Solar Flare: Science Fiction News

Dead Beat is the 7th book in Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files and like all the previous books it centers on Harry Dresden a Wizard/Detective based in Chicago. Also like the previous books this one has a mixture of drama an humor and reads much like you’d expect detective fiction to read. Well, except for the zombies.

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Yes, as the title hints at, Harry’s latest brush with supernatural baddies includes a heaping of zombies (plus a ghoul and some spectres too) and pretty much the entire of Chicago is at risk as various necromancers attempt to make themselves a god. Well everyone should have a hobby.

I’ve mentioned before I think that The Dresden Files read rather like a tv series in that there’s an expanding cast of recurring characters and a number of story arcs which slowly develop the course of each book. Sure enough, in Dead Beat we get reports on the state of the ongoing war between the White Council and the Red Court Vampires. It’s going badly for the White Council, very badly.

There’s also the issue of that coin Harry picked up a couple of books back and its starting to cause some major trouble of its own. However, one sub-plot is largely missing in action as Murphy makes only a brief appearance at the beginning and end of the book. Which is a shame because I like her character.

Honestly I’m trying to think of something I can tell you about this book that will change anyone’s mind on the series and there just isn’t anything. It’s more of the same. I find it an easy read, the central character is appealing and the on-going sub-plots intrigue me. Its probably never going to be heralded as great literature, but its a fun read and I’m always eager to read the next novel.

Realistically though, ifyou’re at all interested in this you should start with the first book in the series, Storm Front. If you have read the previous books in the series, why are you reading this? Go out and buy Dead Beat.