Dead Man's Hand
The Unorthodox Chronicles, Book 1
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $26.22
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
James Patrick Cronin
-
Written by:
-
James J. Butcher
About this listen
In the tradition of his renowned father, James J. Butcher’s debut novel is a brilliant urban fantasy about a young man who must throw out the magical rule book to solve the murder of his former mentor.
On the streets of Boston, the world is divided into the ordinary Usuals, and the paranormal Unorthodox. And in the Department of Unorthodox Affairs, the Auditors are the magical elite, government-sanctioned witches with spells at their command and all the power and prestige that comes with it. Grimshaw Griswald Grimsby is…not one of those witches.
After flunking out of the Auditor training program and being dismissed as “not Department material,” Grimsby tried to resign himself to life as a mediocre witch. But he can’t help hoping he’ll somehow, someway, get another chance to prove his skill. That opportunity comes with a price when his former mentor, aka the most dangerous witch alive, is murdered down the street from where he works, and Grimsby is the Auditors’ number one suspect.
Proving his innocence will require more than a little legwork, and after forming a strange alliance with the retired legend known as the Huntsman and a mysterious being from Elsewhere, Grimsby is abruptly thrown into a life of adventure, whether he wants it or not. Now all he has to do is find the real killer, avoid the Auditors on his trail, and most importantly, stay alive.
©2022 James J. Butcher (P)2022 Penguin AudioYou may also enjoy...
-
Cold Iron Task
- The Unorthodox Chronicles, Book 3
- Written by: James J. Butcher
- Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin
- Length: 11 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Grimshaw Griswald Grimsby may have one case under his belt, but he’s still a novice Auditor in Boston’s Department of Unorthodox Affairs. And he’s already made mistakes. Desperate to repair his fraying friendships, he doesn’t ask too many questions when a mysterious patron offers him the chance to join a heist of an otherworldly vault—and in the process find answers that could make things right.
Written by: James J. Butcher
-
Storm Front
- The Dresden Files, Book 1
- Written by: Jim Butcher
- Narrated by: James Marsters
- Length: 8 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A call from a distraught wife, and another from Lt. Murphy of the Chicago PD Special Investigation Unit makes Harry believe things are looking up, but they are about to get worse, much worse. Someone is harnessing immense supernatural forces to commit a series of grisly murders. Someone has violated the first law of magic: Thou Shalt Not Kill. Tracking that someone takes Harry into the dangerous underbelly of Chicago, from mobsters to vampires....
-
-
Didn't expect to get so hooked
- By Amazon Customer on 2019-05-29
Written by: Jim Butcher
-
The Aeronaut's Windlass
- The Cinder Spires, Book 1
- Written by: Jim Butcher
- Narrated by: Euan Morton
- Length: 21 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Since time immemorial the Spires have sheltered humanity, towering for miles over the mist-shrouded surface of the world. Within their halls aristocratic houses have ruled for generations, developing scientific marvels, fostering trade alliances, and building fleets of airships to keep the peace. Captain Grimm commands the merchant ship Predator. Fiercely loyal to Spire Albion, he has taken their side in the cold war with Spire Aurora, disrupting the enemy's shipping lines by attacking their cargo vessels.
-
-
Fantastic
- By Amanda on 2020-10-20
Written by: Jim Butcher
-
An Inheritance of Magic
- Written by: Benedict Jacka
- Narrated by: Will Watt
- Length: 10 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Stephen Oakwood is a young man on the edge of this hidden world. He has talent and potential, but turning that potential into magical power takes money, opportunity, and training. All Stephen has is a minimum wage job and a cat. But when a chance encounter with a member of House Ashford gets him noticed by the wrong people, Stephen is thrown in the deep end. For centuries, the vast corporations and aristocratic Houses of the magical world have grown impossibly rich and influential by hoarding their knowledge.
