Dead Beat (The Dresden Files)
 Dead Beat | |
| Author | Jim Butcher |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Christian McGrath |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Dresden Files |
| Genre | Fantasy/Mystery |
| Publisher | Roc Hardcover |
Publication date | May 3, 2005 |
| Publication place | United States |
Published in English | May 3, 2005 |
| Media type | Hardcover |
| Pages | 396 |
| ISBN | 0451460278 |
| Preceded by | Blood Rites |
| Followed by | Proven Guilty |
Dead Beat is the 7th book in The Dresden Files, Jim Butcher's continuing series about wizard detective Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden. Dead Beat had a release date of May 3, 2005. The summary of the novel reads as follows:
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.
The cover art by illustrator Christian McGrath depicts Harry walking down a snowy street with his glowing staff. Japanese katakana is written on the staff which reads "Matrix." On Butcher's website, the first 3 chapters may be previewed.
Plot summary
Mavra blackmails Harry into seeking the Word of Kemmler, which contains the knowledge of a dangerous necromancer, Kemmler. Harry discovers that three of Kemmler's apprentices are in town seeking the Word and are preparing a ritual known as the Darkhallow, which would give the performer power to rival a demigod, and kill thousands as a by-product. Harry battles zombies and ghouls, tries to find the Word, asks the White Council for help, summons a powerful Sidhe, and rides against the gathered necromancers to stop the ritual. In the midst of this, he must deal with his personal problems and his friends' concerns that he is slipping too far into dark magics.
Plot points introduced
- Lasciel: Harry has conversations with the Fallen who inhabits the coin he touched in Death Masks, intentionally draws on her power and uses her skills.
- Queen Mab: Harry is given, and declines, his second invitation to become the Winter Knight. He still owes Mab two favors.
- The War: Capt. Luccio tells Harry that the war between the Red Court and the White Council continues to go poorly with many Wardens killed in an ambush. The Red Court has attacked the Council in the Nevernever, bringing the Sidhe into the conflict. It remains evident that there is a traitor among the White Council but his or her identity is still unknown.
- The Wardens: Harry is appointed Warden status by Captain Luccio. Harry also talks with Luccio about his tense relationship with Morgan and the White Council and learns a bit more about them.
Characters
Returning characters
- Harry Dresden: The protagonist, a professional wizard, and he's in the book
- 'Bob': A intelligent air spirit who lives inside a skull in Dresden's sub-basement laboratory, formerly owned by the infamous necromancer Kemmler
- Waldo Butters: medical examiner who spent 90 days undergoing a psych. evaluation after correctly reporting that corpses found as a result of Harry's actions in Grave Peril were "humanoid, but definitely not human".
- Thomas: Harry's half-brother, White Court vampire
Minor appearances
- Billy: werewolf, first appeared in Fool Moon
- Artemis Bock: rare book seller
- Queen Mab: Queen of the Winter Court of the Sidhe
- Mac: owner of McAnally's tavern
- Gentleman Johnny Marcone: Crime lord of Chicago
- Mavra: Black Court vampire and sorceress who blackmails Harry to aid her
- Mister: Dresden's 30+ pound house cat
- Mouse: Harry's dog, described as part woolly mammoth (introduced in Blood Rites)
- Donald Morgan: Commander of the Wardens, second in command to Captain Luccio. Generally Harry's nemesis, but here a reluctant ally.
- Lieutenant Karrin Murphy: Director of Special Investigations. Spends most of the book on vacation with Kincaid.
New characters
- Capiorcorpus: (Corpsetaker), necromancer of uncertain gender able to switch bodies, expert in mental magic
- Carlos Ramirez: Warden
- Cowl: Male necromancer, works with Kumori
- Erlking: Master of the Wild Hunt
- Grevane: male necromancer, works with an assistant Harry nicknames Liver Spots
- Lasciel: One of the Fallen. Harry touched a coin and made contact with her in Death Masks
- Anastasia Luccio: Captain of the Wardens
- Li Xian: ghoul
- Kumori: Cowl's associate, necromancy training, but not one of Kemmler's apprentices
Dead Beat in other media
- This book is available as a Kindle book.
Continuity Errors
During the meeting in McAnally's Pub, it is stated that including Harry, America has four regional commanders. At the end, Morgan tells Harry there is only one regional commander in America besides Harry.
However, it must be remembered that given their losses the Warden's may have altered their organizational structure.
External links
- The first three chapters of the book may be found on the author's official site.
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