>Only part of the book is actually about Dressden solving the case he's been given. The rest revolves around all the odd and quirky characters Butcher's invented.

I guess I'm more into solving the case. <g>

Three more good detective series that I've loved are:

The "Prey" series by John Sandford (protagonist is Lucas Davenport, but he's a cop, not a P.I.)
The "McNally" series by Lawrence Sanders (protagonist is Archie McNally).
The series of books about Travis McGee, a Ft. Lauderdale boat-beach-bum and P.I., by John D. McDonald.

The McNally stuff is often very tongue-in-cheek and humorous, while the other two are more serious. All excellent IMHO, but I've read them all now and I'm just waiting for the next in the series. John Sandford is still around, so the "Prey" books are still being written, but John D. McDonald has been dead since 1986 so there won't be any more Travis McGee books. Lawrence Sanders died in 1998, but his McNally series has continued to be authored by Vincent Lardo.

Probably more information than you needed, but hey, someone else may be interested in reading some of these books.

~~Bonnie




>I've read one of the alphabet books. I don't recall what I felt, but I just know I've only read one.
>
>The Butcher books are different thou. Only part of the book is actually about Dressden solving the case he's been given. The rest revolves around all the odd and quirky characters Butcher's invented. Dressden's assistent is a really sarcastic spirit named "Bob" who's been helping wizards thru the years. Rumor has it Harry French will be voicing Bob in the miniseries.
>
>Also, in the current plot line I'm up to, Dressden did something to upset the vampires. So there's a war between the Wizard's white council and the red court wizards. I've just started reading book 5 and so far, some Mafia thugs tried to kill him, he's been called out for a duel with a vampire from the red court and some nasty, nasty demon tried to kill him.
>
>
>
>>If you like detective or private-eye types of books, try the "alphabet mysteries", by Sue Grafton. First book was "A is for Alibi", then "B is for Burglar", etc. I think she's working on "T" now. I just discovered them a few months ago (well, I've seen them around for years, but never got around to reading any until a few months ago). They're great! The main character is a female P.I. named Kinsey Millhone. So far, the endings of each book have been surprising and quick (somebody usually dies or is injured right at the very end) ... I've read 5 of them now and I was hooked after only one. In fact, I'm out of unread books as of last night ... guess I'll need to go order a few more from Amazon.
>>
>>~~Bonnie
>>
>>
>>>I found something new this summer. If you like Harry Potter, there is a more adult series that is very similar. "The Dressden Files" by Jim Butcher. The main protaganist is Harry Dressden. A Chicago private investigator who also happens to be a wizard.
>>>
>>>I picked up book 1 this summer. I'm reading book 5 now. Butcher has a really sarcastic wit also, so you'll find yourself laughing out loud occassionally.
>>>
>>>Plus, the SciFi channel has commissioned an 11 episode series based on the books, to be aired in January.
>>>
>>>>Rofl,
>>>>
>>>>Sorry, but they have been saying that since it became popular back in 2002. They have their opinion, I have mine - Harry Potter forever! lol
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Harry Potter is Evil!!!!!
>>>>>
>>>>>http://www.comcast.net/entertainment/index.jsp?cat=ENTERTAINMENT&fn=/2006/10/04/491642.html