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Ghost Story

(The Dresden Files #13)

Jim Butcher (Goodreads Author)

4.25 · Rating details · 91,154 ratings · 4,739 reviews

When we last left the mighty wizard detective Harry Dresden, he wasn't doing well. In fact, he had been murdered by an unknown assassin.

But being dead doesn't stop him when his friends are in danger. Except now he has no body, and no magic to help him. And there are also several dark spirits roaming the Chicago shadows who owe Harry some payback of their own.

To save his fr ...more

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Hardcover, 481 pages

Published July 26th 2011 by Roc Hardcover

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Sep 12, 2020 Petrik rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I have a Booktube channel now! Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRjh...

Ghost Story feels like a volume to reboot the series before it enter a new story arc, or the next season, in the life of Harry Dresden.

“It was never too late to learn something. The past is unalterable in any event. The future is the only thing we can change. Learning the lessons of the past is the only way to shape the present and the future.”

It is not an easy task to write a follow-up to Chang ...more

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Jun 19, 2010 Dan rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2011

Six months after his death, Harry Dresden returns to Chicago to solve his own murder. Can he keep his friends safe in the process?

I've got a lot to say about this. I'll cover the good points first.

The Good: Having a ghost come back to solve his own murder isn't a new idea but Butcher did a fairly good job with it here. The supporting cast, Molly in particular, developed quite a bit in Harry's absence. The new character of Fitz has potential, as does Mortimer, who I don't particularly remember. T Six months after his death, Harry Dresden returns to Chicago to solve his own murder. Can he keep his friends safe in the process?

I've got a lot to say about this. I'll cover the good points first.

The Good: Having a ghost come back to solve his own murder isn't a new idea but Butcher did a fairly good job with it here. The supporting cast, Molly in particular, developed quite a bit in Harry's absence. The new character of Fitz has potential, as does Mortimer, who I don't particularly remember. The intrigue with the faerie court is always a plus.

The Bad: I just can't stand Harry Dresden any more. He's like that friend you thought was hilarious in the sixth grade but wanted to strangle by the time you got out of high school. He's an unfunny smart ass with a "funny" quip for every situation. Worse yet, 70% of the characters in the series talk just like him. His Star Wars references are really tired and he's had no significant character development since the series began.

(view spoiler)

The Ugly: There comes a time in many relationships to call it quits. Harry Dresden, for us, that day is today. There was a time when the release of a new Harry Dresden book excited me like a pedophile at a pre-teen beauty pageant. I'd snap up the newest book and go after it like Amy Winehouse and a vial of crack. But those days are long gone. I've been going through the motions for the last couple of books and it just isn't working for me anymore. I keep hoping things will get better but they don't. The tediousness continues and I'm ready to move on. ...more

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Jul 26, 2011 Patrick rated it it was amazing

So. Good.

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Sep 27, 2010 Regina rated it it was amazing

Shelves: urban-fantasy-uf, favorites, favorite-authors, owned-kindle

I love Harry. I love Bob. I love Molly. I love the new and improved Butters. I loved seeing Daniel Carpenter. I love this series. It just is such a comfort read for me. I had forgotten how much I love this series until I started to read this book. The mystery and quest were interesting and unlike much urban fantasy, it was unique – nothing I have read before. Maybe a little of Harry Potter, but I am okay with that. One of the things that is so fantastic about this series is that there are conseq ...more

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Nov 19, 2015 Heather K (dentist in my spare time) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Everyone

Shelves: loved-it, audiobook, not-a-romance-book, little-to-no-sex-content, urban-fantasy, magic, best-of-the-best, narrator-amazing, paranormal, favorites-2015

Freaking bananas amazing.

Utterly brilliant, perfectly done, with a flawless audiobook narration, the best I've ever heard from James Marsters.

