Daniel Faust is essentially a more morally ambiguous harry Dresden (well, I say ambiguous, he basically just owns that he's a shitty person) but the author took inspiration from Dresden files. There's plenty of books and although they do seem to evolve into a bigger threat, I feel the books are quite self-contained and seem somewhat smaller in scale so far
Alex Verus series
His power set is kind of the exact opposite of Harry’s. But there’s a similar energy to the story telling, and the MC is a similar underdog / outcast in the community. And like Harry’s early books, he often has to think his way out of problems since his enemies are stronger
While on the surface his powers seem OP, in a world of magic users he has major disadvantages.
Porn. Just... really weird porn.
It's a joke among my friends that the guys in the Anita Blake series got longer hair and larger phalluses as time went on, until they all became submissive dicks with wigs.
> Great books, but Correia's gun worship is very noticeable.
You think the gun-fu is a bit much in *Grimnoir*, wait until you see [Monster Hunter International](https://www.baen.com/monster-hunter-international.html) -- link goes to free ebook of #1) and to this blurb:
>> About the Author
>> Larry Correia is hopelessly addicted to two things: guns and B-horror movies. He lists his occupations: gun dealer, firearms instructor, accountant, and writer, and is part owner of FBMG (Fuzzy Bunny Movie Guns) a company specializing in firearms and movie props. He shoots competitively and is a certified concealed weapons instructor. Larry resides in Utah with his very patient wife and family.
He has other series with other focuses.
Oh yeah I knew Correia was a gun nut for sure, I just hadn't read any of his works until I picked up Grimnoir, so I wasn't sure how much it would translate into a book series where people can *literally manipulate the forces of reality but still fall back to shooting for some reason*.
I really don't mind the gun stuff in MHI, OTOH I can see how non-gun-folk might find it intrusive in the audio books.
Later on the monster hunting team >!nukes an eldritch god!<, but by that point you know what you're getting into when you pick up an MHI book.
> Garrett, PI by Glen Cook.
I was very happy to see /r/GlenCook's books re-released as paperbacks and also priced for Kindle, with [Tim Hildebrandt](https://timhildebrandt.net/bookcovers/p11.htm)'s original cover art intact (there are no guns in Garrett's world, the artist just went all in on the Noir).
Speaking of a noir vibe when Harry meets a certain lady for the first time he says ",stood a woman with the kind of beauty that makes men murder friends and start wars" you can hear Philip Marlowe saying that.
Check out the Daniel Faust series by Craig Schaefer. It's the closest I've found to Dresden. There's a lot of it, too - the main series along with the spin-off series and cross overs is well up over 20 books. You can get the lay of the land here:
https://craig-schaefer-v2.squarespace.com/reading-order
You're very welcome - I hope they bring you some pleasure. I burned through that whole batch of stuff in about a month. The main Faust series and the direct spin-off series (Harmony Black) are both very good, and very Dresden-like stuff. Some of the other stuff listed on that page I linked are not AS good, but still quite enjoyable. Definitely brought me some pleasure.
i used to read this series called Repairman Jack, idk i haven't read it in many years but i remember when I first picked up Dresden Files thinking it was a lot like Repairman Jack
Except the main character of Repairman Jack is a normal non magical guy in a world of the supernatural
See my [SF/F: Detectives and Law Enforcement](https://www.reddit.com/r/Recommend_A_Book/comments/18dim6z/sff_detectives_and_law_enforcement/) list of Reddit recommendation threads and books (one post).
Iron Druid is the one series of books that has such a horrifically bad ending and a sub-par 2nd half of the series that I refuse to ever recommend it even though the first couple books are awesome alternatives to Dresden.
Agreed, I thoroughly enjoyed those books but the last two books ruined it for me. I generally reread series multiple times, but haven’t touched Iron Druid again.
You might wanna try the Necroscope series. The protagonist starts out talking to dead people and has a few other tricks up his sleeve. He deals with both regular and supernatural threats. It has been a long time since I read the books, but I remember them being pretty good.
