Dresden Files Reading Order
Jim Butcher's Dresden Files follows Harry Dresden, Chicago's only professional wizard and private investigator. Urban fantasy noir with wizards, vampires, faeries, and a LOT of sarcasm. 18 books and counting.
Our Recommendation: Publication Order
Start with Storm Front. The early books are more episodic; the overarching plot kicks in around book 3-4. Push through the first two if they feel rough — it gets much better.
All Dresden Files Books in Order
- Storm FrontBuy Now2000
- Fool MoonBuy Now2001
- Grave PerilBuy Now2001
- Summer KnightBuy Now2002
- Death MasksBuy Now2003
- Blood RitesBuy Now2004
- Dead BeatBuy Now2005
- Proven GuiltyBuy Now2006
- White NightBuy Now2007
- Small FavorBuy Now2008
- Turn CoatBuy Now2009
- ChangesBuy Now2010
- Ghost StoryBuy Now2011
- Cold DaysBuy Now2012
- Skin GameBuy Now2014
- Peace TalksBuy Now2020
- Battle GroundBuy Now2020
- Twelve MonthsBuy Now2024
Alternative Starting Points
If Storm Front feels dated, some fans suggest starting with:
- Dead Beat (Book 7) — Fan favorite, high stakes, dinosaur zombie. Works as an entry point.
- Summer Knight (Book 4) — Where the overarching plot really begins
That said, starting from book 1 is still recommended for character development.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Dresden Files books are there?
18 novels as of 2024. Jim Butcher has said the series will be around 23-25 books, culminating in a "big apocalyptic trilogy."
Should I read the short stories?
The short story collections (Side Jobs, Brief Cases) are optional but add depth. Some stories fill in gaps between novels. Read them after the corresponding novels or after finishing the main series.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.