Question

[EBRIEN]

While we wait for another story, I thought I'd ask this: What are your top few things you look forward to learning the answers to from all the various topics we've discussed since this forum began?

[Conspiracy Theorist]

Cowl’s identity I hope full confirmation as Nameless. Either I can hold it above the entire forum, or I have wasted hundreds of hours of research and argument.

[Melriken]

I think Cowl is the single biggest unanswered question and the one most people are hands down looking forward to the answer to the most... that and the British Prisoner..

I am most looking forward to seeing the accuracy of the Meta Theories (Things like "Dresden Files is just a Wheel of Time style cyclical retelling of the story of King Arthur") with a close second being the resolution of Thomas' current predicament.

[snip]I have wasted hundreds of hours of research and argument.

Agreed

[Conspiracy Theorist]

I think Cowl is the single biggest unanswered question and the one most people are hands down looking forward  to the answer to the most... that and the British Prisoner..

I am most looking forward to seeing the accuracy of the Meta Theories (Things like "Dresden Files is just a Wheel of Time style cyclical retelling of the story of King Arthur") with a close second being the resolution of Thomas' current predicament.Agreed

I will cite you specifically in the event I am correct 

[The_Sibelis]

I take offence to your description of that meta theory. I've never even read the wheel of time to compare it to. It's closer to All You Zombies imo. Although, your second is probably tied to the first. Arthur bore a mortal wound and was taken to Avalon to heal. All 3(or 4 depending on which iteration) of the "queens "helped him get there, even Morgana who was ultimately responsible for his condition by proxy. Lara, Mab and Justine all were part of his getting there, and Nemesis who basically put him there.👀 If your looking for accuracy, the ending isn't going to give it to you necessarily though.
I'm looking forward to finding out the hidden mechanics, the secrets kept intentionally from Dresden at time. Things Jim may or may not include, or may make his own silmarillion version of a backstory to explain?🤷‍♂️

[Nooneofconsequence]

I think I see where you're going with the All You Zombies reference.

Speaking of that, have you seen Predestination, the movie they made a few years back, based on that story?

[The_Sibelis]

I think I see where you're going with the All You Zombies reference.

Speaking of that, have you seen Predestination, the movie they made a few years back, based on that story?

yes indeed, loved it. found it's one of the few movies that not only do the book justice, but expound upon the story even more. The ending... While vaguely implied, was never put in there before.

[EBRIEN]

What is a Starborn? Definitely been waiting to hear about this one.
What makes Malcolm Dresden a Good man according to Eb?
Yes to the rest--Cowl, etc.

[vincentric]

Who is Cowl?

Will Harry actually marry Lara and how will Thomas be saved?

What's going to be the focus of the Dragon book? Are they setting up a marriage for a dragon? If so with which, Hope or Maggie or Molly?

What exactly does it mean to be Starborn?

[Conspiracy Theorist]

7. Can be answered, Rudy is being possessed by a 70’s porn star through the medium of his moustache.

[Melriken]

I will cite you specifically in the event I am correct 

Excellent

I need some devil emojis...

7. Can be answered, Rudy is being possessed by a 70’s porn star through the medium of his moustache.

I seriously doubt Rudy is a White Court Vampire. 

[Dina]

Pretty much all mentioned above and:
Are we going to see Murphy again, some way or another?
What happened to Thomas baby? Are they all right?
Will Harry find a way to stop being the WK? Will he find a way to save Molly from being the Lady?
Are the White Council going to pay for firing Dresden?
Something something about Marcone and his new companion.

Oh, is Steed alive?

[Conspiracy Theorist]

Yes but not our Murphy until the BAT aka Odin’s personal Ragnarok when all the Einenjharen are called to Midgard to fight. However we know Odin uses Soulfire to bring them back right and when Odin dies so does all the Einenjharen, unless of course there is a substitute source of Soulfire available. Not a likely plot thread during Next Book. We probably will see Mirrorverse Murphy.

The baby is a bargaining chip, it is due to be born during Next Book. A likely plot thread.

He will cease to be the WK when the Faerie Courts are dissolved during the BAT. Not likely during Next Book. Molly will be freed at the same time. Not a likely plot thread during Next Book.

They already are - they are being excluded from the big boys table. Likely to continue.

Steed is alive, we may find him in the Coda of Next Book when Harry is sent to the Mirrorverse.

[Dina]

The OP did not mention that what we wanted to know should be answered in the next book, so I am answered about the things that intrigued me, no matter when they are answered.

Oh, I have another. Is Persephone going to wake up? (or already has?)

[Conspiracy Theorist]

Not yet. A proper resurrection takes Soulfire which Namshiel no longer has access to. But he knows a man who does. Dresden. So Marcone knows.

This may explain

1. Marcone’s calculation at the end of Battle Ground - he needs a living Harry
2. His acquiescence over the Castle,  it helps keep a living Harry in play

He might be trying to work towards a favour from Harry

Looking at things this way Marcone wasn’t responsible for the Boom attack in Little Things. I believe that was the Merlin.

If Marcone is forced to choose between Nameless/Cowl and Harry he is going to choose Harry. I think Marcone and Namshiel will realise Nameless is Cowl (Marcone saw Cowl, but before he picked up the coin, so he has that in his memory plus clues he will have picked up with him as his lawyer) and it is that information which will comprise the favour.