That was fast

Some books fall into cliche (note to self, need to figure out how to add accents) from exhaustion, boredom, or simple lack of talent. Some books, like Jim Butcher's Storm Front take cliche into their arms and plant a big sloppy wet kiss, with tongue, on it.

Take your typical noir mystery, throw in a little fantasy, and you've got the world of Butcher's Dresden Files. It's somewhat predictable, but highly enjoyable, romp through the seedy underside of Chicago's magical community. The private investigator/wizard protagonist is a month behind on his rent (always), is unlucky in love (also always), has a dark past, a penchant for self narrative, and a cast of informants (including a rather libidinous skull) and suspects that would leave Sam Spade's head spinning.

What's not to love!

Next up, book 2 of The Dresden Files, Fool Moon (groan)