewed Dead Beat (Dresden Files, Bk 7) on + 491 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is Book 7 of the Dresden Files.

This book was a little different than the previous installments. There was a ton of action in the last third of the book when everything came together, but the start of the book only had pockets of action. It started off rather slowly, gradually building tension like a preternatural pressure cooker.

There was really only one main conflict in this book: necromancers were in town and wanted to do very bad things. Naturally, Harry got involved. And for the first time in the series, he was facing a situation that was truly and completely out of his league.

This book is full of surprises and I won't even hint at them with spoilers. Just know that there are character revelations, deceptions, alliances, misunderstandings, offers, and moral gray areas that significantly add to the depth and interest of the storyline.

The sub-plot of the storyline is vital to Murphy's future, and yet she is noticeably absent from all but the first and last pages of the book. Medical Examiner Waldo Butters is there to fill in the gaps and his character development was very well done and enjoyable (if not painful at times) to watch.

This book was very good once it got going. It was a darker book that hints at darker times on the horizon, but it hints at good things there as well. And it also reminds us of this universal truth: Polka will never die.
Read All 23 Book Reviews of "Dead Beat Dresden Files Bk 7"

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

solarawynn avatar reviewed Dead Beat (Dresden Files, Bk 7) on + 724 more book reviews
Was over too soon,loved it.
bigkid avatar reviewed Dead Beat (Dresden Files, Bk 7) on + 5 more book reviews
All I can say is I finished the next one in this series as well and I'll keep reading books by this author.
ltjmommy avatar reviewed Dead Beat (Dresden Files, Bk 7) on + 24 more book reviews
Excellent series! I highly recommend it!
fantasyisbetter avatar reviewed Dead Beat (Dresden Files, Bk 7) on + 113 more book reviews
I love the entire Harry Dresden wizard series- Butcher's writing and characters are engaging and fun. Highly recommended to anyone who likes urban fantasy (magic, vampires, weres, etc.)
robinmy avatar reviewed Dead Beat (Dresden Files, Bk 7) on + 2115 more book reviews
A killer vampire threatens to destroy Karrin Murphy's reputation unless Harry Dresden does her bidding. The vampire wants the Word of Kemmler and all the power that comes with it. Harry soon finds out that there are several necromancers in town, looking for the same thing he is, and ready to raise an army of dead to accomplish it. With the help of Bob the skull and Medical Examiner Waldo Butters, Harry and the Wardens fight against the evil taking over the city.

Another action packed book. Thomas has been living with Harry while trying to figure out what to do with his life. Mouse has grown from a puppy into a pony-sized dog. The villains in this book stand out, especially the Corpsetaker. And, Sue the Dinosaur just makes everything perfect. I read this book a few years ago and this time I listened to the audiobook. Outstanding narration from James Marsters. My rating: 5 Stars.


Genres: