Turn Coat – Dresden Files Book 11 by Jim Butcher

Perhaps that was going through Harry Dresden’s mind when he opened his home to his arch nemesis, wizard Warden Donald Morgan. Perhaps deep in his heart he never really considered Morgan to be a true enemy. Or perhaps Harry’s just a sucker for a sad sob story and can’t refuse to help those in need.

Whatever the reason, when Morgan, one of the most powerful and feared Wardens on the White Council appeared bleeding and semi-conscious on Harry’s doorstep, Harry quickly chooses to give him sanctuary.

You should know that there’s no love lost between Harry and Morgan. Both are talented wizards who serve as Wardens; strong arm enforcers of the White Council which is a governing body that regulates and monitors the activities of the wizarding world. But Morgan has always seen Harry as an out of control renegade who unjustly escaped punishment for killing a wizard during his youth. According to the White Council, killing a wizard or misusing one’s magical powers is punishable by death. No questions asked and no exceptions. Although Harry believes he was wrongly accused because the wizard he killed was attempting to kill Harry and another young wizard at the time, much of the wizarding world thinks Harry should have been executed for his actions. Morgan embraces that sentiment and has sought to discredit Harry for many years.

So when Morgan tells Harry that the White Council is unjustly pursuing him for the murder of a powerful Senior Council member, Harry understands all too well why Morgan sought refuge with him: the White Council would never expect Morgan to go to Harry for help. It’s the last place they’d look for him. Even so, by hiding Morgan, Harry puts himself in grave danger and knows that the White Council will eventually track Morgan down. He also knows that when they do, they could decide to punish him because he harbored Morgan.

So Harry begins an intensive investigation into who committed the murder in the hopes that when the White Council does finds he and Morgan, he can present evidence which proves Morgan’s innocence. Or guilt. He has to work fast because several magical beings are out to capture and collect the bounty on Morgan. And on top of that, it looks like somebody on the Council (a potential traitor) is pulling strings and will stop at nothing to recapture Morgan.

This, the 11th book in the urban fantasy Dresden Files series packs quite a punch. I was instantly sucked into Harry Dresden’s Chicago world of magic and never wanted to leave. If you have read any of the earlier books in the series you know that Jim Butcher is an outstanding storyteller whose books are filled with action, suspense, and humor. His world building and character development talents stand out among current fantasy writers – it’s understandable that he’s a NY Times bestselling author. His Dresden Files books are so engaging, action-packed, and adventurous that in my opinion, Harry Dresden is the Indiana Jones of the wizarding world.

From the opening sentence till the last word penned, this book is full of action and suspense and was a thorough delight to read. Even though the tension in the book is frequently at full throttle, Harry’s wit and sarcasm add levity to several of these scenes.

The fabulous characters, the storyline, and the climax will keep you biting your nails to the very end. This is one of the best Dresden Files books in this fantastic urban fantasy series. It’s fast paced, amusing and thoroughly satisfying. I highly recommend it!   Turn Coat is current on sale at Amazon (36% off).