One of the reasons that this book was narrated so flawlessly, I think, is that it was very recently re-done by Marsters after fans revolted when originally another narrator read this story. Marsters brought his A-game, and listening to this book was better than watching any movie. Marsters did an incredible range of voices, read with perfect inflections, ...more

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Nov 30, 2015 Luffy rated it liked it

Shelves: dresden

This was a very uneven book, with lots of filler material. Harry lives to fight again. It's as if he never left. It's as if we're back to square one. Shoot, Jim Butcher has officially exhausted any permutations of wisdom that used to guarantee 5 stars from me. This book... such a bland book with a sugary end tacked on. One piece of advice to demanding readers; you'll enjoy the rest of this series only if you lower your expectations as much as you can. ...more

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Feb 21, 2020 Lyn rated it really liked it

Even though writing is a singular task, with an author slaving away (bleeding if we listen to Hemingway) in front of a keyboard, it is also very much a collaboration – besides assistants, the writer may likely gain insight and critical input from editors, publishers, agents, fans, friends, and family. Besides his or her own personal muse there is also the influence of peers, critics and the audience. There is also the nebulous and sundry inspirations from literature, art and pop culture.

Somewher Even though writing is a singular task, with an author slaving away (bleeding if we listen to Hemingway) in front of a keyboard, it is also very much a collaboration – besides assistants, the writer may likely gain insight and critical input from editors, publishers, agents, fans, friends, and family. Besides his or her own personal muse there is also the influence of peers, critics and the audience. There is also the nebulous and sundry inspirations from literature, art and pop culture.

Somewhere between the publication of the eleventh book on the Dresden Files, Turn Coat in 2009 and Butcher’s twelfth book, Changes, in 2010, there must have been a very important, persuasive, series changing discussion or dialogue. What had been a fun but somewhat formulaic series up to Turn Coat became a thought provoking and bold, genre defining series in Changes and those paradigm shifts continue in spades in Butcher’s LUCKY thirteen novel in the Dresden Files – Ghost Story.

There is such a distinction between this work and those that precede it, a reviewer will have a difficult time appraising without laying down mines of spoilers for unwary but interested readers.

Let’s just say that Harry’s perspective is wildly altered and he’s operating with radically different magic rules.

I had, after reading Changes, opined that it was the best Dresden novel to date. And I stand by that declaration, until you read Ghost Story, which I now see as the best.

Butcher has Harry confront a panoply of complications largely without the aid of his magic. Dresden is a man of action and has frequently been able to fix problems with the brute force of his will and spells. In Ghost Story we see Harry operating from the shadows, very much out of his element and Butcher rises to the narrative challenge by laying down a tight, well written paranormal thriller.

Dresden fans will get lots of action and will see many of the recurring characters of the series. Most noteworthy is Butcher’s dynamic portrayal of Molly Carpenter and a fresh look at Butters and Morty Lindquist.

So good I want to watch old Patrick Swayze films and start the next one.

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Dec 07, 2010 Mike (the Paladin) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, action, fantasy, urban-fantasy

Okay...so I'm a Dresden junkie. I got the book yesterday and finished it (this time LOL) at 1:30 this morning.

The book picks up pretty much as the last book ends and.....****************** NOTE: THIS REVIEW WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR THE LAST BOOK, CHANGES. I WILL BE ASSUMING THAT IF YOU ARE READING GHOST STORY YOU HAVE READ CHANGES...........

Okay, as I was saying, the book picks up pretty much as the last book (Changes) ends, though time doesn't run in death as it does here.

Don't ask me, I don't ...more

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Dec 03, 2018 Heidi The Reader rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, fantasy-and-sci-fi

Harry Dresden, wizard for hire, is dead. And he still has to save the world by discovering his killer. How is that fair?

Maybe I was dead, but I was sure as hell not ready to go. I had to make sure the people who'd helped me take on the Red King were taken care of. pgs 32-33

He quickly discovers that magic and dead people don't mix. Now, instead of taking on god-like enemies with the backing of the Winter Queen, he can't even pass through thresholds without permission.

