Side Jobs

Stories from the Dresden Files

By: Jim Butcher

Narrated by: James Marsters

Length: 13 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

The first short-story collection in the number-one New York Times- best-selling series - including brand-new Harry Dresden short stories!

Here, together for the first time, are the shorter works of best-selling author Jim Butcher - a compendium of cases that Harry and his cadre of allies managed to close in record time. The tales range from the deadly serious to the absurdly hilarious. Also included is a new, never-before-published novella that takes place after the cliff-hanger ending of Changes. This is a must-have collection for every devoted Harry Dresden fan, as well as a perfect introduction for readers ready to meet Chicago's only professional wizard.

Check out more Dresden Files.

©2010 Jim Butcher (P)2010 Penguin Audio

Dresden Files short stories

Jim Butcher's Dresden Files urban fantasy novels are my favorite series. The world building begin in the first novel and continue through the eighteen books about Harry Dresden, professional wizard.

Side Jobs is a collection of short stories about Harry Dresden and magic from our favorite detective and some of the main side characters.

If you are reading the books with Audible, James Master's narration is amazing. Harry, Murphy, Thomas and the other characters are so fully fleshed out and well done you will always 'hear' them in your head when reading the novels the old fashioned way.

Either way you experience Side Jobs, enjoy getting new stories that expand on the series is best in order if you read it after Changes. Otherwise Aftermath, the last short story, will spoiler you in a way that will be upsetting. Seriously, wait.

Give me more!

Wasn't as interested in the short stories. The final, Aftermath, was definitely my favorite. Thomas's story was also a fun ride, but the end seemed abrupt. I am hoping overall that this book will fill some gaps in the Dresden Files, but I am jonesing for the next read!

The stories

It was a great look into characters outside of Harry Dresden. It seems like a lot of material is set for other books.

A Welcome Relief

While I have kept up with the novels, I???ve never really hunted down the short stories. Anthologies sound like a great way for authors to get short fiction out there and to expose readers to other authors . . . unfortunately I???m just not one of those readers. I???m not willing to plunk down the money for a book that only has one short story I???m interested in. . .and that view goes double with my audiobook credits.

So, Side Jobs has been a wonderful injection of new Dresden Files stories for me, and a welcome relief while waiting for the next novel to be released. The stories provide some wonderful insights into Thomas and Murphy and other characters, along with a few really great short adventures with Harry. On top of that we get commentary from the author about each short story, the anthologies, and the people who put them together.

Among all the other wonderful books coming out right now, I am so glad I made time for this one.

And, as always, James Marsters does a great job.

Marsters/Butcher, is there a better team?

James Marsters gives another wonderful reading of the popular NYTimes bestselling author Jim Butcher's works--this time a collection of the author's short stories.

As a fan, it's an enjoyable romp through the series history with a tidbit of enticement for his future work coming out in July called Ghost Story. Butcher knows that his addicted fans can't wait, so he manages a simple gift for the dedicated to ease the cruelty he's inflicted on his characters and thus on us. Think of them as high caloric snacks between courses. Not necessary, but they enrich the entire experience at the table!

I own the paper editions; I devour them, but hearing James read them simply makes life enjoyable. Let's be honest, doing a search for chapters and hearing his rich voice say, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3 etc... is as thrilling as when he's actually reading the work!

Very fun set of Dresden Short Stories

This was a very fun book to listen to. I could tell Butcher had fun writing these little one off short stories, and I loved hearing the stories from Thomas's and Murphy's perspectives. That was a neat switch from normally seeing things from Harry's point of view. This was a great little side jaunt away from the regular series and definitely adds to the enjoyment of the entire Dresden story line.

Very interesting

I disagree with the author???s note on his lack of experience with his early attempts. I found them just as gripping as the ones he wrote after he gained some fame. This was a neat way to fill in some blank spots from the series. I do hope he continues with this world???s stories even if he choose to let Dresden die.

I love the Dresden series but...

I’ve read and listened to the Dresden series multiple times. That being said I found some of the stories here hit and miss. Nice to get the fillers on some of the books though.

Dresden Files done bite sized.

Best side stories that focus on the side characters.

Without getting spoilery:
Story written from Thomas's perspective. Marsters does a good job using his Thomas voice
Same with Murph.

And two stories written following Mac and his brewing.

All good.

Pure Entertainment

The Dresden Files has to be the most underrated series ever. Jim Butcher's 1st person narrative is so authentic that it actually transports you to Harry's world. There are no highbrow political statements here (or if there are, they're to subtle to intrude) - just pure entertainment.

Butcher starts each story with how the story came to be. In the first story, Butcher is almost apologetic for his early writing. However, it was the first story that I found the most unique. I don't know why but it reminded me of a dark version of Men in Black. Dark, spotlighted streets, a troll waiting to each children under a city bridge, and the public just out of ear shot of the action. Like I said, pure entertainment.

James Marsters is Harry Dresden - at least he sounds like what I imagine Harry would sound like. Marsters has a great voice and range that brings the story to life without getting in the way.

This is just a great all around read.