• SF-12 | Assessing Storm Front
    Jun 27 2025

    We've finished our chapter by chapter re-read of Storm Front, but we're not done yet. This episode dives into the unresolved questions around this book. We start with an additional analysis of the book's major beats and best scenes. We then examine Harry's use of Magic and Gadgets within this book, and we then rank his relationships with other characters at the end of this book. We intend to examine these stats for each book, putting them into context within the larger series as we go.

    We also discuss several questions from our listeners that didn't make the Questions for Bob yet this book.

    • (00:00) - Intro
    • (01:19) - Which scenes are best, and which scenes impact later books?
    • (35:07) - Themes in Storm Front
    • (44:50) - Questions about Storm Front
    • (01:06:25) - Magic Stats! Gadget Stats!
    • (01:15:51) - Favorite Lines and Favorite Names
    • (01:26:23) - Where's Harry at? (Physically, Mentally, & Magically)
    • (01:30:51) - Rating Harry's Realtionships
    • (01:37:09) - Ranking the Book and the Title
    • (01:45:23) - RNT Podcast Updates
    • (01:47:53) - Next QfB: Why doesn't Kim Delaney Tall Harry the Truth?
    Click here to view the episode transcript.
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    1 hr and 49 mins
  • SF-11 | What Could Harry Have Done Differently?
    Jun 13 2025

    This week we're discussing the final 3 chapters of Storm Front (25, 26, and 27). Harry finally confronts the Shadowman, decides to sacrifice himself to stop him, and then gets rescued anyway. The story concludes

    Finally, we dive into our question for Bob this week: What Could Harry Have Done Differently*?

    • (00:00) - Intro
    • (00:49) - Ch. 25 Harry Enters the Lake House
    • (19:20) - Ch. 26 - The Showdown With Shadowman
    • (40:53) - Ch. 27 - Nothing but Epilogue
    • (01:04:45) - Allusions to "The Second Coming" by W.B. Yeats
    • (01:15:42) - QfB: What Could Harry Have Done Differently?
    • (01:29:19) - No Episode Next Week; Then SF Review Episode
    Click here to view the episode transcript.

    Reddit Discussing QfB: https://www.reddit.com/r/dresdenfiles/comments/1l5mu7w/rnt_what_could_harry_have_done_differently_in/
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    1 hr and 31 mins
  • SF-10 | How Does Air Magic Work?
    Jun 6 2025

    This week we're delving into chapters 22-24 of Storm Front. This includes Harry fighting against the Scorpion, his confrontation with Morgan at Macs, and his confrontation against his own darker nature outside the lake house.

    Finally, we dive into our question for Bob this week: How does Air Magic Work with Physics?

    • (00:00) - Intro
    • (01:49) - Ch. 22 - Murphy's been poisoned
    • (15:49) - So a scorpion walks on to an elevator...
    • (30:35) - Ch. 23 - Sitting down with Morgan
    • (43:44) - Ch. 24 - Two Paths Diverged Outside a Lakehouse
    • (01:12:31) - QfB: How Does Air Magic Interact With Physics?
    • (01:20:57) - Next Week's Question for Bob
    Click here to view the episode transcript.

    Reddit Discussing QfB: https://www.reddit.com/r/dresdenfiles/comments/1kzao2k/rnt_how_does_air_magic_interact_with_physics/
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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • SF-09 | What's the Enemy's Plan?
    May 30 2025

    This week we're tackling chapters 18, 19, 20, and most of 21. We explore the information presented about Harry's father, Malcom Dresden. Next, we discuss Harry's confrontations with the Photographer and Monica Sells until ultimately, Monica cracks the case wide open for him.

    Finally, we dive into our question for Bob this week: What was the Enemy's Plan?

    • (00:00) - Intro
    • (01:25) - Ch. 18 - Malcom Dresden and Harry's Coping Mechanism
    • (12:58) - Ch. 19 - Confronting The Photographer
    • (22:27) - Ch. 20 - Confronting Monica Sells
    • (36:38) - Ch. 21 - The Twisted Path of Victor Sells
    • (56:12) - Jenny Sells Makes it Real
    • (01:06:36) - QfB: What Was Nemesis' Plan?
    Click here to view the episode transcript.

