Storm Front by Jim Butcher

Although I'm a big science fiction/fantasy fan, urban fantasy is not my favorite subgenre. Storm Front by Jim Butcher, the first in the Dresden Files series, is among the best of the urban fantasy I've read. Set in modern day Chicago, it features Harry Dresden, a wizard who advertises in the yellow pages and works as a consultant for the Chicago Police Department. Harry is courtly and old-fashioned, as well as intelligent, creative, and skilled at getting out of tight situations. I found Harry interesting, I enjoyed the insertion of magic into urban Chicago, and I especially liked Harry's cat Mister. Fans of urban fantasy who have not yet checked out the Dresden Files are likely to love this series.