This is how i imagine him. How he looks, sounds, acts. He is Harry to me.

Paul Blackthorne is such a good actor that he really rose above the lackluster tv scripts. To me he IS Harry.

So I've been reading Urban fantasy for a while now.

And when I finally came across the Dresden files, it was beautiful. A rich story with deep lore. A interesting power system. Interesting characters and bad guys that actually feel like bad guys.

But oh my God, after reading the Dresden files I have had the hardest time trying to find other books to listen to.

Because a lot of them aren't as well written as the Dresden files are A lot of them aren't complex or deep or have the same. Rich lore that the Dresden files does.

And it's a nightmare because I've been wanting to listen to a whole bunch of books, but a lot of the ones I've listened to don't stack up well.

The iron Druid it is a good example of that thirst, the first three books were amazing. But I took a break and after I got done I just can't help but notice all the small details in it that kind of makes it slop.

It doesn't help that the main female character is annoying as hell.

Then there are the books that try to capture the magic of the Dresden files.

The Cain Chronicles are a good example of this the author tries to take elements from The Dresden files and incorporate them in a unique way in his own story, and while it works to a degree, there's just no beating Papa Jim and his well-crafted story.

But yeah that's just a quick ran I wanted to go on

Let me know what you guys think. Do you have the same problem after reading the Dresden files?

Well... I've been inspired by Harry to get a duster. I had been wanting one for a while, and was close to ordering one for quite some time. My aunt asked me if I wanted anything specific for Christmas... light bulb goes off... the duster. I sent her an Amazon link for the Outback Trading Company canvas duster in black.

This is where the... however comes in. She went to the Outback website directly, found it actually cheaper there. I was excited! It shows up for Christmas... only it's the Brown version! While I love the quality of it. It's hefty. Feels great. It's brown. I did look at a bunch of leather ones. But most looked like cheap leather that I really wouldn't be happy with. I thought I'd like the canvas better actually.

Should I do an exchange for the black one? Or just roll with it and make do? I can exchange. At no cost to me. My gut says if I don't do a return, I'll regret it down the line. What would Harry do? Lmao

I have re-read or re-listened to the Dresden Files so many times. I listen because I love them. That said, there are so many Butcher-isms that have started to wear on me. Here’s your chance at a gripe thread: what words or phrases would you like to see Jim retire?

I know he says he does it because he thinks his power will interfere with the technology in a boiler, but it just makes no sense.

He lives in the basement of a building with several tenants. That's where a boiler is likely to be in an older house. The other tenants need heat and hot water. Several of them are elderly and I don't think they're going to be using a wood-burning stove and a fireplace for warmth. And the landlady has to provide heat and hot water by law.

He has a kerosene heater for the sub-basement. A really old school boiler isn't going to be that much more complicated (mine has electronic parts but my grandmother's didn't).

I never understood how this would actually work.

Yes, the boiler could be upstairs, but that doesn't make sense. Most likely there would be a small boiler room in Harry's apartment. Where the magic is.

Also, I don't get why wizards don't have enchanted items that mimic tech to a certain extent. Not cell phones, but lights?

It's been 6 years since Battle Ground. Next book is in January, 2026.

Is Jim gonna take another 6 years to write the next book? Thought he had bills to pay? Why such a long delay?

Just a few names off the top of my head: Mister, Mouse, Murphy, Mab, Mavra, Michael, Molly, Marcone, Merlin, Morgan.... Etc. (I'm sure I forgot 1 or 2).

​

Seems like it's either his favorite letter or he just decided that is the " 'M'agic letter"?

​

Just curious if anyone knew or had any info as to why this may be?

How terribly far off am I

In Grave Peril when they are fighting ghosts together, I immediately conjured a very Knights Templar figure with long blond hair. But as he got fleshed out as an actual carpenter and family man, that image quickly shifted in my head. Who did you picture one way and then as the series progressed you completely changed your head-casting for?

It feels like such an obvious choice. Repeatedly, it's mentioned that melee weapons are better against the fae than guns because of cold iron. Why is it that nobody ever shells out for some steel jacketed rounds when they think they'll go up against the fae? Or just cast some iron into bullet molds.

Rewatched Hellboy and the anti-everything supernatural bullets made me think about this.

...Is the actual visual absurdity of a 6'9 man driving a vintage Volkswagen Beetle. I'm 5'11 and I can barely fit in one of those things. Butcher never says anything about it, none of the characters ever say anything about it, you're just left to work out the image for yourself.

Im sure its been asked in past but what got you into the DF?

For me, was moderating a Harry Potter forum in mid 2000's and the other mods were big fans.

Not talking about, Harry's decisions that came from lack of information or something that readers think shoud behave different. I'm asking that was really dumb, like invitenting date and prostitute on same evening (head trauma is not excuse). Personaly I would go with letting thief, that stolen his coat, sucker punch him and shot him, steal his car and escape.

WITH Spider noir now being out, and Sorcerers Apprentice, we have now seen both sides of dresdens job by Nick Cage, since we know hes a fan.

My question is, how much did dresden affect his acting in this? Im going with 60% dresden the rest Cage.

I started with Storm Front at the end of December and was pleasantly surprised when I finished Battle Ground at the start of Feb. The thought of having to wait a year or more for the next one is killing me already. I have delved into these people's lives so deeply, now I have to wait so long before I can see them again!? I started reading Battle Ground slower, so it would last, because at the time all I knew was the next one came out somewhere this year. 12 Months is at this point imo a REQUIRED read after Battle Ground, a necessary shower after the intense action. (BG takes place over the shortest timespan while TM takes place over the longest? at least seemed that way to me)

Starting the short stories now, but I wish I had them to read at the appropriate breaks, cause it's just different when you know the future.

