Dead Beat by Jim Butcher Had A Ton Of Hype...And It Met Those Expectations

[@mikesbookreviews]

Forzare, bookworms! I'm so excited to continue talking Dresden with you. Remember this is my first read so NO SPOILERS past Dead Beat, PLEASE.

[@UltaFlame]

Glad to see you continuing the series! Fuego! PYROFUEGO! Hoping for a positive response in this one, but only just starting the video. o/

[@gnomesaiyan1680]

Yeah, I have to admit I can't entirely remember which specific plot points happen in which book, which is why I don't really comment that much in these reviews, spoilers being what they are. But it seems you're having a blast with these, so thats awesome.

[@fatalphalanx]

please don't narrow the recaps down let your full Dresden Files nerd go :). Truthfully there's a ton of important stuff that getting glossed over. PS POLKA WILL NEVER DIE!!! :)

[@mrbreck1]

Second book in aeronauts windlass by jim butcher is expected to be finished in december 2020.

[@Xexanos]

At least you have something to do during the social distancing situation. I envy you for still having half of the Dresden series to read until Peace Talks!

[@happyninja42]

One of the things I loved most about Dead Beat, is this was one of the first volumes in the series, where you start seeing the impact of Harry's efforts in the previous books, starting to blossom. It's a very small scene, but a powerful one for me, and it was done so well. It's when he's talking to the EMT, trying to get details about the case. He's sitting down, talking to him, and the EMT is like 'You're that crazy wizard guy who they found in the children's ICU ward a few years ago right?" "Yeah...." "....yeah well, did you know that hospital had the highest infant mortality rate in the city? Since you did...whatever you did....they haven't lost a single one. " Harry is quiet. "So I'll tell you what I know, because you helped those children." I LOVE that scene! It reminds me in subtle ways, of the end of Quantum Leap, when he's sitting there talking to The Guy, and he's belittling the efforts he's made in the show, saying he's only helped a few people. And The Guy is like 'oh no no no. The people you helped, helped others, who helped other. You've done a LOT of good Sam." It's such a good scene in the book, one of my favorites in the series.

[@archlectoryarvi2873]

Totally Agree. Also the scene where Warden Luccio tells Harry that the younger wizards in the white council straight up see him as a hero/role model. Also how the local supernatural community of Chicago treat him with a mix of fear and awe. So many payoffs from previous misadventures in this book.

[@happyninja42]

@@archlectoryarvi2873 Yeah, it was really neat to see those callbacks to previous books, and how they had impact on the world around him. Of course Harry didn't really think about it, as he has a very bad opinion of himself and his value/worth. But seeing other people pointing out "nah man, from THIS side of the equation, you are seen totally different. I know you're getting caught up in your own head and all but, people and things know your name. And fear it."

[@Ize19]

"Is it weird that I like Marcone?" Nope. Not even a little bit. Marcone has a will of Cuendellar, ruthless efficiency, a moral center that makes him preferable to a different villain in his place, even though any other villain would be easier to take down, and an uncanny ability to take advantage of nearly every encounter he has with Harry. He's by far my favorite villain in the series!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Well said.

[@Jingle12349]

I wouldn't even consider him a villain tbh , more like a force that harry has to either fight against or with or just exist with. theres a sense of respect between the two

[@blackc1479]

Marcone is just a great character period. He kinda transcends hero or villain, especially later in the books. He just *is*. And you can absolutely count on him to do whatever he feels is the correct path, regardless of morality (with a few notable exceptions), danger, personal risk, risk to others, whatever.

[@teksnotdead902]

I’m only on book 7 in this series but I have the same feeling about Marcone. I really love that he’s mixed in with all this supernatural stuff but he’s just a normal mafioso. He’s a villain but a likeable one.

[@Stratocaster893]

Man, I should really get my act together and read these books. They sound like so much fun.

[@AuroraXA]

DO IT!

[@caffeinedelusions]

IMMEDIATELY. WHY ARE YOU WATCHING SPOILER VIDEOS?!

[@coleton7048]

They are, and really good.

[@jrich749]

Polka will never die, mouse, and a zombie T-Rex all in one book? Do eeeet nowwww!

[@red_hobbit3323]

DO IT!!!

[@coleton7048]

I finished Death Masks earlier today and I've already started Blood Rites. Love this series so much!

[@dvdcrmn]

Excited for you! The first scene is very important to the overall story throughout the books. Blood Rites gets a bad rap, but Death Masks, Dead Beat and Small Favor are three of my favorites.

