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Harry goes ghostbusting

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In the third of the Dresden Files series, Chicago's only wizard PI Harry Dresden, is called to Cook County Hospital to investigate a ghost tormenting the maternity ward. What he discovers makes him realize that he and his friends are literally in grave peril. The ghost is under a torture spell and that spell is slowly effecting the people Harry cares about most. If you enjoy fantasy or mysteries with a supernatural angle, you're going to like Dresden. I'd strongly recommend you begin reading at "Storm Front" and continue forward, but you don't have to do so. Each novel stands alone and they're all strong additions to both mystery and fantasy. Rebecca Kyle, December 2008

Kewl Series	Customer Rating:
I listen to novels while I work, and enjoyed this series very very much. If you haven't read these books, go get them now.

Series is (slowly) starting to pick up.

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Jim Butcher, Grave Peril (Roc, 2001) Grave Peril, the third book in Butcher's Harry Dresden series, is the book where Jim Butcher finally seems to get it all to fall into place. There's always been something not quite right about the books; either the pacing was off in one section, or the characters hadn't quite come into their own, or the description didn't quite ring true, or any of a number of other things. But here, it all works. We're introduced to a foil for Harry (and, from what I've read in some book communities, he's a lasting one), we have a plot that actually seems to work, as well as one that draws together a few threads from the previous books, we have a lot more background on some of the big meanies, we have great setting and excellent characterization, we've got just about everything. And it's probably not coincidence that this is the book that reads most like a Spenser (of Robert B. Parker fame) novel, either. As we open, Dresden and his friend Michael (is he that Michael? We don't know... yet) are battling a ghost in a nursery. Yes, in a nursery. Which seems like it's going to be a one-shot deal, after which Dresden can go home and get some much-needed sleep and Michael can go back to his sharp-tongued wife. Unfortunately, though, the ghost is symbolic of a larger problem-- the fraying of the barrier between our world and the nevernever. What's a wizard and his big, burly friend to do? This one flew by much faster than the first two, both compulsively readable and very well put-together, with a greater command of plotting and the first glimmerings of real character depth. If the series continues to improve at this rate, I'll be able to see why it got optioned for TV eventually. ***

Great series. But book 3..not so much

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This may get spoilerish: I have so far really enjoyed the series with books 1 and 2. But half way through 3 I felt as if this should have been number 4. Everything that is going on is connected to a story that happens between book 2 and 3. A story that sounds like it should have gotten its own entire book. Another issue is that I am not sure that it is tied to the ending of book 2 where Dresden mentions that the events of 1 and 2 where the work of another force. Am I supposed to think that any of the numerous 'bad guys' ws this force trying to get him? It is not clear. Some parts of the story jump or felt rushed to get to a plot point which leaves you a little confused until the exposition kicks in. But do not get me wrong, the story was still good and feels like the kick off to some major events in the following books, but it suffered from pacing problems and information overload. Perhaps if this had been the 4th book and used the 3rd to flush out the events leading to this book and maybe put in the introduction of Dresden's god mother in that theoretical book, this one would have been more satisfying. I hold out hope that book 4 doesn't have these issues when I begin reading it next week.

Butcher serves it up again !!	Customer Rating:
If your a fan of the Dresden files you will love this one, if your not you might like to try it. True it is a bit off the wall but it is also loaded with quick wit and humor and enough characterization to make you care about Dresdan and the people he works with and against. I loved it ! Penny