I agree. That's what true faith means. And even though a little cynical voice tell me that every one has their breaking point, I know that there are some people who's faith is staggering. I've seen it a few times in real life. It's not inconceivable that Michael is one of those.

I think it's pretty clear even Michael does. Just look at how he nearly beat Father Douglas to death in "The Warrior" and only snapped out of it because of Harry. It's not hard to imagine Michael having another moment like that under extreme circumstances, faith or not. That's part of being human.

Agree with Mr. Death. The signs there don't really point to Murphy having moved on for a couple of reasons.

One, in the meta context, we've had an arc from the end of Changes of 'Murphy and Harry are getting into a place to give it a go'. It would be a waste to anticlimactically go "welp, after FOUR books on this arc it's a dead end".

Second, when Harry fantasized about her, she reacted pleasantly and coy. If she'd moved on and had been planning on turning him down, that makes no sense as a reaction from what we know about Murphy. Likewise, as Mr. Death pointed out, her final scene being her making out with Harry enthusiastically makes no sense.

Third, the idea that Murphy would just give up everything to retire and get engaged is an uncharitable one for many reasons. The first is simply that it's well-established Murphy is gunshy about relationships and the idea of getting married after her failed marriage, and it's established it's a part of her hesitance to get into anything serious let alone with Harry. Second, the "Murphy can't keep up" debate is an old one but I'll repeat it: Murphy's in her forties. Michael was older than her and still active, even while married and having a family. Marcone is also older, iirc, and very involved in things despite not being the person always in the thick of things. Likewise, the presence of people like the Paranet group or even Forthill show there's more to be done than just fight.

And yet, it's always Murphy who gets the "she's too old" measurement.

EDIT:

I mean, do you believe any woman should retire from physically extensive activities or jobs the moment they hit forty? 

I almost feel like Maggie/Mouse's sections were a pilot for the planned Maggie spinoff, which I wouldn't be against seeing more of! Maggie's POV does a great job making her a nuanced character and, even without her bad memories, her age lets her interact with things Harry can't. Which is a nice callback to the boogeyman story.

I think one of the most interesting things about ZD too is Jim's author's note about it, especially his acknowledgment Harry's life has to change with the fact he's a dad even if it means losing some of his audience. One of my concerns with Changes was if Maggie was just going to disappear from the series until dramatically convenient since it would've made her and Harry's relationship to her feel more like a cheap plot device. However, ZD's gone a long ways in helping assuage those concerns.

Plus, it actually gives me hope Harry might live a long while, considering how much of Maggie's fears are rooted in people dying or disappearing.

1. What is Mister's cat name for Harry in Cinders Spire style?

Sleeps Loudly

The important questions.

  But perhaps he should consider decreasing them?

Why? If it's the amount he feels he needs and he's still getting contracts for it, that's all there is.

Readers can decide for themselves if they want to stick it out.

Harry Dresden and the Sexmancers

Harry Dresden and the Lycanthrope's Curse

Harry Dresden and the Burning of the Velvet Room

Harry Dresden and the Knight Down the Stairs

Harry Dresden and the Ancient Cloth

Harry Dresden and the Falling Frozen Turkey

Harry Dresden and the Zombie Dinosaur

Harry Dresden and the Horror Con

Harry Dresden and the Woman in the Bath

Harry Dresden and the Billy Goat Gruffs

Harry Dresden and the Sentient Island

Harry Dresden and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Harry and the Ghost Whisperer

Harry Dresden and the Extensive Physical Therapy Session

Harry Dresden and the Strange Wet Dream

Did anyone have any luck accessing that archive?

Looks like it might not be necessary, but I don't care to take chances.

It seems to be working for me.

I'm glad to have a copy, regardless.

I would love to see Marcone having a secret child, a boy who also goes to the same school as Maggie will. 

And then parent-teacher nights became VERY awkward.

I'd be up for that idea though, just for that alone.