[Pig Iron]

I think JB said in a Q&A that one of the upcoming short-stories was about Murphy in Hawaii. Safe bet it's about what really happened between her and Kincaid there. JB's comment was something like "did she get some? ".

[Abyss]

There was a phone call to Harry in... i think it was White Night or Proven Guilty, that STRONGLY suggests she did. or at least was spending quality time without pants.

- Abyss, waits for Rodeo to stop drooling...

[RangerSG]

Abyss, on Jun 10 2009, 08:24 AM, said:

There was a phone call to Harry in... i think it was White Night or Proven Guilty, that STRONGLY suggests she did. or at least was spending quality time without pants.

- Abyss, waits for Rodeo to stop drooling...

Well, we know that Murphy (by her own admission!) always likes the bad boys over the ones that would treat her well.

[kmgrey]

Over on A Dribble of Ink, Aidan has posted the cover art for Changes:

http://aidanmoher.com/blog/?p=1396

Given the Temple in the background:

Isn't Susan supposed to be in South America? I wonder if this means that we might see a significant portion of the novel take place out of Chicago for the first time? If so, then "Changes" would be an apt title.

[High Marshal Flit]

I really think that we'll see a change of location. Firstly, Butcher is making good money now, enough to scout new locations. And secondly, just the tone and details of the books suggest that the drama is growing outside of Chi-town. Also the warden Yoshima, from Japan, who was a relative of Shiro, who was a descendent of the last king of Okinawa, will probably get one of the swords because it's about time for a new supporting lady. And with the new Senior Council member from europe/asia and Ancient Mai (both black council), I think we'll see a natural progression towards that part of the world. Besides, c'mon, can't you even wait for some of Butcher's cowboy, smart-ass wit in exotic locations, not to mention Mouse going home (probably won't happen, but I'm still disappointed Butcher didn't have Mouse piss on one of the stone dog statues in Edinburgh). And since Mab will probably have her 3rd favor owed be to add additional payback to the the black council who weakened her enough to have to use the cat for a mouth, I can see her using that favor for a roadtrip.

[Aptorian]

High Marshal Flit, on Aug 12 2009, 03:46 AM, said:

And with the new Senior Council member from europe/asia and Ancient Mai (both black council)

Whoah, you have some kind of information that says Ancient Mai is black council?

If this is some spoiler from a shory story I haven't read, I will kill you to death.

High Marshal Flit, on Aug 12 2009, 03:46 AM, said:

the black council who weakened her enough to have to use the cat for a mouth,

Wounded, I don't think weakened is the right word or Summer would be all over the Winterlands. It's the nature of the game.

This post has been edited by Aptorian: 12 August 2009 - 04:16 AM

[Use Of Weapons]

I think the Mai == Black Council thing is a red herring. Sure, she's spooky and mysterious, but BC? Not convinced.

[Abyss]

Agreed. She clearly has issues with Harry, but nothing thus far screams that she's BC.

I'm still half expecting some awful revelation that Blackstaff is Black council. THAT. Will Suck. cool, but suck.


I don't know if Jim will go with a 'full' change of location - in previous books he has done flashbacks that moved out of Chicago, and of course there was Edinburgh... hmm... maybe... there's certainly fertile ground over the rest of the world to work with.


- Abyss, International Man of Mystery...

[Aptorian]

I suspect some connection between The Emerald Court and Ancient Mai will be revealed. I think that could be an obvious explanation for White Queen (can't remember her name)'s respect for Ancient Mai when they meet on the island.

I'm guessing the Emerald Vampires, unlike the rest, are less obsessed with evil deeds and more aloof... and powerfull as all hell.

[High Marshal Flit]

Well obviously there's been nothing concrete that says Mai is bc, but the little evidence is there, and even if Butcher has dropped more insinuations that the Gatekeeper is bc, I think that's your red herring. Besides, Mai has voted against Harry every chance she's gotten, Summer Knight, Turn Coat, etc. and she's the only senior counciil member that brought back-up to the island, she pushed to fight him, arrest him, and she's mentioned that she knows the reason Harry was born and is against it. And by process of elimination, the traitor is either Mai, Merlin, or the Gatekeeper. I don't think it's Ebz, or Injun Joe, having one of them as the traitor sort of goes against Butcher's style, at least in my opinion.

