Grave Peril by Jim Butcher, Audio Book Narrated by James Marsters

In Chicago’s yellow pages, there is one listing under Wizard. “Harry Dresden: Lost Items Found. Paranormal Investigations. Consulting, Advice, Reasonable Rates. No Love Potions, Endless Purses, or Other Entertainment.” Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden has faced things that would make most anyone dive under their bed and call for Mama. In GRAVE PERIL, Harry’s bravery is put to the test.

In an opening with more action than Arnold Schwarzenegger’s last five movies put together, we find Harry and his new sometime partner, Michael Carpenter, a Knight of the Sword, up against a homicidal ghost with an extreme love for infants. In this third addition to Jim Butcher’s thrilling series you get the immediate impression that you’re in for one exciting ride.

Ghosts have been creating a horrible ruckus all over Chicago recently, and only Harry and Michael have been able to keep them at bay, at least so far. Could someone be stirring them up on purpose? The veil between our world and the Nevernever (where the ghosts, faeries and all variety of beasties live) seems to be growing thin. Distracted by ghost busting, Harry also runs afoul of his evil fairy Godmother (no, really, I mean it) who would love to enslave him, manages to anger a powerful vampiress , who would love to suck him dry and his girlfriend needs rescuing in a big way.

James Marsters does an unforgettable job of bringing Jim Butcher’s rich characters to life. He pulls off voice characterizations flawlessly in a smooth performance produced by Buzzy Multimedia. While the audio books aren’t released simultaneously with the printed books, Marsters' performance and Buzzy Multimedia’s production make it worth waiting for.

This novel really benefits from the foundation laid by STORM FRONT, and FOOL MOON and Harry Dresden is more fully developed than ever before. Harry puts his idealism to the test and his chivalry knows no bounds, setting the stage for future struggles in the continuing series for the readers’ immense pleasure.

GRAVE PERIL brings the series to new depths with the introduction of the character, Michael Carpenter. A man of faith, Michael carries a holy sword, and is considered to be the Right Hand of God. He’s an interesting foil to Harry, who has issues with his own faith, but he trusts in Michael and the strength he garners from his beliefs.

We also meet Thomas, a vampire and charming rogue who delights and tantalizes the reader nearly as much as his female companion. What a tease! Butcher continues to captivate us with his resplendent characters.

Damsels in distress, ghosts gallivanting all over Chicago, vampires out for vengeance, Harry nearly bites off more than he can chew when things get personal. His girlfriend, a paranormal Lois Lane, has been taken, Michael’s wife and their unborn child is in jeopardy. But nasty fairy godmother and vampires be damned, Harry Dresden won’t rest until the damsel is rescued and wrong is made right. It’s one of the things I love most about this Dresden Files novel, and it’s one of the reasons why I listen to it again and again.

Reviewed by terri@ck2skwipsandkritiques.com

Courtesy of CK2s Kwips and Kritiques