A young man must throw out the magical rule book to solve the murder of his former mentor…
We’re thrilled to share the cover of James J. Butcher’s debut novel Dead Man’s Hand, publishing October 11, 2022 with Ace Books.
In the tradition of his renowned father, James J. Butcher’s debut novel is a brilliant urban fantasy about a young man who must throw out the magical rule book to solve the murder of his former mentor.
On the streets of Boston, the world is divided into the ordinary Usuals, and the paranormal Unorthodox. And in the Department of Unorthodox Affairs, the Auditors are the magical elite, government-sanctioned witches with spells at their command and all the power and prestige that comes with it. Grimshaw Griswald Grimsby is…not one of those witches.
After flunking out of the Auditor training program and being dismissed as “not Department material,” Grimsby tried to resign himself to life as a mediocre witch. But he can’t help hoping he’ll somehow, someway, get another chance to prove his skill. That opportunity comes with a price when his former mentor, aka the most dangerous witch alive, is murdered down the street from where he works, and Grimsby is the Auditors’ number one suspect.
Proving his innocence will require more than a little legwork, and after forming a strange alliance with the retired legend known as the Huntsman and a mysterious being from Elsewhere, Grimsby is abruptly thrown into a life of adventure, whether he wants it or not. Now all he has to do is find the real killer, avoid the Auditors on his trail, and most importantly, stay alive.
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Dead Man’s Hand
James J. Butcher spends most of his time in places that don’t exist; some of which he even made himself. What little time he has left is usually spent writing or exercising. He is the son of #1 New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher, who introduced him to books, movies and games. He lives in Denver, and is working on his next novel.
I can’t help but wonder how many people will think this is a new Jim Butcher novel…
(I just noticed he’s Jim’s son. I didn’t even know he HAD a kid.)
Can’t wait to read this, the premise sounds great!
Okay I will not lie I am in love with Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files. But I know James is his own person and this is his story. That being said I am so excited to read this. New urban fantasy is always exciting but James’ legacy is definitely hyping me up.
When did Jim Butcher have a son? That’s really cool.
i can’t wait to read this regardless who the author’s father is. It sounds good.
Cool! Looking forward to reading it
The boy sure looks like his dad. It will be fun to read a novel from the next generation.
Well, look who’s come such a long way since being saved from a bear by his ferocious puppy dog!
I expect more enjoyable snark and swashbuckling tales from this master’s son. Already preordered… :-D
Sweet! Always down for more fantasy and since his father taught him everything he knows, I’m looking forward to reading this.
Now the question we all need answered: Is James Marster’s [hypothetical, I really should look this up before posting] son doing the reading for the audio books?
seems interesting, but I will not start reading it until the entire series is out. I do not want him to pull a Butcher senior move on me, and make a really long series with the painful wait between books