Side Jobs

Side Jobs by Jim Butcher is a collection of previously published short fiction set in Butcher’s Dresden Files world.

If you haven't red any of the Dresden Files, it’s hard boiled detective fiction meets urban fantasy. Though rather tame compared to the wonderful Horn by Peter Ball.

Harry Dresden is the wise cracking private eye, who always seems to be on the wrong side of lucky. Of course being a wizard, modern conveniences seem to take a dislike to him – his car requires cajoling and don’t even think about trying to use a mobile phone around him.

Like all good Detective Fiction there’s damsels that need saving1, and sidekicks that come in the form of a spirit imprisoned in a skull and no nonsense policewoman called Murphy.

Side Jobs brings together 10 previously published short stories and one new novella set after the events that occur in the book Changes . Each story is introduced by a short note from Jim Butcher, often commenting on which anthology it originally appeared in and some thoughts on the creative process for each work.

As such the book is probably a must collect for Dresden Fans, particularly if you came late to the scene and want to collect everything published about him.

If you don’t mind having some facts spoiled and missing out on the building tension between Murphy and Dresden, then the collection an excellent way to get a taste of Dresden's world and Butcher’s writing for the uninitiated.

My favourites

Heorot – which features a hat tip to Beowulf and some sexual humour verging on the adolescent. I will never look at fire extinguishers the same way again.

The Warrior – A look at the Christian faith, through the character of Michael a former Knight of the Cross and the struggle experienced by those who confuse their will with that of Almighty

Aftermath – this one is told from Murphy’s point of view and expands her and Dresden’s relationship. This one had a tinge of HP Lovecraft, without succumbing to pastiche.

Representative of the Dresden Files series I’d recommend it for hard-core fans and those who might want to test the waters before launching into a 13 book series.


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1. Indeed I have seen some criticism of Butcher is regards to the underlying sexism in his story lines.
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This book was a review copy provided by the publisher.

I don't usually like short stories very much (not enough time to development interesting plot and characters in my opinion), but I loved these stories! This compilation of Jim Butcher's stories and novellas based on the Dresden world were wonderful stand-alone pieces that show the author's progression as a writer. But these stories also play an integral part in the Dresden series as a whole. The reader is able to learn more about characters that play a more minor role in the series, experience stories from the perspective of major characters like Thomas and Murphy, and, of course, gets to indulge on more of Harry's wit and shenanigans that makes the series so wonderful.

I especially loved Aftermath. Changes is an action-packed book that pretty much destroys Harry's world as he knew it and really leaves the reader in a lurch. It is obvious that there are big changes to come in Butcher's new book Ghost Stories (out in April!). I was very glad that Aftermath picked up right where Changes ended and I loved getting a whole novella from Murphy's point-of-view.

I can't wait til April 5 so I can be pleasurably immersed in the Dresden world once again!