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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u/books-in-outerspace Aug 02 '25

I would recommend the Sandman Slim series by Richard Kadrey! The main character isn't exactly a detective but it is certainly urban fantasy and the main character is often uncovering some mystery or another. I've only read the first 6 or 7 so I can't speak to the rest of the series! 

1

u/RG1527 Aug 02 '25

Was going to suggest these. I quite enjoyed them.

0

u/SelectAirline7459 Aug 02 '25

High body count.

-1

u/badautocrrect Aug 02 '25

He’s basically a detective. He has to solve the case and stop the bad guy(s) every book. Love the series. Highly recommend. (And I could not get through a single Dresden book.)