Wounded-weakened-semantics.

Thinking about it now, I'm not saying a radical change in location, but the troubles are escalating, and Harry's role in the fight is increasing, so a roadtrip I think is likely, but for sure we'll see an influx of new characters from europe/asia. I've never been on Butcher's site, I'm spread thin as it is with my time, but if he has a blog, (which I'm sure he has, since my nieghbor's gerbil's grand-gerbils have blogs) then it would be interesting to know if he's used his bestselling paychecks to take some trips across the globe, cuz for sure starting out you write what you know(Chicago) cuz you can't afford much else, not his problem anymore, so just a possiblity.

A sub-plot I'd really be interested in would be a story where Mac's past brings drama and Harry helps out. That would be dope, learn a little about the mysterious barkeep who brews killa drink, makes a mean steak, and stashes guns throughout the bar.

[kmgrey]

High Marshal Flit, on Aug 12 2009, 05:33 PM, said:

Thinking about it now, I'm not saying a radical change in location, but the troubles are escalating, and Harry's role in the fight is increasing, so a roadtrip I think is likely, but for sure we'll see an influx of new characters from europe/asia. I've never been on Butcher's site, I'm spread thin as it is with my time, but if he has a blog, (which I'm sure he has, since my nieghbor's gerbil's grand-gerbils have blogs) then it would be interesting to know if he's used his bestselling paychecks to take some trips across the globe, cuz for sure starting out you write what you know(Chicago) cuz you can't afford much else, not his problem anymore, so just a possiblity.

Heh, I'm not sure Butcher had even been to Chicago when he started the series. IIRC, it was supposed to take place closer to his personal environs but the publisher told him that it needed to take place in a more recognizable location. So he picked Chicago. From what I've heard, the liberties taken with Chicago geography make Chicago natives groan.

[Abyss]

As long as there's a big frikkin t-rex skeleton somewhere, i am content.


- Abyss, notes the average museum would be infinitely improved by the addition of undead dinosaurs.

[polishgenius]

It never even crossed my mind that Ancient Mai might be black council - she's just a mysterious and grumpy old lady.

The thought did cross my mind for Gatekeeper but I don't think he's a serious candidate.

[tizroc]

I have been quite ridiculed and harassed for this tid bit. I believe there is some proof (although admittedly circumstantial) that the Merlin is black council. First part of my hypothesis is that Mr. Butcher usually only puts relevant information into his books. Either as a red herring, or as a clue we usually miss until it hits us over the head and we groan in comprehension as the little sticks all fall to the ground and someone yells Jumanji or what ever the darn game is.

(Turn Coat Spoilers as well as some previous books all the way back to Proven Guilty)

(So that means if you have not read those, even if I am way off base this might ruin it for you)

(so stop reading, if you are worried about being spoiled)



Alright, so.

Working backwards.

1. We know that Peabody was 'one' of the bad guys.
2. We know Peabody used mind control on members of the senior council by herbs, and other alchemical components that allowed easier access to their minds in ink.
3. We know that throughout the first visit to Edinburgh every single member of the Senior Council that was approached, viewed and discussed had ink on their fingers. (Except one)
4. We had a long good look at the Merlin eating a sand which. Harry is known for picking up on subtle clues even if he doesn't know they are valuable at the time. EB had ink on his fingers, and so did Injun Joe. However even though we get a great slice of time with the Merlin and the Merlin is eating a sandwich (fingers displayed openly) we never see ink on his hands.
5. This ink was stained, so we know that it wasn't easily removed because the other council members would have removed it as well. However the Merlin didn't have those stains and his fingers would have been very obvious to the view of Harry when he was eating the sand which in front of Harry. He did make a point of drawing it out (to be a jerk).
6. A reasonable assumption would be that the Merlin wasn't being given the ink.

Now this made me quirk an eyebrow but something came to my attention much later. I was re-reading the scene where Molly was to be executed. Here is the quote.

