Jim Butcher Returns with 13th Novel in The Dresden Files

By Betsy Mikel in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 22, 2011 8:20PM

Chicago has its very own wizard detective, who has been solving dark mysteries for more than 10 years, since Jim Butcher’s debut novel, Storm Front. Butcher is now back with his 13th book in The Dresden Files series. His previous novels have seen protagonist Harry Dresden face everything from werewolves and vampires, to complicated his family history and romantic interests, to all sorts of other various evils and adventures. He’s known in the magical community for his strong magical powers and by the Chicago Police Department for his sleuthing skills and experience in dealing with paranormal crimes.

Butcher’s most recent Dresden Files books, Turn Coat and Changes both hit the #1 hardcover spot on the New York Times hardcover bestsellers list. The soon-to-be-released next book in the series, Ghost Story, should be especially interesting, because Harry Dresden is not actually alive; but he’s not dead either. At the end of Changes, he was shot and murdered. As a ghost, he discovers his murderer is out to cause chaos and agony for three of his closest friends. But Harry doesn’t know who killed him. And he doesn’t know which three friends his murderer is after. If Harry were still alive and could use his magic to find the killer, thing might be a little bit easier. But Harry has neither his magic nor can he interact with anyone mortal, so this mystery will be one of the hardest yet to solve. Furthermore, Harry’s not the only ghost roaming the streets of Chicago. A lot of the city’s other ghosts are ones he killed.

For anyone who’s been following The Dresden Files series, or enjoys reading science fiction or mystery, Ghost Story looks to be yet another thrilling read from Jim Butcher.

Jim Butcher reads from Ghost, Wednesday, July 27, Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville, 7 p.m., free