[@Sentinelll]

@@dvdcrmn I think the problem with Blood Rites is that the main mystery/case to be solved is very boring/forgettable. Everything else about it is pretty great though imo. Lots characters being introduced or their story gets advanced. So maybe not the most exciting Dresden book to read the first time, but in hindsight it's a pretty important one. Dead beat really takes it up a notch and is really great. Curious to hear what Mike says about it.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Death Masks is so damn good.

[@MrT115]

One reason many picks this book as one of their favourites may be because of the audio-books. James Marsters characterization of Butters is great and his performance adds a lot.

[@mikesbookreviews]

So folks keep telling me.

[@MillennialViking]

Dresden's conversation with Lucio when he becomes a warden is my single favorite moment is the series to be honest. I call that the gut check moment. Where Dresden manages to actually see how the rest if the world see him.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It was a good scene.

[@dandydeadpool]

I completely get what you mean about everything bleeding together a little, when I discovered the series I ended up reading 2-3 books a week til I'd caught up(to Cold Days at the time)as I loved them so much! Be glad you only started fairly recently, the wait for Peace Talks has been a long one!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm so happy I came aboard when I did.

[@maximasforrester8689]

POLKA WILL NEVER DIE!!! 😂 I've never had so much fun or joy reading a fantasy series. These books make a great refresher to read between Malazan.

[@Grimmers]

I totally agree with you about how alive the side-characters feel. It's easy to imagine the entire series re-written from another POV as the Murphy files or the Thomas Files or whatever, and it'd have just as much characterization as Dresden's POV. Everyone feels like they could be be the protagonist in their own story. It's also what makes some of the short stories that are from other character's POV so fascinating. We get to see Harry as a side-character from their perspective, where he's both incredibly scarier than from his own POV but also doesn't know as much about the world as he think he does from his limited perspective as a white council wizard. It's incredible characterization and worldbuilding that makes it a genuinely larger world than just what Dresden tells us about it.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Oh wow I didn’t even know that was a thing! I mean I knew about the two collection books but had no idea there were other POVs than Harry. That’s super cool.

[@Grimmers]

​@@mikesbookreviews Ahh, I'll definitely wet your whistle then by letting you know there's even one from Marcone's POV. Narrated by Jim Butcher himself in the audiobook version I believe. Of course you'll definitely wanna finish the series before you jump into those though, they take place all throughout the timeline so lotta spoilers.

[@Glowingfed]

Grimmers Even Hans was great, but the Murphy POV story is still my favorite tbh.

[@Jaxxofrune]

@@mikesbookreviews yeah, there's even one written from Marcone's perspective. One from Thomas' where you learn some deeper secrets about his motives... Not to mention the three short stories about Harry meeting Bigfoot. Lol

[@7Seraphem7]

It is amazing seeing just how the other characters see Harry. And we get a good spread of focus characters who yeah, they DO all feel alive and just as fleshed out and able to hold a whole series of their won as Harry.

[@JB-gr3jl]

This was my first time seeing one of your Dresden reviews. I'll check out the others. I've read all those released and have the 2 new ones on preorder. I like how Harry grows in power and authority as the series progresses. He has to grow as well to deal with that. There are some really good side characters in the series as well. Thanks for the review.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks for watching! It really feels Buffy to me in a way that each one feels like a season of a TV series with your case & big bad for that book. So much fun.

[@JB-gr3jl]

@@mikesbookreviews This could be a great tv series with the right approach. The previous attempt at DF tv show was not so great.

[@slu8269]

I first saw the TV show and read the intro, that it was based on books and got intrigued. I never regretted getting hooked. As the books go on you will return to certain parts of the older books and see things in other lights. But that is the great thing about Butcher. You can reread the books and get something new every time. PS: the audio books are great for falling asleep, but only if you heard them a few times.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, binging these makes me see how many threads from 2-4 books ago still pop up. It's great.

[@caffeinedelusions]

