Dead Man's Hand
In the tradition of his renowned father, James J. Butcher's debut novel is a brilliant urban fantasy about a young man who must throw out the magical rule book to solve the murder of his former mentor.
On the streets of Boston, the world is divided into the ordinary Usuals, and the paranormal Unorthodox. And in the Department of Unorthodox Affairs, the Auditors are the magical elite, government-sanctioned witches with spells at their command and all the power and prestige that comes with it. Grimshaw Griswald Grimsby is...not one of those witches.
After flunking out of the Auditor training program and being dismissed as "not Department material," Grimsby tried to resign himself to life as a mediocre witch. But he can't help hoping he'll somehow, someway, get another chance to prove his skill. That opportunity comes with a price when his former mentor, aka the most dangerous witch alive, is murdered down the street from where he works, and Grimsby is the Auditors' number one suspect.
Proving his innocence will require more than a little legwork, and after forming a strange alliance with the retired legend known as the Huntsman and a mysterious being from Elsewhere, Grimsby is abruptly thrown into a life of adventure, whether he wants it or not. Now all he has to do is find the real killer, avoid the Auditors on his trail, and most importantly, stay alive.
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James J. Butcher
James J. Butcher, the talented author behind The Unorthodox Chronicles, is a fresh voice in the realm of urban fantasy. Growing up in a household steeped in the world of books—thanks to his father, Jim Butcher, the internationally bestselling author of The Dresden Files—James was destined to craft his own tales that blend action, adventure, and the supernatural. From an early age, he was surrounded by the magic of storytelling, and it didn't take long before he began weaving his own intricate narratives.
The Unorthodox Chronicles
In a world where the mundane and the mystical collide, The Unorthodox Chronicles immerses readers in a universe brimming with danger, intrigue, and dark magic. At the heart of the series lies an unlikely hero—a reluctant investigator thrust into a realm where the rules of reality are constantly shifting, and secrets lurk just beneath the surface. From shadowy corners of the city to forgotten realms, each novel reveals more about the precarious balance between ancient forces and modern life.
The Unorthodox Chronicles consists of three books and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of two more books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