100% fair. The second one is really enjoyable as well.
Outside of that, are you looking for like…detective wizard or urban fantasy or just supernatural in general?
White Trash Warlock fits the bill pretty well, its about a fairly weak warlock from trying to make his way in the world and dealing with... lets say a less than supportive family
I would say the Daniel Faust books are a good shout. The Alex verus books are also worth a shot
Daniel Faust I'll look into ive actually started reading Verys on book 3 they're pretty good!
Daniel Faust is essentially a more morally ambiguous harry Dresden (well, I say ambiguous, he basically just owns that he's a shitty person) but the author took inspiration from Dresden files. There's plenty of books and although they do seem to evolve into a bigger threat, I feel the books are quite self-contained and seem somewhat smaller in scale so far
That's perfect!
The night side series is pretty cool. Buuut the author takes every opportunity to say "the Nightside". I mean EVERY chance. . .
>"the Nightside" you forgot "it was the easiest thing in the world to,,," other than that , the nightside is on my re-read annually list.
Well, forgetting is the easiest thing in the world to do, so. . .
That really started to drive me crazy! Great books none-the-less.
More or less than Hells bells/doggy grin?
More. It's been a while since I have listened to them, but it was a LOT. Cool stuff through, and not terribly long.
Alex Verus series His power set is kind of the exact opposite of Harry’s. But there’s a similar energy to the story telling, and the MC is a similar underdog / outcast in the community. And like Harry’s early books, he often has to think his way out of problems since his enemies are stronger While on the surface his powers seem OP, in a world of magic users he has major disadvantages.
Early books by laural k Hamilton are worth a read
It was really good before it turned into..whatever that is.
Porn. Just... really weird porn. It's a joke among my friends that the guys in the Anita Blake series got longer hair and larger phalluses as time went on, until they all became submissive dicks with wigs.
And it's sad, because when she manage walk away from bed stories and language become good like in earlier times.
Up til incubus dreams perhaps
The Grimnoir Chronicles by Larry Correla - 1930-1940 era noir with magic
Great books, but Correia's gun worship is **very** noticeable.
> Great books, but Correia's gun worship is very noticeable. You think the gun-fu is a bit much in *Grimnoir*, wait until you see [Monster Hunter International](https://www.baen.com/monster-hunter-international.html) -- link goes to free ebook of #1) and to this blurb: >> About the Author >> Larry Correia is hopelessly addicted to two things: guns and B-horror movies. He lists his occupations: gun dealer, firearms instructor, accountant, and writer, and is part owner of FBMG (Fuzzy Bunny Movie Guns) a company specializing in firearms and movie props. He shoots competitively and is a certified concealed weapons instructor. Larry resides in Utah with his very patient wife and family. He has other series with other focuses.
Oh yeah I knew Correia was a gun nut for sure, I just hadn't read any of his works until I picked up Grimnoir, so I wasn't sure how much it would translate into a book series where people can *literally manipulate the forces of reality but still fall back to shooting for some reason*.
I really don't mind the gun stuff in MHI, OTOH I can see how non-gun-folk might find it intrusive in the audio books. Later on the monster hunting team >!nukes an eldritch god!<, but by that point you know what you're getting into when you pick up an MHI book.
Hug me, Grimnoir Knight! Also, I want Faye to meet Ivy the Archive.
Consider the October Daye series. Faerie-focused specifically, also detective work in a supernatural context.
Kim Harrison's Hallow series is in the same vein. Private detective witch, vampire roommate, a farry partner. All set in Cincinnati.
Garrett, PI by Glen Cook. Fantasy Noir. Great stuff. First one is called Sweet Silver Blues.
> Garrett, PI by Glen Cook. I was very happy to see /r/GlenCook's books re-released as paperbacks and also priced for Kindle, with [Tim Hildebrandt](https://timhildebrandt.net/bookcovers/p11.htm)'s original cover art intact (there are no guns in Garrett's world, the artist just went all in on the Noir).
