The Dresden Files: Dead Beat by: Jim Butcher

 

Being completely honest, Blood Rites nearly made me stop reading The Dresden Files, at least for the time being, however, as everything I had heard about the next one was praising the improvements and the general fan consensus that Blood Rites is the weakest installment, I decided to give Dead Beat one chance to improve.  I was in for a treat when this novel turned out to be the best that The Dresden Files has had to offer thus far, in a book which builds its tension as it builds to the first climax that actually feels like the possible end of the world will come to pass.  There is also necromancy performed on Chicago’s most famous dinosaur, so if that doesn’t sell you on that as a scene which does occur in the book to just see how this could possibly happen, I don’t know what will.  Butcher actually plays a bait and switch with Dead Beat, the title clearly alluding to the idea of a deadbeat dad, which is not actually about Harry Dresden’s father, who is simply dead.  Yes there is an appearance from his father in a dream sequence and there is a theme of being cut off from family, this is the first book where Thomas Raith is cut off and living with Harry in his tiny apartment, but Dead Beat is literally about three necromancers each going after an ancient text from a German necromancer, as well as Harry being tasked to find it by Black Court vampire Mavra.  Of course Harry is only brought in because he is being blackmailed so that his closest friend, Karrin Murphy (who spends the book on vacation which is interesting for Harry’s development).

 

This is the first book where Butcher’s several subplots actually all feel connected, at least since the third novel, as every subplot is looking for the same thing, meaning that the connections are there from the start.  Yes there are investigations done by Harry which aren’t directly involved in finding the book, especially as it moves to Harry attempting to stop the necromancers from succeeding and even getting the White Council in on the action.  As this is a book which is a ride from start to finish, it’s actually surprising that the character depth here is really well done.  Thomas and Harry’s relationship which has developed has gone to an actual brotherly relationship.  That reveal in Blood Rites that they are brothers actually gets redemption here as they have these brilliant back and forth interactions where while Thomas has his own problems in keeping down a job (which contains slight cringe due to Thomas being a White Court vampire) and unable to actually contribute.  They also have to deal with Mouse, the dog from the previous book which has grown to a massive size and is actually as intelligent as a person and is adorable.  This trio kind of acts like a family unit which feels like a development for Harry especially as he really hasn’t gotten to have a family at this point in his life, like at all.  Thomas also has this great sense of humor throughout the book.

 

Dead Beat also sees the reappearance of mortician Waldo Butters, who is essentially forced into the magical world here and the way that Butcher writes the character is interesting, to say the least.  Butters has that scientific mind which attempts to rationalize the magic and has those points where he actually ends up being a brave addition.  He is a self-professed coward, but that actually isn’t accurate as the brand of cowardice is more common sense and there is a point where Butters saves Harry from a fire, putting his own life on the line to save him.  There is also something great about Harry’s actions in picking up the Denarius coming back with the demon Lasciel continuously tempting him (and a reappearance of the Dark Harry from Fool Moon), though that plotline is perhaps more setup for future novels and a question about what Harry’s morals actually are on a personal level.

 

Overall, Dead Beat is one of the best books in The Dresden Files, giving readers the first chance to see just what they can become.  There are still a few issues, mainly with Murphy essentially being sidelined so Harry can realize that he is actually jealous and might have feelings for her, but the progression here from the necromancy, to Harry becoming a Warden, to everything else in the book makes this genuinely great.  8/10.