Okay... clarifications. 1) You totally invented 'death bite', but that's perfectly okay. It made sense to me, at least. 2) Harry spends some time explaining Death Curses back in Summer Knight. Death Curses are a Wizard's equivalent of a suicide bombing. They're when a wizard (usually one who knows they're about to die, or are already severely wounded and dying) deliberately puts EVERYTHING, including the sum total of their life force, into a spell. The resultant spell is able to break a lot of commonly held limits regarding what magic is capable of, whether it's in terms of destructive power, duration, or scope. For instance, the thing in Blood Rites with Lord Raith not being able to feed? That was Margaret LeFay's Death Curse on Lord Raith, fueled by the life force of her sons, and made able to pierce his magical protections through the sheer power of the curse. She laid it on him because she could feel that he was using that Entropy Curse to turn her own labor into a murder weapon, killing her. Wizards can't normally DICTATE FATE, but that's one of the limits Death Curses can apparently break. 3) Dark Harry is basically Harry's subconscious self. He's not the ghost Harry generated in Grave Peril (that ghost was created specifically with 'dealing with the nightmare' as his unfinished business, and has moved on to wherever shades move on to when their business is done), but he does occasionally pull Harry's conscious mind into a confab when Harry is failing to notice something critical. He can't give Harry any NEW information, he can't even really explain to Harry what he needs to realize about what's going on... but he CAN force Harry to reexamine information he already has until he finally reaches the conclusion that his subconscious self is trying to lead him towards. Think of it as Harry's intuition trying to smack him over the head with things.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I tend to create my own vocabulary in some of these videos. You could say I've been...(put on glasses) Proven Guilty.

[@7Seraphem7]

2. Yeah, Death Curses are serious threats. Though, in Raith's case it wasn't her curse was so powerful it over came his anti-magic protection, she outsmarted the protection by not directly targeting Raith himself. Like harry said, she didn't try to stab him, she smothered him, her Curse wrapped around him, blocking him from being able to feed, rather then actually touching him directly. 3. Yet another claim to fame for Harry, how many people can be so damn oblivious their subconscious has to manifest an identity for itself to try and smack him upside the head with something he's missing?

[@paulsmith6090]

The truth is: Everything that comes after "Changes" - put this series in the hall of fame! It is next level class!!!! Read them and tell me I'm wrong.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'll let you know when I get there.

[@dillonpatterson4310]

@@mikesbookreviews hes not wrong, I honestly felt some of early books were kind of meh but butcher gets better and better with his writing and it really shows in changes and later books. I honestly felt ghost story was kinda meh so I'd be interested to see how you view it for the first time.

[@MrFreakHeavy]

Changes is the turning point. I loved everything about Dresden... and then I read Changes and, excuse the pun, it changed me. I thought I loved the series, now I can say I was only attracted to their looks, I am now in love with it.

[@paulsmith6090]

@@dillonpatterson4310 lol ghost story, I forgot about that one.lol - almost every book from changes onwards puts this series in the hall of fame. Ghost story, although not bad, does seem to disrupt that high level flow - but the rest are the dogs Bs.

[@cathsaigh2197]

And Changes itself.

[@dillonpatterson4310]

You also have to remember that harry cant really look people in the eyes, so it makes it a bit awkward and makes you come off as weird when you do that so I'm not surprised harry doesnt have luck with the ladies.

[@mikesbookreviews]

This is a great point.

[@EloquentTroll]

And a soul gaze is the definition of TMI at the beginning of a relationship.

[@Ulmo90]

Great book an review Mike! Fun to watch these older videos from back in the days

[@godlessgoth213]

I loved the Gatorade thing. That was partially funny. Also, my favorite quote is in this book. Polka will never die.

[@alexiuscastrum]

Marcone is the kind of criminal kingpin I aspire to be when I play Evil characters in RPGs. He's a self serving snake that will do almost anything to further his power and influence. The thing that makes him admirable if not Good is that he has a sense of honor and decency to a degree. He won't harm kids directly. Its arguable that his drug trade hurts kids indirectly, but Marcone would probably tell you that their parents/guardians are failing them if that is the case and is therefore not his fault. He's willing to put his own life at risk to protect his allies and children, and does his damnedest to keep the violence off the street and to an absolute minimum. Frankly, Evil will always exist. Crime will always exist. Better Marcone being the King than a pack of violent, idiot warlords vying for control.

[@ilesalmo7724]

I saw Sheila as Felicia Day in my mind while I was reading the book.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I see Felicia Day in my mind a lot, tbh.

[@mattroxursoul]

Weird I thought of Christina Hendricks

[@gauchplant]

According to Butcher, Butters was a throwaway character to lighten the mood in one scene. The only reason he was brought back was that Dresden needed an ally that was thematic and would be absolutely no help. Medical examiner dealing with zombies fits the bill. Butcher fell in love with the character and developed him more.

[@Jaxxofrune]

He was a direct theft from the medical examiner in the movie "The Prophecy" with Christopher Walken. Jim made him Jewish and a polka fan to protect the innocent...

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm glad he did so. Butters must be protected.

[@delphy2478]

these are fun, and gosh i'm looking forwards to seeing you read the next few books

[@mikesbookreviews]

Everyone seems to be getting the popcorn ready for when I read Changes.