It's frustrating for both Har ...more

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Apr 03, 2011 Faith Hunter rated it it was amazing

If I wasn't married, I'd take this character home to meet mama and her sister.
Course, they might scare him off... ...more

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Jul 30, 2021 Alex Nieves rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Is it too much to say I loved this? Because I loved this book. I'm not going to spoil anything here but as different of a Dresden book as that was, it was every bit as engaging and awesome as any other since Dead Beat. This book kicked ass and gave me so much to think about post-Changes. It was a much needed breath after that insane book and while this is a little bit more of an intimate plot, it was great. ...more

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Nov 09, 2019 Carolyn rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, ghost-story, 2019, fantasy, thriller

Holey Moley! At the end of Changes when wizard Harry Dresden is shot, I thought No, Harry can't be dead - surely Jim Butcher will find some clever way to bring him back to life. But I was very wrong, Harry is dead and in this book his ghost is sent back to Chicago to prevent the death of three of his closest friends and to find out who killed him.

The Chicago Harry is sent back to is a very different one to the one he left six months before. The vacuum he created by destroying the Red Court of va ...more

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Jan 20, 2022 Sarah Aubert rated it really liked it

I can understand why Ghost Story may not have been the book that fans wanted immediately after the sucker-punch that was Changes, but I firmly believe that this is what was needed - for the fans, for the story, and for Harry. This is undoubtedly Butcher's most introspective book and with a character as fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants as Harry Dresden, the scenario we're given in Ghost Story was really the only way to force the kind of decompression needed after the emotional fallout of the last in ...more

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Jul 15, 2013 Steven rated it really liked it

Shelves: reread, favorites, read-in-2014, read-in-2020

When I read this the first time in 2014, it was one of my least favorite of the series.
When I read this the second time in 2020, my opinion didn't change... still not one of my favorites. ...more

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Nov 21, 2012 Gene rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy

I can only give 2.5 stars plus 0.5 out of my respect for the series. Harry was sent back to the world of mortals as a ghost to investigate his own murder. When he came back, Chicago changed a lot - and not for the good. Yet another new enemies appeared, worse than the old ones - as usual. Oh yeah, we never actually see them. Harry's friends changed, too.

There are several problems with the book.

Harry is first and foremost an action hero constantly on his guilt trip, but when this trip happens to I can only give 2.5 stars plus 0.5 out of my respect for the series. Harry was sent back to the world of mortals as a ghost to investigate his own murder. When he came back, Chicago changed a lot - and not for the good. Yet another new enemies appeared, worse than the old ones - as usual. Oh yeah, we never actually see them. Harry's friends changed, too.

There are several problems with the book.

Harry is first and foremost an action hero constantly on his guilt trip, but when this trip happens to be between the action bits, it is not too bad. This time he cannot do anything to material things, so what he does the whole book is talking a lot and feeling guilty for anything and everything (I was seriously expecting him to find a way to blame himself for Crucifixion of Jesus; I kid you not, I would not be surprise if he did).

The repeating parts of the series finally beginning to get old for me. After reading description of Soulgaze for thirteenth time I can repeat it in my sleep. I am ashamed to say, I was glad Harry's apartment was destroyed in the previous book as I hoped I will not have to read its description yet again. Boy was I wrong! Luckily where was nothing about his car in this book, which is a blessing, I guess.

I really did not like the way the characters of Butters and Murphy is developing. Butters was great because he was never an action hero, just a guy with (barely) enough courage to do the right thing. In this book, he is doing an action hero thing. Murphy does not want to look into Harry's murder because she is afraid that she would find a proof of guilt of her boyfriend (?). Is this the way a really strong woman should behave?

Is it too much to ask that villains killed by Dresden stay dead? For now only good guys stay dead, almost every bad person/entity comes back one way or the other.

I might have read too many books of Agatha Christie, but I figured Harry's murder sometime in the first half of the book, so no big surprises in this case.

All in all, I consider this to be just a filling material and hope the next book is better. ...more

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Feb 17, 2022 Jody rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy

Another solid Dresden book! I am so invested in this series by now that I am going into withdrawals when it ends.

I have noticed in the last two novels that Butcher is starting to mix up the plot nicely. I think it is just what the storyline needed. There is always a certain pace and flow you expect, and that has begun to evolve.

