Dresden Files Book Order: A Dark Urban Fantasy Reader's Guide
Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files is a stunning urban fantasy series that has captivated readers since the first novel was published in 2000. If you’re new to the series, you might be wondering where to start and how to navigate the constantly expanding world of Harry Dresden. With 17 books and counting, it can be overwhelming to know which is the best Dresden Files book order. But don’t worry, in this article, I’ll provide you with the ultimate guide to reading The Dresden Files books in order.
Dresden Files Book Order - Start with Storm Front
The first book in The Dresden Files series is Storm Front. Harry Dresden is introduced as a detective and a wizard who uses his magic to solve supernatural crimes in modern-day Chicago. In this book, we see Harry Dresden taking on his first case, involving a double murder that points to the supernatural. Storm Front is the perfect place to start if you want to get a feel for the world that Jim Butcher has created.
As a personal note, I really like the Audiobook of Storm Front. The narrator, James Masters, perfectly captures the noir crime feel of the world.
Follow up with Fool Moon
Fool Moon is the second book in the series and follows Harry Dresden as he investigates a string of murders linked to a pack of werewolves. This book expands on the world introduced in Storm Front and introduces us to new characters such as Karen Murphy, a police officer who becomes Harry’s friend and ally.
Move on to Grave Peril
In Grave Peril, the third book in the series, Harry Dresden is summoned to a deadly vampire ball, where he discovers a conspiracy between the vampire courts and a powerful demon. This book delves deeper into the mythos of The Dresden Files and explores the supernatural politics that exist in Chicago.
Pro tip: if you’d like a box set of the first 3 books, here’s a good one.
Take a break with Side Jobs - Best Dresden Files Book Order
Side Jobs is a collection of short stories set in the world of The Dresden Files. It’s the perfect book to read after the first three books as it provides a break from the main narrative and explores some of the smaller cases that Harry Dresden solves. Side Jobs is also a great way to get a taste of Jim Butcher’s writing style before delving back into the main series. This one’s probably best to grab on Kindle.
Keep going with Summer Knight
In Summer Knight, the fourth book in the series, Harry Dresden is hired by the Summer Queen to find out who killed the Summer Knight. This book takes us deeper into the politics of the supernatural world and introduces us to the Fey courts and their intricate power struggles.
Continue with the rest of the Dresden Files series in publication order
From this point on, the rest of the books in The Dresden Files series should be read in publication order. This is the order in which they were written and released and is the best way to experience the story as it unfolds. The next Dresden file book order for the series is:
5. Death Masks
6. Blood Rites
7. Dead Beat
8. Proven Guilty
9. White Night
10. Small Favor
11. Turn Coat
12. Changes
13. Ghost Story
14. Cold Days
15. Skin Game
16. Peace Talks
17. Battle Ground
Dresden Files Books In Order - Bonus Books
Once you’ve nailed the entire series of main titles (along with your ‘Side Jobs’ break), there are some other Dresden File books to add into your reading guide. These are:
Working for Bigfoot (2015) - The three Dresden Bigfoot novellas all rolled into one tome.
Brief Cases (2019) - A cracking short story collection of 12 new cases, well worth digging into.
The Law (2022) - This novella thrusts Chicago’s only professional Wizard, Harry Dresden, back into battle–both a legal one…and the kind with explosions.
The Dresden Files series is a modern classic of urban fantasy that has captured the hearts and minds of anyone who loves magic, mystery, and supernatural crime-solving. By following this guide and reading the books in order, you’ll be able to fully immerse yourself in Harry Dresden’s world and enjoy all of the twists and turns that Jim Butcher has in store. Happy reading!
And, for those true fans looking for a Dresden Files box set, go here.