[@nemoonbekend2483]

I think you nailed it at the end of the review. Things that happen in this book are seen in a whole new light as you read further on. Makes it take on a much deeper (and darker) significance I think. Butcher's leaving loaded Chekov's guns laying around everywhere. Starting in Small Favors they start to go off and this book series starts to become epic.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I figured it was the book that sets up numerous things down the road and is even better on a re-read of the series.

[@7Seraphem7]

Really, that's true of pretty much every single book. Even the first one has little threads that when you go back and see knowing what comes later you look at in a whole new light.

[@caffeinedelusions]

This book was actually my first introduction to the Dresden Files. It was the first I got my hands on at a used bookstore, and on the strength of it alone, I went back and went through the series from scratch. It's still my favorite on those grounds, and when talking to prospective readers, I still tell them to read Dead Beat, as it's more representative of the quality of the series as a whole than Storm Front.

[@mikesbookreviews]

For sure.

[@MasterReckus]

A good reason that Dead Beat is a good launching point is that it was Butcher's first hard cover book, and was writen with that knowledge in mind. So he knew it would be some peoples starting point.

[@HarperGigs]

@@MasterReckus And what better way to be introduced to a series than with an effing zombie dinosaur? Right? Also did you guys know if you say "Polka will never die" to Weird Al...he'll KNOW what you're talking about.

[@geocat1067]

Polka will never die! It is so great to experience these books through you again. It triggers a lot of the thought I had after first time reading. I can follow your reasoning why you currently think dead beat is overhyped, but for me it’s one of the best in the series. Plus, with every other series and everything happening in this book, you would roll your eyes put the book aside and walk away from the series... for Dresden files it just works and fits perfectly. I think this is one of butchers big achievements. Oh, and I can’t wait for your thoughts on Changes... (imagine an evil knowing grin here)

[@mikesbookreviews]

The over the top moments are what I love most about these books.

[@conchobharkhan4167]

Mike, been following you for a long time. My only regret is when I heard you say you’re not doing any more Dresden reviews. Love these reviews, I’ll be sad when I catch up to your last one.

[@JamesMcCormickIV]

Was waiting for this review. :)

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope it meets expectations.

[@thesmuli83]

Thanks for the interesting 40 minutes.I think I'll continue to read it, I read half of the book. Plus I bought today the next 3 installments👍

[@mikesbookreviews]

Have fun!

[@toddfroggs]

Dead Beat might be my favorite stand alone novel so far! At least based on my most recent read through to be ready for PT!

[@s.miklaski2286]

It's kind of great how favorites change in this series depending on when you read them i.e. your age/life experiences and how it relates to Harry's journey.

[@c0barsm]

I am really enjoying your reviews of this series!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks!

[@channamorlan1882]

'I didn't see this coming...' LONG time Dresden\Butcher fan!!! That's what I love about Dresden books! Just when you think you've figured it out, he throws a monkey wrench into the mix! Love your reviews...going to check out more content. PS: I read the books first then will listen to audio books while I'm cleaning house (adult ADD)...James M. is the voice of Harry to me!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I love just going along for the ride in books. I'm not a detective. I'll leave the sleuthing to Harry.

[@dresden3072]

Man just wait, as you get further in you'll see how many things that happen in this book really open up numerous storylines for further down the road. That's why Dead Beat is in my top 3 of the series it just sets up so MUCH.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I figure that's the case since folks hold this one up so high.

[@ReezyRobyn5]

Marcone is so fun when he's in the story. When I was at this point I also thought to myself "man I really miss Michael and Murphy. I hope that they get more involved in the story"

[@mikesbookreviews]

I feel like that every time one of my favorites "sit out" a book.

[@teksnotdead902]

Just finished reading and the moment at the end when he’s threatening Mavra is one of my favorites so far. The way he laid out all his potential new gains like becoming the White Knight of the Winter Court and accepting the fallen angels offering of power and just left her speechless and really kind of worried about aggravating Harry. I loved it!

[@7Seraphem7]