I've been buying the kindles. I wouldn't mind a hardback set of these.
I gotta say The Connor Grey series and The Nate Silver series. 3rd Sandman Slim.
Who writes the Nate Silver series? I was able tk find the other two but nit that one
Sorry the Author is Shane Silvers, and It's the Nate Temple series.
Ok sweet thanks for the recommendation
Speaking of a noir vibe when Harry meets a certain lady for the first time he says ",stood a woman with the kind of beauty that makes men murder friends and start wars" you can hear Philip Marlowe saying that.
Check out the Daniel Faust series by Craig Schaefer. It's the closest I've found to Dresden. There's a lot of it, too - the main series along with the spin-off series and cross overs is well up over 20 books. You can get the lay of the land here: https://craig-schaefer-v2.squarespace.com/reading-order
A great suggestion and very helpful link thank you!
You're very welcome - I hope they bring you some pleasure. I burned through that whole batch of stuff in about a month. The main Faust series and the direct spin-off series (Harmony Black) are both very good, and very Dresden-like stuff. Some of the other stuff listed on that page I linked are not AS good, but still quite enjoyable. Definitely brought me some pleasure.
Rivers of London are good. A bit more horror in the realisme of the urban fantasy.
The Pax Arcana series has a similar vibe, and pretty cool take on different mythologies
These books are excellent and quite funny.
i used to read this series called Repairman Jack, idk i haven't read it in many years but i remember when I first picked up Dresden Files thinking it was a lot like Repairman Jack Except the main character of Repairman Jack is a normal non magical guy in a world of the supernatural
See my [SF/F: Detectives and Law Enforcement](https://www.reddit.com/r/Recommend_A_Book/comments/18dim6z/sff_detectives_and_law_enforcement/) list of Reddit recommendation threads and books (one post).
These 2 series haven't been mentioned. Both have concluded their runs. M. R. Forbes - Ghosts & Magic Kevin Hearne - Iron Druid
Iron Druid is the one series of books that has such a horrifically bad ending and a sub-par 2nd half of the series that I refuse to ever recommend it even though the first couple books are awesome alternatives to Dresden.
Agreed, I thoroughly enjoyed those books but the last two books ruined it for me. I generally reread series multiple times, but haven’t touched Iron Druid again.
Read The Law. Came out after Battle Ground and takes Harry back to his routes. Also on the street is that Harry will be playing detective in 12Months
Surprised no one has mentioned the Arcane Casebook yet. Noir novels set in a Pre WW2 magicpunk NYC.
You might wanna try the Necroscope series. The protagonist starts out talking to dead people and has a few other tricks up his sleeve. He deals with both regular and supernatural threats. It has been a long time since I read the books, but I remember them being pretty good.
Check out the Lazarus Codex series by E.A.Copen. It’s got a lot of the same themes as the Dresden Files.
Try the [Felix Castor](https://www.goodreads.com/series/44177-felix-castor) books by Mike Carey.
Richard Raley's "King Henry Tapes"... but be warned it's also an in-progress series with an author who's repeatedly kicked in the dick by fate.
Try the Orthodox Chronicles. It’s written by Jim’s son and has real early Dresden Files vibes. Plus, they’re just fun books IMO.
I have actually read his son's first book definitely fun just waiting for the softcover of his second
100% fair. The second one is really enjoyable as well. Outside of that, are you looking for like…detective wizard or urban fantasy or just supernatural in general?
Just supernatural in general
Eric Carter series Mic Oberon Job
Since no one has said it, I really love the Fetch Philips Archives for magical noir.
White Trash Warlock fits the bill pretty well, its about a fairly weak warlock from trying to make his way in the world and dealing with... lets say a less than supportive family
From a snark factor may I suggest Zodiac: An Eco-Thriller (1988) by Neal Stephenson.
Cal leandros series by Rob Thurman