Murphy calls Dresden to the scene of what is being classified as a suicide. But something doesn't feel right. And with his own brand of investigation, manages to find a hidden message: one that even the police would never have found. A message for him. Exodus 22:18. `Suffer not a witch to live.' Murphy things perhaps a religious fanatic. Harry doesn't think so.
As Harry investigates, he's finding more of the 'supernatural underclass' are turning up either dead or missing. And he doesn't like the looks of things. A security tape points right at Thomas, Harry's half brother, and Harry refuses to believe it. His brother wouldn't do that. But finding Thomas is an investigation in itself ~ Harry can't find him and he's started to get worried.
As Harry delves deeper, he and Murphy are targeted more and more, and he's suddenly thinking of a bigger picture. There's more to these supposed suicides, he's sure of it.
Without warning, Elaine pops into the story, surprising Harry with the actual amount of strength she has as a wizard. However, she's keeping a low profile; she doesn't trust men, refuses to be controlled by them again, and is staying on the down-low, refusing to call attention to herself. She wants nothing to do with the Wardens or the White Council and will do anything to keep it that way.
The investigation grows more complex, time is running out, and Harry has to figure out a way to stop the threat of a bigger war.
Harry knows he can't do it alone. But is he willing to throw his friends in the fray and watch as they get hurt or, worse yet, die?
I saw a different side of Harry in this novel, and at times, he even scared me. Harry is doing what he can to teach Molly the different between doing something right for the right reasons, knowing that if she screws up, it would be the end of the road for them both. But Molly doesn't really understand what Harry's trying to teach ~ that is until two seriously intense moments between them. One of them scared the daylights out of me - and I'm not a character in the book. Disturbing is just one word I could use to describe it. Even Murphy demands an explanation after witnessing that episode. And yet he finally manages to get through Molly's thick skull - by golly, she's learning. And while teaching Molly, Harry is brought back to his roots, revising everything he had learned at her age, and is finding new ways to deal with his magic. LOL, even patience has a new meaning to him.
When Harry and Murphy confront a group of women for answers to their questions, only more questions pop up. With the help of Lasciel, Harry discovers that there was someone else in the room, one that veiled themselves to keep from being recognized. Low and behold, Elaine had come to the aid of a woman seeking her help to protect her and the others. Then he realizes something: she's stronger than she's pretending to be. After a few questions answered by Ramirez, now Harry's certain. Finding out why she's keeping on the down-low is almost hurtful.
As the investigation goes deeper, Harry discovers that three of the other houses are attempting to overthrow the king of the White Court, wanting to stop the peace talks and throw their weight in behind the Red Court and their war with the Council. Harry is desperate to stop that from happening - should the war continue, and the threat of a Black Council rise, it would be the end of Harry's world. And he's determined not to see that happen, no matter the cost.
With the help of Molly, Murphy, Thomas, Ramirez, even Lasciel and Marcone and some of his men (including Hendricks), Harry puts an end to the fight. But it's a really close one.
Action scenes are incredible ~ I truly love watching/reading Harry in his battles. The end of the last fight scene was fantastic. The way he got through to Molly was damn near scary. At first, I wasn't happy with the way he did it, even though I understand why. He even reasons with Lasciel, making her understand his point about it all. His agreement with Marcone was something of a surprise, I most certainly didn't see that coming. And the more and more he investigates with Murphy, the more and more she's understanding everything. I'm glad that Harry and Ramirez talked. Harry knows not to trust anyone, and yet Ramirez gets fired up that Harry hadn't trusted him. Carlos even began to suspect Harry. Whew, glad that was put to rest.
What I like about Butchers novels is that, now matter how he does it, there is always something new to learn in about in Harry's world. In earlier novels, we learn the differences between the vampires: White Court, Red Court and Black Court, and what kind of vampires they are. In this one, we learn the differences between the families/houses in the White Court - sort of made me think of the mob. These novels are addictive ... darn near unputdownable. The dialogue is smooth, Harry is witty and fun to read. The plot simply flows - there's no slowing down. There's never the same old, same old. Always something new, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