On the 'Everyone is beautiful' front, keep in mind that the majority of the females who are that amazingly super hot are all non-human's who either can look like whatever they want to, or are essentially succubi (the Raiths). Most of the non-supernatural woman Harry encounters aren't described as really being more then your basic level of attractive for a healthy, fit woman. (Bar Andi, but it's still a pretty regular spread of attractiveness given who all he knows.) But yes, the amount of detail Harry puts into describing the women he meets, and the amount of focus he give them does tend to be proportional to the amount of time he's gone since last getting laid. On 'someone else moved first' that was his dad, the one who moved first was Lash by contacting him using the 'Shiela' disguise. allowing some other players opposed to her side take some other actions. She was that beast harry heard rustling in the woods during their talk. At least that's the common consensus on how that all played out. On Harry being alright with Thomas' 'snacking', it is part, as noted, Harry knows he has to do it to survive, but also Harry tolerates it becuase it really isn't dangerous at all so long as the Vamp doesn't take too much at a time, or feed too often. Doing it like Thomas does is the best option they know of to keep him fed enough to live, and not do any real harm to the woman he hooks up with. It is so rare for someone to be surprised by Sue, given pretty much the first thing most people are told about the series to sell it to them is "Zombie T-Rex!" Outsiders..... Demons..... ohhhhhh booooooy.......... Mouse is just awesome. (Fixed that for ya) Yeah, this book is amazing and the main point where the story goes from great, to HOLY ^(&#)*(&)(*^&(# WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT THIS IS EPIC! The only one that gets any debate over not being so great is Ghost Story, but it works well for what it is and you'll find out for yourself how you like it. So, going by how much you like Death Masks, next conteder to unseat it, likely either Changes, or Skin Game. Now, to see how much of the twisted, convoluted pretzel of motivations in the next book you can untangle.

[@oliviawilliams6204]

The one who reached out first that allowed Malcome to come talking, Lashiel

[@Chewbaccafruit]

This is the book that got me to read the series: all i saw was art of a guy in a trenchcoat riding a zombie dinosaur and i was sold.

[@AuroraXA]

If you search World Builders Market, they sell Dresden Merch and they do have a Polka shirt. (however, be aware, the shirt does show kind of a spoiler for a later book so you may want to check it out once you finish the series) :)

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm not Googling or searching ANYTHING Dresden until I'm done ha ha

[@AuroraXA]

@@mikesbookreviews good plan. Definitely remember World Builders Market, though. They have some great merch.

[@xelithe3096]

The Story keeps getting better from here. Next book brings forth a MAJOR character for the rest of the stories. And please mention more about Mouse. Everyone loves Mouse. He's the bestest boy ever. Ramirez is one of the younger wardens who is important to the story further down the road. Also, don't forget about the Erlking, it does have ramifications, multiple times. And only other thing, is what happened with Corpsetaker and Luccio, that becomes a major plot point.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm perfectly fine with Mouse and Mister getting a spinoff adventure.

[@Scalesthelizardwizard]

I loved Harry's Shield bracelet I made my own using foamboard and leather

[@mikesbookreviews]

Nice!

[@harmanbeing]

That shirt is awesome!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Some would say it is just...too...sweeeeeeeet.

[@HandlesAreStupid2025]

This book was an absolutely wonderful read. Continual meta plot and character development. Introduction of characters which make you gravitate to them in one book. There are so many things about this book which are fantastic which have nothing to do with Harry, and Harry was fantastic in it too. I don't know if I can rate it above Death Masks or Grave Peril until I stew on it a bit, but the more I read this series the more effusive I get about it.

[@7Seraphem7]

Also, there is something very strongly hinted at about a minor character here, that was also teased in a very cheeky way in Death Masks, that knowledge of which really changes how to read a key moment in book ten. The truth is laid out and made clear in one of the short stories set and released before that book.

[@ptTeearms]

I'm looking forward to seeing your reaction to Small Favor considering your 3 M's as your favorites 😊

[@mikesbookreviews]

Chrissy Travis That’s where I’m at right now. It is 👌

[@ptTeearms]

If you get the chance after catching up, please go back to explore the short stories in Side Jobs and Brief Cases! I think you'll love The Warrior in particular 😊

[@Danne1886]

The Shiela reveal still got me good even though I suspected Harry's instinct to draw a gun when she first approached him was correct. I thought she would be a necromancer or working with one.

[@BigMike246]

Hey, why'd you leave this, this and this out?

[@mikesbookreviews]

BECAUSE I FEED OFF OF VIEWERS PAIN

[@estark1991]

@@mikesbookreviews 🤔so you're channeling Jim butcher then gotcha

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@estark1991 I think it was at the Pierce Brown signing where people were "awwing" a character death and he was like "Yesssss more of that. It gives me power!"

[@estark1991]

@@mikesbookreviews I was watching an interview where he was talking about fans asking about what he was writing for peace talks at that point in time and just to be a troll his answer was Murphy's funeral

[@kehrbaer90]

"Die Lied der Erlking" isn't even proper German. ^^ Butcher even aknowledges that in a later book when Harry meets th author. ;) It should be "Das Lied des Erlkönigs" (The Song of the Erlking)... or "Die Lieder des Erlkönigs"(The Songs of the Erlking).

[@mikesbookreviews]

Whoops.

