Fool Moon

The Dresden Files, Book 2

By: Jim Butcher

Narrated by: James Marsters

Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's Summary

Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden is Chicago's only openly practicing wizard. He is also dead broke. His vast knowledge and magical skills are unfortunately matched by his talent for making powerful enemies and alienating friends. With little more than his integrity left, he accepts an offer of work from Lt. Karin Murphy of Chicago's Special Investigations Unit. He wants to redeem himself in Murphy's eyes and make enough money to quiet his rumbling stomach.

Soon he finds himself pinned between trigger-happy FBI agents, shape-shifiting motorcycle gang members, a threatened mobster boss, and an heir to an ancient curse along with his primal fiance. Throw in environmental activists and a pair of young werewolves in love and you have something of Fool Moon.

©2002 Jim Butcher (P)2002 Buzzy Multimedia

One of the best books I've read in a long time!

I first discovered The Dresden Files series on NetFlix and was instantly hooked. I was nervous about reading Jim Butcher's books after seeing the series, worrying that my preconceptions and possible knowledge of plotlines might take away from the experience, but there's so much more to the characters and stories that I didn't even think of the TV series as I listened. Wonderful characters, wonderful stories, wonderful prose. I liked Marster's narration better in the second book. In fact, as much as I loved the first book, I found the second far more enjoyable, suspenseful, and thought provoking.

Awful, just awful

I wanted to quit this book so many times but I powered through it, this is a series that has been recommended to me over and over again. I really hope it gets better soon or I am quitting.

There are some good things here, but they are utterly undone by frustrating and annoying characters. Somewhere around the 50th time Dresden slipped into a "poor me" monologue of him blaming himself for things that are usually in no way his fault, I decided that he might be the whiniest character I have ever read. But at least he is somewhat redeemable, with his never give up attitude, no matter what is in front of him he just keeps going and fighting. Which is good because the other annoying quality to his character in this book is he is always almost dead, from almost go in this book he is always one inch from death, which would be a great tension builder if it wasn't so overused here. But the thing about this book that made me want to hurl my headphones across the room is Murphy, she is one of the most infuriating and insufferable characters I have ever put up with in a book. She is way too much of a hot headed to be remotely believable as the great detective that Dresden says she is. The second something supernatural happens that Dresden didn't tell her about she is punching, trying to arrest him, or saying she can't trust him. Jim Butcher does such a huge disservice to what should be a strong female character by making her unreasonable and distrusting, and the only reason he does this is to advance the plot. If Murphy and Dresden are working together the plot of this book is resolved much easier and quicker, so she is turned into a character whose death I wished for on every page just to push the plot along. The next book in this series better be worlds better or I think I am done. This is the worst book I have suffered through in years.

Good story reader saliva issue

The story was good but the reader needed to drink some water or something. He keeps lip smacking throughout the book which is like listening to someone eat hot wings. Very distracting.

too much drama!

I don't know if detective Murphy it's supposed to be likeable or easy to relate to but her bitchyness in combo with Dresdens self loathing nature completely ruin this book.

I'm liking Harry more and more

I was looking for another engaging series to try after reading all of Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse books and found Jim Butcher's books.

Harry Dresden, a wizard/detective in Chicago, is a very quirky, compelling main character who gets himself in one unbelievable predicament after another. I found the writing style of this second Dresden book to be decidedly improved from the first (Storm Front). Although there is still some hackneyed detective-genre prose to make me cringe at times, I am won over by Jim Butcher's talent for painting these characters, creating an intriguing paranormal universe, and some twisty-turny storylines that keep you guessing.

Fool Moon (nice pun, BTW) is about Harry's search to discover the source of a recent spate of killings, presumably by a werewolf. You will learn more about the different flavors of werewolf than you ever thought you wanted to know, and how they kill their prey (warning: not for the squeamish!)

I'm going to download the rest of the Dresden series because I just have to know what happens next to Harry and how he'll get out of it!

