J
Jim Butcher
The Dresden Files
Harry Dresden is a wizard for hire in modern-day Chicago, taking on cases that mix magic with the mundane. This urban fantasy series follows Harry as he navigates a hidden world of supernatural threats, balancing his detective work with the growing dangers of his magical abilities.
The books are best read in publication order to follow Harry Dresden's continuous character development and the overarching plot. While some early books can feel somewhat standalone, later entries build heavily on previous events and character relationships.
The Dresden Files was adapted into a television series that aired on the Sci Fi Channel. It loosely adapts elements from the early books in the series.
Several short stories and novellas expand on the world and characters of The Dresden Files. Many of these are collected in the anthologies Side Jobs and Brief Cases, and they often provide additional context or explore side plots.
While The Dresden Files is a standalone series, Jim Butcher's other major series, Codex Alera, is entirely separate and does not share characters or a universe with Harry Dresden's adventures.