Summary
Storm Front marked the debut of The Dresden Files, Jim Butcher's bestselling urban fantasy series. First published in 2000, the novel introduces Harry Dresden, Chicago's only wizard-for-hire as a private investigator. Set in an alternate contemporary Chicago where magic and the mundane coexist, Storm Front offers a thrilling blend of detective noir and supernatural intrigue. Dresden—a wizard PI who advertises in the Yellow Pages—quickly became one of urban fantasy's most iconic protagonists. The Dresden Files now spans 17 novels and numerous short stories.
Plot
When Storm Front opens, Harry Dresden, Chicago's only wizard-for-hire as a PI, finds himself in a precarious professional situation. Monica Sells hires him to find her missing husband Victor, while Lieutenant Karrin Murphy of the Chicago PD calls him in to consult on a gruesome double murder. As Dresden investigates, he discovers a connection between the two cases involving black magic and a powerful drug called ThreeEye.
Dresden's investigation leads him into Chicago's supernatural underworld, where he encounters vampires, mobsters, and a dangerous warlock. He learns that Victor Sells, Monica's husband, has become obsessed with dark magic and is behind the production of ThreeEye. The drug grants users temporary magical sight but has devastating side effects. Victor's ultimate goal is to gain power and challenge Johnny Marcone, Chicago's crime lord.
As Dresden delves deeper into the case, he becomes a target himself. Victor Sells, now fully embracing his role as a warlock, uses his newfound powers to summon demons and magical creatures to attack Dresden. The wizard finds himself in a race against time to stop Victor's plans and prevent more murders, all while trying to clear his own name as the White Council, the governing body of wizards, suspects him of the killings.
The climax unfolds at Victor's lakeside mansion during a powerful storm. Dresden confronts the warlock in a fierce magical battle, facing off against demonic entities and monstrous scorpions. In the end, Dresden manages to defeat Victor by burning down the mansion, trapping the warlock inside. Though victorious, Dresden finds himself in peril until Warden Morgan, a member of the White Council, recognizes his innocence and saves him. The experience leaves Dresden shaken, having narrowly escaped both magical and mortal dangers, but alive.
Themes
The balance between good and evil in magic
The blurred lines between law and morality
The consequences of power and addiction
The importance of trust and loyalty
The struggle for redemption and second chances
The clash between supernatural and mundane worlds
The price of using magic responsibly
Setting
Storm Front takes place in a contemporary world where magic coexists with the everyday stuff of mortal life. The story unfolds primarily in Chicago, with its bustling streets, towering skyscrapers, and hidden underworld serving as a backdrop for the magical intrigue.
Key locations within Chicago play significant roles in the story. Harry Dresden's office in midtown serves as his base of operations, while McAnally's tavern acts as a neutral ground for supernatural beings. The Chicago Police Department's Special Investigations unit, where Lieutenant Karrin Murphy works, becomes a crucial nexus for Dresden's involvement in the mysterious murders.
Beyond the Windy City, the novel hints at a larger magical world. References to the White Council, a governing body for wizards, and various supernatural factions suggest a global network of mystical forces at play. This broader context sets the stage for Dresden's adventures, positioning Chicago as a hotspot for supernatural activity in a world where magic lurks just beneath the surface of everyday life.
Characters
Harry Dresden: The protagonist and narrator. Dresden is Chicago's only wizard-for-hire as a private investigator specializing in supernatural cases. He has a strong moral code and dry sense of humor. Dresden struggles financially but refuses to use magic for personal gain. He wields powerful magic but often relies on wit and preparation to overcome challenges.
Lieutenant Karrin Murphy: Head of Chicago PD's Special Investigations unit. Murphy is a tough, no-nonsense cop who brings Dresden in as a consultant on unusual cases. She is skeptical of the supernatural but trusts Dresden's abilities. Their friendship is tested as Murphy suspects Dresden may be involved in the murders.
Bob the Skull: An air spirit bound to a human skull who serves as Dresden's magical assistant and repository of arcane knowledge. Bob has a lecherous personality and provides comic relief. He helps Dresden with magical theory and preparation of potions.
Susan Rodriguez: A reporter for a tabloid newspaper covering supernatural events. Susan is ambitious and flirtatious, often trying to get information from Dresden for her stories. She becomes romantically involved with Dresden.
Johnny Marcone: Chicago's most powerful crime lord. While calculating and ruthless, Marcone is surprisingly honorable for a criminal. He becomes involved in the case when some of his men are murdered and develops a wary respect for Dresden's abilities.
Victor Sells: The main antagonist. A dark wizard secretly manufacturing a magical drug, Sells is consumed by his newfound power and willing to kill to protect his operation. He serves as a dark reflection of what Dresden could become if he abused his magical abilities.
Monica Sells: Victor's wife and Dresden's client. She hires Dresden to find her missing husband, unaware of his dark activities. Monica is protective of her children and increasingly afraid of Victor's changes in behavior.
Morgan: A Warden of the White Council who suspects Dresden of breaking magical laws. Morgan is duty-bound and antagonistic towards Dresden due to past events.
Toot-Toot: A tiny fairy who assists Dresden in exchange for pizza. Toot-Toot provides comic relief and helps gather information for Dresden's investigation.
Mac: The taciturn owner of McAnally's, a pub frequented by magical practitioners. Mac brews excellent beer and maintains neutrality in supernatural conflicts.
Quick facts
Storm Front is the first novel in The Dresden Files series, which now spans 17 books.
Published in 2000, Storm Front launched Jim Butcher's career as a professional author.
Butcher began the novel as part of a writing class assignment.
Storm Front was Butcher's ninth attempt at writing a novel, but his first to be published.
Harry Dresden's name is inspired by magician Harry Houdini and the city of Dresden, Germany.
The novel introduces Bob the skull, who becomes a recurring character throughout the series.
The novel combines elements of detective fiction and urban fantasy.
Storm Front inspired elements of the short-lived 2007 television show The Dresden Files, which aired on the Sci-Fi Channel (now SyFy).
Storm Front was adapted into a graphic novel in 2008.
The audiobook version is narrated by James Marsters, best known for his role as Spike on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
About the Author
Jim Butcher (1971-) is a bestselling American fantasy author. He is best known for his contemporary fantasy series The Dresden Files, which follows the adventures of Harry Dresden, a professional wizard in modern-day Chicago.
Butcher’s fascination with fantasy and science fiction began in childhood, sparked by classics like The Lord of the Rings trilogy. After receiving rejections for nine different novels, Butcher drafted Storm Front, introducing PI wizard-for-hire Harry Dresden, as a writing exercise. His persistence paid off. His breakthrough came after meeting literary agent Ricia Mainhardt at a convention. The Dresden File became a highly successful fantasy series with 17 books. Since then, Butcher has authored multiple successful series, including the high fantasy Codex Alera and the steampunk-inspired Cinder Spires.
Beyond novels, Butcher's work has expanded into other media. The Dresden Files was adapted into a short-lived television series on the Sci Fi Channel in 2007, starring Paul Blackthorne as Harry Dresden. Additionally, Butcher's novels have been adapted into graphic novels and role-playing games, further expanding his fictional universes.
Known for his martial arts enthusiasm and self-deprecating humor, Butcher often describes himself as possessing skills “rendered obsolete at least 200 years ago.” He continues to write from his home in Independence, Missouri, maintaining a strong online presence under the moniker “Longshot”—a nod to the odds he overcame to establish his successful writing career.
