Why am I passionate about this?
Growing up in Indiana and Illinois meant that Chicago has always been, for me, the cityâthe place where people went to make a name for themselves and took the world by storm. From my local Carnegie Library, I read voraciously across genresâhistory, science, literature. They transported me out of my small townâacross the universe sometimes. I learned that setting in fiction was for me a major feature of my enjoyment, and Chicago was where I set my own mystery series. These books, when I read them, explored that grand metropolisâand brought Chicago to life on and off the page. I hope you enjoy these books as much as I have.
Patrick's book list on Chicago as a main character
Why did Patrick love this book?
When I first encountered Harry Dresden, a professional wizard solving a double homicide in Chicago, I was instantly hooked by its noir, fantasy, and traditional mystery with dollops of humor. This novelâthe first in The Dresden File seriesâkept me engaged the entire time with a fast-moving plot and interesting characters.
I could see in my mindâs eye Chicagoâs skyscrapers and their reflection in Lake Michigan as Harry dug deeper into the crimes and the supernatural world. This was my first urban fantasy read, and Butcherâs ability to blend a private investigator story with the supernatural ensured it was not my last.
27 authors picked Storm Front as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.
In the first novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling Dresden Files series, Harry Dresdenâs investigation of a grisly double murder pulls him into the darkest depths of magical ChicagoâŚ
As a professional wizard, Harry Dresden knows firsthand that the âeverydayâ world is actually full of strange and magical thingsâand most of them donât play well with humans. And those that do enjoy playing with humans far too much. He also knows heâs the best at what he does. Technically, heâs the only at what he does. But even though Harry is the only game in town, businessâto putâŚ