I think the 'Nemesis' title is in reference to all the forces of the Outside. Kind of like demons collectively referred to as 'Legion'. Harry compelled HWWBeside's name, like he did with HHWB4 (or gave it freely, not clear), and it gave it.
I believe the Walkers are a high class of Outsider, but are still outsiders, just a subdivision of the larger group.

#3) It was implied Cat Sith was ambushed by HWWB4, or possibly Maeve, at the garden/arboretum/etc.

In PT Eb, during the cornerhound fight, mentions that any contact with the Outside can potentially infect someone. One of the powers Starborn possess is immunity to that infection. Based on that dialogue, I think some things can be imbued with power from the Outside and have the potential to infect those who come into contact with it.

On another note, I think HWWBeside can possess anyone the is Nemfected, but can still pull strings in their heads when not directly controlling them.

I wonder if McCoy went after lord Raith using the Blackstaff. It is believed that relic is an epic one, yet the protections that Wcv stood against it. A staff that allows the seven laws being broken, yet it was held back. The thing is that it is believed the protections are outsiders based, so a staff that could freely break the seventh law, should be able to counter it.

That would work only if McCoy was foolish enough to think it would be worth the risk/cost of summoning an Outsider to tangle with Raith's sponsor. Also considering Harry's statement in CD about how the Outsiders work in complete concert I do not believe it is likely they would have given Raith that kind of protection if he wasn't a part of there larger goal(s). The fact McCoy didn't go that route, based on his statements in BR, I think shows why he has the staff in the first place.

1. We have been told that Nicodemus has a very specific target in mind, ostensibly kept in the Labyrinth of Daedalus.  What is Nic trying to get his hands on and why?
I predict one of two possibilities: First Hades helm of invisibility, which probably has some others powers or abilities not mentioned; Second, is a mantle of some kind that has been lying in active in the vault for a very long time, Nic wants it back out into the world for his own purposes.
Of course whatever Nic tells Harry they are after is probably only part of the truth. Whatever is initially stated as the objective is likely a smokescreen or tertiary to what Nic really wants. The bait is will be valuable enough for the rest of the crew to fight over while Nic goes for his real objective. That’s just how he rolls.

2. Nicodemus apparently called in a marker from Mab to get Harry on the team.  Does he have a specific plan for using Harry or did Mab twist his request?  Which of Harry's capabilities will he admit to needing, and (given that this is Nicodemus after all), which abilities is he scheming for Harry to use?
I think Nicodemus knows that if he went after this item, Mab would send Harry to stop him anyway and he is using the marker Mab owes Anduriel to keep Mab on the sidelines and Harry where he can manipulate him and keep an eye one him. Other than that, having a Wizard on the team would hurt.

3. Jim has mentioned that the book will be "Ocean's Eleven".  Who else did Nicodemus recruit?  How will they interact with Harry?
Shagnasty, Binder, The Last Church mouse, etc. Either way I think the whole thing will be a walking Mexican Standoff. Harry will be snarky as ever but I don’t think he will have any lasting allies in the group.

4. Harry's general method of operation is to call on his friends for help.  In this book, Harry is (initially) allowed one extra backup member on the crew.  Who will it be?  Which of Harry's other allies will "interfere" before the plot is over?
Harry will call Mouse to back him up. 1. Because Nicodemus is afraid of Mouse. 2. In the off chance that the Parasite does erupt out of his skull and kill him, Mouse will be there to hopefully take it down before it can do any damage. Mouse’s recruitment will of course tie in with having to confront Michael about his daughter and actually interact with Little Maggie.
Before Harry leaves on his mission I think he will leave notice with his allies about what is going on. I also think he will be counting on the Knight of the Cross to show up coincidentally and do what they do best.

5. This is a Denarian book, so (unlike the last "end of the world" showdown), the Swords will almost certainly be present.  In fact, there have been various hints...  Which Sword wielders will appear in the next book and how will their interference/help affect the plot?
Sanya will definitely show up and he will be at odds with Harry (being he has to do Mab’s bidding). Harry will eventually convince Sanya that he is still working against Nicodemus but can’t help directly. Murphy will get Fidellachius and save Dresden’s butt at a crucial moment allowing him to break ranks after the heist and chase down whichever third party has ninjaed the loot at that point.

6. Mab is apparently against Nicodemus succeeding in this heist.  In the Cold Days, we found that Mab had complex reasons for wanting Harry to kill Maeve.  What are Mab's reasons in this book?  Is it simple thwarting or is there something deeper?

Mab is all about order and Nicodemus seems quite opposite. Whatever Nicodemus is after will somehow upset the established order in a way that will threaten Mab’s interests or she wants the loot for herself as it may be something useful against outsiders. It’s never simple with Mab; there is definitely something deeper going on.

7. At the end of Cold Days, Harry needs to stay on the island to keep his growing headaches at bay.  The start of Skin Games implies that those headaches will need to be resolved by the end of the book.  Who or what is causing those headaches, and how will the whole thing get resolved by the end of the book?
The Parasite is causing the headaches, which is of course Lash, though whatever she has become is a complete mystery at this point. Mab will keep her end of the bargain (of course); Molly will show up and save Dresden’s backside. This will not be a quick resolution as an afterthought but a chapter’s long scene with some shocking resolution about what the parasite is. Of course once it has emerged it will probably do exactly what Mab said it would: hunt down Harry’s loved ones.