[@EloquentTroll]

Harry calls out the author in small favor Edit: actually it was Turn Coat.

[@Chestbridge]

Great review, Mike! POLKA WILL NEVER DIE!

[@mikesbookreviews]

*busts out an accordion*

[@danielcooper3788]

How can you not love Bob and T-REX Sue!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Only a monster wouldn't.

[@chelleyroberts]

Mike's Book Reviews Seriously. Why would anyone choose wieners when they could have steak?

[@Andrea_of_AtLastCrochet]

Zombie T-Rex controlled by Bob the Skull!?!?!?! O.M.G.!!! Best zombie moment ever.

[@robpaul7544]

Yeah, got nuthin' to add, just happy yer having a blast with Dresden and looking forward to the next one 😄 Or am I a dark figment of your imagination urging you on..?

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm having a blast.

[@TheFamilyLedger]

I always assumed that the "someone else" Harry's dad talked about was Lasciel, and that the "move" was either Harry using her Hellfire or Sheila appearing before him.

[@acajudi100]

I loved the audio book.

[@renehouse2015]

Hey Mike, stumbled on to your channel. Glad you gave the Dresden Files a chance, and glad you stayed with it through that initial clunky period where Jim Butcher was still perfecting his world. Now, you're definitely down the rabbit hole and things keep getting bigger, badder, and better. I can hardly wait until you get to 'Changes' THAT's the review I'm waiting for!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Everyone seems to think Changes is going to break my mind. I can't wait.

[@renehouse2015]

@@mikesbookreviews Just a heads up... I felt physically spent after reading 'Changes' and needed 3-days to recover so you've got that to look forward to.

[@jeffrusnack5673]

Glad you noted Drak Harr. Methinks he returns in Peace Talks...to slay Winter Queen and and and...

[@Blazeme1up]

I just cant wait to see the review of Changes!

[@lafawnscott3112]

Techno Blaze I know, right? He still has like four or five to go.

[@mikesbookreviews]

That's what I keep hearing.

[@Crusatyr05]

I really want to know what happened to Murphy in Hawaii. I feel jealous for Harry lol. Great book and review!

[@gregkral4467]

oh, Bob the skull is so fun, .... I agre in dead beat, Bob for me was scary in being ordered to remember Kemmler. And yeah, the race with Thomas was a perfect explanation of his hunger. And is every single second of life for him, I can only imagine what Molly saw in the soul gaze with him, I really feel for Thomas........ poor effer.

[@nerdaspirations5048]

I'm glad to find someone else who prefers Grave Peril and Death Masks also my favourites. Still as I work on my 3rd read through.

[@thejobbercrowley7212]

Love the nWo shirt.

[@DJDoena]

Polka never dies!

[@StevenHouse1980]

Jim was shocked that fans figerd out the Gamer conection. Polka Will Never Die = en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pwn

[@slu8269]

Could you please elaborate? I only listened to all the books and I like all supplots. Where does this pwn happen?

[@MasterReckus]

@@slu8269 The acronym for Polka Will Never Die is pwnd.

[@wbrownshadow]

A couple of things The Drum or keeping the beat for the Zombie reanimations were supoosed to assimilate a heartbeat is why its needed. Two Bob kinda leads Harry to the idea he needed something older then the Zombies the Kemmlerites were using so is why he reanimated Sue ( the older the more powerful) Three and finally my favorite part it was against the rules of the White Council to use Necromancy on humans but Harry found a loophole since Sue was not human but a animal. was a awesome book

[@aeray3581]

Marcone is a very interesting character study.

[@stevenstewart782]

After Harry rides Sue,the younger warden hero worship items up a notch lol

[@AaronAlthaus]

Is it weird that I like Marcone? No, no it isn't. The more I learn about him the more I like him.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, he's an intriguing dude.

[@pattyl3090]

Hmmm... I've been reserving my opinion on your reviews of the Dresden Files, since U compared him to Harry Potter- "He's a wizard right" in Ur 1st review. This series is much more complex. Power & knowledge each come at a price in this world. In each book we learn alongside Harry what it will cost him. But it seems you're getting into the stories & I'm happy to subscribe & hear your take on each. Pretty interesting! I can't wait to hear more as you get further along ;)

[@mikesbookreviews]

I don't think I really compared him to Harry Potter as much as that is how the series was sold to me. Other than them both being wizards named Harry. It definitely feels more like Buffy/Angel and I love that.

