Is it possible that Mab is Lara's mother?  I don't believe Lara's mother has ever been mentioned.  As noted elsewhere in this topic thread, there are times where wintry words and phrases are used to describe Lara, including by at least one of the Fae (Toot-Toot).

Being Lara's mother would also explain why Mab couldn't marry Lara.  You know there was a reason for Butcher to insert that curious and awkward exchange into Battle Ground; wholly unnecessary other than to provide some clue or foreshadowing to the readers. What other reason could be something that would be fair to readers?  Later explaining with saying *because magic* or *because an offspring is needed* wouldn't be a payoff for the wording of that exchange.

And it seems clear that Mab as the Winter Queen can get pregnant since she gave birth to changeling near-twins Maeve and Sarissa - unless their father was Fae and they were conceived when Mab was human and before she assumed a mantle, which was no earlier than the Battle of Hastings in 1066.  But that would mean that Sarissa was a changeling for more than 1,000 years. Maeve's recitation of Sarissa's pursuits suggests many decades, maybe a few centuries, but I don't think 1,000+ years.

Maybe "Twelve Months" also means the length of time between Butcher posting that he finished the book and its release date.

Mira, are you confident that Mother Margaret is dead?  I'm not, even in the face of WOJs.  In writing 26 books and more about Dresden, I think Butcher may well have to engage in "willful misdirection" in answering questions, else his non-answers/refusals to answer have fans figuring out what Butcher wants to keep hidden for revelations at his own time.  In that regard, at times the series reminds me of Three's Company - can someone just have a conversation to explain things to Dresden, and avoid a lot of misunderstandings and avoidable conflict?  Since no one clues Dresden in on critical matters - like what does Starborn actually mean or do for Dresden - what are they hiding from Dresden and why?


I spent some time researching to see if it was impossible that Margaret had assumed the Leanansidhe mantle (like Mab, the Winter/Summer Ladies, the Winter/Summer Knights - a theory of mine).  It would be a bit awkward, though Lea does call Dresden 'my son' a few times.

Yes, Twelve Months has had a pretty quick turn around of a year or two, . . .

I don't understand the quoted part.  Last book that was released was Battle Ground in 2020.  What am I missing?  I don't count The Law novella but even it was 2022.

Agree with the rest of your post.

I expect a family pattern to be acknowledged in 12 Months.  Maggie Sr. is the consort of (marries?) the head of the White Court.  Her son Harry is engaged to marry the successor head of the White Court, Lara.

That also suggests a hidden truth.  Harry is the Winter Court's White Knight.  Did Maggie Sr. also have as of yet unknown status in the Winter Court, or was she otherwise beholden to the Winter Court via Lea like Harry?  And is Harry's betrothal Mab's second attempt to use one of her vassals to ally with the White Court?  Or maybe used for some more devious machination?  Mab quickly deciding to marry Harry off to ally with the White Court makes me think Mab's up to something else or at least some additional else - maybe she needs a second spy/provocateur within the White Court because of suspicions that the White Court may have an agenda adverse to Mab or even the Summer Court.  I have no idea or even a WAG but put me down as suspicious, waiting for another shoe or two to drop.

WAG:  Marcone took up the coin under the condition that the girl in the coma is cured.

Unstuck.  For a few percentage points, any way.