8.  One of the key components of the "Ocean's Eleven" movie is that there is a final twist/reveal.  Given that we've got Nicodemus, Harry, Mab, and potentially Hades (and who knows who else) all trying to get the better of each other, if there's one thing you can count on it's some sort of last minute quintuple-cross.  What will be the nature of the twist and how will it all fall out?
 It will turn out that the primary point of the heist was not to steal the object but to lure out several nemesis infectee’s or rivals in the open, with the prospect of gaining something of great power, to be eliminated.

9.  (Extra Credit) There are many WAG ("Wild A$$ Guess") theories on the boards, some crazier than others.  Write up to three WAG theories (or make up your own) you believe are correct that will be confirmed (or at least have evidence in favor of) in Skin Games.
Lash is the Parasite
Lasciel will show up in a new host and reveal that she and Harry are Lash's progenitors and attempt to get Lash on her side.
Mab has Thorned Namshiel’s coin (and Nicodemus wants to make a trade for it hence the heist.)


10. (Extra Credit) This is that "free form" question where you can come up with anything else you think will be in this book.  Specific quotes Harry might say (will he actually quote Ocean's Eleven?  The movie will have come out already in Harry's timeline)? Tidbits about the White Council? The fate of Molly? Write down anything you want.  Note that whatever you write must be specifically mentioned or hinted at in Skin Games in order to be worth credit.
Molly will act like Mab manipulated her in to changing but she will reveal she is holding on or Harry will do or say something to reinforce her own personality.  There will be some animosity from Molly.
More on the Fomor.
Status update on the White Council, hopefully some appearances.
Grey Council action.
There will definitely be a debate at some point about which Ocean’s Eleven film is better. Harry will be the only one supporting the older version at first and surprisingly Nicodemus will agree with him. Awkward moment for Harry. There will be lots of little Ocean’s Eleven bits thrown into the story.

Murphy gets killed and Odin nrings her back as a Valkyrie or a Einherjar

Im still putting a bet on wizard Lucciozi, who caused Eb to flinch in SK.

I think Eb was flinching because he knew his name was next on the list for potential SC members. Something he has turned down several times, if I recall correctly, and he hates the politics.

The Questions:

1 ) Harry usually has a few supporting characters in each book.  Who do you think will be the main sidekick in Cold Days and in what way will they help?  Who else will have a significant contribution to the plot?

Fix, Lea, and Bob. Everyone of Harry's allies will make an appearance or contribute in some way to the plot. This is going to be a big book. 528 pages according to wiki.

2 ) At the end of Ghost Story, Harry has said goodbye to all his friends in Chicago. 

a. Who will be the first friend to find out Harry isn't dead?

Murphy or Molly
 
b. What shenanigans/snark will Harry use when he "re-appears"?

LoTR Gandalf reference followed by the Princess Bride quote.

c. Who will have the coolest reaction?

Bob, "What kept you Boss?"
 
d. Who will have the most touching reaction?

Mouse

- In each case, remember to specify for extra credit.


3 ) In nearly every book, Harry usually comes up with a new powerup/tool/way of making things go boom.  Given that he just became the new WK, what new abilities will he rely on and which new ability will be the most useful to him during the story (and how)?

Going to go with either the rifle on the cover (original, I know...) or Harry is going to figure out some kind of Chrono Trigger Antipod thing, he''ll be able to cook someone while freezing someonelse at the same time.

4 ) Harry generally has a "Big Bad" to worry about.  In fact, according to the blurb, Harry is going after someone very specific.  Who will that enemy be, and how will Harry take him/her/it down?

Drakul, he has been mentioned several times in the series and he'll turnout to be a major mover in the BC.

HWWB- Outsiders are supposed to be unkillable. Mab wants to test out Harry's outsiderbane abilities. Problem is it will turn out that in order for Harry to confront the Walker, he will have to summon him, bye bye 7th Law.

5 ) Harry usually faces some sort of "Choice" in every book.  A point where the easy way out will cost his soul/humanity in some way. According to the blurb, this book will be no different.  What will be the most crucial "choice" Harry makes?

If the big bad is Drakul, he'll offer to free Harry of his WK mantle and tell him everything about his past and the BC.

If the big bag is HWWB, Harry will be forced to summon the Walker in order to fight it; breaking the 7th law.

6 ) As the new Winter Knight, Harry is pretty much garunteed to encounter his Summer counterpart -- Fix.  What will their interactions be?  Will Fix survive?

Harry and FIx will be forced to work together, but they will make an agreement to settle any serious disputes with a "duel to submission" using Nerf bats. Once again making a mockery of conservative supernatural institutions.

7 ) Jim has mentioned that it's about time now to start revealing some of the motivations/dealings of the shadowy figures working behind the scenes (i.e. what Harry calls the "Black Council").  What Black Council secrets/actions will be revealed in this book?

The entire Arctis Tor assault will be explained as well as the Athame and what happened with Lea's imprisonment. Several members of the BC will be identified and Cowl will be unmasked.

8 ) There are many WAG ("Wild A$$ Guess") theories on the boards.  Write up to three WAG theories you believe are correct that will be confirmed (or at least have evidence in favor of) in Cold Days.

Cowl will be revealed to be Simon Petrovich.

Demonreach will turn out to be the access point to the Outer Gates.

9 ) Extra credit:  Write down any prediction about that you think might improve your final score.  Only issues aluded to within Cold Days will be counted.
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Murphy will finally pick Fidelacchius full time.