Review: Cold Iron Task

Cold Iron Task by James J. Butcher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This series has really grown on me. It helps that the characters within have grown and now have a relationship based on a respectful working relationship. This book seems to have addressed most of the loose ends from the first two books. You learn a lot more about The Huntsman and a bit of Grimsby’s backstory. Mostly it’s a pretty straightforward mystery. As with many mystery books I’ve read there are two simultaneous storylines that had me wondering when they would intersect. One of them is a heist, although it thankfully avoids most of the annoying tropes - especially the crew assembly. Most of the crew is already pre-assembled and there was just need for one more. Like any good mystery, I saw some of the twists coming (the author had laid the bread crumbs) and others were just beyond my reach, but not out of left field.

There were two long-standing storylines that did not get a resolution, but did get forward momentum. Interestingly, both of them have the potential to be series-ending storylines, but could just as well be resolved in another book or two.

Overall, Butcher has me hooked. He’s created a world as compelling as the one his father created (Dresden Files) and I will definitely keep an eye out for the next entry.

• Fantasy