Fool Moon (2001) by Jim Butcher

“Better late than never,” or so they say. I’ve started reading The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. The first book, Storm Front was a solid mystery thriller with magic, wizards, demons, and even giant scorpions. It didn’t blow my mind or anything, but I enjoyed reading it. It was an entertaining story with a couple of well-realized characters, plus some gruesome deaths. It was also a nicely manageable 322 pages long. This is my review of the second book in the long-running series: Fool Moon.

Cover by Lee MacLeod

Publisher’s Synopsis:

“Lost Items Found. Paranormal Investigations. Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates. No Love Potions, Endless Purses, or Other Entertainment.

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…”

---

My Thoughts

Fool Moon was a very entertaining read and I enjoyed it more than the first Dresden Files book Storm Front; partly because the setting and world-building felt more assured here. The main reason I enjoyed it so much was the way Butcher wrote about werewolves. These creatures are not to be trifled with. You get a real sense of their deadly and frightening power in this book. I think Butcher enjoyed himself exploring werewolf lore and penning some truly uncomfortable and thrilling scenes with the creatures.

I’m getting to like the characters more as I learn more about them. Wizard Harry Dresden is a likable rogue who is trying his best to survive in an increasingly crazy world. Jim Butcher sure seems to enjoy making Dresden suffer as he drops him into seemingly impossible situations. There were a couple of times when I was seriously wondering how he was going to get out of the mess he was in.

Lieutenant Karrin Murphy comes across as infuriating at times. She doesn’t trust Dresden and she lets him know it, no matter how much he tries his best to help her. I think it’s his over-protective concern for Murphy that rubs her up the wrong way. He doesn’t want her getting too close to the magical side of his world. But she is a police officer and wants to know everything possible. It’s a sign of Jim Butcher’s skill that he can make me feel frustrated and annoyed with one of his characters.

While working on this review, I discovered that a number of readers say the Dresden Files series doesn’t really get going until the third or fourth book. I’m currently reading book three “Grave Peril” and it’s another good story. I know I’m late to the “party” but I’m having a great time so far. It’s easily digestible pulpy fun that I can digest like a popcorn movie. I definitely recommend Fool Moon if you are looking for a Halloween-themed read, or especially if you are a fan of werewolves.

How about you? Have you read any of the Dresden Files? Which book do you recommend?

Thanks for reading!

-Wakizashi, *still listening to the chirping of crickets*