    Reddit Discussing QfB: https://www.reddit.com/r/dresdenfiles/comments/1kuefwv/rnt_what_is_the_enemys_plan_in_storm_front/
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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • SF-08 | Why isn't Thaumaturgy Weaponized More Often?
    May 23 2025

    This week we're exploring chapters 15, 16, and 17. Harry is at his lowest point, blaming himself for Linda's death, lying to Murphy, and then, having his hair stolen by one of Marcone's thugs! The final chapter of this episode examines the first time we see a wizard going 'all out', as Harry blasts his way into the Varsity to confront Marcone.

    Finally, we dive into our question for Bob this week: Why don't we see Thaumaturgy used more against Dresden?

    • (00:00) - Intro
    • (02:56) - Ch. 15 - From Murphy's Perspective
    • (19:04) - Is Harry Justified In Lying to Murphy?
    • (25:50) - Ch. 16 - Gimpy steals Harry's Hair
    • (31:12) - Ch. 17 - A First Impression
    • (39:58) - Marcone's Reaction
    • (52:17) - QfB: Why not more offensive thaumaturgy?
    Click here to view the episode transcript.

    Reddit Discussing QfB: https://www.reddit.com/r/dresdenfiles/comments/1kitsus/rnt_why_isnt_thaumaturgy_used_more_often_as_a/
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • SF-07 | What makes a great fight scene?
    May 9 2025

    This week we tackle Chapters 13 and 14, which contains the first fight scene in the series, along with the first use of combat magic! Adam discuses the setup of the fight, while Brian discusses the conjugations of Latin nouns. Of course, we also find some time to discuss the fight with the Toad Demon, itself.

    Finally, we dive into our question for Bob this week: What makes for a great fight scene in The Dresden Files?

    • (00:00) - Intro
    • (03:12) - Ch. 13 - How much has he changed?
    • (09:52) - Setting Up the Fight
    • (22:10) - The Fight With the Toad Demon
    • (30:49) - Chaos in the Basement
    • (38:05) - Ch. 14 - Into the Storm
    • (48:33) - Inventing Magic on the Fly
    • (58:37) - QFB - What Makes a Great Fight Scene?
    Click here to view the episode transcript.

    Reddit Discussing QfB: https://www.reddit.com/r/dresdenfiles/comments/1kccq4q/rnt_what_makes_a_good_fight_scene/
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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • SF-06 | What Changes When Rampires Turn?
    Apr 30 2025

    This week we're covering Storm Front chapters 10, 11, and 12. In these chapters, Harry follows up on some leads, gets a concussion, ruminates on the case with Murphy, and passes out. Brian and Adam dig in to the interesting questions these chapters present. Why did Linda Randall change her mind about talking to Dresden? Why was the Three-Eye junkie able to see the Walkers? When and why did Victor decide to kill Linda and Harry?

    Finally, we dive into our question for Bob this week: What changes (mentally) when a half-Rampire goes full red-court?

    • (00:00) - Intro
    • (02:29) - Ch. 10 - Making Calls
    • (08:27) - Harry's First Concussion?
    • (14:23) - Ch. 11 - Harry Reports to Murphy
    • (27:00) - Ch. 12 - Why does Linda Change Her Mind?
    • (37:06) - QfB: What happens to the mind when Rampire takes over?
    Click here to view the episode transcript.

    Reddit Discussing QfB: https://www.reddit.com/r/dresdenfiles/comments/1k0ih2z/rnt_what_changes_mentally_when_a_person_goes_full/
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    57 mins
  • SF-05 | Is The "Doom" the Best Option?
    Apr 16 2025

    This week we explore chapters 8 and 9 of Storm Front; asking questions like: "Why do potions get phased out of the series?" and "What limitations does Bob have with regard to Harry's control?" We also spend some time exploring Murphy's flaw in this early book before moving on to one of the most impactful scenes in the series: Harry's first confrontation with Bianca.

    • (00:00) - Intro
    • (05:27) - Chapter 8: Why No More Potions?
    • (09:56) - Meeting Bob
    • (19:09) - Bob is an "Artifact" Tier Magic Item
    • (25:50) - Chapter 9: In Defense of Murphy
    • (37:09) - A Wizard's Best Tool: Preperation
    • (47:01) - Encountering Bianca
    • (52:47) - Exploring Bianca's Mindset
    • (59:44) - QfB: Is The Doom of Damocles The Best Option?
    • (01:18:27) - Next Week's Question for Bob
    Click here to view the episode transcript.

    Reddit Discussing QfB: https://www.reddit.com/r/dresdenfiles/comments/1jj9ag3/is_there_a_better_system_than_the_doom_of_damocles/
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    1 hr and 20 mins