Apr 172009
 

Harry Dresden is used to being in over his head where the supernatural community is concerned, even used to it turning up on his doorstep.  When a severely wounded Morgan, Warden and Executioner for the White Council (and regular pain in Harry’s ass) turns up at his door asking for help, Harry is of the mind to refuse.   Morgan is accused of murder and the penalty for the crime is death, along with anyone who helps him.  In spite of overwhelming evidence Harry knows Morgan is innocent and there is something much larger happening.  Can he let an innocent man (even if it is Morgan) die for a crime he didn’t commit and can he stop the plot that threatens to bring the entire White Council down?  Most sane men would turn Morgan in but hey, this is Harry.

Wow.  That’s the first word that sprang to mind when I finished Turn Coat and I even had to sit and reflect for a while.  You get answers to some questions that have been running through several books, new questions needing answers and some truly emotional scenes.  Harry as usual is in over his head and the highly entertaining part is how he gets out of it, with mind, skin and bone mostly intact.  I feel that Harry has become just that bit more mature as well, while the usual supporting cast are there, by and large, he figures things out on his own.

Jim Butcher has such an entertaining writing style that lets you get up close and personal with his characters and this latest and 11th book in the Dresden Files certainly has that, in spades.  Many a long running series can suffer with the reuse of plot, phrases and same old descriptions of characters but I can honestly say there is nothing like that here.  The only downside I can think of is that it will be another year til the next one is released.

Rating: ★★★★★ 

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Apr 172009
 

Nadia Stafford, with her dual lives of hitwoman extraordinaire and outdoor pursuits lodge owner, gets worried when one of her employees, a young girl with a baby goes missing.  Neither the local police nor the girls own mother seem to care.  Jack comes to stay at the lodge after breaking an ankle following a job and he wants to help.  Quinn comes on board confusing Nadia further where he is concerned and then Evelyn invites herself into the mix, hinting at a vigilante organisation she thinks Nadia would be perfect for.  As always with Evelyn, is her help worth the cost.

This book progressed much more slowly than the first one but I think given the investigative nature of the plot, it needed to be much less frenetic than the first.  I still love the character of Nadia and her principles, and the chemistry between her and Jack continues to cloud how she feels about Quinn.  I think I preferred the first book more but it was definately enjoyable, the plot solid and I was disappointed to find that there aren’t more books in the series forthcoming.  I hope that changes in the future!

Rating: ★★★☆☆ 

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