"Harry Dresden File": author, books in order, series, protagonist and plot

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Readers often like to choose works of mixed genre. For example, they want to read a detective story, but with mysticism or in a sci-fi setting. Or urban fantasy, but always with elements of an action movie. For those of you who like this kind of literary platter, you should try reading The Harry Dresden File. This is a series of excellent novels from Jim Butcher, in which the main character is not only a private detective, but also a sorcerer, and often solves crimes related to magic.

Short biography

Jim Butcher was born October 26, 1971 in Missouri, USA. The pronunciation of his surname is now being debated - it seems to be the right way to say "Butcher", but since in the Russian segment the writer's surname is written as "Butcher", then we will not deviate from tradition.

He was the youngest child in the family. His two older sisters brought him books - The Lord of the Rings and the Han Solo stories from Star Wars in the comics. So Jim Butcher has had a passion for science fiction since childhood.

Today he is a successful writer, authormany fantasy books. At the moment, together with his wife Shannon, who also writes books, but in the genre of romance, and son James Joseph live in Independence.

Success story

The history of the creation of the first book about Dresden shows how difficult the first steps of a writer on the path to success can be. Butcher's earliest writings were influenced by J. R. R. Tolkien and Lewis Carroll while still in their teens, but all efforts to publish them failed.

Then came the first novel in the Harry Dresden Files series - it was written as an exercise for a course when Butcher was 25 years old (1996). After that, Jim tried unsuccessfully to get his novel published for two years, and then spent some more time making connections in the literary business. As a result, the first novel came out only in 2000.

Jim Butcher's most famous works are "Harry Dresden", a series that the author has not yet completed, and a completed series of six novels called "Alera Code" (2004-2009). The novels about the sorcerer from Chicago have been published since 2000, the last one was published in 2014. Continued writing.

Let's take a look at the entire Harry Dresden series in order.

Thunderstorm from the underworld

He lives in Chicago and advertises his services through newspaper ads. He is Harry Dresden, a professional magician. Ordinary people and police consider him an eccentric and a charlatan, andthe entire wizarding community treats him like a criminal. And it is he who will have to find out who kills people with the help of black magic, where the new drug came from in Chicago, and also help the mysterious missing stranger find her husband.

The moon shines on madmen

Are there terrifying werewolves that go crazy when the moon comes out and tear apart anyone who gets in their way? Harry Dresden knows exactly what they are and they are looking for victims under the cover of night, and neither the police nor the FBI can stop them.

Grave as a gift

The main character is torn between his girlfriend and work, which has been increasing in recent years. For some reason, the line between the ordinary world and the Nevernever, where the fairies live, is becoming thinner. Plus, he's unexpectedly invited to dinner by the Red College of Vampires, and it's clearly not going to end well.

Summer Knight

Fairies are cruel and unpredictable creatures, whether they belong to the Summer or Winter Court. But the war between them jeopardizes too much that is dear to the Chicago sorcerer, and it is his duty to prevent conflict and remove suspicion of murder from the Queen.

Faces of death

Harry Dresden is almost on the verge of death, as he is scheduled to duel with one of the Red College vampires. But he nevertheless takes up the case of the missing Shroud of Turin and becomes the object of the hunt himself. Dresden is being chased by cops, mobsters and the Fallen at the same time.

Blood Rite

Chicago is restless: show business stars suddenly began to die. Dresden's friend, the vampire Thomas, asks the detective to do him a favor and solve the crime.

Zombie Drums

This time the sorcerer will have to find an old manuscript - "The Word of Kemmler", which describes the black rite to call the dead. Everything points to Chicago having an unforgettable Halloween, if, of course, at least someone survives to remember it.

Proof of guilt

Dresden cannot refuse the daughter of almost his only friend, who asks to hide her from the authorities. Besides, not so long ago, Harry himself was in the same position. But the White Council also needs help, so the detective will have to handle two cases at the same time.

White Night

Chicago has a serial killer who preys on attractive young women. And all the evidence points to the fact that this is the vampire Thomas from the White College of Vampires. Can Dresden stop his friend from getting killed again?