Another great novel of the Dresden Files

This novel is a turning point in the series. It is the second book in the Dresden Files and paves a strong foundation for turning a fairly light fantasy series into a substantial series with characters that live and breath. Murphy and Dresden begin to define the kind of friendship that will blossom into something very special.

Harry becomes something a bit more than just a brooding wizard as he begins to realize his responsibilities not just to trying to make a living but to his friends and his community of wizards.

James Marsten continues his excellent talent of reading these books and I disagree with a previous review that his delivery was shaky. His performance was stronger than the first book, Storm Front, and it continues to get better through the rest of the series.

I hope Audible gets all of the series. You should, too!

Done with Mr. Dresden

Any additional comments?

I have to admit I came into The Dresden Files expecting something really great but in the end it really just isn't for me. Dresden is a bit of an ass and spends most of the book in an emo mess of self loathing about how everything wouldn't be so screwed up if he was just able to figure out the convoluted mystery sooner.

Then there is Karrin Murphy. Ms. Murphy is far to quick to just assume Dresden is an evil, murdering, bastard when in truth he is just a crappy friend who can't just tell her what is actually going on which is what she is paying him to do.

Oh and lets not forget Mr. Masters. The breathing, oh the breathing. Why in the world did the editor allow all of the damn breathing and swallowing to stay in the book? Don't get me wrong, it isn't half as bad as the first book but it really pulled me out of the story. At least the production value for this book was a bit better than the first because it didn't sound like a bootleg of a 1950s radio program.

Alas, I have to say that I really don't think I am going to continue the Dresden Files. I had high hopes but it really just seems like a chore to continue with the series. It isn't the worst thing in the world and I fully understand that a lot of people really love the series but it's just not for me.

Ridiculously frustrating main character

Narrator: James Marsters does a masterful job in the story telling.

Story: I generally like stories involving the supernatural. I’ve found the Dresden File stories I’ve gone thru so far (first three) to be unbelievably frustrating. I don’t see how an author can write a character who is suppose to be a more Intelligent one (wizards are suppose to generally possess an above average intelligence) be so absolutely stupid!?!? The Character of Harry Dresden acts more like a brain addled barbarian then then astute wizard. I find this portrayal to be so frustrating that I’ve given up on reading or listening to anymore of these stories.

Reasonably good book, poor performance

What did you like best about Fool Moon? What did you like least?

After enjoying the Codex Alera series, I hoped that I was going to enjoy the Dresden Files. Unfortunately, I can't say that I have, and I'm not going to buy any more of the books in this series. In fairness to the author, my primary issue with the books is the reader. Maybe I have been spoiled by George Guidall, Kate Reading, and others, but Marsters' narration is so distracting that it keeps me from appreciating the author's work. That having been said, I can only rate the book itself as good, as opposed to very good or excellent. Some of the things that the characters do are simply implausible. Granted this is a book series about a wizard, but still, the actions of the people in the book need to be consistent with human nature. For example, an FBI agent would not draw her gun and try to kill a police lieutenant simply because they had gotten into a tussle. So, net-net, the first two books were disappointing.

Pity Party

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Dresden's moaning. He goes on about how its all his fault that other people have died. He is also on his last leg, yet has energy to save the day one more time. I think Butcher pushed it in this book.

Would you be willing to try another book from Jim Butcher? Why or why not?

Possibly, but if its another pity party - count me out of the Dresden series.

Which scene was your favorite?

Nothing comes to mind

Do you think Fool Moon needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No, because it would involve more self pity.

great story, great narration

Tremendous stuff - though if you are contemplating buying this as your first "Harry Dresden" book, it is important to read the series in order - get "Storm Front" first!

So what's the series about? Science Fantasy meets detective noir, with lots of action, terrific narrative drive, great characters, quirky dialogue, humour - what more can I say?

Perfectly suited for an audiobook as the story is told by the main character, and James Marsters (Spike in TV's Buffy the Vampire Slayer)brings Harry Dresden splendidly to life and captures Jim Butcher'style to perfection.

Strongly recommended.

Easy listening

I think I preferred this to book one in the series. Harry's character is definitely gaining some depth, and the story seemed to just gel better than in book one. I understand from other reviewers that the series improves as it goes on.

