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Death Masks (The Dresden Files, #5)

Jim Butcher

Start date: May 1, 2018

Finish date: May 31, 2018

Discussion: Challenges: What's the Rush

Why we're reading this: Part of our group series (re)read: Dresden Files …more
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Challenges: What's the Rush

* 2025 Series Read: K.N. Banet's "Jacky Leon"
By Steph , Serious series addict · 103 posts · 33 views

last updated Sep 26, 2025 08:29PM

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* YEAR-LONG CHALLENGES
By Steph , Serious series addict · 1 post · 389 views

last updated Aug 17, 2010 11:14PM

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What Members Thought

Feb 15, 2010 The Flooze rated it really liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy-paranormal, vanquished_2010, owned

Death Masks maintains a breakneck pace throughout. Like in any other of the Dresden Files, Harry faces impossible odds. The war with the Red Court of Vampires is escalating and a duel to the death may mean a truce--or the demise of Harry and his friends. While preparing for the face-to-face, he's dodging hitmen, chasing thieves, and battling hellish creatures of fascinating variety. Add some heartbreak into the mix and, needless to say, Harry's having a hard time of it.

Death Masks stands separat ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

May 23, 2009 Kelly (Maybedog) rated it really liked it

Shelves: what-male-protagonist, what-modern-fantasy, what-vampires, why-favorite-author, why-favorite-series, what-fae

MUCH happier with this one that the last one. I didn't like his love interest at all--weak, stubborn, stupid and irritating--but she's great in this one. The pace is fast, the story interesting and it was difficult to put down. ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Apr 25, 2015 Thenia rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviewed, magic, r-ab, fantasy, 2017, paranormal, series, vampires

When it rains, it pours for Harry Dresden, who is juggling a number of situations that are likely to get him killed once again.

He is tasked with retrieving the Shroud of Turin, a mystical artifact that was recently stolen and that everyone seems to want, while assisting Murphy with a weird case and arranging a duel with a vampire master who wants him dead in order to stop the war between the Red Court and the wizards.

(view spoiler) ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 01, 2014 Kati rated it it was ok

Shelves: in-english, audiobooks, urban-fantasy, 2014

I had high hopes for this book because Summer Knight was really great and I was told that, starting with #4, the series gets really good. That's why Death Masks was such a disappointment for me.

The highlights - Thomas, the Archive/Ivy and Johnny Marcone - were amazing and I loved them to pieces. But then there were the lows and the lows were really low: Harry's stupidity reached another level entirely (the thief woman should've kicked him in the balls, not just hit him over the head, maybe then ...more

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Jun 14, 2009 Netanella rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, author-jim-butcher, dresden-files-read-a-thon

First paragraph: Some things just aren't meant to go together. Things like oil and water. Orange juice and toothpaste.
Wizards and television.

It's great to get back to a little Harry Dresden. Almost like returning to a chorus of "NORM!" as you walk in to Cheers! Happy little homecoming dance...

This next installation of the Dresden Files has got to be my favorite so far. I enjoyed the return of Susan, and the desperate love that she and Harry have. I really enjoyed the main investigative piece, th ...more

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Jul 13, 2018 Marla rated it really liked it

Shelves: with-reservations, audiobook, series, romance, vampires, paranormal, adult, fantasy, asian, demons

4.5 stars. The book synopsis sums up this book. Susan is back, Harry is trying to find the Shroud of Turin, assassins are trying to kill him and he is challenged to a duel by a Count Ortega, vampire of the Red Court.

It was wonderful to meet all the Knights of the Cross, Russian Sanya and Japanese Shiro besides Harry's best friend, Michael Carpenter. Though Charity, Michael's wife is still not much of a fan of Harry's, Michael's daughter, Molly, and Harry had a couple of nice moments. I love that ...more

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Jan 09, 2012 Christal rated it really liked it

Shelves: magic, pi-detective-cop, urban-fantasy, witches-warlocks-and-mages, demons, fae, male-lead, vampires, weres-and-shifters

A definite improvement on book 4 for me. The story was well-written, witty, and engaging. I loved the Denarians; I thought they were brillantly created. I also liked the characters of The Archive and Shiro. Susan has never really been my favorite character in this series, and this book doesn't do much to change that. On the other hand, I still love Michael and Murphy and am so glad we got to see more of Thomas. ...more

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