Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden is a mage. A real one who uses real magic in the real world in modern times. He's also a private detective. On the same day he's asked by the police to help with a double murder and by a woman to help find her missing husband, both of which sound more simple than they really turn out to be. By the end of the day, the local mob boss has warned him off the police case. By the weekend, he's neck deep in trouble that tangles both cases and could easily get him killed, if not by the murderer or the mob boss, then by the White Council - the wizard council whose job it is to make sure all mages obey the laws of magic.
Impression:Storm Front isn't overly engrossing and not very complicated, but it is a fun read. The opening didn't draw me in that well, so it was easy to set the book aside. However, as the story built up to its climax, it became much harder to put down. I ended up reading the last half of the book in one night. Harry is an interesting character, the world the story is written is well drawn even with the changes made. However, the "mystery" was a little too easy to figure out (although I admit I didn't have it till closer to the end - I still had it before Harry) and I felt the author's use of coincidence wasn't well explained - it was just to pat. Fortunately, I like the character enough and the story was a fun enough read despite its problems that I will more than likely pick up the remainder of the series. Not a highly recommended read, but one that I would suggest to anyone looking for something not too deep and fun.
