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Jul 16, 2009

Chris rated it:

Book Twenty-five

Dead Beat by Jim Butcher

"Hell's Bells" count - 13

While I was on my long commute to work (not so bad, as it affords me more reading time), I wondered what the Harry Dresden from Storm Front would have made of the Harry Dresden from this book. I imagine he probably would have been scared. And to be honest, I don't think I would be able to blame him.

There's necromancy afoot in Chicago, and as much as he doesn't want to be, Ha More...

2 comments like (18 people liked it)

Jun 17, 2010

Ben rated it:

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0 comments like (4 people liked it)

Jan 10, 2009

Steve rated it:

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1 comment like (2 people liked it)

Apr 22, 2011

Meggie rated it:

I liked the plot, it was good and enjoyable, but I have to admit that Harry's constant over thinking went on my nerves at some points. It was a bit to much. Butters was great, I liked him in this plot, his characteristic was well written and shown and Harry's patience around him was golden. This part was awesome, thanks for great reading material.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Dec 11, 2008

Joy rated it:

I think this is my favorite of the series so far. The thought of bringing a T-Rex to life and riding it was just so outrageous. This book really brought my imagination to life. Butters is such a great character also.

2 comments like (3 people liked it)

Aug 12, 2008

Latharia rated it:

The problem with rating book 1 of a series with 4 stars is that it doesn't leave much room for improvement, which I really should have! In the Dresden Files series, Dead Beat is the best one I've read to date. My friend who is loaning me books 4-8 says that they just keep getting better, and he is right. Dresden is genuinely torn between sticking to his principles and using darker forces to do the right thing. Does the end really justify the means? Many familiar faces make appearances, and the s More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Nov 17, 2011

Kari Marie rated it:

All I can say is Wow.

This is the second Dresden book I've consumed. I felt immediately at home in the character (in part due to Marsters). Butcher masterfully weaves past and present storylines into a plot that is compelling right down to the last word.

Marsters does a simply superb job reading the novel. Honestly, I can't rave enough about him and I really can't imagine doing anything but listening to the other books in the series.

Harry faces off against a ho More...

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Oct 30, 2011

Paula rated it:

At the end of Book #6 we saw Harry discover that his Half Brother is Thomas the Incubus and we read as Harry looked after one of the missing pups from the Tibetan Monks. Now in Book #7 Dead Beat, the little pup has grown twice the size and resembles almost a cerulean beast and get ready for this - it's name is Mouse and Thomas after being kicked out of his Incubus family has come to crash with Harry . However, Thomas isn't exactly the cleanest and helpful roommate as Harry who for so many years More...

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Sep 08, 2011

Marleen rated it:

Being a wizard in Chicago in a world that doesn’t believe in magic or any other supernatural phenomena can be frustrating, but Harry Dresden has been doing it for years and should be used to all the complications this creates.
Still, as used as Harry is to this secret world within the world, it always manages to send new surprises and horrors his way. And this time is no different.
While his police buddy Karrin Murphy is away on holidays, Harry is approached by Mavra, a deadly vampire. S More...

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Aug 26, 2011

Meg rated it:

I noticed something about this character last night that I think speaks well of Butcher as a writer: he's managed to write a somewhat sexist character but not sexist books. It's not just because the character admits to being somewhat sexist, but because it's just the main character who has those views. The narrative and development of the supporting characters is actually perfectly decent. It's a fine line, but it's there, and instead of being insulting, it just makes the character deeper.
More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Aug 20, 2011

Poppy rated it:

POLKA WILL NEVER DIE!

Absolutely brilliant book, the best in the series so far! Harry Dresdan is funnier than ever and becomes even more of a bad ass. Zombies, necromancers, animated dinosaurs, old and new enemies grace the pages of this book as Harry struggles to keep his friend Karrin Murphy's reputation safe. The book is unpredictable and ties together loose ends from previous books. Harry is learning to adapt to having and living with his brother, Thomas. He is adjusting to life w More...