"I've said before that only the dead feel no pain, but I'd never spoken from experience before. Pain used as a weapon is one thing. Personal pain, the kind that

...more

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Jun 12, 2011 carol. rated it really liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy, supernatural-mystery

I enjoyed Ghost Story and found it to be a decent progression in the series. Butcher continues to improve and Dresden continues to evolve. The idea of being a ghost was genius; it's interesting to see Dresden powerless, and forced to use other skills. It switches up the dynamic of the normal conflict in the series. I especially appreciated Harry taking responsibility for his decisions to involve Molly in his fanatical fight against the Red Court. Still too many red herrings, but it's a relief to ...more

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Jul 27, 2011 Nicole rated it really liked it

Shelves: fierce-females, read-more-than-once, urban-fantasy, mystery-contemp-american, werecreatures

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. First read: 26-30 July, 2011.
Re-read: November, 2012

Obviously, someone who's read this far in the series is a fan. For anyone unfamiliar with Dresden, this is not the book to start with. There are lots of fascinating, cool, poignant, and funny things about this book I could go on and on about, but if you've read the book, you already know about them. I've put a spoiler-cloak on this because of the one major plot point I am going to mention, just in case someone who isn't up to speed yet is surfi First read: 26-30 July, 2011.
Re-read: November, 2012

Obviously, someone who's read this far in the series is a fan. For anyone unfamiliar with Dresden, this is not the book to start with. There are lots of fascinating, cool, poignant, and funny things about this book I could go on and on about, but if you've read the book, you already know about them. I've put a spoiler-cloak on this because of the one major plot point I am going to mention, just in case someone who isn't up to speed yet is surfing reviews.
Butcher didn't disappoint me. While the "mostly dead" plot can drive me crazy at times, it's crafted well here. I kept turning the pages, eager to see how it would all turn out and sometimes wondering if Butcher really was going to sucker punch us, after all. As I (and, no doubt, tons of other fans) always suspected, Butcher could not let the plotline of Harry becoming Winter Knight go to waste. I figured either Lea or Mab would save Harry, and it turned out to be Mab. The why of Harry's shooting, however, turned out to be much more amazing than the who or the how.
It was great to see so many recurring characters again, interacting in new ways. In particular, Molly, Murphy, and Butters had me both impressed and worried.
Butcher has such a way with the narrative voice. After 13 novels, 1 book of short stories, and a graphic novel, it's almost as if Harry is someone I know, talking to me. He is one of my all-time favourite fictional characters now--flawed, noble, sweet, goofy, damaged, angry, funny, clever, complex. I really enjoyed the backstory in this one, about Harry's childhood and teenage years. All the humour and pop culture references are so much fun for us SFF geeks, too, on top of Butcher's clever use of various aspects of legend and myth.
The Dresdenverse has become a much different place since the events of Changes, and there is a lot of potential for fascinating new plots. I look forward to continuing the journey.
I'm also going to re-read Changes and Ghost Story back-to-back to look closely at how they fit together before the release of the next book.

On the second reading (6-21 November, 2012), I do think Changes and Ghost Story flow together well. ...more

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Jan 20, 2022 Dylan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy

“Pain isn’t a lot of fun, at least not for most folks, but it is utterly unique to life. Pain — physical, emotional, and otherwise — is the shadow cast by everything you want out of life, the alternative to the result you were hoping for, and the inevitable creator of strength. From the pain of our failures we learn to be better, stronger, greater than what we were before. Pain is there to tell us when we’ve done something badly—it’s a teacher, a guide, one that is always there to both warn us

“Pain isn’t a lot of fun, at least not for most folks, but it is utterly unique to life. Pain — physical, emotional, and otherwise — is the shadow cast by everything you want out of life, the alternative to the result you were hoping for, and the inevitable creator of strength. From the pain of our failures we learn to be better, stronger, greater than what we were before. Pain is there to tell us when we’ve done something badly—it’s a teacher, a guide, one that is always there to both warn us of our limitations and challenge us to overcome them.

For something no one likes, pain does us a whole hell of a lot of good.”

“Courage is about learning how to function despite the fear, to put aside your instincts to run or give in completely to the anger born from fear. Courage is about using your brain and your heart when every cell of your body is screaming at your to fight or flee - and then following through on what you believe is the right thing to do.”

