• Dead Beat

  • The Dresden Files, Book 7
  • By: Jim Butcher
  • Narrated by: James Marsters
  • Length: 15 hrs and 7 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (28,358 ratings)

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Dead Beat  By  cover art

Dead Beat

By: Jim Butcher
Narrated by: James Marsters
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Publisher's summary

When a killer vampire threatens to destroy head of Special Investigations Karrin Murphy's reputation, unless Harry delivers the powerful Word of Kemmler to her, he has no choice. Now Harry is in a race against time to find the Word before Chicago experiences a Halloween night to wake the dead.

Check out more Dresden Files.
©2006 Jim Butcher (P)2010 Penguin

Critic reviews

"Butcher's latest maintains the momentum of previous Dresden outings and builds the suspense right up to a rousing conclusion." ( Booklist)

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What listeners say about Dead Beat

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Problem with recording

In Chapter 30, around five minutes in, the recording is messed up. The sound cuts out mid-sentence and picks back up in a different spot.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Turning Point in the Series

What fun to return to this entry in the Dresden Files. This was the first of the series I read years ago. Since converting to Audible I've been waiting for the Master's version to be released. Finally it has been and it's infinitely better than the auto-voiced version floating around out there.

Anyway, this story takes our hero into deeper water than ever before. It sets up many of the more interesting themes and relationships that Harry will wrestle with for the next handful of books.

Plus it's just a fun romp!

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Butcher wins again

Where does Dead Beat rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Very near the top

What did you like best about this story?

Dresden is such a fun character and in this book he becomes even more so.

Which character – as performed by James Marsters – was your favorite?

Bob the skull.

Any additional comments?

Life is a journey, time is a river and the door is ajar. Best Dresden novel so far.

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Did it again!

Butcher at his best. He keeps us coming back for the best wizard in literature!

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Absolutely brilliant.

This is my favorite Dresden novel. I've read them all many times but this tops my list. James Marsters is brilliant and brings the story to life.

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Butcher's Finest

This book is one of the best in the Dresden Files series, and serves as a great introduction for new readers. Harry is at the top of his game, taking a beating, bending the rules, and quipping all the way as he races to outwit a crew of necromancers hell bent on a deathly magic ritual. The pacing is relentless, the world building is fascinating, and the action is the very best in urban fantasy. This book is a perfect example of why Dresden is beloved by fans of noir, fantasy, action, and horror fans alike.

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    4 out of 5 stars

great

great story another great edition to the Dresden Files. I look forward to the next book.

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my new favorite!

I absolutely loved it! It's definitely my new favorite! I'm so glad Butters made it!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Better and better

Each Dresden book builds wonderfully on the last and I can't get enough! James Marsters brings the story to life.

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Great

Love the Dresden files and this was a particular favorite, Sue cracked me up!

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