Proven Guilty

The Dresden Files, Book 8

By: Jim Butcher

Narrated by: James Marsters

Length: 16 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's Summary

The White Council of Wizards has drafted Harry Dresden as a Warden and assigned him to look into rumors of black magic in Chicago. Malevolent entities that feed on fear are loose in the Windy City, but it's all in a day's work for a wizard, his faithful dog, and a talking skull named Bob.

©2007 Jim Butcher (P)2009 Penguin

Critic Reviews

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

“Butcher...spins an excellent noirish detective yarn in a well-crafted, supernaturally-charged setting. The supporting cast is again fantastic, and Harry’s wit continues to fly in the face of a peril-fraught plot." (Booklist) 

Plan of attack

The horror convention setting was great fun, and I enjoyed watching Harry adjust to his new role as Warden because doing the right thing, and enforcing the laws of magic aren't always synonymous, and a bit of tough love ensues. Charity opened up some as a character which brought on a few interesting new developments, although whether Molly Carpenter will add any value to this universe is still up in the air. I see potential, but another male Urban Fantasy author whom I'm a fan of attempted something similar, and the results were disappointing. It'll all come down to Butcher's plan of attack. Future story line speculation aside, PROVEN GUILTY did this series proud.

Great listening experience

First, let me say that I was turned on to the hard copy books initially and loved the series from the start. Then I started travelling more for work and was nervous about having them in audio format starting with this book, #8. No need to worry, it was even better than I could have hoped for. James Marsters does a GREAT job of bringing the story and people to life. His intonations, laughs and accents really help to make this an exciting listen. I have actually found myself driving around the block of my customers locations a few times just to get to the end of a chapter for a stopping point. Just like a book you can't put down. I strongly suggest you start with the books in order, now that they are available, to help understand the story development fully. It is good to watch Harry Dresden grow from the beginning and know where the other players come in at and get the background foundation. I am now up to book #11 and they just keep getting better. I rate these books as 5 stars due to the story line and the excellent narration. Well done!

Hell's Bell's Harry!

Fabulous book with an intriguing cast of characters and a convoluted unpredictable story that kept me guessing. Molly Carpenter is the daughter of Harry's good friend and she has gotten herself in a bad situation that only magic can solve. Horror movie monsters are slaughtering the innocent and black magic is staining Chicago. Something must be done and Harry is the man for the job. Jim Marster's narration is perfect. I will never read a Dresden book because Marster's voice will always be Harry to me.

Not the book to start the series with, but...

Dresden emerges as a great man in this (what I think is the best so far), the eight book of the series. Before Harry has chosen to do what was needed against the greatest odds, to protect the innocent and right the wrong. In this book, he puts his soul as well as his life on the line to bring about reconciliation, and to some extent redemption for those around him deserving or just plain needing it.

In this book Jim Butcher gives us deeper glimpses of the greater mystery and moves us to a better view of the higher meaning of Harry's struggles. He does so honestly, and convincingly.

This is not the Dresden story to jump into the series with (personally I recommend starting at the beginning). There are two many important character developments that take place in earlier books needed to grasp the scope of this book. If you are following the series though, you will find this story poignant and moving. A transition of young and fragmented Harry to Harry the man.

Harry comes full circle with his youth

The publisher's summary leaves much to be desired. This particular installment of The Dresden Files should not be missed.

Harry gets a call from the oldest daughter of one his closest friends, Michael Carpenter. Molly is in more trouble than she knows, and Harry "An Innocent Bystander" at SplatterCon!!! gets in it up to his neck.
Jim Butcher as always is a master at developing these wonderful characters. You get more information about the Carpenters, and awesome Charity development. You kinda forgive her for treating Harry like trash until now.

In the end Harry comes face to face with some of the demons of his past, resurrected at the sight of watching an untrained wizard sentenced to a miserable end by the White Council. He'll have to pull a rabbit out of his hat to prevent the same fate befalling someone he's driven to protect they way he himself was protected at the same age.

As always, awesome writing by Butcher, and awesome performance by Marsters.

