by Jim Butcher
First published 2007
Harry Dresden operates as Chicago's only professional wizard, navigating a world where magic hides beneath ordinary surfaces. Most supernatural creatures view humans as prey or playthings, but Harry stands between them and the innocent. His business struggles until the Chicago Police Department calls him to investigate a brutal double murder involving black magic. The case promises much needed income, but it puts Harry on a collision course with a dangerous black mage. The killer now knows Harry's identity and involvement in the investigation. As Harry digs deeper into the magical crime, he must use his abilities to track down a practitioner willing to use the darkest arts. The wizard finds himself outmatched and outgunned, facing an enemy who commands powers that could destroy him. Harry's survival depends on his wits, his magic, and his determination to protect Chicago from supernatural threats, even when those threats know exactly who he is and where to find him.
Genres: mystery, fantasy, action, urban-fantasy
Vibes: dark, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Chicago
Period: 21st-century
320 pages · Hardcover · Roc
Content warnings: violence