It’s open war in Chicago between the police, the White Court, and the mafia network run by “Gentleman” Johnny Marcone! While Karrin Murphy recovers from her own confrontation with Puck, Harry must face off against the far more powerful being. Harry will need help from friends and enemies alike to prevent the demented fae from completing his masterpiece of pandemonium — but is it already too late?

A mysterious supernatural threat has invaded the Windy City, commanding the attention of Harry Dresden. Yeah, yeah — what else is new? Well, this one seems to be able to instantaneously extract the life force of its victims… a very rare ability that compels Harry to seek an audience with Lara Raith, head of House Raith and the White Court. Meanwhile, another powerful Chicago faction is targeted…

A surprise ally has appeared, offering Harry and his beleaguered team salvation. Unfortunately, Baron Bravosa and his army of Red Court vampires have an ace up their collective sleeve--one that puts Dresden and co. at an even more severe disadvantage. With hours still to go till sunrise, Harry will be forced to make a decision that could win them the battle -- but lose the war...

"Collects materials originally published in Jim Butcher's The Dresden files: War cry #1-5."

This first adventure in a dark fantasy series follows the war between the warriors of Fellein and the mythical people of the Blasted Lands, who worship 7 gods of war . . . Captain Merros Dulver is the first in many lifetimes to find a path beyond the great mountains of the Seven Forges and encounter, at long last, the half-forgotten race who live there. And it would appear that they were expecting him. But when he returns home, an entourage of strangers in tow, he starts to wonder if his discovery is truly something to celebrate—for the gods of this lost race are the gods of war, and their memories of that far-off cataclysm have not faded. The people of Fellein have lived with the legends of the Blasted Lands for many centuries. Lying far to the north, the Lands are a desolate, impassable place—the legacy of an ancient time of cataclysm. But even the dangers of the Blasted Lands cannot stop the occasional expedition into its fringes, where people search for any trace of the ancients and oft-rumored riches that once lived there.

Assigned to investigate a series of deaths of magic practitioners, all of whom lacked the ability to become full-fledged wizards, professional Chicago wizard Harry Dresden is shocked when the evidence points to his half-brother Thomas as the killer, until he uncovers a conspiracy within the White Council of Wizards that threatens both him and his family. 100,000 first printing.

Inexplicable bloodshed has erupted in Chicago. Who or what is responsible? While Harry and Thomas struggle with why someone would frame the White Court for the murder of two girls, and "Gentleman" Johnny Marcone learns that one of his men has been assassinated, Karrin Murphy must confront the true source of all this chaos… alone! And while Murphy has always proved resourceful and tough as nails, her opponent is immortal, immensely powerful, and quite insane.