This book has a lot of great characters for me. The way that it begins and ends similarly is really cool.

Newly appointed warden of the white council Harry Dresden gets a tip from the gate keeper that black magic is a foot in Chicago. While trying to find the source, he is interrupted by Molly Carpenter, looking for bail money.

Molly asks Harry to prove that her friend is not the one behind an assault at SPLATTERCON. Molly has distanced herself from her family and is working at the convention. While investigating Harry finds links to back magic and Phobo Phages appearing and attacking visitors looking like movie villains.

After several close calls Harry sets up a spell to send the Phages back against their summoner. Harry cuts loose and fights a few stragglers and then tracks down the summoner....all the way to the Carpenter house.

Unknowingly Molly has used back magic to try to help her friends. By causing them to feel fear when they want to use drugs, she became a conduit allowing them to enter the world. Once Harry realizes his mistake he calls out all the favors he can to get Molly back who was taken by the Phages.

Murphy, Charity, Thomas and the summer knight and lady team up to storm Winters Heart and take her back. After a successful raid and much destruction they return to the mortal world.

Molly must face the White Council and plea for mercy. Harry once again goes all out to protect her and gains the popular vote but looses to the Merlin. Thanks to the gate keeper, Michael the Knight of the Cross and Mollys father arrives having just rescued several members of the senior council. Thanks to this fact, Molly is freed.

Harry wins the day and gains a new apprentice.