Jim Butcher, White Night (Roc, 2007)
White Night, the ninth installment in Butcher's vastly entertaining Dresden Files series is the first to bear the subtle imprint "as seen on SciFi" on the cover, a nod to the recently concluded TV series. Fans new to the books, fresh off the TV series, probably won't want to start with White Night, though, because the books' universe is somewhat different than the TV series' and Butcher follows a definite continuity. It would be better to start at the beginning and work your way up to this novel.
White Night picks up some time after the events of Proven Guilty. Harry Dresden is still settling into his role as a Warden, the grey cloak not yet a comfortable fit. He has spent his time training new wardens -- and his own personal charge, his apprentice, Molly, who still seems pouty and rebellious, even though her powers have progressed under Harry's tutelage.
Sergeant Karrin Murphy pulls Dresden into a case that on the surface appears to be a suicide, but actually is the first clue to a series of murders. Someone is killing off the women of Chicago who are low-level magic users: and they want Dresden to know they're doing it. To make matters worse, Dresden's initial investigative efforts all point to the one person he'd least want to pursue: his half-brother Thomas.
As the novel unfolds, old friends -- and foes -- resurface, joining Dresden in a tangled web which eventually has him going toe-to-toe with representatives of two-thirds of factions of the White Court of vampires (hence the book's title) with fellow warden Ramirez in tow. And when things go bad -- as they have a tendency to do for Dresden -- Murphy, Thomas and Chicago mafia leader gentleman Johnny Marcone and his men jump in to help.
White Night's another strong entry in the series. Dresden's growing older and wiser, learning from his past mistakes. His interactions with the dark angel he carries within him, Lasciel, are the most telling, and fascinating. And while Harry's unlikely to be a dad, at this rate, he does well enough by Molly, though it's tough love, all the way. Several side characters get some good screen time this time around, including Molly, Ramirez, Dresden's first lover Elaine and Marcone.
With each book in the series, Butcher has been steadily moving the overarching plot along, weaving in threads from past books with new strands to make one whole tapestry. We don't have the whole picture yet, nor does Dresden, but bits and pieces are slowly coming together. Intriguingly, at this point, many of Dresden's allies look suspiciously like enemies -- perhaps he's subscribing to the theory of keeping ones enemies closer than ones friends. Should be interesting if the Council finds out how he operates (Ramirez is quick to point this out).
And it's a delight to see White Night end on an upswing -- a humorous bonding scene between Dresden and Thomas. It's sweet and funny and a positive note for both men.