-
-
Great book
- By April dawn on 2024-11-13
Written by: Benedict Jacka
-
Dead Things [Dramatized Adaptation]
- Eric Carter, Book 1
- Written by: Stephen Blackmoore
- Narrated by: full cast, Michael John Casey, Eva Wilhelm, and others
- Length: 5 hrs and 3 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Necromancer is such an ugly word, but it's a title Eric Carter is stuck with. He sees ghosts, talks to the dead. He's turned it into a lucrative career, putting troublesome spirits to rest, sometimes taking on even more dangerous things. For a fee, of course. When he left LA 15 years ago, he thought he'd never go back. Too many bad memories. Too many people trying to kill him.
-
-
Awesome Story
- By Anonymous User on 2021-04-29
Written by: Stephen Blackmoore
-
Heroic Hearts
- Written by: Jim Butcher, Kerrie Hughes
- Narrated by: James Marsters, Alexandra Harris, Cassandra Morris, and others
- Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this short story collection of courage, adventure, and magic, heroes—ordinary people who do the right thing—bravely step forward. But running toward danger might cost them everything.
-
-
I bought it for the Dresden files but....
- By Dan Oke on 2023-09-03
Written by: Jim Butcher, and others
-
Cold Iron Task
- The Unorthodox Chronicles, Book 3
- Written by: James J. Butcher
- Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin
- Length: 11 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Grimshaw Griswald Grimsby may have one case under his belt, but he’s still a novice Auditor in Boston’s Department of Unorthodox Affairs. And he’s already made mistakes. Desperate to repair his fraying friendships, he doesn’t ask too many questions when a mysterious patron offers him the chance to join a heist of an otherworldly vault—and in the process find answers that could make things right.
Written by: James J. Butcher
-
Storm Front
- The Dresden Files, Book 1
- Written by: Jim Butcher
- Narrated by: James Marsters
- Length: 8 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A call from a distraught wife, and another from Lt. Murphy of the Chicago PD Special Investigation Unit makes Harry believe things are looking up, but they are about to get worse, much worse. Someone is harnessing immense supernatural forces to commit a series of grisly murders. Someone has violated the first law of magic: Thou Shalt Not Kill. Tracking that someone takes Harry into the dangerous underbelly of Chicago, from mobsters to vampires....
-
-
Didn't expect to get so hooked
- By Amazon Customer on 2019-05-29
Written by: Jim Butcher
-
The Aeronaut's Windlass
- The Cinder Spires, Book 1
- Written by: Jim Butcher
- Narrated by: Euan Morton
- Length: 21 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Since time immemorial the Spires have sheltered humanity, towering for miles over the mist-shrouded surface of the world. Within their halls aristocratic houses have ruled for generations, developing scientific marvels, fostering trade alliances, and building fleets of airships to keep the peace. Captain Grimm commands the merchant ship Predator. Fiercely loyal to Spire Albion, he has taken their side in the cold war with Spire Aurora, disrupting the enemy's shipping lines by attacking their cargo vessels.
-
-
Fantastic
- By Amanda on 2020-10-20
Written by: Jim Butcher
-
An Inheritance of Magic
- Written by: Benedict Jacka
- Narrated by: Will Watt
- Length: 10 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Stephen Oakwood is a young man on the edge of this hidden world. He has talent and potential, but turning that potential into magical power takes money, opportunity, and training. All Stephen has is a minimum wage job and a cat. But when a chance encounter with a member of House Ashford gets him noticed by the wrong people, Stephen is thrown in the deep end. For centuries, the vast corporations and aristocratic Houses of the magical world have grown impossibly rich and influential by hoarding their knowledge.
-
-
Great book
- By April dawn on 2024-11-13
Written by: Benedict Jacka
-
Dead Things [Dramatized Adaptation]
- Eric Carter, Book 1
- Written by: Stephen Blackmoore
- Narrated by: full cast, Michael John Casey, Eva Wilhelm, and others
- Length: 5 hrs and 3 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Necromancer is such an ugly word, but it's a title Eric Carter is stuck with. He sees ghosts, talks to the dead. He's turned it into a lucrative career, putting troublesome spirits to rest, sometimes taking on even more dangerous things. For a fee, of course. When he left LA 15 years ago, he thought he'd never go back. Too many bad memories. Too many people trying to kill him.
