The Dresden Files short fiction
Besides the novels of The Dresden Files, author Jim Butcher has written several shorter works appearing in the same universe. Most are told from the point of view of Harry Dresden, as are the novels, but some take the point of view of other characters.
Works
Restoration of Faith
| "Restoration of Faith" | |
|---|---|
| Author | Jim Butcher |
| Country | U.S.A. |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Dresden Files |
| Genre(s) | Urban fantasy/Mystery novel |
| Published in |
www.jim-butcher.com Side Jobs |
| Publisher | Jim Butcher |
| Media type | online |
| Publication date | October 26, 2010 |
| Followed by | Storm Front |
While working as a private investigator, Harry Dresden finds a runaway he'd been hired to locate, a young girl named Faith. When he calls in his success to his partner, he learns that the girl's parents have reported her as being kidnapped to save face, and they plan to accuse him of the crime. Harry decides to bring the girl in anyways, but is stopped by a troll which has taken up residence under a bridge he needs to cross. When he confronts the troll, he is unexpectedly aided by a uniformed police woman by the name of Karrin Murphy. Dresden manages to win the fight, and with officer Murphy's aid, ensures that the girl is returned safely to her family.
Restoration of Faith was published on Jim Butcher's web site;[1] it was later reprinted in Side Jobs.
Publicity and Advertising (vignette)
| "Publicity and Advertising" | |
|---|---|
| Author | Jim Butcher |
| Country | U.S.A. |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Dresden Files |
| Genre(s) | Urban fantasy/Mystery novel |
| Published in |
www.jim-butcher.com Side Jobs |
| Publisher | Jim Butcher |
| Media type | online |
| Publication date | October 26, 2010 |
| Preceded by | Death Masks |
| Followed by | Blood Rites |
Bob and Harry have a discussion about how to write a Yellow Pages ad for Harry Dresden's business. Bob thinks that Harry's ad copy is boring and uninteresting, while Harry dismisses Bob's suggestions as deceptive or unbelievable. Eventually, Harry wins out and goes back to working on formulas. Formulae.
Publicity and Advertising was published on Jim Butcher's web site;[2] it was later reprinted in Side Jobs.
Something Borrowed
| "Something Borrowed" | |
|---|---|
| Author | Jim Butcher |
| Country | U.S.A. |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Dresden Files |
| Genre(s) | Urban fantasy/Mystery novel |
| Published in |
My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding Side Jobs |
| Publication date | October 3, 2006 |
| Preceded by | Dead Beat |
| Followed by | Proven Guilty |
While getting fitted for his role as best man to William Borden as the latter marries his long-time girlfriend Georgia, Harry Dresden discovers that Georgia has gone missing, and goes looking for her. With the help of Karrin Murphy, he manages to bring her back to the wedding, unconscious and under a spell, only to find that Jenny Greenteeth has taken Georgia's place at the wedding. Dresden manages to convince William to awake his rightful partner, to disastrous results for Jenny Greenteeth.
Something Borrowed was published in My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding (October 3, 2006, ISBN 0-312-34360-4);[3] it was later reprinted in Side Jobs.
It's My Birthday, Too
| "It's My Birthday, Too" | |
|---|---|
| Author | Jim Butcher |
| Country | U.S.A. |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Dresden Files |
| Genre(s) | Urban fantasy/Mystery novel |
| Published in |
Many Bloody Returns Side Jobs |
| Publication date | September 4, 2007 |
| Preceded by | White Night |
| Followed by | Small Favor |
On Valentine's Day, Harry Dresden remembers he has got a birthday present for his brother Thomas Raith and arranges to meet him at the Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, where Thomas is taking part to a vampire-themed LARP. The play is disrupted by a revenant, an old friend of the players who turned into a Black Court vampire to seek revenge.
It's My Birthday, Too was published in Many Bloody Returns (September 4, 2007, ISBN 978-0-441-01522-1);[4] it was later reprinted in Side Jobs.
Heorot
| "Heorot" | |
|---|---|
| Author | Jim Butcher |
| Country | U.S.A. |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Dresden Files |
| Genre(s) | Urban fantasy/Mystery novel |
| Published in |
My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon Side Jobs |
| Publication date | December 26, 2007 |
| Preceded by | White Night |
| Followed by | Small Favor |
Harry Dresden has been alerted that a young bride has disappeared from the Night of Living Brews just hours after her wedding, along with a cask of mead. Dresden and Mouse set to find her. They are joined by Ms. Gard only to find that the young woman has been kidnapped by a descendant of Grendel, who needs mead in order to breed a child of his own. Dresden and Gard make short work of the grendelkin and bring back the bride to her rightful husband.