Quote

From Proven Guilty:
The Merlin remained silent for half a minute, then slowly arched one brow. “She violated the free will of another human being.”

“She did—but in ignorance, Merlin. She knew neither the Laws nor the side effects of her actions. Her intentions were only to preserve and protect three lives.”

“Ignorance of the Law is never an excuse, Warden Dresden, as you well know, and has no bearing upon this judgment.” The Merlin glanced at Peabody, then back to me. “I assume you have examined the victims?”

7. It seem more than coincidence to me on reflection that this wordplay occurred between Harry and the Merlin and just happened to have a flash to Peabody?

It was when I saw this that it peaked my interest and I read through a lot more subtext. Mr. Butcher is totally capable of giving us all these clues to indicate the Merlin (The more overt "asshole" clues) only to make us think it is too obvious.


As for a previous post, Mr. Butcher apparently came out and said that The Gatekeeper was not the one who injured Demonreach's leg/foot. It was cut off by the glacier movements from the last ice age. Man this guy is a great story teller.

[Aptorian]

*cough*Conspiracytheorist!*cough*

Those kinds of details are all circumstantial. I don't buy it, it would be far to obvious that the Merlin was black council.

More over, it would be kind of "clumsy" that both the Merlin AND his assistant where BC. It wouldn't be very subtle story writing.

Rather, I reckon, because that new probably BC guy went on the Senior Council, the Merlin and Dresden are going to become reluctant allies, winding up with them reaching a common understanding, falling in love, having hot man sex and the next day the Merlin probably dies in some dramatic, tearjerker of a last stand. It will be heartbreaking.

[RangerSG]

Aptorian, on Sep 4 2009, 01:26 AM, said:

*cough*Conspiracytheorist!*cough*

Those kinds of details are all circumstantial. I don't buy it, it would be far to obvious that the Merlin was black council.

More over, it would be kind of "clumsy" that both the Merlin AND his assistant where BC. It wouldn't be very subtle story writing.

Rather, I reckon, because that new probably BC guy went on the Senior Council, the Merlin and Dresden are going to become reluctant allies, winding up with them reaching a common understanding, falling in love, having hot man sex and the next day the Merlin probably dies in some dramatic, tearjerker of a last stand. It will be heartbreaking.

I don't think the Merlin is BC. I seem to recall Ebenezer saying he knew that the Merlin was legit, even if he was a scummy old fart.

I don't think the Merlin and Dresden will ever become allies. I think the Merlin will scheme and scheme to try to keep things from blowing into full-scale war between the councils. And he will always offer up Dresden's head if the price is right. I don't think in that scenario, Dresden would ever work with the Merlin. At least not for more than a single encounter.

[Aptorian]

The tension will just become too much for them, and pure man lust will do the rest.

[Abyss]

Blurb from Amazon.com:

"Long ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry Dresden's lover--until she was attacked by his enemies, leaving her torn between her own humanity and the bloodlust of the vampiric Red Court. Susan then disappeared to South America, where she could fight both her savage gift and those who cursed her with it.

Now Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court, has discovered a secret Susan has long kept, and she plans to use it--against Harry. To prevail this time, he may have no choice but to embrace the raging fury of his own untapped dark power. Because Harry's not fighting to save the world...

He's fighting to save his child.

The opening line of Changes is:

" I answered the phone, and Susan Rodriguez said, "They've taken our daughter."


- Abyss, needs to go change now...

[RodeoRanch]

Papa Dresden? Angry Papa Dresden? Awesome.

[Abyss]

It's the "embrace the raging fury of his own untapped dark power" that i'm so psyched about, allowing for the usual inaccuracy of amazon blurbs.

Based on everything we've seen, Dresden going full out no stops 'i have power and i'm going to use it' is going to be stunning, and the motive is one i can totally see working. Harry's worked necromancy, he's summoned demons, he's used Hellfire and had a Denariaan in his headpartz... plus the Archangel's soulfire gift just to complicate things...

Leave it to Butcher to have an opening line like that... 'Changes'... no kidding... that changes EVERYTHING in one sentence.

- Abyss, notes there's a reason we love these books...