close
Dead Beat: A Novel of the Dresden Files Audiobook, by Jim Butcher Play Audiobook Sample

Dead Beat: A Novel of the Dresden Files Audiobook

Dead Beat: A Novel of the Dresden Files Audiobook, by Jim Butcher Play Audiobook Sample
FlexPass™ Price: $20.95
$9.95 for new members!
(Includes UNLIMITED podcast listening)
  • Love your audiobook or we'll exchange it
  • No credits to manage, just big savings
  • Unlimited podcast listening
Add to Cart
$9.95/m - cancel anytime - 
learn more
OR
Regular Price: $25.00 Add to Cart
Read By: James Marsters Publisher: Penguin Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 10.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 7.50 hours at 2.0x Speed Series: The Dresden Files Release Date: April 2010 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781101222300

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

144

Longest Chapter Length:

08:15 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

45 seconds

Average Chapter Length:

06:17 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

28

Other Audiobooks Written by Jim Butcher: > View All...

Publisher Description

“The wildest, strangest, best Dresden adventure to date...Butcher’s blending of modern fantasy with classic noir sensibilities ensures that there’s never a dull moment.”—SF Site   Paranormal investigations are Harry Dresden’s business and Chicago is his beat, as he tries to bring law and order to a world of wizards and monsters that exists alongside everyday life. And though most inhabitants of the Windy City don’t believe in magic, the Special Investigations Department of the Chicago PD knows better.   Karrin Murphy is the head of S. I. and Harry’s good friend. So when a killer vampire threatens to destroy Murphy’s reputation unless Harry does her bidding, he has no choice. The vampire wants the Word of Kemmler (whatever that is) and all the power that comes with it. Now, Harry is in a race against time—and six merciless necromancers—to find the Word before Chicago experiences a Halloween night to wake the dead...

Download and start listening now!

"How one can read a book that involves a necromatically animated Tyrannasourus Rex as a noble stead, employed by a sarcastic wizard who hopes that he will die doing the right thing, trying to defeat another evil wizard from becoming a god and NOT give it five stars is just plain crazy! 'Nuff said. "

— Laurel (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “This is one of the best entries in a terrific series...Readers will be hoping for Harry to get the happy ending he deserves.”

    — RT Book Reviews
  • “Horror fans with a sense of humor will be pleased.”

    — Publishers Weekly
  • “Mixing offbeat humor, a hard-boiled style, and rich detail, Butcher’s...Dresden File series deserves a spot in every library’s fantasy or dark fantasy collection. Highly recommended.”

    — Library Journal
  • “Adventures blossom like shotgun fire...A fun-loaded series.”

    — Kirkus Reviews
  • Think Buffy the Vampire Slayer starring Philip Marlowe.

    — Entertainment Weekly
  • Fans of Laurell  K. Hamilton and Tanya Huff will love this series.

    — Midwest Book Review  
  • Superlative.

    — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
  • 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 (starred review)
  • What’s not to like about this series?...It takes the best elements of urban fantasy, mixes it with some good old-fashioned noir mystery, tosses in a dash of romance and a lot of high-octane action, shakes, stirs, and serves.

    — SF Site
  • A tricky plot complete with against-the-clock pacing, firefights, explosions, and plenty of magic. Longtime series fans as well as newcomers drawn by the SciFi Channel’s TV series based on the novels should find this supernatural mystery a real winner.

    — Library Journal
  • What would you get if you crossed Spenser with Merlin? Probably you would come up with someone very like Harry Dresden, wizard, tough guy and star of [the Dresden Files].

    — The Washington Times

Dead Beat Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.2727272727272725 out of 54.2727272727272725 out of 54.2727272727272725 out of 54.2727272727272725 out of 54.2727272727272725 out of 5 (4.27)
5 Stars: 12
4 Stars: 18
3 Stars: 3
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 4.4 out of 54.4 out of 54.4 out of 54.4 out of 54.4 out of 5 (4.40)
5 Stars: 2
4 Stars: 3
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 4.8 out of 54.8 out of 54.8 out of 54.8 out of 54.8 out of 5 (4.80)
5 Stars: 4
4 Stars: 1
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Story Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    — Shelley Sunday, 2/18/2022
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — Helen Story, 3/17/2020
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I always enjoy the Dresden novels but if you don't read them in order, you miss a lot of the store line. I have read them hit and miss but am now listening to them in order and really am enjoying them. "