Heorot was published in My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon (December 26, 2007, ISBN 978-0-312-37504-1);[5] it was also reprinted in Side Jobs.
Harry's Day Off
| "Harry's Day Off" | |
|---|---|
| Author | Jim Butcher |
| Country | U.S.A. |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Dresden Files |
| Genre(s) | Urban fantasy/Mystery novel |
| Published in |
Blood Lite Side Jobs |
| Publication date | October 21, 2008 |
| Preceded by | Small Favor |
| Followed by | Turn Coat |
Harry Dresden has finally a day off his many commitments and responsibilities, and plans to use it for a date with Anastasia Luccio. Dresden's so carefully laid plans, however, are disrupted by Molly Carpenter needing a lesson in potion-making, and by Andi and Kirby needing a thorough cleansing to get rid of psychophagic mites.
Harry's Day Off was published in Blood Lite (October 21, 2008, ISBN 1-4165-6783-6)[6] It was later reprinted in Side Jobs.
Backup: A Story of the Dresden Files
| "Backup: A Story of the Dresden Files" | |
|---|---|
| Author | Jim Butcher |
| Country | U.S.A. |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Dresden Files |
| Genre(s) | Urban fantasy/Mystery novel |
| Published in | Side Jobs |
| Publication date | November 11, 2008 |
| Preceded by | Small Favor |
| Followed by | Turn Coat |
Dresden is hot on the trail of a kidnapped child, when Thomas Raith is alerted that at least a member of the Stygian Sisterhood is in town. His job is to stop and kill her, before she can complete her activities. In the chase, Thomas finds that she is behind the child's kidnapping, and that her purpose is to bring Harry down. He manages, all the while keeping his brother unaware of the fact. Narrated from Thomas Raith point of view.
Backup was published independently by Subterranean Press.[7] It featured artwork by Mike Mignola. It was later reprinted in Side Jobs without Mignola's artwork.
The Warrior
| "The Warrior" | |
|---|---|
| Author | Jim Butcher |
| Country | U.S.A. |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Dresden Files |
| Genre(s) | Urban fantasy/Mystery novel |
| Published in |
Strange Brew Side Jobs |
| Publication date | January 6, 2009 |
| Preceded by | Small Favor |
| Followed by | Turn Coat |
Pictures of Michael Carpenter's family are being sent to Harry Dresden. Unsure of their meaning but feeling that his friend and his friend's family are in danger, Harry warns Michael to stay alert and begs him to pick up the sword Amoracchius again. Michael refuses, aware that, once put down, a Sword of the Cross can't be picked up again. An attempt to steal the swords is unsuccessful; but a few pictures of the perpetrator are taken. Later on, Alicia, one of Michael's daughters, is kidnapped to try to force the surrender of the swords. The delivery fails, leading to the capture of the perpetrator, a priest.
The Warrior was published in Mean Streets (January 6, 2009, ISBN 978-0-451-46249-7).[8] It was later reprinted inSide Jobs.
Last Call
| "Last Call" | |
|---|---|
| Author | Jim Butcher |
| Country | U.S.A. |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Dresden Files |
| Genre(s) | Urban fantasy/Mystery novel |
| Published in |
Strange Brew Side Jobs |
| Publication date | July 7, 2009 |
| Preceded by | Small Favor |
| Followed by | Turn Coat |
A spell is placed on MacAnally's famed beer in order to control the spectators to a sport's game at the United Center in Chicago. Dresden and Murphy manage to link it back to Meditrina Bassarid, a maenad, and, with difficulty, they manage to subdue her.
Last Call was published in Strange Brew (July 7, 2009, ISBN 978-0-312-38336-7). It was later reprinted in Side Jobs
AAAA Wizardry
| "AAAA Wizardry" | |
|---|---|
| Author | Jim Butcher |
| Country | U.S.A. |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Dresden Files |
| Genre(s) | Urban fantasy/Mystery novel |
| Published in | Volume Two: Our World |
| Media type | Roleplaying Game booklet |
| Publication date | July 7, 2009 |
| Preceded by | Small Favor |
| Followed by | Turn Coat |
AAAA Wizardry was published in Volume Two: Our World of The Dresden Files Roleplaying Game (June 15, 2010, ISBN 978-0-9771534-8-0)
Love Hurts
| "Love Hurts" | |
|---|---|
| Author | Jim Butcher |
| Country | U.S.A. |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Dresden Files |
| Genre(s) | Urban fantasy/Mystery novel |
| Published in |
Songs of Love and Death Side Jobs |
| Publication date | November 26, 2010 |
| Preceded by | Turn Coat |
| Followed by | Changes |
Karrin Murphy calls Harry Dresden in on a series of weird double suicides, and they find that all the dead can be linked to a carnival outside Chicago, prompting further investigation. A Red Court vampire is discovered there, casting spells on couples, forcing them to fall in love. Since love is a mortal's sole defense against being fed upon by a member of the White Court, widespread use of the spell would cause the White Court's food supply to dwindle, giving advantage to the Red Court.
