An otherwise healthy man experiencing premonitions of his own demise seeks Harry's help but ends up croaking right in his office. As the dark circumstances surrounding his death are revealed, Harry finds himself in the crosshairs of a dangerous magic-user; meanwhile, the crime that got Bob condemned to living in his own skull for all eternity finally comes to light.
Harry investigates the death of a college student which leads him to a most unusual ring of thieves. A group of students is using magick to commit a series of impossible thefts, and Harry must stop them quickly. Not only because what they are doing is wrong, but also because the magick will eventually kill them all.
We are introduced to Harry Dresden, private detective and practicing wizard. When he tries to help the Chicago Police Department solve a grisly murder, he finds himself the target of a homicidal magician. And as if that isn't bad enough, the High Council of wizards begins to think that he is falling to the dark side, so he must elude them as well. Now he must stop the murderer and clear his name before his time runs out.
Morgan and Ancient Mai must come to Harry for protection and shelter from powerful enemies of Mai's. They make it to the relative safety of Dresden's place, but suddenly find that they are all trapped by a powerful spell. Now Harry must work with them to find a way out before the spell turns deadly.