[@pattyl3090]

@@mikesbookreviews Lol, sorry. I've never read Potter so Idk what U meant. Like I said, def enjoying your reviews & glad I found it. PS) Def fast reads, but U don't realize til later in the series just how much info U may not have really picked up on in previous books😉 Ty again

[@UltaFlame]

Finished it! ...got distracted part of the way through but seems you liked the book. Glad to see! Going forward, what's your major prediction re: Proven Guilty and how far into it are you at time of seeing this?

[@mikesbookreviews]

About halfway.

[@arronjerden915]

The reason that Lash can manifest in Harry's mind now is that he has intentionally used hellfire for the first time. He has been using it unconsciously for a while now but the intentional use of it means he has accepted power form Lash.

[@danijelb.3384]

Just finished Dead Beat. F**k me, this was so good. Loved it.

[@SirLogos]

Here we go again

[@s.miklaski2286]

Great review!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@henryellis9390]

Glad to know that someone agrees with me on this, Death Masks is the best of the earlier half of the series (which I call 1-7). Sure, Grave Peril is strong and Dead Beat is better, but Nicodemus is one of the strongest characters in the entire series and his first appearance just hits it out of the park.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Nicodemus + The Knights of the Cross + The Shroud is my favorite combo of Villain, supporting cast, and case in the whole series up to this point.

[@a_diamond]

And yeah, it does mean "Song of the Erlking".. old stories were more easily remembered (in history) as songs. It hints at the Erlking's age IMHO.

[@timothywinters2357]

The die alone curse seems to be legit now.

[@chrisstratton4569]

Wait till you get to Thomas's story in side jobs. Amazing.

[@manofmartin]

Proven guilty is my favorite and its next!!!! 🙂🙂🙂

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm about halfway and loving it.

[@sjkrum320]

Marcone is awesome! You'll love Brief Cases when you get done with these. There is a cool story told from Marcone's POV and I lived it!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Can't wait!

[@nemoonbekend2483]

One of my favorite Dresden shorts as well. Great reminder that Marcone is a BAD man and a villain. Liked the insights into how well he has learned to counter supernatural threats despite having no magical abilities of his own, and just who he considers to be his biggest threat,

[@applecorc]

It's not odd to like Marcone. He's an understandable villain. Plus Butcher just said on his live stream that he couldn't see anyone but James Marsters play Marcone in an adaptation of the books.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I always tend to lean villains in these stories and have people ask "why do you always like the bad guys?" so I figured I'd ask if others liked Marcone or if it was just my character flaw showing up again.

[@applecorc]

@@mikesbookreviews Marcone is a very complex and real villain. In a book you haven't read yet you see what drives him. Marsters does a heart wrenching performance in that scene.

[@mkgnlgt]

Dude! What a great review, you touched on some great moments in a great book! You’re right though, the books are like sex and pizza if you ask me, not always great, but always good regardless 😉 Keep the reviews coming!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Right on. It's like cold pizza; in the end, it's still pizza.

[@gregkral4467]

Not weird that you like Marcone, actually he is a rather deep and fascinating character, I wonder now after battleground how he is gonna be.... would actually like to see more of him in the books, really. like in Discworld the tyrant of Ankh morpork Vettinare, keeps crime managed, made the guilds, now he knows where everyone and there families are.... ehehm, TYRANT...... hehehe, if there is gonna be organized crime it, well, should be...... organized....... and manageable, not too much, not too little. the thieves and assassins guild are funny.

[@pimpslickness]

There's a necromancer character in warhammer lore named Heinrich kemmler. I wonder if there is any connection.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It wouldn’t shock me since he’s a big dungeons and dragons fan

[@nelspaulson3099]

So to not give it away- there are "world builder" shirts that say polka will never die, but don't look for them till you caught up because spoilers.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'll check them out when I'm current.

[@jameswilliams7728]

any one who tells you any thing but changes is the best on either aint far enough in the series or is a monster

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ha ha it seems unanimous that it is the best one.

[@DourdenAdam]

"Is it bad I like Marcone?" No, no its not. He is freaking awesome, he is a great gangster and character

[@amandaofhouserobinson6707]

Hey @mike did u hear Merphy Napier gave you a shout out !!!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I did. She's a sweetheart.

[@wbrownshadow]

Harrys Dads name i think was Malcolm but i could be wrong and from the TV show

[@EloquentTroll]

Yes, Harry's dad's name is Malcolm.

[@cathsaigh2197]

"Dark" Harry is a decent description, been a while since I read the early books so I'm not sure if it's spelled out exactly what he is by this point I know it will be stated explicitly later.

[@HarperGigs]

I've always kind of thought of "dark" Harry as his conscience.

[@richardstephens4168]

did anybody else think that liver spots was kemmler at first?