Love Hurts was published in Songs of Love and Death (November 16, 2010, ISBN 1-4391-5014-1). It was later reprinted in Side Jobs.
Even Hand
| "Even Hand" | |
|---|---|
| Author | Jim Butcher |
| Country | U.S.A. |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Dresden Files |
| Genre(s) | Urban fantasy/Mystery novel |
| Published in | Dark and Stormy Knights |
| Publication date | July 20, 2010 |
| Preceded by | Turn Coat |
| Followed by | Changes |
On a mission for Lara Raith, Justine seeks shelter from Johnny Marcone under the Unseelie Accords. It is a shocking discovery that he's no fool. Narrated by Johnny Marcone.
Published in Dark and Stormy Knights (July 20, 2010, ISBN 0-312-59834-3)[9]
Aftermath
| "Aftermath" | |
|---|---|
| Author | Jim Butcher |
| Country | U.S.A. |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Dresden Files |
| Genre(s) | Urban fantasy/Mystery novel |
| Published in | Side Jobs |
| Publication date | October 26, 2010 |
| Preceded by | Changes |
| Followed by | Ghost Story |
Harry Dresden has just been shot, and the police are checking the scene of the crime on Thomas Raith's boat. Karrin Murphy joins them only to hear that the body has not been found. Not really accepting the fact that he's dead, Murphy starts moving on with her life, strengthening her contacts in Chicago's supernatural community and trying to do her duty as both a policewoman and as a member of the supernatural group. In the meanwhile, a number of splinter groups is trying to step in the vampire Red Court, the Fomors being the most successful. Narrated by Karrin Murphy.
Aftermath was published exclusively in Side Jobs (October 26, 2010).
Curses
| "Curses" | |
|---|---|
| Author | Jim Butcher |
| Country | U.S.A. |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Dresden Files |
| Genre(s) | Urban fantasy/Mystery novel |
| Published in | Naked City: Tales of Urban Fantasy |
| Publication date | July 5, 2011 |
The Chicago Cubs are subject to the Curse of the Billy Goat and haven't won in Wrigley Field for a very long time, and Harry Dresden is hired to find out why, and, if possible, help it out. But, after a friendly talk with the Tylwyth Teg's king, he decides not to interfere.
Curses was published in Naked City: Tales of Urban Fantasy (July 5, 2011, ISBN 978-0-312-38524-8)
B is for Bigfoot
| "B is for Bigfoot" | |
|---|---|
| Author | Jim Butcher |
| Country | U.S.A. |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Dresden Files |
| Genre(s) | Urban fantasy/Mystery novel |
| Published in |
Under my Hat: Tales from the Cauldron Working for Bigfoot |
| Publication date | August 28, 2012 |
| Preceded by | Fool Moon[10] |
| Followed by | Grave Peril |
Strength of a River in his Shoulders is a Bigfoot who has a son by an archaeologist he met during a dig, who is being bullied at school, making him worried about his safety. He asks Harry Dresden to investigate the matter and, if possible, help the child. Dresden manages to rig the situation so the child can solve the problem himself.
B is for Bigfoot was published in Under My Hat: Tales From the Cauldron (August 28, 2012, ISBN 978-0375868306)
I Was A Teenage Bigfoot
| "I Was a Teenage Bigfoot" | |
|---|---|
| Author | Jim Butcher |
| Country | U.S.A. |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Dresden Files |
| Genre(s) | Urban fantasy/Mystery novel |
| Published in |
Blood Lite 3: Aftertaste Working for Bigfoot |
| Publication date | May 29, 2012 |
| Preceded by | Dead Beat[11] |
| Followed by | Proven Guilty |
The scion of a Sasquatch and a woman, Irwin Pounder is virtually immune to disease. When told he has fallen ill at boarding school, his worried parents ask Harry Dresden to find out if evil is afoot.
I Was A Teenage Bigfoot was published in Blood Lite 3: Aftertaste (May 29, 2012, ISBN 978-1451636246). In the book timeline, it is set about Dead Beat[10]
Bigfoot on Campus
| "Bigfoot on Campus" | |
|---|---|
| Author | Jim Butcher |
| Country | U.S.A. |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Dresden Files |
| Genre(s) | Urban fantasy/Mystery novel |
| Published in |
Hex Appeal Working for Bigfoot |
| Publication date | June 5, 2012 |
| Preceded by | Turn Coat[10] |
| Followed by | Changes |
Irwin Pounder has made it to college and its football team. A young unawakened White Court vampire dates him; her father, however, feels that she should come of age. This time, Harry Dresden is not enough to solve the situation, and River Shoulders has to take the matter in his hands.
