It would be a hell of a sucker punch if Eb was right about Thomas, Lara and co.
I think it's still fairly likely it was Lara who arranged the hit. I still don't know to what end but perhaps it was to keep Dresden distracted. It seems likely that if Thomas had wanted to kill Etri, Etri would be dead. So I think Thomas purposely screwed up the hit. I think it is plausible that Justine is actually not as nice as we thought. It often fools Dresden when there is a woman upset (especially a vulnerable one).
Morris -
1. If Starborn's can't be nemfected, that implies that regular mortals can. So Victor Sells, Agent Denton, Leonid Kravos and likely Cowl are all nemfected.
2. I suspect Lara and Eb had a thing. She is old enough. Part of the source of his anger.
3. Not sure if the White Court killed his wife...but I think he was betrayed. I think he had an affair or romance. He is more ruled by his passions than Harry.
Grifter - I think you are correct about the characters being a little off. But they were essentially the same. Although Sanya seems to have gained about 40lbs of muscle. I swear he was much leaner in Death Masks. Harry, Eb, Carlos etc are all really about where they should be. Harry has been through so much. If he seems a bit cynical it's because he is. He has been through enough. But I wouldn't have said he was depressed. A bit stressed obviously. But he's in love. And he seemed to be enjoying his time with Murphy. I do think he feels a bit out of time. Part of that is getting older. Part of which was having a lost few years. Ebeneezer is really just revealing who he always was. That was a point made rather clearly. Harry, as people often do with their idols, saw him as superhuman. Carlos is different because life has made him so. I do wonder if Carlos will make it. What Molly did to him changed him.
Cleo - Scary theory! Harry would probably go to war though again for Maggie. Don't know how many more wars winter can fight. They currently have at least three on the go. I agree about the Chekhov's guns. But there will plenty of book to resolve them in the follow up. I think the Murphy thing is pretty obvious, has been for a while. Harry wouldn't cry over nothing. Also, not sure about the whole Little Chicago thing. But we'll see.
Wrane -
1. Molly's favor has been repaid. It was the ring. And the suit.
2. He might get his old home back. But I wouldn't be surprised if he chooses a more secure location. Remember he is staying at the Carpenters for Christmas. And clearly the BFS headquarters isn't.
3. Purpose of the Swords is to balance the Denarians. But the Knights also exist to fight evil etc. Michael killed a Dragon after all. And destroyed one of Mavra's nests. And many, many other monsters.
4. Probably most if not all of the Senior Council will die by the end. But in what order and how quickly is hard to say. Unless most of the Senior Wizards on the planet die I don't see how Chandler would get on the Senior Council. Would hardly need to call it that as there wouldn't be many left!
5. I disagree. Unless the favor is to Winter, it's Harry's favor. Mab gets no say. She could buy favors off Harry. But she would have to give him something of equal value. Or Harry could gift them to her in order to pay his debts. But there must always be balance, as that's the rule.
6. Interesting idea. But as currently Titania isn't even talking to Mab I don't see it happening. I wouldn't be surprised if Titania was actually working actively against Mab. Harry has all he needs to bind the Titan but he has to force her to the shores of Demonreach. Currently, I don't think he is capable of it. He would have to trick her...which might not be easy considering she likely doesn't view time quite the same way as Harry. She seems closer to the Mothers than Mab in power (although it's difficult to say if she is of their level...). But perhaps Mab and Titania will team up to force her there or keep her distracted. I doubt Harry will be able to bind the Titan easily.
Spaced Cowboy - I am surprised you read it so differently. It very much seemed to me that Mab is far from uber-powerful. In fact, Harry got a front row seat in a title fight in a weight class he hasn't seen. The only things stronger than Ethniu so far seem to be the Archangels and the Mothers. Possibly regular Angels...but we'll see. It would be quite the cop out if so. The only being at the Peace Talks stronger than Mab was Ferrovax (although I suspect even if Vadderung isn't outright stronger than Mab, he fights dirty. Like Harry). And all of the divine beings present were freaking
terrified of Ethniu. King Corb was probably in the same league as Vadderung etc. But all of them were a weight class below Ethniu. Although, it seems Vadderung was once stronger even than her.
Remember, Mab herself is more like Vadderung as doesn't always fight straight forward (even when she can). Because she knows those fights are too easy to lose. She will find other ways to defeat the Last Titan.