-
-
Awesome Story
- By Anonymous User on 2021-04-29
Written by: Stephen Blackmoore
-
Heroic Hearts
- Written by: Jim Butcher, Kerrie Hughes
- Narrated by: James Marsters, Alexandra Harris, Cassandra Morris, and others
- Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this short story collection of courage, adventure, and magic, heroes—ordinary people who do the right thing—bravely step forward. But running toward danger might cost them everything.
-
-
I bought it for the Dresden files but....
- By Dan Oke on 2023-09-03
Written by: Jim Butcher, and others
-
Sunken Spaceship
- Sunken Spaceship, Book 1
- Written by: Anthony J. Melchiorri
- Narrated by: Paul Heitsch
- Length: 17 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ex-Army paratrooper Griffin “Fin” Brooks thought he left danger behind when his battlefield injuries forced him to pursue a new career in marine biology. But one fateful night off the coast of South Africa, a ship nearly crashes into him and his loyal golden retriever, Jacques. Not just any ship. A starship. Though its alien pilot is dead, the rare extraterrestrial animal inside is not. Fin learns the creature is being smuggled across the galaxy when a pair of interstellar visitors respond to the crash. But those same investigators accuse Fin and his dog of crimes he didn’t even know existed.
-
-
Sunken Ship rises to the surface! Excellent series starter.
- By @charliecanada on 2024-07-03
Written by: Anthony J. Melchiorri
-
The Bone Maker
- A Novel
- Written by: Sarah Beth Durst
- Narrated by: Soneela Nankani
- Length: 16 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From award-winning author Sarah Beth Durst, a stand-alone epic fantasy set in a brand-new world of towering mountains and sparkling cities, in which a band of aging warriors have a second chance to defeat dark magic and avenge a haunting loss.
-
-
Fantastic Found Family Fantasy
- By Amy Braun on 2024-09-25
Written by: Sarah Beth Durst
-
Time-Marked Warlock
- The Chronos Chronicles, Book 1
- Written by: Shami Stovall
- Narrated by: Annie Ellicott, Jeff Hays, Justin Thomas James
- Length: 9 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Adair Finch is the most powerful warlock in the world, and one of the best private investigators for hire. He has dealt with corporate vampires, murderous werewolves, and even fae royalty. Everything was perfect until he lost one case—the case where he also lost his brother. So Finch retired. From magic. From PI work. From everything. Bree Blackstone, a twelve-year-old witch, doesn’t know or care about any of that except Finch’s reputation. In the middle of the night, she bangs on Finch’s door. Her mother has been murdered, and now the assassin is after Bree as well.
-
-
Booorin
- By girorv on 2024-12-20
Written by: Shami Stovall
-
Twinborn Chronicles: Awakening Collection
- Written by: J.S. Morin
- Narrated by: Mikael Naramore
- Length: 67 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Kyrus had lived a quiet life as a scribe until his dreams begin seeping into his waking life. Fanciful tales of magic and battle turn out to be real. In his sleep, he witnesses the adventures of his twin. Kyrus is swept up in the intrigues of those who already know of this connection between worlds. As his knowledge of the two worlds grows, so does his entanglement in the intrigues between them. Kyrus discovers friends, lovers, and adversaries among the twinborn. His knowledge of magic grows until he becomes a valuable pawn for masterminds of plots that threaten empires.
-
-
excellent
- By Alexandra on 2019-04-24
Written by: J.S. Morin
-
Foundryside
- A Novel
- Written by: Robert Jackson Bennett
- Narrated by: Tara Sands
- Length: 19 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sancia Grado is a thief, and a damn good one. And her latest target, a heavily guarded warehouse on Tevanne’s docks, is nothing her unique abilities can’t handle. But unbeknownst to her, Sancia’s been sent to steal an artifact of unimaginable power, an object that could revolutionize the magical technology known as scriving. The Merchant Houses who control this magic - the art of using coded commands to imbue everyday objects with sentience - have already used it to transform Tevanne into a vast, remorseless capitalist machine.