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Aug 17, 2011

Fangs for the Fantasy rated it:

There are some new big bads in town – necromancers, some of the darkest wizards out there, have arrived and they're all looking for the World of Kemmler. Kemmler, the greatest and most horrendous necromancer that ever lived, left his remaining knowledge in this book – a book that could bring untold power to the most evil of people.

And in addition to the Necromancers, Marva of the Black Court also wants the book – and if Harry doesn't get it for her, she's going to ruin Murphy's life. T More...

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Jul 22, 2011

Jeff rated it:

In this novel Harry is blackmailed by Black Court vampire Mavra. She has a photo that could frame Karrin Murphy (Harry's friend on the police force) for murder and she will use it unless Harry gives her what she wants -- The Word of Kemmler.

Harry has no idea what that is but embarks on a mission to find out and, in doing so, also learns that some necromancers are also after The Word, which has the power to elevate its user to godhood.

This is, so far, one of the more action p More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jun 26, 2011

Michael rated it:

Unofficially Book #7 of the Dresden Files. Officially they've dropped the series numbers. Having read seven of the ten (currently) books of the series. I think it's important to read them in order - if possible. mainly because Jim Butcher puts a lot of character development into each novel, and not only is Harry Dresden in a completely different state of mind by book seven, so are many of the characters and plotlines. Thomas the amorous vampire has a completely different relationship with Harry More...

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May 27, 2011

James rated it:

Epic. That's what this is. Epic.

This story is longer than the previous novels in the Dresden files, but by God it doesn't feel it. This book just flies by in a whirlwind of excitement, fear and intrigue. This has to be one of the best in the series so far, and I pray to whatever deity exists that they continue to improve - 'cause if they do... well, i's soon going to become the best series I've ever read.

Yet, once again, there are a few nitpicks that I have;

1. Lack More...

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Jan 26, 2011

Melissa rated it:

Yay! Another exciting Dresden Files that I actually enjoyed reading. Butcher is getting a lot better at creating an engaging plot and making Harry not quite as much of a wimp. I'm not going to bother recapping, there are far too many books for that and Butcher does a good job of providing details on back-stories.

Harry Dresden is a wizard. A real wizard even though he's been sidelined by injury and fear as of late. However, when a vampire of the black court decides to blackmail him, he More...

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Jan 15, 2011

Michael David Cobb rated it:

Harry Dresden is an instinctual hero, and he is so because he survives. He is a blockheaded, stubborn, self-absorbed, overpowering man guided by simple instincts - to protect the weak- who is beleagured by his burden and often overwhelmed. But he manages to triumph against all odds by being resigned to his mortal fate. He is not angry, nor vengeful. He is not often misunderstood. He is only awkward from having been orphaned and has come to love the people of the city of Chicago as his own witho More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Sep 20, 2010

Bluegravity rated it:

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Jan 15, 2009

Joanna rated it:

These books get better and better, I absolutely loved this one. Fantastical romp with a serious side.

I loved all the supporting characters. Ridiculous and tempting and comical and mysterious--love to all!

I loved the bigger and bigger baddies---HOW does he do that? Usually when somebody faces their biggest enemy ever in a series, and then goes on to face someone even bigger, and then another bigger still, I start to scoff. Not with Harry. Oh, his evil godmother, oooh. More...

2 comments like

Jan 27, 2012

Lizz rated it:

Definitely one of my favorites in the Dresden Files series thus far. I found the writing, in terms of description and dialogue, a bit tighter and more realistic, such as it is, in this one, especially compared to #6 (in which things were occasionally a bit hokey). I find the direction in which Butcher is taking the character of Harry interesting, and look forward to seeing how Dresden will handle his new source(s) of power in future scenarios. The character has taken a darker turn, which I th More...

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Dec 24, 2011

mzd rated it:

Loved loved loved this. You know a book is good when you get home and instead of having a cup of tea or getting out of your work gear you just flop down and continue reading from where you stopped on the train. And you know a book is good when it's time for bed, but you keep thinking 'one more chapter, one more chapter' and you've suddenly read ten.

I honestly could not put this down. It was action packed and fast-paced as well as having a good set of central characters and engaging plot. I thou More...