Ghost Story is a novel that I truly loved. How it deals with the ramifications of actions. It's thematically the richest in the series & ironically the deepest. It’s tough to articulate the strengths without spoiling, but to brief the character work on display, is the best in the series. All the major characters are shown in a vulnerable light and seeing how some characters overcome their demons is truly rewarding. It's not an easy process, it takes time. I really adore the relationships in this entry more than others. It’s the one that Dresden realizes the impact he has upon people and not having a certain blind to everything. The introspective examination of many of the cast are wonderful, it’s the highlight of the book. There is a central theme that is at the core of this novel. I won’t state it, but everything surrounding this novel is exploring that subject.

This Novel has the reputation of being the most flawed late Dresden (except Peace Talks) entry. Many people dislike the main plot, which makes sense. It isn't great but is more there as a backdrop to facilitate more interesting exploration. It's more of a slow burn than usual Dresden and a significant contrast to Changes which had a breakneck pace. It was a needed shift in tone. it's like going from A Storm of Swords to A Feast for Crows. Though this is a better execution of that shift in narrative. Another common criticism is the weak antagonist, which I agree with that statement. That antagonist exists solely for the plot and is not interesting whatsoever. Not sure about general reception but I dislike how the action is communicated. I understand what Butcher was attempting but it didn’t click. So, when the chapter revolved around the action, it was not good especially compared to the set-pieces from prior instalments in particular Changes. Despite some of these cons, this is my favourite or second favourite Dresden Novel (still haven’t decided).

I stated above why but in nutshell the exploration of certain ideas, the themes it tackles, character revelation seeing a completely new perspective of characters that we love delving into those consequences. I am generally a theme and character-driven reader so this is best in Dresden Files regarding those two aspects it just clicks. Furthermore, it's best to approach this novel as a coda to Changes rather than a full sequel. Once you have that in mind, I don’t think the plot will bother you. Changes-Ghost Story is better as one big story than separate, as they both compliment each other and enhance each other plot-wise and thematically what it intends to communicate.

Spoilers
(view spoiler)[
There is a lot to discuss in terms of spoilers but to brief, the core concept the novel explores is the nature of death. I loved this novel initially but knowing the additional context that a friend provided:

it's based on Jim's failed suicide attempt (before Harry Dresden came into his life, per se) - it was his way to tell himself what would have happened if he'd "succeeded". How suicide doesn't take away your pain, it just amplifies it and then transfers it to the people that love and care about you. You can see it from the get-go here and there but harry's little walk in the park with Uriel is the catharsis of that idea, narratively.

Here's a quote: "Yeah it was about, in the wake of it, thinking my way through all the various consequences that I hadn't been able to think of when I was in crisis. You know when you're in crisis you don't think so good, and so Ghost Story was in some ways a way for me to say "hey Clarence, this is what you would have given up, these are the things you would have lost and these are the people who would have been hurt and these are all the other things that would have happened at that point in the past if you'd been better at suiciding." And it's a reason for you to put things in order, to step back and look at your life and stack it in order, but yeah I mean, I wanted to write a book about the complications of death and what it does to the people around you, and you know, all of us, we're not replaceable. I mean Sanderson gets that one right - yeah Dresden might think Brandon's a little naïve but he thinks he got that one right. Human lives are of infinite value and to take any other stance is to start becoming a monster."

He already articulated what I wanted to explore but just more briefly and thoroughly. So, I will expand upon this point, and discuss Molly. The core point of the novel is reflection, this can be for numerous subjects but primarily the consequences of death. Which is the most readily apparent with Molly. Dresden telling her to wipe his memory has unintentionally caused her so much distress, pain, suffering and destroyed her relationship with everyone. The ripples that one action is significant. As a student, friend, or lover this one action makes Dresden realise he fucked up fundamentally as a teacher in many respects. It’s partly why those flashbacks are interwoven within this novel. Of course, there’s a plot reason but more importantly, it’s there to contrast Dresden as a student, seeing his teacher and comparing that relationship with Molly.

