Harry Dresden is forced to confront all the challenges from the previous books in the series as everyone calls up the ante. It all starts when his good friend Karrin Murphy, who is a Chicago police detective specializing in the supernatural is threatened by Mavra, a Red Court vampire. Mavra wants Harry to bring him a specific book of necromancy or else she will make sure that Karrinis no more.

Harry turns to his White Court vampiric half-borther Thomas, his dog Mouse, and a less-than-brave coroner name Waldo Butters to help in his search. They find themselves coming up against the followers of Kemmler, a now dead necromancer that almost destroyed the whole world in his quest for power many years ago. Kemmler was the writer of the book that Harry is searching for, and he is not the only one. You see, Kemmler's followers are also searching for it because within its pages is a spell that can summon the Erlking, a dark faerie with enough power to challenge the queens for Faeriedom.

Along the way, one of the Faerie Queens asks him again to become her Knight, Harry searches for away to fight back the Fallen Angel who is trying to take over his soul and make him her minion, and the White Council is forced to try and help Harry as they are losing their war against the Black Court of vampires.

Butcher does the usual great job at weaving in action and humor into this adventure, leaving the reader to wonder how Harry and his friends are going to survive, nevermind find a way to stop the evil forces and save the world. It includes the usual elements of humor that makes Harry seem like the sarcastic everyman that leaves us cheering for more.