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Book Review of Proven Guilty (Dresden Files, Bk 8)

Proven Guilty (Dresden Files, Bk 8)
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If Jim Butcher wanted a sappy title instead of a catchy one this installment could have been named Second Chances since a lot of people like freedom either needed it or had gotten it. How does that thought come into play? Well, it starts with an old fashioned execution; yea, one with a big sword instead of an electric chair or lethal injection and with a bunch of wardens in a semi-circle around the prisoner before he is beheaded. This naturally reminds Harry of his own history with the White council, it also disgusts him and he lets them all know it. However, before he can put all this behind him he is brought face-to-face with his old mentor who gives him a back door political mission involving Summer and Winter, as well as a message from the Gatekeeper regarding black magic and Chicago.

Add in a phone call from Molly in the middle of a ritual right before Harrys trial run of Little Chicago and the rest of the book is set. Harry runs to bail Molly (Michaels oldest daughter) out of jail. Unfortunately, it turns out to be a lie. Instead her boyfriend is in jail and she believes it is due to supernatural forces. Naturally, Harry needs to investigate whether or not this is true and low and behold it is! By the way, this is all happening at SplatterCon!!! Yes; Comic Con only with horror movies instead of comic books and things like that. Supernatural kicks in when the killers from the movies come to life and start attacking peopleall coincidentally associated with Molly. (Thinking upon coincidence, we are also introduced to another type of White Court vampire the type that feeds on fear, like Thomas feeds on lust.)

Well, the spell to trace the source of the monsters sort of backfired so that Molly was kidnapped and a suicide mission to the Nevernever was arranged. Unbeknownst to Harry this mission was more Fairy politics than anything else. Moreover, it was another clue as to bigger things to come within the Dresden Universe.

Unluckily for Molly being abducted was simply trading in the proverbial frying pan for the fire. However, at nearly the last minute Harry comes up with a plan to save the day and on nearly the last page he even has the opportunity to unburden his soul.

Overall, Proven Guilty was action packed from the first page all the way to the end. What can I say one star for that alone! Another one for how nicely everything flowed together. Third star for adding the creative touches of the supernatural world to pop culture along with a trip to the Nevernever. The last star is for grounding everything to reality through the concept of Judge, Jury and Executioner. Couldnt give it five stars simply because the situation with Molly for the most part was predictableCan you tell yet? I hate predictability!!!