Lea is a great example, not even discussing the conversation she had with Dresden in the grave. But her a “mentor” for Molly. That sequence reinforces a certain teacher parallel. Firstly, the drastic shift in teaching styles is similar to DuMorne. 2ndly consequence of Dresden's Death has forced Molly into this position being taught ruthlessly by her. Then 3rdly Lea has been killing individuals (criminals) under Molly’s Disguise and her peers accusing her of being a murderer. All the Molly sequences are just fantastic, I truly love them all. She is my favourite character in the series. I was hesitant upon stating this view, but this novel just made it so readily apparent. The relationship between Dresden and Molly, their dynamic it's literally my favourite scenes in the series. I loved the coffee scene, her just telling Dresden straight she loves him, its such a powerful scene and the moment where we delved into Molly's mind. Seeing the many personalities and seeing a side of her we don’t usually see at all. I can make essays about why I love Molly but that probably be redundant so yeah, those moments this might be my favourite or 2nd favourite in the series.

I want to briefly talk about Lea, she is probably one of my favourite bits of the novel her weird love-parent? Relationship with Dresden. It's very weird and toxic because it's not simple as she doesn’t like Dresden but just something very complicated. Her moments in Changes and this novel are just fantastic, the conversation in the grave is just brilliant. I’ve already talked about her in my Changes review, so it would be me regurgitating the points I’ve already made, but yeah, she is my favourite Fae.

I’ve talked about the concept of death in enough detail, now I will transition to more so consequences of actions. I loved, how Dresden killing all the Red Vampire has completely fucked the world. Red Vampires occupied many positions in high power, so when they die all of a sudden, an outbreak of war would occur and general mayhem. To the point that Murphy had to compromise with Marcone for Chicago's sake. The reveal that the home base was Dresden's former home was incredible. So much has changed within those 6 months, seeing everyone's reaction to Dresden was fantastic. Dresden not realising and them realising his impact upon his town. Harry was like a guardian to Chicago, that kept people out. It gives Change that additional weight because the consequence is very much felt.

This novel might contain my favourite ending in Dresden. Seeing Dresden saying goodbye to everyone, acknowledging his fate, seeing his daughter, and just saying goodbye to everyone he loves is so sweet. There is a ton of stuff I haven’t discussed but I feel like this is enough. (hide spoiler)]

In Conclusion, this is a novel I adored. I was interested to see why the receptions were so polarizing it makes sense why, but I adore that aspect. It was a very necessary sequel and very keen to continue the series. To me reading this back-to-back to Changes I would highly recommend, as it feels like a perfect extension to that story, and both compliment each other immensely.

9/10

...more

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Jun 05, 2013 Mr. Matt rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy-urban, 2013

I struggled to rate this book, finally deciding on 3 out of 5 stars.

I gave it three stars mainly because Ghost Story does what the other books do well. I like reading about Harry's world and the characters in it. Jim Butcher has really brought them to life in a plausible, believable world. Moreover, the action is good, and there is always a unique twist. I also liked the way Mort's character developed into a really sympathetic good guy. I also liked Molly's changes.

Unfortunately, I think my en ...more

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Jul 31, 2019 seak rated it really liked it

Shelves: audio, 2019, jim-butcher-audiobooks

Hey, I have a new booktube (youtube for book reviews) channel and mentioned the Dresden Files in my Top 10 Spooky Reads Not Stephen King here. I hope you enjoy! Please subscribe if you do, thanks!

As usual, these later installments are really great, up the ante, and clearly show some great plotting/writing/everything you want to see in a wizard PI urban fantasy. The only exception this time is that it didn't have everything I wanted to see.

I've never been a huge fan of the trope where the protago ...more

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May 24, 2010 Tammie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, adult, adult-fantasy, fantasy, owned-hard-cover, series, owned-kindle, urban-fantasy

***Please note that this review will contain spoilers from the last book in the series.***

To save his friends—and his own soul—Harry will have to pull off the ultimate trick without any magic...

