[.uk] Storm Front (The Dresden Files, Book 1) (ISBN 0451457811)

The Wizard of Chicago:
Storm Front (2000) introduces Harry Dresden, the only wizard listed in the yellow pages in Chicago, Illinois. The police have Dresden on retainer to help with unusual crimes, and the two bodies whose hearts have exploded from their chests definitely qualify. Dresden has no doubt that this is serious (and illegal) black magic and begins to investigate the how in order to identify the who with the help of a sex-obsessed skull named Bob. Along the way, Dresden questions a greedy faery and a very hungry vampire before battling a demon and a few scorpions. Luckily, Dresden is very good at what he does, both as an investigator and as a wizard. This humorous blend of mystery and fantasy is perfect escapist fiction. http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/B_Authors/Butcher_Jim.html

So Very Disappointed!:
I am an extreme James Marsters fan and was excited to know his voice is on cd. Yet when I received this cd, I tried playing it on my cd player, nothing. So I tried it on a different cd player, nope! Nothing again. My last try was on my computer, success! BUT!!!... the tracks are all out of sync, the cd doesn't play in the correct order! So buyer beware!!!

Cool New Wizard on the Fantasy-Mystery Scene:
I have to agree with another reviewer...THREE STARS IS GOOD. Means I'd buy the book again and recommend it to others. There. Harry Dresden is a wizard for hire in a town known for a lot of things, but magic? Chicago? Well now it is. As an ex-PI and masterful wizard, Harry is no bumbling sleuth trying to crack a couple of gruesome deaths, a missing person's case, and summon a faery. He's got things under control. Until he doesn't. This wasn't a nail biter kind of book, but it was a page turner. Filled with plenty of colorful characters, details, and story elements, it kept me guessing the truth of things till the end. As this is an entertaining fantasy-mystery I wasn't too bent out of shape by noir elements, characters that were a little to over the top and things that were plain silly. I rather enjoyed it. Author Jim Butcher certainly employs his knowledge of 'obsolete' things by filling Harry's world with authentic wizardly details that definitely allow one to suspend all disbelief. I'd highly recommend this to those who are interested in a read on the lighter side, that definitely shapes itself up in the beginning of a series (I KNOW it's a series already, but even if I didn't know that I'd think it based on the how the book wraps up). Harry Dresden is an interesting new persona in the world of modern American wizardry.

hardboiled wizardry:
For a debut novel, this is pretty good stuff. The characters are engaging enough to keep me interested, the plot moves swiftly, and the fantasy doesn't drift off into the absurd (which is fairly easy to do in this blended genre). I'm used to reading very seasoned writers, so there were a few points of irritation which I forced myself to overlook. Overall, this book is highly entertaining. Now, to address a couple of points brought up in other reviews. 1. "Harry is a chauvinist pig". No, he's actually not. Don't take words out of context (surrounding text and tone and character). 2. "The plot is formulaic." Perhaps you're thinking too much. Go read some Nietzsche instead. When we suspend our disbelief, we are entertained. (Though I admit, we all have personal levels of tolerance for disbelief.) I don't know if there are better editions out there, but there seem to be at least several typos (per book) in the Roc publications. Someone needs to flog the editor (or whoever is in charge of such things). I usually don't bother to take time to write a review, but this book deserves one. I am on the sixth book in the series now, and I am still entertained. (Butcher's writing does get slightly better as well.)

Good book:
This is a good book for a rainy day, but its not classical literature by any means.