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Jun 14, 2011

Annika rated it:

I love this book! I've read it a couple of times and it is just as enjoyable every time. Part of the reason is the plot. Harry Dresden, wizard for hire, is blackmailed by a vampire into dealing with necromancers that want to elevate themselves to godhood. What could possibly go wrong with a plot like that? But another part of the reason I adore these books is the langugae Butcher uses. His vocabulary is advanced and his store of idioms, puns and synonyms is just enormous. Not to mention his simi More...

7 comments like (1 person liked it)

Sep 28, 2009

Chris rated it:

I could mention what every other review has mentioned as a reason to read this book. I could point out that Harry is an everyman, and he is not really special in the way that other female paranormal characters tend to be (he's not the most powerful whatever, he's not the only something). I could point out his reactions are full of everyday common sense. I could point out that Butcher makes excellent use of pop culture. I could point out that Butcher's excellent charaziation extends to dog and More...

2 comments like (4 people liked it)

Feb 02, 2012

zcb257 rated it:

Dead Beat – The Dresden Files #7

Up until now, I have had not a bad word to say about the Dresden Files, and I wondered if it could keep going that strongly for the duration. Unfortunately this instalment was a bit of a dip in the road for me. Having said that, just because this one was not as good as previous books, does not mean it was bad. Even half as good as the rest still makes it better than most. After all, we’ve got Harry riding to the rescue on a T-rex, no shit. Only in t More...

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Sep 15, 2011

Brendan rated it:

This was going to be a four star book. After some wobbly points in the last couple of books, Butcher tightens up the writing here. Harry's still outnumbered, outgunned, and massively outclassed, but it is very clearly and unambiguously recognized from the beginning, making it obvious that this will be resolved with brains more than brawn. Murph's off in Hawaii with Kincaid, but we meet a new friend for Harry, the librarian type this time. However, this book avoids being entirely paint-by-numbers More...

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May 01, 2011

Pikachu rated it:

If a picture says 1,000 words, the best way to sum up the book is this:

Harry Dresden is the wizard you call when there's something strange in the neighborhood. Hot spots of necromancy have been popping up in Chicago like boils... just in time for Halloween, the time of year when the boundaries between the living and the dead are thinnest. Naturally, he is suspicious about the convenience of this timing. Naturally, he should be. The disciples of a very, very evil necromanc More...

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Jul 08, 2010

Minh rated it:

Sometimes I think the main reason why I enjoy this particular installment of the series so much is because of Sue. Yes, Sue, the resurrected Tyrannosaurus who storms through the city with Harry and Butters, the polka loving medical examiner on her back.

Following on with the events from book 6, Harry and Thomas find themselves attempting to co-habitate. Murphy has left for a vacation with Kincaid and Mavra is blackmailing Harry to locate The Word of Kemmler for her.

The Word is pretty much the N More...

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Oct 04, 2010

Melinda rated it:

I really like the Harry Dresden books, and this one was no exception. They are great page turners, and at times laugh out loud funny. I'm impressed with how well Jim Butcher juggles an expanding cast of characters. With each book Harry adds more friends, allies and enemies, but Butcher is smart enough not to try and cram everyone of them into every book.

He also has a well thought out and coherent magic system which I very much appreciate. It's my biggest bitch with most fantasy. More...

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Sep 28, 2010

Jon rated it:

Best Dresden book so far IMO.

I was glad to see that it finally got back to the basic premise. The last few books focused on fantasy and forgot about noir. This one starts out with a pretty decent investigation.

I like seeing that Harry isn't perfect. I mean, he screws up pretty regularly but it's often inconsequential. Previous mistakes really come back to haunt him this time around.

What really stood out to me though was that that this book did all the thin More...

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Oct 07, 2011

Craig rated it:

Dead Beat currently has a 4.34 rating on Goodreads, which means I’m firmly past the point where only fans are still reading. I thought this book was good, but not nearly as enjoyable as Blood Rites or Summer Knight. This is the first time I wish I could rate a book 3.5 stars. I was surprised how simplistic the mystery was compared to earlier books. It seemed really obvious that <spoiler> the numbers on the USB drive were GPS coordinates </spoiler> maybe it is because it the technolog More...

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