A little favor

Dresden owes Queen Mab a tiny favor, a single favor. And for a long time in the debtors of the fairies it is dangerous to walk - both for life and for he alth. So when the royal person personally appeared to the sorcerer and ordered to carry out her order, Harry agreed, not imagining that this would entail a series of events.

Valable skin

The unthinkable has happened! In whiteCouncil split, as it hides a traitor. So Harry Dresden's most dangerous opponents in this book are his own colleagues.

Change

Dresden has already come to terms with the lack of a personal life. But suddenly his ex-lover appears on the threshold and says that he has a daughter. True, in order to save her, the sorcerer will have to enter into negotiations with those whom he has always hated.

Ghost Story

Dresden is dead. He, in the form of an incorporeal spirit, moves around the city, but suddenly realizes that he has become the object of persecution for some terrible monsters.

Cold Days

Harry is alive! But now he has become the Winter Knight, and therefore a faithful slave of Queen Mab, and cannot disobey the order of his mistress. And first of all, she ordered the murder, but not of an ordinary person, but of an immortal.

Dirty game

Queen Mab's intrigue always turns into big trouble for Dresden. And now he must, together with a group of villains, led by Harry's main enemy - Nicodemus, rob the most protected place in the Nevernever.

The next book in order about Harry Dresden is The Peace Negotiations, which is in the process of being written. There are also several stories: in total, about 50 works have been written about the Chicago sorcerer.

Main characters

• The main character is Harry Dresden. In the first book, he is practically an outcast. In the worldHarry's sorcerers are considered the criminal who killed his uncle Justin. And they expect further relapses from him, after which the White Council will be able to execute him. In the world of ordinary people, no one takes him seriously; even the police, who regularly seek help, consider him a charlatan. Harry Dresden is a typical loner, but he is willing to do the impossible to help his friends.
• Lieutenant Murphy. A strong, athletic girl who often turns to the sorcerer for help. She refuses to believe in Harry's superpowers, but continues to use his services regularly. They have a friendly relationship, without a hint of romance.

• Bob is Jim's partner, a human spirit imprisoned in a skull. He cannot move even fluff, but he remembers a lot of useful information. Often pesters Harry with advice about his personal life.
• Morgan is the punitive tool of the White Council. He is sincerely convinced that with the execution of Dresden, there will be one less criminal in the world. But without the permission of the leadership, he can only threaten the sorcerer.
• Susan Rodriguez is a journalist, sweetheart and friend of Harry.
• Justin Morningway. The dead Uncle Harry, who nearly killed his nephew and bears a large share of the responsibility for the fact that he grew up an orphan.
• Jared Kincaid is a contract killer and bodyguard, one of the best in the business.
• Laskiel is a fallen angel whose spirit is trapped in one of the cursed coins.
• Lea is a faerie, godmother of a sorcerer.
• Michael Carpenter - Light Knight of the Cross, wears one of three swords. Molly's fatherCarpenter.
• Molly Carpenter is a future sorceress, a student of Harry Dresden.
• Thomas Reith is a White Vampire College vampire who feels good about Dresden because of the bond they have.

Screening

This amazing series of books, full of plot twists and characters, simply could not be filmed. The series about Harry Dresden started in January 2007, but after the release of 12 episodes, the project was closed. The lead role was played by English actor Paul Blackthorn, who is better known for his supporting roles in the TV series ER, Monk, Medium. After filming the Dresden Files, he appeared in the TV series The River and is currently playing one of the main characters in Arrow.

What went wrong? Paul Blackthorn was very good in his role, and the audience rated the series for such a good four with a plus. But something was missing - dynamics, special effects … I wanted to see more magic and scary monsters, but it turned out to be an almost English measured detective story with a drop of mysticism. In addition, little of the books remained in the plot - the texts were cut too much, which made the plot flatter, more linear and predictable.

Who should read

Recommended reading for all ardent fans of the "Potter" who grew up on books about wizards, but now prefer something more adult, scary, close to reality. The Dresden Dossier book series is a delightful mix of urban fantasy, noir, detective, mysticism, action-packed thriller and thriller. The text is easy to read, the plot is extremely rich, the dynamicsthe storytelling is impressive. The world is described in volume, it has many characters, main and secondary, events, storylines. The only negative of the series is the inability to tear yourself away from reading, so diving is recommended strictly during the holidays!