James Marsters' narration is excellent. Although he doesn't really do different voices for different characters, his presentation is such that you have no doubt as to who is speaking. His voice is very easy to listen to, and his tone, emphasis and ability to impart the character's state of being really adds to the overall enjoyment of this book.

Enjoyed it enough to give the next book in the series a chance....off to download that one now.

A great purchase

Excellent reading as always - I could listen to this reader read the phone book out, as he has a lovely voice. He makes an average set of books well worth listening to, and I stick entirely to audio nowadays for this series. Definitely among my favourite purchases.

Something went wrong here.

I've listened to several of Jim Butcher's audio books and really love this series but if I'm being totally honest, you could probably skip this one if you wanted. There is no character progression here, only an idiot claiming to be a detective would miss really important clues or walk into dangerous situations completely unprepared, the way Dresden does in this one. After how well the first story was written, I was left really disappointed.

There are three reasons why you may want to stick with it. While Harry doesn't exactly experience much in the way of personal growth in this story, there are several important developments with his relationships. James Masters is brilliant as always, drawing you in without you even realizing it. His acting ability really brings the characters to life and gives a performance where many narrators provide only a recital. Lastly, the first novel is a really enjoyable listen, I would rate the next novel as five star, so if your expectations aren't too high, you should still enjoy this book as part of the series.

A great listen

If you could sum up Fool Moon in three words, what would they be?

A very hard thing to do... Werewolves, Wizards and Mystery.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Obviously, It's Harry... but then it's all about Harry :) But my favourite character is Karrin Murphy, but that's based on the story arc [I'm up to Book 14 Cold Days]. In this she still doesn't 'get' Harry entirely and she's learning about what really lurks in the shadows and how to be taken seriously.

Have you listened to any of James Marsters’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I am biased and I have listened to all 12 of the Harry Dresden audiobooks available on audible and so think James Marsters reading is pretty darn good. I watched him on Buffy, Superman and a few other places he has appeared over the years as well. He gets the tone of the book right, Film Noir twisted with Urban Fantasy. He also makes a good attempt at voicing the characters well, Bob and Harry being particular high notes.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did laugh quite a bit at Harry, he has a way of getting into scrapes and trying to be the hero and chivalrous all in one.

Any additional comments?

I have read all of the Harry Dresden books and love having them in audio, being able to listen when it suits me is brilliant. I'm on my third round of listening to these books and it's amazing the things I just didn't pick up on before, paths that Harry will be led down in the distant future. Jim does an excellent job writing these books with such detail and care. I just can't wait now for audible to get Ghost Story and Cold Days in audio format now.

Excellent series of books

How to explain? Imagine private eye Philip Marlowe in the Big Sleep and then substitute wizard Harry Dreseden, For the bad guys you have supernatural beasts like Werewolves and Daemons. The narrative of James Masters brings the rough around the edges character of Dresden to life. and the fast paced writing of Jim Butcher keeps your interest in the story. Excellent books, difficult to stop listening - trouble is they're using up all my Audible credits!

Huge Fan

Fantastic book and James Masters IS the voice of Harry Dresden... Can I have some more please?

An Excellent Urban Fantasy Book

The second book in the Dresden Files. It's still not quite perfect but the series really starts to find it's feet here and as I've said before James Marsters is perfect as Harry.



This book introduces a few new characters who become very important throughout the series and it's spin offs (one of them is the author of the roleplaying game) and helps to strengthen relationships between characters we already know.



Although not one of my favourite in the series there are a few particular scenes that really define the series and certain characters for the future - the police station scene for one as well as the scene in the pit with Marcone both spring to mind.

good book good reading

a good book, not butchers best, but as its his early work its ok. the same can be said for Jmaes Marsters acting of Dresden, its good, but his later books are better.

Same same but different

Felt very similar to the first book. Dresden getting in over his head with [insert mythical beast of choice here] but who should he trust and then coming through somehow. Having said that it was still enjoyable to listen to.

Solid performance, enjoyable story and I will get onto the third book at some point.