The Dresden Files, #1
Storm Front
by Jim Butcher
Contents
Chapter Two
Overview
Harry Dresden joins Lt. Karrin Murphy at a luxury hotel and confronts a grotesque double murder staged during sex. He deduces a remote thaumaturgic killing by someone personally connected to the victims. The dead are identified as an escort linked to Bianca and Johnny Marcone’s bodyguard, escalating criminal and supernatural stakes. Pressured by Murphy, Dresden agrees to research the murder spell, then is approached by Marcone himself.
Summary
Harry Dresden meets Lt. Karrin Murphy at the Madison Hotel. Their familiar banter masks tension as they enter a lavish suite set for romance. Dresden notes sensual props, torn lingerie, and a skipping CD before Detective Carmichael needles him. In the bedroom, Dresden confronts the grisly tableau: two lovers dead mid-act, ribcages burst outward and hearts destroyed.
Reeling, Dresden confirms it as human-wrought magic in violation of the First Law. He reconstructs the evening from the scene, then explains two possible methods: evocation (unlikely, requires line of sight) or thaumaturgy (probable, using personal links like hair). He argues the killer likely knew the victims and chose the moment for heightened emotion, suggesting intimate motive.
After sending Carmichael for coffee, Murphy shares identities: Jennifer Stanton of the Velvet Room and Tommy Tomm, bodyguard to crime boss Johnny Marcone. Dresden dismisses a direct vampire attack outside the Nevernever yet flags Bianca’s orbit as relevant. Murphy plans to trace the hair-dye source, and to question Bianca and Marcone, expecting denials.
Murphy presses Dresden to figure out how the spell was done. Despite fear of the White Council’s scrutiny and the Doom over him, Dresden agrees to research the method to keep helping the case and preserve his consultancy. They leave as forensics enters.
Running late for his client appointment, Dresden hurries off but is boxed in by muscle from a dark blue Cadillac. Inside waits Johnny Marcone, who politely invites Dresden to discuss business, drawing the wizard into Chicago’s criminal sphere.
Who Appears
- Harry DresdenWizard PI; analyzes the crime scene, deduces thaumaturgic murder, reluctantly agrees to research the spell, then meets Marcone.
- Karrin MurphyHomicide lieutenant; brings Dresden in, pushes for actionable answers, secures identities, pressures him to help despite his risks.
- Detective Ron CarmichaelMurphy’s skeptical partner; snipes at Dresden, provides the bucket, fetches coffee when ordered out.
- Jennifer StantonMurder victim; Velvet Room escort found dead mid-coitus with heart destroyed, linking case to Bianca’s operation.
- Tommy TommMurder victim; Johnny Marcone’s bodyguard, his death ties the magical killings to organized crime.
- John MarconeChicago crime boss; intercepts Dresden afterward, inviting a private business discussion.
- HendricksMarcone’s red-haired enforcer; leads muscle that corrals Dresden into Marcone’s car.