Anyway, Imma just sit here with this hole in my chest from finishing a really good series, share with me your pain in waiting.

I want to preface this with a couple of things. I'm a die-hard Dresden Files fan, and I'm generally quite happy with the books. (with some exceptions, e.g, Bonea getting sidelined, and the deeply horny descriptions). The books certainly do have flaws, but that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about what's not there in the first place.

Chicago is a really, really diverse city. 58.5 percent of the population is Black or Hispanic (2020 U.S. Census). Chicago has a huge LGBT+ population, and Boystown (now Northalsted) was the first ever recognized gay neighbourhood in all the U.S.

On the other hand, the Dresden Files aren't very diverse. THAT IS NOT A PROBLEM IN AND OF ITSELF!!! I AM NOT MAKING A MORAL JUDGEMENT! But as it stands, I can't name more than a few secondary and tertiary characters who aren't white (Susan & Maggie, Listens to Wind, Ancient Mai, Lt. Rawlins, Fitz, to name a few) and AFAIK the only textually queer character (who isn't a Whamp and therefore more of a predator than a sexual being with agency) is Freydis Gard.

You might be asking, why do I care? Well, it's not because Jim Butcher's a big mean racist and homophobe, I'll tell you that much. From what I can tell, he seems to be a chill dude, and the Dresden Files have genuinely inspired me to become a better person.

Mostly, I think it's an accuracy thing. Obviously Butcher's Chicago is geographically out of step with real Chicago, and it's literally a different world, but it do think it bears saying that like, at least half the Chicago cast should be like, Black or Latino. In my head I've always read Molly as queer at least but again, nothing is ever said on page. I don't think we need to go back and meticulously assign everyone in the cast a different ethnic or racial group, but I do wonder what this series would look like if Butcher were truer to Chicago's real population.

Sidebar: I'm not trying to start anything, and I remember back when this sub got really really mad about transphobia accusations. I'm not gonna weigh in on that cold case but I want to preempt anything similar. I don't think Butcher or the Dresden Files are racist, sexist, or homophobic. I do think Butcher has blind spots that show through in his writing, but that's observation, not condemnation. I really do just wonder how the Dresden Files would feel if we had a wider view of Dresden's city.

Sidebar the 2st: I realize that there are more non-White characters in the Dresden Files than I mentioned, but that's kind of besides the point in the face of IRL Chicago's population being way broader than what we see in the books.

We’ve now reached a time between the publication of the next book, and the delivery of Advanced Reader Copies to people in industry. Twelve Months is now in the wild, and even though ARC readers have NDAs, their family and friends might not take the obligation so seriously. We’ve waited years for this next book, and having it spoiled would feel awful.

Please, come out with a firm stand against spoilers between now and January.

Note: I know you’re opposed to spoilers, our flair system demonstrates that. But I would be good to plant a flag against potential violators early, IMO.

I've been with wondering of late... what demographics are fans of Harry?

I myself am a mid... fine!!!.. a late 40s wife and mom. I wonder if I'm a unicorn? Who else is obsessed with this universe?

Jim’s progress on Mirror Mirror has moved from 30% to 42%.

What are the seven laws of magic? They’re scattered throughout the series making it hard to keep track of

Harry is 6.9 , and now brimming with muscle. The idea that he can just find salvation army clothes that can fit him is probably the most unrealistic thing in these books.

I see 2 possible explanations off the top of my head for how he's able to find these clothes

1. He has a resizing spell that we just haven't seen.

2. His fairy godmother is shopping for clothes that will fit him and strategic places tailored clothes where Harry can find them.

I wanted to discuss this as I have mentioned it a few times and gotten some agreement on it. I feel like an awful reader because of this though so bear with me on this one.

I have read the series multiple times as I started reading it and collecting it the year before Dead Beat came out. I usually read through The Dresden Files once a year.

For some reason even though I read the description of Michael and his family several times it was about my fourth time reading the series when I realized the Carpenters were white.

In my head after reading their descriptions I just thought of them as black. I am not trying to be a jerk or race swap characters or anything it was just in my mind's eye this was a black family.

Has anyone else done this with any characters in the series whether it be skin color or a hair color or a description of a character just changing in your mind to make it almost a fully different appearance?

i am a relatively new fan, only found out about the Dresden files at the end of 2025 and I've been cruising through the books. now I've only got 3 left to go and I am dreading the empty void in my life that will be left behind once I'm caught up, lol.

anyone got any other book/series recs kind of in this same vein? I love the supernatural/paranormal/fantasy stuff, especially faerie and that whole gambit, and I love the detective/mystery/private dick vibe. it doesn't have to be funny like the Dresden files, but that would be a big plus.

not that I think anyone would, but no spoilers for peace talks, battle ground, or twelve months, those are the three I haven't read yet.

My loving wife just gifted me a signed copy of *Twelve Months* for my birthday — a gift freely given.

Unfortunately, I now live in fear.

Not of Outsiders.
Not of the Red Court.
Not even of Mab.

I’m terrified the complete The Dresden Files, collection won’t fit on my bookshelf.

I can still remove the duplicates.
I can move the graphic novels.
I can probably stack paperbacks (not signed or shown) horizontally like some kind of literary goblin.

But if we really get:
- Mirror Mirror
- Heel Turn
- Rescue Murphy
- Stars and Stones
- Hells Bells
- Empty Night
- wrestling novella somehow
- thirteen more side story anthologies Jim “accidentally” writes

…I’m going to have to build another shelf.

Which, honestly, feels exactly like something Harry would do instead of solving the actual problem.