This one was so good! Ghost Story starts right where Changes left off with Harry roaming around in a place that is between life and death, where he observes his friends and promptly becomes worried for them. The main thing I wanted from this book was to find out who shot Harry in the last one, and of ...more

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Apr 21, 2015 Tracey rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audio, fantasy, ghosts, urban-fantasy, private-eye, chicago

Well, bless Audible's little heart. One spring morning I received this email:

"Dear Listener,

Here at Audible, we truly understand the power great performances bring to your favorite stories. And for long-running series, no matter how good a new voice may be, it can be hard to hear someone else bring beloved characters to life. So when Ghost Story: A Novel of the Dresden Files, Book 13, was narrated by someone other than series regular James Marsters, some listeners were disappointed.

We're happy ...more

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Jan 25, 2019 Audrey rated it liked it

Shelves: uf-paranormal-horror, audiobooks, 2019-books

This is the first Dresden book not narrated by James Marsters. I don’t mind the new guy (I think he even went out of his way to match Marsters’s character voices), but by this point James Marsters IS Harry Dresden. Farewell, dear performer.

For much of this book, it felt like it would be the last Dresden book. But now I see there are at least two more. So the last book ended with Harry in quite a pickle. Despite his “condition,” he’s given a quest.

(view spoiler) This is the first Dresden book not narrated by James Marsters. I don’t mind the new guy (I think he even went out of his way to match Marsters’s character voices), but by this point James Marsters IS Harry Dresden. Farewell, dear performer.

For much of this book, it felt like it would be the last Dresden book. But now I see there are at least two more. So the last book ended with Harry in quite a pickle. Despite his “condition,” he’s given a quest.

(view spoiler)

Harry neglects the quest for most of the book, focusing more on a grand search-and-rescue mission. There are also a lot of flashback memories for Harry, and so a lot of the book felt slow to me. But it’s a must-read in the Dresden Files and sheds more light on the events of the previous book.

Despite the book’s overall somber tone, I got some nerdy chuckles out of it:

“There are two kinds of people in the universe, Molly,” I said. “Star Trek fans and Star Wars fans. This is shocking.”
She sniffed. “This is the post-nerd-closet world, Harry. It’s okay to like both.”
“Blasphemy and lies,” I said.

I guessed the Corpsetaker had never read Tolkien. Tasteless bitch.

“What kind of idiot are you?” Butters replied. “I might as well put on a red shirt and volunteer for the away team.”

It would require a singularly stupid man to go hang around in narrow tunnels and cramped spaces alongside a threat like that. “And I, Harry Dresden, am that man,” I stated.

I mean, go figure. You prepare your home for an assault and you don’t take zombies into consideration. I’d fallen victim to one of the other classic blunders, along with not getting involved in a land war in Asia and never going in against a Sicilian when death was on the line.

What the hell kind of Hell was this supposed to be?

Thank you, Jim Butcher, for this one:
The screen came up to light again, showing a devastated section of the city grid. No, not decimated. Had that part of the city been decimated, one out of every ten buildings would be destroyed. That’s what decimated means. Personally, I think some early-years, respected television personality got decimated and devastated confused at some point, and no one wanted to point it out to him, so everyone started using them interchangeably. But dammit, words mean what they mean, even if everyone thinks they ought to mean something else. ...more

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Feb 12, 2017 Emma rated it really liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy

Harry Dresden for President! (This week anyway!) I really enjoyed this story. It was pretty interesting watching Harry in ghost form trying to save his friends without a body!
I love Dresden's character. He is prepared to throw down against an angel when he thought she was going to take one of his friends, he defends the weak and powerless, and will do anything for those he loves and for the majority of the time it is this character trait that gets him into so much trouble. He has always been a s ...more

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Jul 31, 2011 Fonzie rated it it was ok

Wow.

After the 4 plus months Butcher needed to write this I expected something epic. So I was a little fearful of finally reading the book - I mean I usually read them in one night and then have to wait a whole year for the next one.

Not this one, though. This book is a huge disappointment. I have been trying to read it for 3 days now, and couldn't get further than half of it. I keep drifting off to wash the dishes, collect laundry, read a better book even.

