The Dresden Files are set in a "alternate" Chicago where magic is real, but only a few actually believe in it; it's a first-person tale told by an irascible wizard named Harry Dresden, who regularly gives the magical establishment indigestion -- and the police, the same. Take Sam Spade, your Average Joe Underdog Action Star, and toss in some spellcraft, and you get Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden. Heck of a guy.

I like to look at the Dresden Files as Jim's "flagship series". Granted, this is mainly because it's the first one he's gotten published. But it's more than that; the Dresden Files are Jim at his classic best -- snappy, quick, intricate, and chock full of attitude.

The books in the series are:

(Yeah, so it's a short list. He just got the publishing deal -- you can't rush this kind of thing -- no matter how much we want them to!)

Buy It!

Storm Front (Was Semiautomagic)

Sample Chapters: Click Here

Jim's Blurb:

When the Chicago mobs start using lethal magic instead of bullets to fight for control of the streets, Harry Dresden sets out to find the killer. But can Harry track down and stop the diabolical figure known only as the Shadowman when he himself becomes suspected of the magical murders?

Back Cover Blurb:

Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he's the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the "everyday" world is actually full of strange and magical things -- and most of them don't play well with humans. That's where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a -- well, whatever.

There's just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry's seeing dollar signs. But where there's black magic, there's a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry's name. And that's when things start to get... interesting.

Magic. It can get a guy killed.

01 July 2002

HE'S DONE IT! Storm Front is now available as an unabridged audio book from shopmediafans.com -- as read by James Marsters, Spike from TV's Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Check out the mp3 samples over in the gallery!

15 December 1999

It's finally showed up on Amazon. Preorder your copy through the Fan Attic store today!

8 November 1999

The cover art's in, as you can see above, and all signs are that the pace is keeping up. I've included the back-cover blurb, above, as well, rather than waste bandwidth with that part of the scanned cover. Stay tuned!

1 July 1999

Jim's finalized the script with Roc, and is starting to get money for this crazy author thing of his! After much negotiations, it's been decided that it's time to change the title, but not its essential pun nature -- thus Semiautomagic becomes Storm Front (you have to work more for this pun, but it's there... trust me).

And in other news, straight from Jim's mouth, author Chris Bunch has weighed in with his review of Storm Front:

"Exciting, well-plotted, complex, an excellent read and amazingly good first novel. Butcher writes the way Raymond Chandler might've, if Chandler had been a wack loadie instead of a lush."

How d'ya like them apples? I told you!

Buy It!

Fool Moon

Jim's Blurb:

When something with sharp teeth starts eating people during Chicago's full moons, Harry Dresden steps onto the case in order to track down the killer. But will he be able to bring the murderer to justice before the waning of the full moon gives the killer time to vanish?

Back Cover Blurb:

Business has been slow. Okay, business has been dead. And not even of the undead variety. You would think Chicago would have a little more action for the only professional wizard in the phone book. But lately, Harry Dresden hasn't been able to dredge up any kind of work -- magical or mundane.

But just when it looks like he can't afford his next meal, a murder comes along that requires his particular brand of supernatural expertise.

A brutally mutilated corpse. Strange-looking paw prints. A full moon. Take three guesses -- and the first two don't count...

1 Aug 2000

Cover art! We have cover art! Chomping at the bit yet?

Buy It!

Grave Peril

Jim's Blurb:

When the supernatural world goes mad, Harry Dresden struggles to turn the tide against dozens of angry, dangerous spirits and to find the source of the sudden disruption. But will he be able to settle things again when a new, dangerous ghost, the Nightmare, makes a meal of most of his magical powers?

8 July 2001

Cover art! We were expecting the book to come out in October, but Amazon reports it as sometime in September. It's Harry, though -- who wouldn't expect a mystery?

Buy It!

Summer Knight

It's war in the faerie courts, the White Council has come to town, and Harry's caught in the middle!

Jim's Blurb:

When the Knight of Summer is mysteriously murdered, the Faery Courts teeter to the brink of war. Forced to involve himself in the Faery affairs by an old debt, wizard Harry Dresden must find the party responsible and bring it to justice--before a catastrophic conflict between the Courts of Summer and Winter result in the devastation of Chicago.

8 July 2001

Jim's just finished up the work on this book, planned as the fourth in the series, and is in the process of working with the publisher to get it edited down to perfection. Stay tuned for more news!

Death Masks

The Shroud of Turin has gone missing, and it's up to Harry to track down the thief. Should be simple... right?

1 July 2002

Jim's just finished up the work on this book, which he originally wanted to title Holy Sheet. We'll leave it up to you to decide whether or not that was a good idea. It won't be due out until late in 2003, but that won't keep us from drooling for it!

Related Material

Find more Dresden-related material at the Fanattic Store!