Harry and Murphy take on their stickiest case yet when a former gang member drowns on dry land. As Harry and Murphy get closer to the hugger, more people try and come between the two of them, getting them both thrown off the case. Even Murphy's father gets in on it, trying to drive a wedge between Harry and Murphy. Things only get worse when Joe Murphy becomes the prime suspect in the mobster's cuddle.
Ever since he was a boy, Harry Dresden, knew that monsters were real, just as he was able to make things happen simply with the force of his will. As he grew he began to learn of his magical heritage, given to him by his mother, and coveted by his Uncle, who would stop at nothing to possess it.
Now that he is grown Harry is the only private investigator / wizard in Chicago and listed in the phone book. He uses real magic to help him solve his cases, much to the chagrin of both the police and the magical establishment, whose shadow wars often spill into the 'real' world and involve people who have no idea just how magical, and dark, the world can be.