The Dresden Files, #1
Storm Front
by Jim Butcher
Contents
Chapter One
Overview
Harry Dresden, a down-on-his-luck professional wizard in Chicago, fields a cautious call from a woman named Monica seeking help finding her missing husband. Moments later, Lt. Karrin Murphy urgently summons him to a horrific double-homicide scene at the Madison Hotel. Dresden heads out, balancing the new client with the case.
Summary
Harry Dresden, a professional wizard in Chicago, endures ridicule from a new mailman and reflects on public skepticism toward magic and his recent financial struggles. He notes his limited, honest work and the unreliability of technology around him.
A hesitant caller identifying herself only as Monica asks Dresden to find her missing husband. Aware of wizardly name taboos and needing income, Dresden invites Monica to his office for a free initial consultation, scheduling her for 2:30 p.m.
Immediately afterward, Lieutenant Karrin Murphy of Special Investigations calls, urgently requesting Dresden’s expertise at a double-homicide at the Madison Hotel. She warns him not to eat first and emphasizes the scene’s severity and the risk of losing control of the case to Special Crimes.
Dresden agrees to go, leaves a note to keep his appointment with Monica, and chooses the stairs over the elevator, citing his distrust of machines and his caution that a magical killer might target him. He departs, resolved to examine the crime scene quickly and return for the client.
Who Appears
- Harry DresdenWizard protagonist; struggling for work, fields a missing-persons inquiry, and is summoned to consult on a double homicide.
- Karrin MurphyHead of Special Investigations; urgently calls Dresden to a gruesome double-murder scene at the Madison Hotel.
- MonicaNervous caller seeking Dresden’s help to find her missing husband; withholds her full name and schedules a meeting.
- New mailmanSkeptical postal worker who mocks Dresden’s ‘Wizard’ sign before delivering registered mail.