Kewl Series
I listen to novels while I work, and enjoyed this series very very much. If you haven't read these books, go get them now.

Series is (slowly) starting to pick up.
Jim Butcher, Grave Peril (Roc, 2001)

Grave Peril, the third book in Butcher's Harry Dresden series, is the book where Jim Butcher finally seems to get it all to fall into place. There's always been something not quite right about the books; either the pacing was off in one section, or the characters hadn't quite come into their own, or the description didn't quite ring true, or any of a number of other things. But here, it all works. We're introduced to a foil for Harry (and, from what I've read in some book communities, he's a lasting one), we have a plot that actually seems to work, as well as one that draws together a few threads from the previous books, we have a lot more background on some of the big meanies, we have great setting and excellent characterization, we've got just about everything. And it's probably not coincidence that this is the book that reads most like a Spenser (of Robert B. Parker fame) novel, either.

As we open, Dresden and his friend Michael (is he that Michael? We don't know... yet) are battling a ghost in a nursery. Yes, in a nursery. Which seems like it's going to be a one-shot deal, after which Dresden can go home and get some much-needed sleep and Michael can go back to his sharp-tongued wife. Unfortunately, though, the ghost is symbolic of a larger problem-- the fraying of the barrier between our world and the nevernever. What's a wizard and his big, burly friend to do?

This one flew by much faster than the first two, both compulsively readable and very well put-together, with a greater command of plotting and the first glimmerings of real character depth. If the series continues to improve at this rate, I'll be able to see why it got optioned for TV eventually. ***

Great series. But book 3..not so much
This may get spoilerish:

I have so far really enjoyed the series with books 1 and 2. But half way through 3 I felt as if this should have been number 4. Everything that is going on is connected to a story that happens between book 2 and 3. A story that sounds like it should have gotten its own entire book. Another issue is that I am not sure that it is tied to the ending of book 2 where Dresden mentions that the events of 1 and 2 where the work of another force. Am I supposed to think that any of the numerous 'bad guys' ws this force trying to get him? It is not clear.

Some parts of the story jump or felt rushed to get to a plot point which leaves you a little confused until the exposition kicks in.

But do not get me wrong, the story was still good and feels like the kick off to some major events in the following books, but it suffered from pacing problems and information overload. Perhaps if this had been the 4th book and used the 3rd to flush out the events leading to this book and maybe put in the introduction of Dresden's god mother in that theoretical book, this one would have been more satisfying.

I hold out hope that book 4 doesn't have these issues when I begin reading it next week.

Butcher serves it up again !!
If your a fan of the Dresden files you will love this one, if your not you might like to try it. True it is a bit off the wall but it is also loaded with quick wit and humor and enough characterization to make you care about Dresdan and the people he works with and against. I loved it !
Penny

H*ll on Rollerskates
Harry Dresden, Chicago's favorite wizard, battles ghosts and vampires in this third renewal of Jim Butcher's excellent noir fantasy series. Some of the best points of GRAVE PERIL include an action-packed plot that can be read independently from the previous books and a new engaging character in the person of Harry's devout Christian friend, Michael Carpenter.

Michael is Harry's friend and partner in battling an outbreak of ghosts that is terrorizing Chicago. Given what seems to happen to Harry's friends, it's a miracle he has one left. Micheal's a doughty man, strong in his Faith, who wields a sword that contains a nail from the True Cross. He keeps trying to reform Harry in between battles with unearthly agents of evil. He tends to raise ethical questions that Harry doesn't want to answer such as Harry's failure to carry out an old bargain he made with Lea, his faerie godmother.

Michael and the issues he raises aside, the story in this book is similar to FOOL MOON, except we have vampires and sexual shenanigans instead of nice clean werewolves. The parallels are striking: even the season of the year is the same: autumn. Other plot elements repeat in differing degrees: Harry's troubles with the Law and his magical exhaustion. Less visible blood and more ectoplasm, vampire spit and other types of goo, that's the difference here. Also, there are so many bad guys (and gals) out to get Harry it's hard for any tension to build. Personally, I think vampires are getting cliched, but I really liked the ending.

Paradoxically, the strong points of this book are also its weak points. The action-packed plot prevents exploration of Harry's inner soul and there's only so many times Harry can deal with a) a demon possessed ghost, b) another attack by twin vampires or c) another ambush by the evil faerie godmother. Harry isn't the only one to be burned out by too much magic. One wonders what would happen if an ethical issue was allowed to play out naturally. Hum, now I'm curious about the next book...Jim Butcher, you sly devil, you did it again.