If you take a classic detective-story narrative, drizzle on some sarcasm and humor, a few pinches of pop culture reference here and there, and throw a dash of fantasy where the lid popped off the spice container, you get Jim Butcher's Storm Front. Sounds like a terrible and even corny idea, right? If you had no trouble reading Harry Potter then I cannot fathom any reason for hating this book. 
 The witty sarcasm told from the narrative perspective of main character, Harry Dresden, makes it overwhelmingly entertaining. It also helps balance out the darkness of the story from being downright gloomy and depressive. Quite simply, the writing style, plot development and the conflict that led to the climax were finely-crafted; but the humor was the luxurious bunch of cherries on top. One of my favorite references early in the book was when (a minor spoiler) (view spoiler)[Harry is approached by a mob boss who's driver, first name Cujo, looks back from his rear view mirror and "growled" at Harry for being pointed disrespectful (get it, Steven King fans?) (hide spoiler)]. I will leave you to uncover the remainder. 
 If you pressed me for constructive criticism, I would focus on the ending. This is first book in the series of The Dresden Files, but I felt that Jim Butcher rushed the ending and his main message. Although there was some closure, it felt a a little fast to offer the more satisfactory closure feeling we get from other books. Then again, being told in the first person, it may actually make perfect sense. You'll see what I mean when you come to get a grasp on Harry Dresden's character.