Jim Butcher: Fool Moon

• Print Length: 356 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0451458125
• Publisher: Roc (January 1, 2001)
• Sold by: Penguin Publishing
• Language: English

Business has been slow. Okay, business has been dead. And not even of the undead variety. You would think Chicago would have a little more action for the only professional wizard in the phone book. But lately, Harry Dresden hasn't been able to dredge up any kind of work - magical or mundane.
But just when it looks like he can't afford his next meal, a murder comes along that requires his particular brand of supernatural expertise.
A brutally mutilated corpse. Strange-looking paw prints. A full moon. Take three guesses - and the first two don't count... 

 This installment of the Dresden Files was infinitely better than the previous/first one. I'm going to attribute the change to a more developed writer and the lack of the necessity to completely create a new world. Now that we've spent some time with Harry Dresden, we can immerse ourselves in the story and focus more on plot and character development.
  In Fool Moon, Harry must deal with a break down in his friendship with Murphy, his police bestie. That, in and of itself, irritated me although I can see why it was a necessary evil. Still, you would think that the brilliant Special Investigations cop who seems to believe in the possibility of another world would be discerning enough to see through coincidences and try to ask questions...but I digress. The plot was much better paced this time around. There multiple story lines, but they weren't so divergent that you felt like you were being jerked out of one story and into another. They came together in a cogent manner and worked well. The ending was action-packed and suitably full of crazy. I liked it a lot. I also felt the reader got to see more into Harry's character - we know him better. And we like him a lot more since we've seen the darkness that lurks inside. And yay for strong wizards - Harry was less bumbling and more badass which pleased me to no end.
  Furthermore, Susan's character saw more, and less obnoxious, air-time. I can see the relationship between her and Harry growing and deepening. No, I have no idea what's going to happen with them, but I think Butcher is setting them up for something grand.
  Overall: A
  The writing was much improved, as was character and plot development. The mystery was suitably mysterious and I didn't see the twist coming. (Well, sort of, but it was more...twisty.) Well done, Mr. Butcher, well done.