-
-
Fun Rogue story
- By marcus on 2021-03-19
Written by: Robert Jackson Bennett
-
Gods of the Ragnarok Era Complete Collection: Eschaton Cycle
- Written by: Matt Larkin
- Narrated by: Ulf Bjorklund
- Length: 92 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Only a fool would venture into the soul-stealing mists. That’s exactly where Odin is going. Along with blood-brother Loki, he hunts the frost giant who murdered his father. Caught between the machinations of Loki and a goddess, Odin is drawn into a world of sorcerers, trolls, and terrible secrets. Before he’s done, Midgard will drown in blood.
-
-
really good story
- By Darren on 2021-05-25
Written by: Matt Larkin
-
Priest of Bones
- War for the Rose Throne, Book 1
- Written by: Peter McLean
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The war is over, and army priest Tomas Piety heads home with Sergeant Bloody Anne at his side. But things have changed while he was away: His crime empire has been stolen, and the people of Ellinburg - his people - have run out of food, hope, and places to hide. Tomas sets out to reclaim what was his with help from Anne, his brother, Jochan, and his new gang: the Pious Men. But when he finds himself dragged into a web of political intrigue once again, everything gets more complicated.
-
-
Excellent narration
- By Amazon Customer on 2024-08-12
Written by: Peter McLean
-
In Plain Sight
- Arcane Casebook, Book 1
- Written by: Dan Willis
- Narrated by: Vic Mignogna
- Length: 9 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When a magical plague is released in a Depression-era New York soup kitchen, private detective Alex Lockerby finds himself in a desperate hunt to catch a madman before he can strike again. His investigations lead Alex to a famous thief, a daring heist, and the search for a mythic book of ancient magic, but none of that brings him any closer to finding the man responsible for the massacre. With the police and New York’s Council of Sorcerers desperate to find the culprit, Alex becomes a suspect himself, thanks to his ties to the priest who ran the soup kitchen.
-
-
The next Dresden Files
- By Michael R. on 2021-09-20
Written by: Dan Willis
-
Sandman Slim
- Sandman Slim, Book 1
- Written by: Richard Kadrey
- Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews
- Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When he was 19, James Stark was considered to be one of the greatest natural magicians, a reputation that got him demon-snatched and sent downtown - to Hell - where he survived as a gladiator, a sideshow freak entertaining Satan's fallen angels. That was 11 years ago. Now, the hitman who goes only by Stark has escaped and is back in L.A. Armed with a fortune-telling coin, a black bone knife, and an infernal key, Stark is determined to destroy the magic circle.
-
-
Great book.
- By Anonymous User on 2021-05-19
Written by: Richard Kadrey
-
The Faded Land
- A Progression Fantasy Epic (Keiran: The Eternal Mage Book 1)
- Written by: D.E. Sherman
- Narrated by: John Joseph Rogers, Rylee Kuberra
- Length: 16 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Keiran of the Night Vale has staved off death for two thousand years. His mind and his magic remain as sharp as ever, but his body is old, worn out, and failing. What he needs is to reincarnate into a new, young body, and he bends his prodigious talents towards doing exactly that.
-
-
wonderful introduction to a delightful story in the making
- By Tina Harris on 2024-12-08
Written by: D.E. Sherman
-
The Weirkey Chronicles Omnibus
- Books 1-3
- Written by: Sarah Lin
- Narrated by: Travis Baldree
- Length: 25 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Betrayed. Murdered. Reborn. One last chance, to make it right. Theo's adventure ended with his mentor's hands around his neck. The betrayal cost him his friends, allies, and everything he had built...but not his life. Though broken and powerless, Theo has one last chance to enter the Nine Worlds, wielding the knowledge and expertise of his first life. This time, he needs more than just power, he needs to unravel the deception that killed him once...and is coming for him again.
-
-
Wish there was more!
- By Braden on 2024-02-11
Written by: Sarah Lin
-
System Activation
- Path of the Titans, Book 1
- Written by: Timothy McGowen
- Narrated by: Daniel Wisniewski
- Length: 13 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Knox wants nothing more than to escape his small-town life as a woodcutter. He finally gets his chance to delve deep into a dungeon, and his world is forever changed! When disaster strikes, even in his new life as an Adventurer, can he survive long enough to walk the mysterious Path of the Titans? In the realm of Premar, where magic is wild and unbound, rules are about to be set forth. The Path of the Titans will unlock the Titan System, forcing all magic to obey the laws and rules set forth by the powerful Titans themselves.
