Harry Dresden is Chicago’s only professional wizard.  While he’s not solving crimes as a consultant with the Chicago PD, he’s trying to keep out of a turf war between the Summer and Winter Court of the Fae (think Queen Titania vs. Queen Mab), avoid demons who are trying to kill him, and escape the notice of Chicago’s supernatural crime bosses.  And he’d like to find a girlfriend and figure out how he’s going to make rent this month.  Yep.  It’s pretty much a hardboiled detective novel … with magic.

Jim Butcher has got a formula going here with the Dresden Files series.  But the formula works, and he’s running with it.  If you’re looking for a lightweight read with lovable characters, something you don’t have to analyze too much, Small Favor is for you.