The Dresden Files, #1
Storm Front
by Jim Butcher
Contents
Chapter Five
Overview
Harry Dresden unwinds at McAnally’s, noting a city rash of ThreeEye incidents and conferring briefly with the taciturn Mac. Reporter Susan Rodriguez arrives, probes for details on the double homicide, and cleverly secures a Saturday date. Dresden, juggling secrecy and attraction, decides to investigate Victor Sells’s lake house that night and meet Bianca the next.
The chapter deepens personal stakes through Susan, flags the dangerous ThreeEye trend, and advances Harry’s investigative plan.
Summary
Harry Dresden retreats to McAnally’s after fruitless morgue calls, intending to eat, drink, and puzzle out the remote-death spell that killed Tommy Tomm and Jennifer Stanton. The pub’s protective quirks and Mac’s grounded presence steady him. A newspaper story highlights escalating ThreeEye-fueled violence, which Harry dismisses as unlikely to grant true wizard Sight.
Mac quietly warns Harry he was followed. Susan Rodriguez, a savvy Arcane reporter with history chasing Harry’s cases, arrives and tries to charm details about the Madison murders. Harry cites confidentiality and deflects her questions.
Susan switches tactics, peppering Harry with yes/no queries and then abruptly invites him to dinner Saturday. Startled, Harry reflexively agrees. Their flirtation underscores mutual attraction, but he recognizes she’ll press for information.
After Susan leaves, Harry admits to Mac that saying yes may complicate his work. He weighs his poor relationship history against the possibility of connection, briefly brushing past painful memories.
Reassessing his schedule, Harry decides to visit Victor Sells’s lake house that night, since tomorrow he intends to confront Bianca, expecting police efforts to stall. He departs McAnally’s still feeling Susan’s kiss, resolved to pursue the investigation while guarding his secrets.
Who Appears
- Harry DresdenWizard PI; decompresses at McAnally’s, notes ThreeEye chaos, resists Susan’s probing, agrees to a Saturday date, and plans a night trip to Sells’s lake house.
- Susan RodriguezArcane reporter; follows Harry to McAnally’s, flirts and presses for case details, and deftly secures a Saturday dinner date.
- Mac (McAnally)Taciturn pub owner; serves Harry, warns he was followed, offers terse counsel highlighting Harry’s unwise choices.