Grave Peril by Jim Butcher

 

Jim Butcher remains consistent in this urban fantasy of good versus evil, courage, heroism, and mystery. This time we even get to see a development in Harry's romantic life. The mystery narrative is vivid and easy to hook yourself into. The vampiric pageantry is dark, yet opulent. And, Jim Butcher's lick for erotic humor continues to be amusing and unforgettable. 

The supernatural and paranormal befall the windy city, yet again and Harry Dresden, Chicago's investigative wizard is back on the case. Harry has gained some following after his run-in with another wizard involved in a local drug war and ironing out werewolf problems. In this 3rd installment of the Dresden Files, a young lady named Lydia seeks Harry's protection against a malevolent ghost. Meanwhile, Detective Karrin Murphy of Special Investigations calls Harry in for a personal favor. A strange madness has taken over the detective's very own, which only Harry can solve.

Being a Dresden File fan so far, I'm glad this book didn't disappoint and lead me astray. Sometimes a book series can do that. Start you off great and the author one day, just didn't have a great year. With this book, I'm still hooked. Compared to the first two books, we see some character development in Harry. He still is that assertive, protect the ladies first, Harry we know and love. But, in this book we find him being more autocratic. This becomes a trope sometimes when protagonists find themselves in more successful yet dangerous situations as the story progresses. For example, there have been T.V. shows I've seen where the protagonists get into situations where they make rash decisions over things they feel they don't have a choice or control over. Then they spew rhetoric as if their decisions were intended to benefit the team or group when they just want to achieve success over their agenda. I can only imagine this bossiness stems from the added work that has come along or even the thorn Harry might have felt on his side, having to tolerate a new partner. In addition to having a new partner, his new partner derives strength and power purely from religious faith, and sometimes imposes his views. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book. There is also something intriguing, and maybe tenderly said about how authors choose to end their stories.

Overall, Grave Peril was phenomenal. My beloved Bob continues to titillate. I hold an added delight as I read Bob in action, in more chapters than one. The new characters were memorable as well. I hope to read more of them in the next books. 

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Fool Moon by Jim Butcher

 

In book two of the Dresden Files, Bob has done it again. He has a way to tickle my want for cute things every now and then. Although, Harry Dresden is beginning to be my favorite. A little empathy, reflection chivalry, and bloody (literally) toughness make you my favorite any day. I loved the first book, I'm glad I love this one.

Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden, Chicago's only investigative wizard is back on another case. The case is labeled the Lobo Killings for what appears as wolf-like attacks. Detective Karrin Murphy of Chicago PD's Special Investigations is on the hot seat with internal affairs. The last case she and Dresden worked on put a strain on what usually is a smooth work relationship. In addition to the detective's dismay,  the FBI is on the case.

In this installment of the Dresden Files, readers can expect the same supernatural mystery Jim Butcher has been well at crafting. However, this time there are bloodier scenes and a more vulnerable, maybe even sexy Dresden. Power and corruption are seen when we read again about Johnny Marcone's shady ways and the FBI's involvement in a land grab. And redemption is at stake as we see Dresden learn the value of trust and the meaning of partnership.

Fool Moon is a noteworthy sequel. It's like watching a favorite TV show or sports team. There is something about the Dresden Files that gets you invested. Will Dresden allow himself to be more giving towards his partners? This and the amount of explaining the FBI needs to do about the case, how can I stop now? The end has yet to be seen in sight!

Along with the Dresden Files, Jim Butcher is the author of the Codex Alera series and another current series starting with The Aeronaut's Windlass. Click BIO for more on Jim Butcher.

A Case of Four and Twenty Blackbirds by Neil Gaiman

 

Although this title is but one short story in a book of short stories, the book is still worth note-taking. M is for Magic is a collection of short stories using many characters and stories from children's books. It is a book that takes me back to calm rainy afternoons growing up when a major storm had passed. The village's electricity was down. The family was waiting for electricity to return online. Reading a book besides playing outside was preferable to turning the T.V. on to pass the time. For this book, an adult can pull some nostalgia, dare I say humor. At the same time, I recommend young adults in middle grades and up to read this book. There is a transition from childhood to adulthood taking place as we see the wholesome characters and scenes of nursery rhymes reveal a kind of innocence scratching off as we get older.

In the Case of Four and Twenty Blackbirds, a short story in the book M is for Magic, Little Jack Horner is a private investigator. He is tasked with finding the murderer of Humpty Dumpty. According to his sister, Humpty Dumpty having a great fall was no great accident.

This mystery was hard not to pass up and post on this page. Think of the best things about a great noir partnered with the whimsical trappings of your memorable if not favorite nursery rhymes. The thing about nursery rhymes is that when you're a child learning to read and simply uttering a complete word correctly feels encouraging to continue. Pair it with wholesome pictures of characters as cute talking animals, what's not to love? Compared to my previous reviews, I wanted to relax and take a break from the novel reading. But, at the same time, continue gathering up mystery titles.

Like all mysteries, not all is as it seems. With a mind for deduction, and critical thinking Little Jack Horner filters out the seedy personalities in this cool take on crime with the nursery rhymes of your childhood. The reader can reference nursery rhymes such as Sing a Song of Sixpence, Little Jack Horner, Little Bo Peep, The Queen of Hearts, Who Killed Cock Robin, and of course, Humpty Dumpty. I doubt the nursery rhymes tell much as to what happens in the story. But, it certainly was a nice guide to contextual understanding. Look at me getting all academic, just read the book and you'll see what I mean.

Neil Gaiman is the author of many children's books, fiction novels, graphic novels, T.V. shows, and short stories. He's also a champion for literacy and fair treatment of writers as a member of the WGA. Click on BIO to learn more about Neil Gaiman.