Ghost Story by Jim Butcher
Published by Penguin on August 7, 2012
Genres: Fiction / Fantasy / Paranormal, Fiction / Fantasy / Urban, Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Private Investigators
Pages: 608
Format: Hardcover
Source: Amazon
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Chicago wizard Harry Dresden gets a taste of the dead life in this novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.

In his life, Harry’s been shot, stabbed, sliced, beaten, burned, crushed, and tortured. And after someone puts a bullet through his chest and leaves him to die in the waters of Lake Michigan, things really start going downhill.

Trapped between life and death, he learns that his friends are in serious trouble. Only by finding his murderer can he save his friends and move on—a feat which would be a lot easier if he had a body and access to his powers. Worse still are the malevolent shadows that roam Chicago, controlled by a dark entity that wants Harry to suffer even in death.

Now, the late Harry Dresden will have to pull off the ultimate trick without using any magic—or face an eternity as just another lost soul...

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Ghost Story

Series: The Dresden Files, Book 13

Author: Jim Butcher

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Supernatural Mystery

Rating: ★★★★★

Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/3YYiRjl (replace with your affiliate short link when ready)

---

THE STORY

Ghost Story takes the already thrilling Dresden Files to a bold, metaphysical new level. After the shocking cliffhanger at the end of Changes, Harry Dresden wakes up to find himself dead. Or more accurately—a ghost. Murdered and trapped between worlds, Harry is given a chance to solve his own murder and save his friends from forces that have grown bolder in his absence. But being incorporeal has its drawbacks. No magic. No physical form. No wisecracking fireballs. Just Harry’s razor-sharp wit, ghostly grit, and moral compass to navigate a broken city and a broken self.

The emotional depth in this installment is profound. Dresden must wrestle with regrets, reckon with consequences, and face truths that even death can’t hide from.

---

THE CHARACTERS

• Harry Dresden shines as both detective and ghost. We witness him stripped of power, but not purpose—making this his most human book yet.
• Mort the Ectomancer, a previously comedic side character, steps into a surprisingly heroic role that brings nuance and heart.
• Karrin Murphy, Molly, and the rest of the supporting cast carry emotional weight, each changed by Harry’s death and reacting in believable, painful ways.

Jim Butcher excels at layered characterization, and here, every relationship feels more fragile, raw, and important than ever before.

---

STEAMOMETER

🔥 Mild

This installment leans heavily into emotional intimacy and tension rather than romantic or steamy moments. The intensity is psychological and soulful, not sensual—perfectly fitting the tone of the story.

---

OVERALL THOUGHTS

Ghost Story is a masterstroke in urban fantasy storytelling. It dares to slow down the action for introspection without losing the edge-of-your-seat tension that the series is known for. With its focus on redemption, sacrifice, and the blurry lines between good and evil, it adds new layers to an already rich world.

Butcher’s prose is sharp, clever, and at times painfully honest. If Changes was the climax of Dresden’s first life, Ghost Story is the haunting aftermath that rebuilds the man from the ashes.

This book is an unforgettable blend of spectral suspense, soul-searching, and supernatural sleuthing that fans of the series will absolutely devour.

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jim Butcher is a #1 New York Times bestselling author best known for The Dresden Files, The Codex Alera, and The Cinder Spires. With a flair for fast-paced action and characters with gritty realism, he’s a master of mixing magic, mystery, and mayhem. Find out more at www.jim-butcher.com.