Written by: Timothy McGowen
What the critics say
“Woot! Get set for a wild ride! Debut author James J. Butcher hits one out of the ballpark. Nonstop action in this character-driven urban fantasy that is both laugh-out-loud and terrifying—sometimes at the same time.”—Patricia Briggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“Clear your schedule. You won’t want to put this down. With awkward heroes, convincing villains, and reluctant deadly mentors, James J Butcher’s Dead Man’s Hand is a gem. Uneven alliances evolving into comrade-in-arms, personal growth, and, most important to me, inventive world building all make Dead Man’s Hand an entirely enjoyable read that proves once more that snark is indeed a deadly weapon. Read it. You will not be disappointed. I eagerly await the sequel.”—Kim Harrison, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“Dead Man's Hand is splendid, a spectacular debut novel and the best book I’ve read in years. James J. Butcher is an outstanding storyteller and I can’t wait to read what he comes up with next.”—Faith Hunter, New York Times bestselling author
What listeners say about Dead Man's Hand
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Dan Oke
- 2022-10-27
Apple... Tree... Etc in all the best ways
Great first novel, James! Congratulations and well done.
Similar vibe to the Dresden Files, if you're a fan (which I am 😁), but very much distinct and James clearly has his own voice as a writer. Pacing was great and I found I couldn't put it down nearing the last 10 chapters.
Highly recommend and I can't wait for more from James 👍
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Chris chiasson
- 2022-11-25
Very good start, looking forward to see more
A promising start, interesting characters and a magic system I'm curious to see expanded upon. Finished in two days easy to binge. Definitely getting the next one if the series continues.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Lisa
- 2022-11-29
excellent!
A fantastic story by James J. Butcher! I can't wait for the next book. The story telling is so similar yet different from Jim's, his father. I expect great stories from James!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Lisa Keta
- 2022-12-19
Fun listen
Good debut
Fun and exciting underdog story, looking forward to the continuation of the series.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Maple ridge, BC
- 2023-05-24
Good first entry in urban fantasy
Fast paced, decent introduction and world building. Supernatural partner/detective story. Similar to his Dads work which is not a bad thing. Looking forward to the next entry
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Izzy
- 2022-12-13
Entertaining and sarcastic 🤣
A great adventurous humorous book of entertainment. Similar writing as his father, but I ain't mad about that! Excited for the next boss of this series.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- So About That
- 2024-10-22
Not his daddy's story
Had very high hopes as there is a critical shortage of Dresden Files species story telling in the world. Reviews that rank the son with his father are well-meaning but misguided. I really, really tried to like this story but it is so incredibly boring that it's impossible to get into.
The narration is also pedestrian and dirs nothing to lift the novel out of its morass.
I feel I'm being overly generous in giving both a 3.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Sherij
- 2023-01-04
Great debut
Ok, first book of the year and I'm out to a great start
Great debut novel, especially considering the legacy he is trying to live up to. It was extremely hard to not compare this storyline to the Dresden novels, it may have not been a great idea to write in the same genre as dad, but you write what you know. Characters are not as likable as those in the Dresden files, but that could be years and years of brainwashing. There is something just off about the universe, and I haven't quite figured out what it is, but overall, I would say jr has a much better sense of humour and I look forward to seeing where things go. I see huge potential for James Butcher and would definitely continue the series...especially with how long it's taking dad to put out another book.
Favourite quote
"A year here? I'd kill my self" "well we are always hiring"
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Heather
- 2023-01-10
Fast paced and fun!
This was a great start to what I hope is a long series. I can see the authors dad's influence but he made his own way into the genre. Grimbsby is a relatable and funny guy. The narrator did a fantastic job as well. Can't wait for the next one!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Connie Genert
- 2023-01-26
A Rather Good Read
The latest offering in the genre of urban fantasy was an enjoyable read/listen. The author sets himself apart from his father’s body of work and style but you can see little glimmers peak through. A worthy first story to introduce himself and the world he has created.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!