The Dresden Files, #1
Storm Front
by Jim Butcher
Contents
Chapter Twenty-seven
Overview
Morgan resuscitates Harry, admits Harry acted within the Laws, and is compelled to clear him before the White Council, leading to the Doom’s removal. Fallout ripples outward: Beckitts are arrested, Victor is exposed posthumously, and Murphy recovers and resumes a wary partnership with Harry. Susan publishes her story, and Harry recommits to protecting his city.
Summary
Harry wakes in the rain, in pain, to find Morgan performing CPR. Morgan grudgingly admits he saw Harry risk himself to stop the Shadowman without breaking the Laws and acknowledges Harry is not the killer. Bound by duty, Morgan explains he had to save a fellow Council member.
Harry presses the point that Morgan must report the truth to the White Council. Morgan, still hostile, vows continued vigilance but concedes the report may lift Harry’s Doom. He departs before police arrive.
Police nab the fleeing Beckitts, who are later tied to ThreeEye distribution. The Varsity burns mysteriously; rumors credit Marcone with hiring Harry to end ThreeEye’s leadership, a story Harry doesn’t deny to avoid retaliation.
Though hospitalized, Harry learns the White Council lifts the Doom for valor, forcing Morgan to confirm Harry’s innocence. Murphy survives critical injuries, claims no memory of the office incident, rescinds Harry’s warrant, pays his expenses, and cautiously resumes professional contact, though their friendship remains strained.
Authorities find ThreeEye supplies at the ruined lake house, posthumously pinning the crimes on Victor Sells; Monica and her children enter Witness Protection. Bob returns from a rumored wild outing. Susan publishes her “Date with a Demon” piece, visits Harry, and agrees to another date. Mac and Harry recover their cars; Harry rewards Toot-toot’s fae with pizza. Reflecting on temptation and power, Harry commits to defending his city’s fragile order.
Who Appears
- Harry DresdenProtagonist; revived by Morgan, cleared by the Council, reflects on duty and recommits to protecting Chicago.
- Warden MorganSaves Harry, acknowledges his innocence, files a truthful report that lifts the Doom, remains vigilant.
- Karrin MurphyRecovers from injuries, rescinds Harry’s warrant, resumes a cautious professional relationship.
- Johnny MarconeBenefits from rumors he hired Harry; his club burns, but he collects insurance.
- The BeckittsCaught fleeing naked; later implicated in ThreeEye distribution and prosecuted.
- Victor SellsPosthumously exposed as the ThreeEye mastermind after evidence at the lake house.
- Monica SellsDisappears into Witness Protection with her children after Victor’s exposure.
- Susan RodriguezPublishes the Arcane feature, visits Harry in hospital, agrees to another date.
- BobReturns on time after rumors of a wild University party; remains discreet.
- Toot-tootReceives nightly pizzas as thanks; part of Harry honoring promises to the fae.
- MacGets his TransAm back, paralleling Harry’s return to normalcy.
- MisterHarry’s cat; mentioned as stoically indifferent to the aftermath.