Bigfoot on Campus was published in Hex Appeal (June 5, 2012, ISBN 978-0312590727)
Bombshells
| "Bombshells" | |
|---|---|
| Author | Jim Butcher |
| Country | U.S.A. |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Dresden Files |
| Genre(s) | Urban fantasy/Mystery novel |
| Published in | Dangerous Women |
| Publication date | December 3, 2013 |
| Preceded by | Ghost Story |
| Followed by | Cold Days |
In the months after Harry Dresden's death, Molly Carpenter is on the run, living on the road and keeping under the White Council's radar, all the while being tutored by the Leanansidhe on the arts of survival and magical fighting. Encounters and skirmishes with the Fomor are increasingly frequent, until the Leanansidhe sends her in a mission to Svartalfheim in order to rescue Thomas Raith from execution. Molly discovers that a treaty of neutrality between the Fomors and the Svartalves is to be signed in a few hours and that the Fomor mean to explode a bomb during the ceremony causing numerous death and sets to prevent it. Her life turns for the better after succeeding. Narrated by Molly Carpenter.
Bombshells was published in Dangerous Women (December 3, 2013 ISBN 978-0765332066)
Cold Case
| "Cold Case" | |
|---|---|
| Author | Jim Butcher |
| Country | U.S.A. |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Dresden Files |
| Genre(s) | Urban fantasy/Mystery novel |
| Published in | Shadowed Souls |
| Publication date | November 1, 2016 |
| Preceded by | Ghost Story |
| Followed by | Skin Game |
Molly Carpenter is the new Winter Lady. As her first task in her new position, she is charged to collect old tributes to the Winter Court.
Cold Case was published in Shadowed Souls. It is set after Ghost Story and before Skin Game.
Jury Duty
| "Jury Duty" | |
|---|---|
| Author | Jim Butcher |
| Country | U.S.A. |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Dresden Files |
| Genre(s) | Urban fantasy/Mystery novel |
| Published in | Unbound |
| Publication date | December 1, 2015 |
| Preceded by | Skin Game |
After receiving a summons to jury duty, Harry must save an innocent defendant from being the victim of a proxy war between Gentleman Johnny Marcone and Lara Raith.
Jury Duty was published in Unbound. It is set after Skin Game.
Collections
Side Jobs
 | |
| Author | Jim Butcher |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Christian McGrath |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Dresden Files |
| Genre | Urban fantasy/Mystery novel |
| Publisher | Roc Hardcover |
Publication date |
October 26, 2010 (hardcover—US only) November 11, 2010 (audio book) |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
Side Jobs was published on October 26, 2010 as a collection of most of the existing short stories in the series. The novella Aftermath was first included in this publication. All of the short stories published therein took place between novels, and were ordered chronologically.
Story order
- "A Restoration of Faith"
- "Vignette"
- "Something Borrowed"
- "It's My Birthday, Too"
- "Heorot"
- "Day Off"
- "Backup"
- "The Warrior"
- "Last Call"
- "Love Hurts"
- "Aftermath"
Working for Bigfoot
| Author | Jim Butcher |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Vincent Chong |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Dresden Files |
| Genre | Urban fantasy/Mystery novel |
| Publisher | Subterranean Press |
Publication date | June 30, 2015 |
Working for Bigfoot was published on June 30, 2015. It is a collection for novellas, previously published in other anthologies, about Harry working for Bigfoot to help when his half human son gets in to trouble.
Story order
- "B is For Bigfoot"
- "I Was a Teenage Bigfoot"
- "Bigfoot on Campus"
References
- ↑ "Restoration of Faith"
- ↑ "Publicity and Advertising"
- ↑ "Amazon: My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding". ISBN 0312343604.
- ↑ "Amazon: Many Bloody Returns". ISBN 0441016758.
- ↑ "Amazon: My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon". ISBN 0312375042.
- ↑ "Amazon: Blood Lite". ISBN 1416567836.
- ↑ "Jim Butcher and Orson Scott Card Sold Out on Publication!". Subterranean Press. 2008-11-02. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
- ↑ "Amazon: Mean Streets". ISBN 0451462491.
- ↑ http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/side-jobs
- 1 2 3 "Short Stories (Side Jobs and Brief Cases)". jimbutcher.com.
- ↑ Story begins with a statement that it occurs "circa Dead Beat" but mentions something that happens in that novel, so should follow it rather than overlap.