If Kemmler were Cowl why would he need Bob, The Word, or anything else to enact the Dark Hallow because, unless my memory is off, he invented the spell.

Hey, been a while since I've been here, but I'm wondering if a topic exists discussing all the connections between Elaine Mallory and Nimue from the Arthurian legend?

Oooops!  My bad!  (I've never listened to the audio books, either - I don't have the patience to listen to someone else read me a story, I'd rather read it myself.)

No worries Lash. I like to do both, to read myself and to listen to the audio. Each is a completely different experience yet equally enjoyable.

Forgive my ignorance but can Mark Hamill do an English accent? I'm sure he could but... Bob without an English accent, well I can't imagine it.

Forgive me for not going through the whole 352 pages of this thread but a few suggestions for some of the characters I pictured in my head when reading the books . But to add a little spice these ideas are all from my part of the world (Britain) and so maybe some will be new, so see what you think.

James Purefoy-Harry Dresden
Carey Mulligan-Karrin Murphy
Richard Armitage-Thomas Raith
Martin Sheen/Andy Serkis-Waldo Butters
Stephen Fry/Hugh Laurie-Bob the skull
Mark Strong-Nicodemus Archleone
Kate Winslet-Charity Carpenter
Jeremy Sheffield/Chris Vance-Micheal Carpenter
Rachel Hurd-Wood/Juno Temple-Molly Carpenter
Kate Beckinsale-Lara Raith
Saffron Burrows-Leanansidhe
Emily Mortimer-Elaine Mallory
Jason Isaacs-Johnny Marcone (Jason Isaacs would probably make a very good Bob too.)
Clive Owen-Jared Kincaid
Sanya-Chiwetel Ejiofor
Bernard Hill (if he could do the accent properly)-Ebenezar McCoy
Dakota Blue Richards-Lily
Justine-Imogen Poots
Ben Whishaw/James McAvoy-Toot toot
David Morrissey-Malcolm Dresden
Rufus Sewell-Madrigal Raith

and I know it doesn't strictly count, but those of you who've played the game Bayonetta will know there is a small girl character called Cereza in it (the cutest kid ever by the way) who is always in my mind when thinking of The Archive.   

Hey everyone new to the boards and only started reading the books at the end of last year. With that in mind I'm sure I'll be way off with predictions - seeing how most of what is in my thinking has been probably debunked already - but here goes.

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?

Well probably a new character who hasn't been introduced yet seeing how Changes seemed to imply he can't really return to his old life, and maybe someone who was also friendly with his mum. This might help in that she possesses knowledge or a weapon/artifact of his mothers. Regarding who will also have a significant contribution to the plot, Mab of course, Demonreach and a wild stab in the dark.... Elaine.

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?
b. What shenanigans/snark will Harry use when he "re-appears"?
c. Who will have the coolest reaction?
d. Who will have the most touching reaction?

a. I'll go for Molly to find out first seeing how Lea is a big part of her life now.
b. Maybe Sherlock Holmes seeing how he died and came back to life. Elementary my dear Murph.
c. Bob the skull will be pretty funny so I'll plump for that. Hey you sound like James Marsters again boss.
d. One would think automatically Murph or Molly but just for the hell of it I'm going to go for Billy Borden or Lea.

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)?

Seeing how Mab is Queen of Air and Darkness maybe some sort of blinding spell plunging rooms into darkness etc. And maybe Icefire to go with soul and formerly hellfire along with that rifle on the cover too.

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?

Maybe someone who hasn't featured yet who is a Black Council member or a big hitter we know already like Donar Vadderung.

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?

Gotta be friends versus Winter Knight obligations.

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

Fix will survive alright but if it comes to fisticuffs a stalemate will ensue seeing as Harry is new at being a Knight and Fix isn't.

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?

Arctis Tor and the motivations of its attack seems most likely. We'll probably learn more of someone previously not implicated in Black Council affairs, maybe Ancient Mai.

8 ) There are many WAG 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

I'll just let my mind go nuts for this. Margaret LeFay had Cassandra's Tears which is why she did so many things to influence Harry's future. Elaine will take up one of the Knights swords. Molly has taken up a coin of the Blackened Denarius. 

I'm bound to be way off with all this but it's great to just muck about guessing - the more unlikely the better. Anyway it will be good reading others ideas too.