Gone is the wit, the sarcasm, the spark, ...more

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Jul 16, 2015 Jilly rated it it was ok

Shelves: paranormal-mystery, urban-fantasy

I do love Harry Dresden, don't get me wrong, but he's a ghost solving his own murder in this book? Seriously? I'm supposed to take this seriously?

really photo: tumblr_lhi9pkfb511qcfba3o1_500.gif

this guy is more believable...

I mean, I get that this book and world is fantasy, but.... It's not just that, it's also just really really lame. Like, been done - too many times - and not well - lame.

And, that's not the only problem I had with this particular book in the series. It was also incredibly boring. Harry was introspective. Introspective!! ...more

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Aug 08, 2011 Ranting Dragon rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, garrett

http://www.rantingdragon.com/ghost-st...

Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden, Chicago’s only professional wizard, has been a lot of things in his life: friend, enemy, apprentice, teacher, guardian, avenger, victim, and lover; not to mention shot, stabbed, bruised, and beaten. But dead? That’s a new one in his book.

When an unknown killer puts a bullet through Harry’s chest and leaves him to die in the cold waters of Lake Michigan, Harry thinks it’s all over. But even dead, he can’t seem to catch ...more

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Jun 03, 2022 David rated it liked it · review of another edition

Nope. I didn’t like this one. Slow as F. A total
Slogfest. I mean there were a couple of interesting surprises but even the narrator of the audiobook sounded bored this time around.

It felt like Butcher decided to masquerade this installment as a self help book with a tinge of religious undertones. “Harry visits the Midnight Library”. A Dickensesque review of ones life and mistakes. Blah. 😩

Look, I get that not every Dresden book is gonna reach the level of Changes and others, but I honestly expect ...more

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Mar 29, 2022 Tamara rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

4.5
It isn't an easy thing to write a good follow-up to Changes. To write a good story that doesn't brush over the enormous events that happened, that leaves room to reflect, explore, analyse, and mourn.
Yet still knows a way to deepen the mystery.
I applaud it. Great book. ...more

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Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Shut Up & Read: Ghost Story, by Jim Butcher	12	8	May 08, 2021 07:20PM
Urban Fantasy Afi...: UFA Series Read - Ghost Story - Sep 21 - Oct 12	1	2	Oct 05, 2020 07:33AM
Dresden Files: Thoughts on Ghost Story 2017	18	70	Jun 30, 2020 06:50AM
The Dresden Files...: Book 13: GHOST STORY (Spoilers Allowed)	54	61	Jun 27, 2020 10:29AM
The Dresden Files...: Book 13: GHOST STORY (No Spoilers)	1	16	Jun 09, 2020 10:12AM
Urban Fantasy ser...: October SRA: GHOST STORY by Jim Butcher	2	9	Oct 14, 2015 03:59PM

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About Jim Butcher

Jim Butcher

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Jim Butcher is the author of the Dresden Files, the Codex Alera, and a new steampunk series, the Cinder Spires. His resume includes a laundry list of skills which were useful a couple of centuries ago, and he plays guitar quite badly. An avid gamer, he plays tabletop games in varying systems, a variety of video games on PC and console, and LARPs whenever he can make time for it. Jim currently resi ...more

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Quotes from Ghost Story

“Star Trek?” I asked her. “Really?”
“What?” she demanded, bending unnaturally black eyebrows together.
“There are two kinds of people in the universe, Molly,” I said. “Star Trek fans and Star Wars fans. This is shocking.”
She sniffed. “This is the post-nerd-closet world, Harry. It’s okay to like both.”
“Blasphemy and lies,” I said.” — 342 likes

“Oh," the girl said, shaking her head. "Don't be so simple. People adore monsters. They fill their songs and stories with them. They define themselves in relation to them. You know what a monster is, young shade? Power. Power and choice. Monsters make choices. Monsters shape the world. Monsters force us to become stronger, smarter, better. They sift the weak from the strong and provide a forge for the steeling of souls. Even as we curse monsters, we admire them. Seek to become them, in some ways." Her eyes became distant. "There are far, far worse things to be than a monster.” — 210 likes

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