• Death Masks

  • The Dresden Files, Book 5
  • By: Jim Butcher
  • Narrated by: James Marsters
  • Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (28,426 ratings)

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Death Masks  By  cover art

Death Masks

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

Harry Dresden, Chicago's only practicing professional wizard, should be happy that business is pretty good for a change. But he also knows that whenever things are going good, the only way left for them to go is bad. Way bad. Recent examples: A duel with the lethal champion of the Red Court, who must kill Harry to end the war between vampires and wizards...Hit men using Harry for target practice...The missing Shroud of Turin - and the possible involvement of Chicago's most feared mob boss...A handless and headless corpse the Chicago police need identified...Not to mention the return of Harry's ex-girlfriend Susan, who's still struggling with her semi-vampiric nature - and who seems to have a new man in her life. Some days, it just doesn't pay to get out of bed. No matter how much you're charging.
©2003 Jim Butcher (P)2009 Penguin Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Think Buffy the Vampire Slayer starring Philip Marlowe.” (Entertainment Weekly)

“Superlative.” (Publishers Weekly [starred review])

“One of the most enjoyable marriages of the fantasy and mystery genres on the shelves.” (Cinescape)

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What listeners say about Death Masks

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Dresden gone philosophical

The most notiable piece from this book is the amount of introspection that Dresden has. This in turn caused me to have some of the same moments of introspection. I don't want to say that this book is "deep" yet it is.

Death Masks also marks the introduction of Christian undercurrent that will continue for the rest of the series. A nice touch that Jim Butcher masterfully weaves into the book as if it's gold string into quilt. Instead of feeling beat over the head with philosophy and religion the undercurrent pushes the story along.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • MM
  • 05-18-13

Enjoyable story, fantastic characters

Any additional comments?

Well, this audiobook was another solid, excellent narration by Marsters. I adore his voices, but then again I've adored him since he was Spike on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The story itself is also solid, and delivers all the twists and action that one expects from Dresden Files books.

**Spoilers alert:**

We see Harry Dresden's love interest Susan returns. You will find that you will root for it to work out. Harry's patient waiting for over a year for Susan to return kindles a sort of desire for their relationship working out inside me, it made me sit on the edge of my seat until the end of the book, wanting to know what will happen and if I get my way with the story. I won't spoil anything further than that, you just need to listen and learn.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

In which, the series continued to improve

Again, as promised by my wife, this series gets better and better with time. This is the second in a row of what I consider to be the truly good ones. The author has really started to get a feel for the character and lets loose with both characters and story lines, less concerned about what the reader might think, and more concerned with being true to the characters.

The humor really starts to take hold here also, pulling many all-out guffaws from me while driving and listening.

I'm going all the way through with this series. Wish me luck. I have a lot of catching up to do.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Always entertaining Dresden

Any additional comments?

Just fun light entertainment. Many of the recurring characters are becoming more interesting and likable. The series seems to get a little better with each installment. If you made it this far into the series you are already a fan so not much more needs to be said.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • RK
  • 03-11-13

As always, LOVED IT!

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the books in this series tremendously!! James Marsters makes you believe he is Harry Dresden and Harry's world becomes a reality through his talent!!! I will definitely read them again and again!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another excellent addition to the series

This is a very good story with an excellent reader. The first few audible books in the Dresden Series were hampered by too much extraneous noise by the reader, such as swallowing and mouth noises. Thankfully, I have not noticed this in the last few books.

Rather than relating just another Dresden story, in Death Masks, the relationships mature and the overall story line and world become more rich and interesting. I already have #6 downloaded and ready to go.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Much Improved Narration

What really impresses me about this series is how it improves little by little with each book. Through five novels, that has held true, which is no small accomplishment considering how good Gravel Peril and Summer Knight were.

It also seems like the stakes get a little higher in each novel, and they are definitely pretty high in Death Masks as Harry finds himself smack in the middle of a sinister plot by some major demon-types to wreak havoc on the denizens of Chicago. Harry not only requires the help of resident Knight of the Cross, Michael Carpenter, but also two other Knights. Trust me, you're talking about some big league baddies if you need three Knights of the Cross to deal with them.

There were a lot of things that I really liked about this novel in particular. It had a great plot, twisting and turning through mysteries and misdirection. It had a great cast: some characters that we know and love and some new characters on both sides of the coin. I was particularly amused by the character of The Archive. Beyond all that, like all Dresden novels, it had great pacing, action, and a little dark humor.

One of the biggest improvements, in my mind, that Butcher made came in Grave Peril when he took a deep breath and slowed things down a bit, gave Harry some breathing room, gave him some time to reflect rather than just react, and gave the reader a chance to keep up. Those reflective moments continue in Death Masks and tend to be some of the best passages in the novel.

Oh, and what an amazing ending. I won't spoil anything, but it was delightful and definitely made me want to dig right into the next novel.

This review would not be complete if I didn't mention the significantly improved narration by James Marsters. I really liked Marsters' performance of Harry Dresden in the first four novels, but when Penguin Audio began producing the audio books (taking over from Buzzy Multimedia), they must have had a couple of suggestions. With Death Masks, Marsters now has a voice for each character, his speech is crisper, and the overall production quality is much improved. I'm definitely very happy with the change.

Overall, Death Masks was a great read. If you enjoyed the previous novels, don't stop, you've got to read this one.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Like harry potter? This is ten times better.

What made the experience of listening to Death Masks the most enjoyable?

James Marsters, he captures the image of Dresden better than I could have myself. He is the perfect reader for one of the best book series i have ever read. Morgan Freeman couldn't read this as well as james (sorry freeman fans, he just doesn't cut it)

What was one of the most memorable moments of Death Masks?

I dont even know... Probablt the introduction of more great characters. The other two knights of the cross, the archive, kincaid, butters.

What does James Marsters bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I cant read books in the shower. haha. but really he is the best man for the job (see the above for a better answer)

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

The combination of such a great story/series/great writing and james marsters.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Another Engaging Harry Dresden Story

Would you listen to Death Masks again? Why?

I've listened to it several times now and find the story quite engaging every time. The Dresden series continues to be one of my favorites because I love perfect mix of drama, humor, and action.

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

Harry remains one of my favorite flawed heroes. I find myself thinking, "Yep, that's exactly what would happen to me and how I would have screwed it up too."

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Oh yes, I am always engaged by the story lines in the Dresden series.

Any additional comments?

Keep them coming, Jim, and I'll keep listening!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another great read!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes I recomend them all as I read the. Another amazing story!

What did you like best about this story?

The duel!

What about James Marsters’s performance did you like?

Everything per usual

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. They all are.

Any additional comments?

Get it! Read it!

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