Meet Harry Dresden - Private Detective and the only Wizard in Chicago. Wizarding is hard business when almost no one believes in it, but Harry's relationship with Lieutenant Murphy in the Chicago PD at least helps keep bread on the table. Most of the time.

But Harry's in for a rough time - he's been hired to find a missing person that might not actually be missing, and trying to help the police with a grizzly double homicide. Problem is, the couple was killed with strong, dark magic, and Harry is the only Wizard in town with that kind of power - something his superiors are only too aware of. Harry has mere days to find the real killer and prove his innocence before he is killed - either by his superiors, or the killer who has also set his sights on Harry's life.

I've been meaning to read these novels for quite some time as they blend my two favourite genres together - fantasy and mystery. I loved the short-lived TV show version of these novels, although I have now realized how much they differ from the novels. The books, of course, are better! I enjoy the quirky, slightly geeky Dresden, his ability to get himself into, and out of, ridiculously dangerous situations, and the wide array of supporting characters that make up his reality. Mystery lovers will enjoy the inter-woven cases in this novel, and fantasy lovers will enjoy learning how a lone wizard can survive in modern Chicago.

on some very classic myths. I have read the first four books so far. There's been vampires, Fae, Werewolves, Wizards, Demons and I expect even more from the next book.

I was kind of hesitant about picking up the second of the series because it included werewolves. I am so sick of werewolves and vampires both in pop culture. They're everywhere these days. Fortunately Butcher has not one type of werewolf, but four which keeps things a little more interesting.

The main character is likable. He keeps stepping in the proverbial cow pie and I kind of smile because it`s like the whole universe is conspiring against him. We`ve all felt that way at one point or another. Though I do not like Murphy at all so far. There have been hints already in the books that she is who he`ll ultimately end up with, but just that character as a person so far she is not someone I would be friends with and let`s just leave it at that.

I shall leave off this review by saying that the mysteries are pretty simple to figure out, I usually know who the killer is before we reach half way through the novel. To be fair though, I had stopped reading murder mysteries years ago because I kept figuring out who it was. This series is definitely a breath of fresh air from all of the fantasy that I have been reading lately even if it has more of a 'lite' feel to it because it has a bit more adventure than character development.

3.5 stars

Harry is a private investigator, as well as a wizard. When two people are murdered, the police bring him in to help solve the case, as there appears to be a supernatural element to it. At the same time, Harry is hired by a woman whose husband has gone missing. She believes he has become too heavily involved in magic and is worried.

The book was good, but I can't say that it blew me away or even say for sure whether or not I'll continue the series. I definitely preferred the supernatural element to it to the detective stuff.

The TV series was great and so is this book. Dresden's sense of humour is great and the characters are so well created.