Orbit, April 2009: ISBN: 978-1841496979
Turn Coat, Jim Butcher’s eleventh offering in The Dresden Files series, further establishes him as a master of urban fantasy. As with previous novels, Butcher artistically weaves elements of the supernatural, folklore and modern occultism into a wryly-delivered hard-boiled plot.

As can be expected from the title, Turn Coat uncovers the traitor within the White Council, providing the first direct confrontation with the previously-hinted-at Black Council. Turn Coat opens with Morgan, Warden and executioner of the White Council, arriving on Harry’s doorstep; uninvited, injured and on the run for murdering a senior Council member. Realising that his previous probationer is being framed, Harry must identify the real murderer and in turn, the Black Council’s insider.

Turn Coat sees additional character development for Harry via changes whose seeds were sown in preceding novels. After years dealing with Chicago’s dangerous and disturbing, Harry is starting to feel the psychological repercussions. Early in the series, Harry’s reactions were active and largely focused on the present. In Turn Coat, we see a man shaken, lonely and on the verge of bitterness. Morgan is presented to Harry as a possible future version of himself – a result of years in the business. Whether or not Harry will eventually emulate Morgan’s mindset is a matter for future novels.

An appealing trait of The Dresden Files, developed further in Turn Coat, is the impact of mundanity. The characters are made relatable and the story believable through Butcher’s strict enforcement of the realities of the reader's own experience. Harry does not run full pelt through dense bush at night: that’s a sure route to a broken ankle. Rather, he walks. Butcher’s characters suffer real world consequences: they get tired, injured and have their cars impounded.

Turn Coat further solidifies Butcher as a brilliant urban fantasist. Fans can be assured that the latest offering in The Dresden Files delivers on its signature wit and suspense, without the stagnation that often befalls popular series.

Jim Butcher can be found on the web at http://www.jim-butcher.com/   and the first five chapters of Turn Coat are available at: http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/11/fullpreview.php