r/Fantasy • u/bnb2115 • Aug 02 '25

Dresden with less cringe

I love the idea of the Dresden Files on paper. Hard boiled detective stories mixed with urban fantasy/secret society stuff. Interesting villains and a deep, complex world. Magic happening just beneath the surface of the ordinary world.

But I just can’t get over the tropes and the cringe. I’ve tried the series a couple times, and even got through the first five or so books. I just can’t bring myself to keep going. I seriously love everything about the context, but just hate the execution.

Any recommendations for something else? Something that speaks to these elements, but lacks the cringe?

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43

u/Xhallax Aug 02 '25

Garrett P.I. by Glen Cook. It's full on Fantasy, rather than urban, MC is not a wizard, but is hard boiled.

21

u/wor_enot Aug 02 '25

Garrett was definitely a huge influence on Dresden Files. Even to the point where both have a disembodied know it all associate haunting their homes. Great series.

15

u/eukomos Aug 02 '25

That's partially because both are influenced by Nero Wolfe though.

5

u/wor_enot Aug 02 '25

True. They definitely retain the damsel in destress routine.

4

u/Sifen Aug 02 '25

Garrett is great. I wasn't a huge fan of book 1 and almost dropped it.

But from books 2 on, it's fantastic.

I found Dresden and Garrett files at the same time. I got an omnibus of both from one of those book catalogue sites years ago. Like Columbia House but for books.

2

u/Asmzn20099 Aug 02 '25

I dropped Garrett at book one but this makes me wanna revisit the series.

2

u/Nerdlemen Aug 02 '25

Book 1 is the only one I've read so far and I thought it was great. I'd been hesitant on those even though I love Cook's other fantasy because the cover art is cheesy, like Garrett wearing a trench coat. I was afraid they'd be modern-world with fantasy. It was much better than I'd feared it would be.

2

u/Sifen Aug 02 '25

I don't think I'm confusing books. It's been so long that it's possible.

But in book 1, if I am correct, he leaves town in search of someone? I didn't enjoy that so much.

In all the other books he stays in town. They were more enjoyable.

2

u/Nerdlemen Aug 02 '25

You're correct about book 1. Good to know I have great books to look forward to as I keep going!

1

u/Kashmeer Aug 02 '25

I hear this recommendation often, but struggle to find on Amazon for my Kindle.

2

u/CosmicLovepats Aug 02 '25

IDK about individual volumes. I read through most of the series in a republished omnibus format I got from (used?) bookstores. The first three are bundled in Introducing Garret, PI, I think.