Grave Peril: The Dresden Files, Book 3

As I listened to this audiobook, I couldn't help but picture the character James Marsters played in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". He brought the characters to life without doing obnoxious falsetto voices for the female characters as so many other readers do. I have read all the Dresden books in print thus far, and while I enjoyed reading this book at the time, I felt much more "in" the story while listening to this production. I listened to "Storm Front" before this one, and the reading of this audiobook is much more enjoyable than "Storm Front" because of Marsters' enthusiastic performance. The timing is great, the characters are distinguishable without being obnoxious and there is just enough acting to make it really exciting. I'll concede that there were some mispronounciations but not enough to really detract from the story. I listen to lots of audiobooks and this one I will recommend to everyone!

I've read the first two Dresden novels - which were good. But this one really kicks things into high gear. There's much more character development than previously. I didn't find myself frustrated with Dresden as much for walking idiotically into impossible situations and taking responsibility for everyone's problems. The reader, Mr. Marsters, is much more polished here than in previous outings, where he seemed to be sighing between every sentence. He continues to need editing...I was constantly catching him mispronouncing words (e.g. he would say "ruins" when he meant "runes"; or "retched" when he meant "wretched.") Otherwise, he is a good reader, and I hear than in future books, he improves quite a bit. Looking forward to Book 4.

me too.
the plot becomes more complex in 'Grave Peril', and I loved the introduction of Michael as well as godmother. This story held my attention. Unlike other reviewers I find James Masters' breathiness adds to Harry's persona. It fits.
Even the Vampires develop some personalities.
My expectation is these stories will get better and better.

I liked the interaction between Harry and his friends and fellow crime fighters.

Harry is a great character...he's gifted with magic, conflicted about people and how and when to use his magic, he's bothered by the council that rules the wizards, his fairy godmother is wicked....Harry has a wry sense of humor and a sense of the absurd.

I like James Marsters performance because he portrays Harry perfectly--just as I imagine him. The wry humor, the inflections in his voice. It would be great if James Marsters could star as Harry Dresden in a movie--he would be perfect.

The vampire ball was interesting...also, the aftermath of the ball and the happenings with poor Susan Rodriguez.

No. Good, solid story. I highly recommend this series to my friends, it's great on audiobook.

I just found Jim Butchers wonderful world of sourcerers, vampires, wizards and all that goes bump in the night. The heroes are charming, funny,soulful and original. The story lines are exciting and they keep your interest from page one to the final word. I plan to purchase the entire set.

This is definitely the best so far, and James Marsters is Harry Dresden without a doubt. I don't even want to read one of this series, cause I don't think I will enjoy it half as much.
This installment introduces a lot of new characters, and we hear more from Bob in this one. Thomas and Michael are brought in, each with their own special appeal. Susan is more developed with this story. All and all it's a new cast of very intriguing characters, with non stop action of Harry getting into one bad situation, only getting out of it by getting into a worse one. You just can't go wrong with this series if you like things that go bump in the night with a side dish of humor.

I keep trying Jim Butcher books b/c everyone that likes the same books I like recommend them so highly. But I'm afraid I just don't get it. Jim's books aren't horrible but they're not great either. This type of book is great for audio books since I can listen for the 1 hour commute to & from work then forget about it when I have better things to do.

I have to confess to being an embarrassing fan-girl for James Marsters so that's the real reason I bought Grave Peril. Take that into consideration when I say he did a GREAT job. :) He really brought Harry to life and I loved the voice for Bob. I pretty much had that voice in my head for Bob while reading the first book.

Even though I love James, I found myself drifting off while listening but then he would change the pitch of his voice and capture my attention again. With any other reader I would have given this book 2 or maybe 3 stars but because of James I gave it 4.

This was a great Audio book and a fantastic Narrator. I was hooked on the book after the first 20 min. Great story line ( all tho a little long) and the narrator read with passion and excitement, great rendition.

I am completely hooked on this series. I first heard of Dresden through a television show called The Dresden Files, which, while I enjoyed the characters of Dresden and Bob, I felt that the rest of the show was a little two-dimensional. The books, however, are much more rounded with excellent character development. James Marsters' narration is excellent as well.

The narration is expertly done, conveying Butcher's blend of black humor, drama, and suspense without swinging to extremes. Voices of the other characters are effortlessly distinct. My only criticism would be that there is occasionally a lack of contrast and energy in Dresden's internal monologues.