    — Ace, 4/19/2017
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Really good. I like that stuff from previous books keep popping up when least expected. "

    — Heather, 2/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Put this down the first time I started it. Think I was just a little OD'ed on Harry. Very glad I came back. May be the best one so far. "

    — Christi, 2/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Why didn't I pick up the audio books earlier in this series? I will likely go back to the beginning and listen to them all. James Marsters is the perfect voice for this series. "

    — Suzanne, 2/2/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The first in the series I've given 5 stars to and possibly the best climax battle to date. Also some great new characters are introduced. "

    — Jen, 1/26/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " It pains me to give this a mere three stars but something was missing. Or maybe it was just too much going on. The story took place over 2 days, took 400+ pages, and only the last 100 were actually interesting. Seemed a lot of blundering around. "

    — Crystal, 1/25/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Despite some of the painful dialog-that's-really-exposition passages it was enjoyable. Polka will live forever!!! "

    — Paul, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Zombie T Rex. 'Nuff said. Go read it. "

    — Krista, 12/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Really awesome book. The story takes some really wicked turns, and still leaves a lot on the table for the next books! "

    — Timothy, 12/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " My absolute favorite Dresden story! "

    — Chris, 11/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This one went by quickly, lots of action, and a surprisingly fun ending. "

    — Kate, 10/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A lot is happening in that book and we get to know some new characters like Butters or the fallen angel who is inside Harry. "

    — Kristy, 11/25/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I have really started enjoying this series. I never considered sci-fi before, but these books are humorous and have really good plots! "

    — Sara, 9/10/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This series is getting really good to read. I really enjoyed the characters this time around, from Harry to Bob to Butters. It was just an none stop good story. Jim Butcher has really really gotten me hooked to this series. "

    — Shahbaz, 9/5/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Dresden's a little more on his own in this book, though he does get some assistance from unlikely places. Necromancers bringing the dead to "life" vie for power and Dresden has to stop them while keeping his friends safe. Parts of the story predictable but still lots of fun. "

    — Jeanne, 7/22/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Pretty much blew my mind. Harry is the best. "

    — Raven, 7/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — Jjoe, 11/18/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I appreciate that Dresden got back to some good, old-fashioned investigative techniques. Also, Bob gets the chance to be the hero, which is pretty cool. "

    — Megan, 10/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Polka will never die! "

    — John, 7/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Bob the skull riding a dino zombie. nuf said. "

    — Gloria, 6/5/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " If you are a fan of the series, as I am, this is an exciting installment. If you are new to the series, you could start here, but I wouldn't recommend it. Butcher is full of surprises. "

    — Morris, 5/31/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " What is not to love when Zombies are involved! Conjured or NOT! "

    — Bethany, 5/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Damn I wish Goodreads had half start. This is a good solid four and a half and these books keep on getting consistently better. Few other series have been this pleasing to me on a continual basis. "

    — Sally, 5/13/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book includes a zombie dinosaur. I'd say everything else is irrelevant, but the book itself is pretty solid to boot. "

    — Camilo, 5/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Possibly my favorite Dresden book. Adding the dog was brilliant. "

    — Susan, 5/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Another wild ride with Harry Dresden. Must check on Sue next time I'm in Chicago. "

    — Leslie, 5/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I do like these books. The stories are interesting, but I'm definitely not feeling anything emotional from them. That's not their intent, tho, I don't think. "

    — Mary, 5/2/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Another solid book in this series. Had me on edge until the end. How Harry manages to get through so much is truly amazing. The guy just can't seem to catch a break! "

    — Rebecca, 4/29/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great book! I am definitely hooked!! "

    — Brick, 4/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Butcher has hit his stride in this installment of the The Dresden Files. He handles the multiple plots very well, and continues to develop the secondary characters. "

    — Andrew, 4/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — Hope , 10/19/2010

About Jim Butcher

Jim Butcher is a martial arts enthusiast whose résumé includes a long list of skills rendered obsolete at least two hundred years ago. He turned to writing as a career because anything else probably would have driven him insane. He is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Dresden Files, the Codex Alera, and the Cinder Spires novels.

About James Marsters

James Marsters, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, graduated from Davis High School and attended Juilliard, the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, and the American Conservatory Theatre. After spending ten years doing stage work, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in film and television. He got his big break as Spike in Joss Whedon’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He is also a talented musician; his band Ghost of the Robot has released three albums: Mad Brilliant, B-Sider, and Murphy’s Law.