Side Jobs (Dresden Files) [Hardcover]

The collection of short stories in this book, focusing on Dresden-except for two-are excellent examples of just how madcap and dangerous, as well as how funny, in an almost demented way, Dresden's world and life are. An early case, before he became a Private Detective officially, sees him working with a former Partner who's teaching him the ropes. Unfortunately, in this case its involved him in the search for an eleven year old girl who's run away from home-and who is about to find out that there really are things which go bump in the night. Thankfully, Dresden is there to bump right back-and a pre-SI Murphy jumps in to help while still a uniformed cop. That's the start. Then Dresden has to deal with the chaos which ensues when he tries to take a day off, an attempt by the Fay to kill the leaders of the Alpha's-his Werewolf friends and allies-someone tampering with Mac's beer-Dresden's favourite-the attack on a live action RPG by a Black Court Vampire and her minions, where Harry has to join up with Thomas Raith-a Vampire playing a Vampire-to save the gamers... He keeps busy, so we keep reading and very much enjoying.

A special treat is the story focusing on Thomas Raith, who has to stop Harry from causing catastrophe, maybe even the end of the world, without even being aware of it-all while making sure Harry never knows it's him doing it. It's always interesting to see Dresden through someone else's eyes and, despite their connection, Thomas Raith is still a White Court Vampire?

Another is a story centering on Karrin Murphy, hours after "Changes", where Murphy has turned up at Harry's new "home"-a boat-dressed and made up for a Date with Harry, only to discover blood everywhere and Harry missing. SI get involved and pull every string they can to find out if Dresden's alive or dead, but Murphy-Suspended and almost certain to loose her job as of "Changes"-is unable to stay and help. However, when she gets a panicked call from an Alpha stating that his Wife-who's Pregnant-has gone missing, along with two other Alpha's and, worse, he's sure they were taken by force... And Dresden told him to call Karrin's number if ever he needed help and couldn't reach Dresden himself.

Murphy's obviously been hanging around with Dresden for too long, because she ignores her current predicament, gets out her motorbike and guns and investigates, uncovering a trail which leads to first of all John Marcone, then someone new in town. Only she discovers that, without Dresden, she just might not be enough to put a stop to what's going on-even with the help of the remaining Alpha's. Anyone who likes Murphy NEEDS to read this story to find out just how Murphy's life is likely to turn out after "Changes"...

As I don't tend to buy anthologies, all but one of these stories were new to me and I enjoyed them all. The stories were varied enough to keep me interested and Harry's character is like an old friend. The final story, "Aftermath", was extremely engaging seeing as it was set directly after the events of the last book "Changes". It didn't contain any spoilers, which was equally a positive thing and frustrating (I can't wait for Ghost Story to come out!. It was told from the previously unseen point of view of Karrin Murphy and I found it refreshing and appreciated the extra insight of a beloved character. All in all a fun collection!

(This is the first review I've written, hope it's ok!)

Like most successful urban fantasy authors, Jim Butcher has written a number of short stories and novellas over the years. And at long last, they're collected in "Side Jobs: Stories From the Dresden Files" -- all the short stories and novellas that Butcher has penned about his wisecracking wizard, plus some new material.

The stories include "A Restoration of Faith," a prequel story in which Harry tries to rescue a little girl (named Faith -- get it?); "Vignette," which is basically a conversation between Harry and Bob the Skull; "Something Borrowed," in which Billy and Georgia's true-love wedding is turned upside-down by a malevolent fairy; and "It's My Birthday Too," in which Harry follows his brother Thomas to a rather unusual gathering, and immediately runs into vampiric trouble.

"Heorot": a young woman is abducted right before her honeymoon, and Harry has to join forces with Miss Gard to find her. "Day Off": Harry's attempts to relax are thwarted by Slytherin wannabes, supernatural fleas and other problems. "Last Call": Beer starts inexplicably causing riots, and Harry suspects a supernatural cause. "Love Hurts": people are dying after falling madly, passionately in love/lust. And "The Warrior," in which Harry confronts some of the religiously-based problems in his life -- including a certain archangel.

Additionally, there's Butcher's brilliant novella from Thomas Raith's point of view, "Backup," which was previously published by Subterranean Press. Basically Thomas is called on to do some heroic behind-the-scenes stuff against an old enemy, hopefully without his little brother knowing about it.

And then... there's the new, previously unpublished story. "Aftermath" is from Murphy's perspective just after the end of "Changes," as she grapples with the loss of Harry Dresden and the messy Chicago disasters left behind.

I've honestly been waiting years for Jim Butcher to put together a collection of his short stories, some of which were put straight on his website and never included in a book. These stories are like the icing on the cake -- if you've read and enjoyed Butcher's full-length novels, then these mini-adventures will really entertain you.

And most of them have the well-rounded Dresden formula: grotesque supernatural baddies, snappy writing ("The Dim Lord tried for his dramatic dialogue again"), slam-bang magic, and lots of fun genre-savvy jokes (Thomas has "some awfully nerdy hobbies"). But Butcher also inserts some darker stories into the mix -- "Aftermath" is bittersweet and a little painful, and "Backup" has some darker parts when Thomas wrestles with his inner demon.

Butcher also contributes a new foreword to each story, which explains a little about why he wrote it ("Vignette" was something he knocked out for promotion) and for what. F'rinstance, Charlaine Harris is so nice that "I can't even bring myself to be jealous. She's that nice."

Collecting all of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files novellas and short stories (including those not formally published), "Side Jobs: Stories From the Dresden Files" is a must-have for anyone who adores the Chicago wizard.