Book Review - Fool Moon by Jim Butcher, the Dresden Files book 2

I finally got back to the library and picked up Fool Moon and was immediately disappointed that the library didn't have book three as well. I started it that night and finished within 48 hours. Like Storm Front I was not disappointed. I find that I really enjoy the mix between mystery and action that Butcher gives us. The character of Dresden is also fantastic. While I'm sure there are things that he does and lives through that may be improbable, he has his limits and we see some of them in Fool Moon. I do need to point out the this book had more violence (and violent death) as well as more sensuality than Storm Front, but like the first, it was not graphic or gratuitous.

Plot: After six months of minimalist contact Karen Murphy, the director of Special Investigations at the Chicago PD, comes to Harry Dresden for help with a case. The cases she asks for help on are his bread and butter and enable him to pay the bills and the absence had made things tight for Harry. Murphy doesn't fully trust Dresden, but her job, and his freedom, are on the line. There has been a spree of gruesome murders corresponding with the last full moon. The Harvest moon is approaching and a similar gruesome spree seems to be starting again. Murphy needs to know about werewolves and wants Harry to educate her. Harry has some research to do and what he finds only complicates things. What's more, whoever is doing the killings knows that Dresden is on the case and is trying to kill him. Wolves to the right of him, a distrustful Murphy and his left, and his own inner darkness before him. Tally-ho!

My personal favorites: I'm a sucker for good action and a stalwart hero. Dresden's unspoken cowboy persona strikes a cord in me as I grew up reading Louis L'Amour. The mystery components add that additional zing to it. I enjoyed seeing more of Harry's magic and we get to see that he is a force to be reckoned with.

Considerations: This book reminded me of the gore level of Relic, but not quite as detailed. There are references to nudity (people changing forms from human to werewolf) but the descriptions are brief and not gratuitous. There is also a romantic scene between two characters that while sensual in nature there are no descriptions of the actions involved. It could be said that sex is explicit but not described.

All in all, Fool Moon was a more mature book that Storm Front, but wouldn't call it inappropriate for late teens. It certainly had the vibe of the Film Noir hardcore private eye stories that it seems to emulate. But I love teh fantastic flair thrown in. Also, we get hints that there is a larger evil at large and so I anticipate seeing some over arching plot points in future books. That is assuming I can get my hands on them.