Storm Front by Jim Butcher (2000, Paperback)

Jim Butcher has a way with words that makes me think of Glen Cook (especially his wisecracking fantasy Garrett, PI series) mixed in with a little Raymond Chandler, and tossed with a bit of Anne Rice. His Dresden Files books are a wonderful mix of vampires, magic and detective noir with some very dry wit as garnish. This series of books is one of the few that have made me laugh out loud at his way with words and compelling enough to make me not want to put them down until the end. I picked this title up to see how it compared to the TV series, and I've been hooked on both since. If you like your fantasy set in a world that you recognize (Chicago) but with a few twists, then this is a book for you.