Excellent Venture into the World of Dresden

What made the experience of listening to Proven Guilty the most enjoyable?

The narrator did an excellent job and was very enjoyable.

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

Harry

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

Nope, I wanted to space it out and make it last longer.

Any additional comments?

The book moves the series along and starts more plot threads for the future...a very enjoyable read if you are into this series.

Not recommended if you have not had previous experience with this series...start with Storm Front and work your way towards this great adventure.

Kudos to all involved!

I've not read any of the Dresden Files books previously and was worried about starting at book 8 (the first 7 not available in audio). I needn't have worried. Butcher does a great job with catching up new readers without making it sound like exposition. The characters are marvelous and brought stunningly to life by James Marsters. I'll certainly be getting all the other Dresden Files available!

The faeries are back.

This one is where Molly Carpenter really becomes a major character in the series. harry is asked to investigate a series of attacks at a horror convention. This of course turns into a total donnybrook. Faeries, vampires and Charity Carpenter suits up to take a bite out of crime. Narrarator is stellar as always.

You can listen out order, but...

Books 6 and 7 aren't published in audiobooks until April 2010. I've heard 1 thru 5 - I'll just skip to book 8. Skipping ahead didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story, but it's clear that things have happened in Harry's live that would have increased my enjoyment of the story. There are a number of references to previous adventures (that I hope will be covered in 6 and 7) that would have helped me understand, not necessarily what was going on, but why it was happening the way it was happening. All that aside, I needed a Dresden fix. This is a thoroughly entertaining story, and I'll get to listen to it again after I've heard 6 and 7.

Started to Drag A Little at The End But....

Still as great an epic story as always. I'm a loyal reader of the series. This one introduced some interesting new characters and reconnected relationships I was longing to see back together. Towards the end it seemed there could have been earlier stopping points, but it revealed some seeds for the future storyline.

James marsters brings the material alive

The performance of the narrator is nothing short of spectacular. Really makes you feel what’s happening.

Another great Marsters performance.

Not sure I can separate Harry Dresden/Jim Butcher/James Marsters anymore.

Another brilliant book and brilliant performance. Downloading the next one. Let the binge continue...

Different each book each time fab!!

Funny, dry humour and wonderful narration. Normally with book series, a similar plot is rolled out but each book is fresh, funny and slowly winding up the tension for the next instalment, without feeling cheated. Love it

Dark mood and surprising twists

This book, for some reason, was not captivating for me as the others were. I took me about 20 days to finish it, which was never case before. The entire mood and the atmosphere of the book was darker than usual, and so many action in the plot got me thinking "Again, really?"
My favorite character is getting to be Mouse...
But there are some very surprising twists in the story that really make it worthwhile. Won't say what, but I surely didn't see it coming.

best so far. ..

top notch narration almost drew a tear a féw times writing is decent enough since dead beat tough it aint litterature it's entertaing as hell's bell's

Pretty good actually

Definitely preferred it to some of the more recent titles. Story is big without being too weird and ties up a lot of stuff.

brilliant

this book is excellent, in a series of excellent books
it is epic, funny, sad and a read... or listen I suppose, you will not want to stop listening to

This series just keeps getting better

Loved this audiobook. The narration is perfect, the story was interesting throughout and I didn't get lost in the details - as was often the case in the first few books. I enjoy seeing the characters come to life and like watching the way relationships (and people) evolve. Whenever I finish another book in this series I say of it that it is my favourite one yet. This has not changed. I look forward to sinking my claws into Book 10!

10/10

so far each book has been better than the last and the plot just thicken. I'm simply hooked.

Exactly what you need when you need urban fantasy

Poor Dresden gets knocked about mercilessly as he tries to fight off the fallen angel giving him dubious advice, sullen teenagers, horror movie monsters and the white counsel. Fun! Well written. Well performed. And exactly what you expect from Jim Butcher (which is answering a few questions with snarky sarcasm and leaving you with two dozen more mysteries and terrors to jump up and bite Harry in the ass later...). Read it. You know you want to.