BBL: The Dresden Files

Or, The Story of a Wizard, A Talking Skull, And A Lady Cop Along with Various Friends and Foes, Both Dead, Undead, and State Undetermined


Some people are reluctant to read a book that isn’t part of a series: they don’t want to become attached to characters they won’t be meeting again. Other people don’t like series books, afraid if they don’t read them in order that they’ll be missing out on something important. I’m a middle of the roader on this subject: if there are a lot of books in a series I feel a bit overwhelmed and am not certain I want to start them because I know I’ll be in it for the long haul and if the quality doesn’t hold up, it can be a bumpy road. On the other hand, if I really like the series, it’s wonderful because I know I’ll enjoy the trip.

And with Harry Dresden, you can bet it’s going to be one really strange journey with some peculiar companions because Harry Dresden is just that kinda guy.


I first encountered “The Dresden Files” as a television show on Sci-Fi. I thought the premise was interesting and enjoyed some of the characters but not enough to seek out the books until I began reading about them on a listserv for mystery readers, DorothyL. Intrigued, I started at the beginning; as the song says, “a very good place to start.


Harry Dresden is a private investigator and wizard operating out of Chicago. He’s the one to call if you need supernatural help, though he specifies he doesn’t do love potions or party tricks. In fact, there’s a special investigative squad of the Chicago PD that uses Dresden as a consultant when the latest crime spree seems to have otherworldly connections. The books are narrated in the first person by Harry who owes a bit of his personality to the hard-boiled detectives, albeit updated to twenty-first century sensibilities. Butcher has created a complex world using folkloric creatures such as werewolves, vampires, faeries and fallen angels. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of characters he introduces, though most of the good guys and gals seem to be variations of Harry, all sharing the same core values and outlook on life: heroic figures who don’t see themselves as heroes, just decent people whose job it is to protect the innocent against whoever or, more often, whatever may come.

Since I’m usually a character-driven reader, what’s the attraction? Fun! These books are action-packed roller coaster rides that keep the pages turning like a Ludlum thriller and are filled with laugh-out-loud tough guy quips: think Indiana Jones as wizard. Butcher is very inventive, allowing Harry to come up with unique solutions to get out of trouble (and Harry is always in trouble!) and puts his own twist on standard fantasy fare.


To read in order or not? It’s not mandatory but it might make it easier to keep track of some of the various beings Harry encounters, whether the vampire is White Court, Red Court or Black Court, or Summer or Winter Fey. Harry usually supplies enough background in his narration, but reading Storm Front first would probably be helpful with any of the others. Main holds copies of all the titles in the series.


Dresden Files the TV series: DVD DRE Main