The Dresden Files, books 1-3

Okay, I was going to review these books separately, but they're so good, I couldn't stop. The Dresden Files are a collection of urban fantasy/mystery/detective novels written by Jim Butcher. Butcher actually lives in Independence, MO, which is cool because that's where I live. But that's besides the point.

The first three novels in the Dresden series are Storm Front, Fool Moon, and Grave Peril. Unlike most detective novels, the main character, Harry Dresden, grows. Things he does have consequences. Things that happen in each book carry over. You don't get to the end of the book and hit the reset button. But at the same time, I think you can follow each book without reading them in order. Butcher does take the time to tell us what's going on. That's good for new readers, and also for devoted readers that may have to wait a year for the next volume to come out.

Storm Front is the introductory novel. It features Harry Dresden as the only wizard listed in the phone book. He tries to solve supernatural crimes for people, and make money doing it. Though, because most people don't believe in that sort of thing, and because Harry won't resort to cheap magic like love potions or fortune telling, he doesn't make a lot of money. The rent is always late, and his situation is always desperate. In Storm Front, Harry is faced against a rival wizard, one who uses the dark arts and is trying to kill him. We are introduced to Harry's world, set in Chicago. At the beginning, Harry is brought in on a very gruesome murder. Detective Karrin Murphy, who is the head of Chicago's paranormal investigations team, otherwise called "Special Investigations", calls on Harry to help investigate. I won't spoil the novel, except to say that it is intriguing, interesting, and packed with action. The characters are cool and engaging.

Fool Moon is the second book in the series and focuses on werewolves. It was an interesting read because it deals with different kinds of werewolves. Harry has to struggle to decide who to trust and who to fear. Facing all of these problems, he also has to deal with the city's mafia kingpin, John Marcone. If that weren't enough, even his friend, Detective Murphy thinks he's in on the trouble, and tries to arrest him. So now, on the run from the police, the mob, and differing werewolf factions, he has to try to save the day, and his skin at the same time.

Grave Peril deals with ghosts and vampires. We are also introduced to Michael, a sword-wielding knight of the cross and ally to Harry. This one was the most engaging read to date. When I read this book, the ninth Harry Dresden novel had already come out, but I still feared for Harry's life. This guy gets himself into a lot of trouble. It seems everyone is out to get him. But Harry isn't weak. In fact, the strength he sometimes exhibits can get a little scary. We know from the first novel that Harry was apprenticed to a dark wizard that tried to convert him to the dark side, and later tried to kill him. Harry overcame that, but he sometimes fears that he might just be falling to the dark side. And it sometimes seems to tilt that way. With all the crap Harry goes through, and his lack of allies at times, he has to take the help he can get.

I'm now on the fourth Dresden novel, Summer Knight. It has started well, and we finally get to meet the White Council of Wizards. Very cool stuff. I probably won't review the rest of the books, except to say, from what I've heard they only get better. Jim Butcher has said he will probably take the series into the late teens or early twenties in terms of how many books he will write. I can only hope so. Dresden's world is filled with interesting magic, cool characters, and compelling story-lines. There's even romance and heartache. Harry is a real guy, with real emotions, who goes through a lot of pain. As do his friends and loved ones that have cast their lot with him.