"Very powerful urban fantasy"
Two extremely competent female cat burglars steal the
Shroud of Turin with all signs pointing towards the icon
being taken to Chicago. Evidence suggests that Chicago
mobster John Marcone is the intended buyer, but the church
hopes to intercept the sacred artifact before it changes
hands. Father Vincent works with the Chicago police but he
also hopes to obtain the assistance of local wizard Harry
Dresden, a private investigator who specializes in
supernatural crimes. Harry agrees to take the case but it becomes more
complicated when the Denarians also want the shroud. The
Denarians are humans who chose to align themselves with the
Fallen for immortality and innumerable power. They plan to
use the artifact combined with some dark magic to create
and spread a plague that will decimate much of the world's
population. Harry and his allies, the Knights of the
Cross, must stop the Denarians at all costs or Earth will
undergo a tragedy more powerful than the Black Plague. Jim Butcher has created a very powerful urban fantasy story
set in modern day Chicago where the only "outed" wizard
resides. Unlike many of his allies, who operate in a black
and white world, Harry works in shades of pastels, never
certain whether what he is doing is right or just
expedient. It is that uncertainty that makes the hero a
vulnerable lovable person. Fans of Laurell K. Hamilton and
Mercedes Lackey will definitely want to read all five books
in the Dresden Files. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted July 27, 2003
NATIONAL BESTSELLING SERIES
Lost items found. Paranormal
Investigations.
Consulting. Advice. Reasonable
Rates.
No Love Potions, Endless Purses, or
Other
Entertainment.
SummaryHarry Dresden, Chicago's only practicing professional
wizard, should be happy that business is pretty good for a
change. But now he's getting more than he bargained for:
A duel with the Red Court of Vampires' champion, who
must kill Harry to end the war between vampires and
wizards...
Professional hit men using Harry for target practice...
The missing Shroud of Turin...
A handless and headless corpse the Chicago police need
identified...
Not to mention the return of Harry's girlfriend Susan,
who's still struggling with her semivampiric nature. And
who seems to have a new man in her life.
Some days, it just doesn't pay to get out of bed. No
matter how much you're charging.
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