Death Masks by Jim Butcher

October 16th, 2018 Kimberly Review 43 Comments

16th Oct
Death Masks by Jim Butcher
Death Masks
by Jim Butcher
Series: The Dresden Files #5
Narrator: James Marsters
Length: 11 hours and 21 minutes
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Narration: 5 cups

HARRY DRESDEN — WIZARD
Lost Items Found. Paranormal Investigations. Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates. No Love Potions, Endless Purses, or Other Entertainment.

Harry Dresden, Chicago's only practicing professional wizard, should be happy that business is pretty good for a change. But now he's getting more than he bargained for.

A duel with the Red Court of Vampires' champion, who must kill Harry to end the war between vampires and wizards...

Professional hit men using Harry for target practice...

The missing Shroud of Turin...

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 semivampiric 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.

urban snarky mystery magical

Death Masks by Jim Butcher is the fifth audio in the Dresden Files. When life seems to good..you know trouble is coming and that is just what Harry finds, as Marsters rocks the narration.

HARRY DRESDEN — WIZARD
Lost Items Found. Paranormal Investigations. Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates. No Love Potions, Endless Purses, or Other Entertainment.

Due to characters growth and alliances I recommend that this series be read in order.

We spend time with Michael, his family and other Knights of the Cross as Harry finds himself dealing with a vampire of the Red Court who wants a duel and a priest who wants Harry to find a lost object for him. Easy right? Wrong. It seems others want it as well and are even willing to kill for it.

In the meantime, Harry’s old girlfriend Susan shows up and things get mighty interesting. Her return allows Harry to move forward so to speak. We get a little romance and even some heated scenes as these two make peace.  Susan grew on me a little, as you might remember I wasn’t her biggest fan, but by book end, I won’t be if she becomes a larger part of Harry’s story.

I love the secondary characters like Thomas, John Marconi, and Karin.  With each book we see Harry go through growth and this remains true in Death Masks. While Harry may come off as sexist and often pessimistic, I cannot help but love him. He feels real, heck all of the characters feel real; ugly flaws and all. At his core he is a really good guy trying to protect the innocent.

Butcher shares some things that make me wonder how much of this world we do not yet understand. It had me excited.

As I’ve stated previously I’ve bought all of the audios. James Marsters has become the voice for these characters and I can’t fathom not listening.

This almost gained a five cup rating, but I wanted more from the ending. I will let you decide. Fans of snark, the supernatural world and private eyes who carry a staff will want to check out this urban fantasy series. Each book is stronger than its predecessor and I cannot wait to being the next audio.

Come along with Harry as he solves another case and faces down death in Death Mask. I cannot wait to being Blood Rites.

Death Masks by Jim Butcher is the fifth audio in the Dresden Files. When life seems to good..you know trouble is coming and that is just what Harry finds, as Marsters rocks the narration. #loveaudiobooks Click To Tweet
Photo of kimbacaffeinate
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

43 Responses to “Death Masks by Jim Butcher”

  1. Olivia Roach

    It’s always great when you are in a series but the author still is unpacking and revealing elements of the world to keep the world building active and still part of the enjoyment of the story! Reading mysteries that involve magic to them too always makes me happy.

    Olivia Roach recently posted: My Best Friend’s Exorcism [Book Review]
  2. Jen

    I love, love, love this series on audiobook. I got the first several from my library, but when they didn’t carry the rest, I bought them all, too. Most of these get As and A+s from me… Just reading your review – I want to go back and listen all over again! Thanks!

    • Kimberly

      Sweet. You will laugh at the earlier ones with squeaking chairs and heaving breathing..but I love them on audio

  3. Anisa Mcdaniel

    This has been a fun series for me. I find myself listening to it and not getting anything else done. Not that it’s a bad thing though. My read at night in bed has been Jake Warner’s Coming of Age in Berkeley. If you need a good forbidden romance, or a novel that is a bit taboo then this is the one! Pretty good!

  4. Melanie Simmons

    I’m glad you continue to love this series. It is a favorite of mine. I’m currently waiting for another book (it has been forever since a full-length novel has been released). I did enjoy the anthology Brief Cases while I wait.

    Melanie Simmons recently posted: Spooktacular Giveaway Hop 2018
  5. sjhigbee

    Yes… I’ve read the whole series, but I can imagine James Masters narrating these books must be a real treat…

  6. Sophia Rose

    I do love that UF series offer the scope for a character to keep growing as they go, but also have some pretty exciting adventures that start off all simple and easy. One of these days, I will get to this series. Good to know that the narrator makes it even better.

    • Kimberly

      You sound like me when I check out a review on one your long running series. I am really determined to figure out where I am in the JD Robb series though.

  7. Anne

    I LOVE these so much. I love the snark. I love James Marsters’ narration. I’m finally caught up and I just want to listen to them all over again because it’s like one big 10 stars story for me.

    The very first audio books I purchased were Harry Potter and Harry Dresden. There might be a theme there. The next though were Chloe Neill’s Chicagoland vampires and Jack Campbell’s Lost Fleet.

    Anne – Books of My Heart

      • Anne

        On my TBR. I read the first one and got sidetracked. I’ll go back and start over on audio. I’ve been on blogs which were somewhat romance focused and I love romance but I REALLY love fantasy, mystery, suspense, scifi,… with a little romance too.

        I don’t suppose you know any other series about wizards named Harry? That seems a sure-fire hit for me.

        Anne – Books of My Heart

  8. Heidi

    I have had this series on my wish list for far too long. Your reviews are spurring me to finally get after it on audio. I need to find a replacement for Kevin Hearne.