[@Dawnphyre]

I know, I know you're condensing, but the Luccio-Corpse Taker bit is pretty important

[@mikesbookreviews]

I knew it would be since I didn't talk about it ha ha

[@Dawnphyre]

@@mikesbookreviews no spoilers but it rears it's head in great dresden style

[@karenjohnson9270]

I have a theory/headcanon about Cowl and I know it's extremely unlikely but....I think Cowl is Justin DuMorne. I dunno how but....I have been wanting to get this thought out into a wider universe for years.

[@matthewdhewlett]

I think Cowl will end up being Simon Petrovic from Summer Knight, either faking his death or doing Corpsetaker shenanigans. Because these books were written at the height of American Idol's popularity with Simon Cowell. Simon/Cowl.

[@dillonpatterson4310]

I think you might have misread that part about Harry's dad he said someone broke the rules first I believe. And his name is malcom dresden.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Did I? Yeah it’s hard to take good notes when you can’t stop turning the pages.

[@MasterReckus]

@@mikesbookreviews Yeah, Lasciel cheated by making Shiela and contacting Harry before Harry consciously used the hellfire, this allowed someone from the other side to contact Harry.

[@rfburnsme1380]

I have been re-reading the series using "how to read.me" order with short stories and comic books. It helps keep the "Brief Cases" in order. www.howtoread.me/dresden-files-reading-order

[@DougTurley]

Oh, there's more with Bob

[@mikesbookreviews]

Can't wait

[@bunniesbunniesbunnie]

hahaha holy crap nwo shirt. Okay first off: you're a stark supporter. A+ dresden first-timer: awww and nwo shirt: my dude. A++.

[@bunniesbunniesbunnie]

Marcone and Michael are reflections of each other and that's why you love them. Bob is a Dresden-lite. Butters is the antithesis of Dresden.

[@bunniesbunniesbunnie]

Malcolm Dresden is an exceptional character

[@bunniesbunniesbunnie]

No spoilers but I think you're gonna be really polarized on Proven Guilty and White Night.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Well, when you're nWo...you're nWo 4 Life.

[@Musicteachersheff]

So all I could think of every y mentioned the Erlking was the Schubert Leid... kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIScYqNjq9KGnJI Funny story: we studied this in music theory when I was in college and our teacher was trying to translate as we listened. Every time the song said “mein Vater! Mein Vater!” He would say in a high pitched voice “Daddy! Daddy!” I can’t listen to it without chuckling and thinking of that! I love Mouse! I called it on the numbers being coordinates! I really enjoyed this one!

[@dillonpatterson4310]

I really feel like your read through the wheel of time inspired your comment about not having a huge cast be in every book lmao, and I can't say I disagree the WoT has so many characters its insane. If you take a prolonged break between books you're like wait who the hell is this.. Also no its not weird that you like marcone, it's weird how hostile harry is towards marcone. Marcone is like the best guy you can have running the streets and why he gets so butthurt about it I dont know.

[@mikesbookreviews]

With WoT it’s all the Aes Sedai names. So many are similar and only really mentioned in passing and I’m like WHO THE HELL IS THIS?! I’ve thought the same about Marcone. Harry gets shitty with him because he thinks he’s a killer and I’m wondering at this point if Harry has killed more folks (accidentally).

[@dillonpatterson4310]

@@mikesbookreviews harry burned down a building with kids in it. If marcone's people did that he would have had them killed. Who's the bad guy now lol.

[@Klickor]

Marcone is still a crime boss who leads a huge organization. He probably have people killed, beat up or threatened daily on his orders. He might have lines he wont cross but he is doing bad stuff that most of us wouldnt do. And Harry for sure would do even less of those things Marcone does on the regular. We dont really see any of those bad things but Harry probably do from time to time. Perhaps not directly but he has close ties to the police and works as an investigator. He knows another side of marcone we dont. We mostly see Marcone once every couple of years when he and Harry have a common enemy and not when he is doing bad stuff inbetween books. We are probably the ones who are biased and not Harry.

[@cathsaigh2197]

Personally I think the Dead Beat hype is mostly about the Zombie T-Rex riding thing.

[@jeffrusnack5673]

Our Not Humble Narrator dislikes Bob and Marcone. But like you I miss them when they aren"t written in. I think Jim had meant Marcone to be less foil more villian Pre-denari.

[@Desecratr]

You’re wrong. This book is the best so far, but I love necromancy.

[@CD-gh4oc]

Dark Harry is his Id or his lizard brain.. His subconscious is just easier to say though.. but yeah he's the one that helped him kick Kravos in the ass

[@mikesbookreviews]

I thought so. Thanks for clarifying.