Brief Cases

By: Jim Butcher

Narrated by: James Marsters, Jim Butcher, Cassandra Campbell, Julia Whelan, Oliver Wyman

Length: 15 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

An all-new Dresden Files story headlines this urban fantasy short story collection starring the Windy City's favorite wizard.

The world of Harry Dresden, Chicago's only professional wizard, is rife with intrigue - and creatures of all supernatural stripes. And you'll make their intimate acquaintance as Harry delves into the dark side of truth, justice, and the American way in this must-have short story collection.

From the Wild West to the bleachers at Wrigley Field, humans, zombies, incubi, and even fey royalty appear, ready to blur the line between friend and foe. In the never-before-published "Zoo Day", Harry treads new ground as a dad, while fan-favorite characters Molly Carpenter, his onetime apprentice, White Council Warden Anastasia Luccio, and even Bigfoot stalk through the pages of more classic tales.

With 12 stories in all, Brief Cases offers both longtime fans and first-time listeners tantalizing glimpses into Harry's funny, gritty, and unforgettable realm, whetting their appetites for more to come from the wizard with a heart of gold.

Collection includes:

• "A Fistful of Warlocks" (from Straight Outta Tombstone, edited by David Boon), read by Cassandra Campbell
• "B Is for Bigfoot" (from Under My Hat: Tales from the Cauldron, edited by Jonathan Strahan), read by James Marsters
• "AAAA Wizardry" (from the Dresden Files RPG), read by James Marsters
• "I Was a Teenage Bigfoot" (from Blood Lite 3: Aftertaste, edited by Kevin J. Anderson), read by James Marsters
• "Curses" (from The Naked City, edited by Ellen Datlow), read by James Marsters
• "Even Hand" (from Dark and Stormy Knights, edited by P. N. Elrodread), read by Jim Butcher
• "Bigfoot on Campus" (from Hex Appeal, edited by P. N. Elrod), read by James Marsters
• "Bombshells" (from Dangerous Women, edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois), read by Julia Whelan
• "Cold Case" (from Shadowed Souls, edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie Hughes), read by Julia Whelan
• "Jury Duty" (from Unbound, edited by Shawn Speakman), read by James Marsters
• "Day One" (from Unfettered II, edited by Shawn Speakman), read by Oliver Wyman
• "Zoo Day" (original), read by James Marsters

*The author’s notes that precede each story are read by the author.

©2018 Jim Butcher (P)2018 Penguin Audio

love Dresden but too many recycled stories

seems there was 2 or 3 new stories, the rest appeared elsewhere. the new are great as are the old, but I'd already heard them a few times

great stories and excellent character portrayals

I really enjoyed this fill in the blanks sort of book to go with this story. narrators were amazing and the stories were fun!

A little disappointing

Some of the readers were just meh. Was cool to hear stories from other characters though.

Perfect short stories

It's mind boggling how good Jim Butcher is with Dresden. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire book. Loved hearing the little back drops to each story. The narration was simply amazing. The last story, told from 3 perspectives was without a doubt, one of the best short stories I've ever heard/read. A lot of authors/narrators can't pull the multiple storyline perspective off, but this Butcher and Marsters are in rare company.

I can't get enough... I REALLY CAN'T!

Okay, a review... ah, screw it.

I gave this compilation 5-stars even though I've heard a number of them before and some were better than others. Do you know why? Because I DID NOT want this audiobook to end. I LOOOOOOOVE the narrator of this series, the super, super talented James Marsters, and it almost made me cry when Brief Cases was over. I MISSED this series. Write faster, Jim Butcher. WRITE FASTER.


"A Fistful of Warlocks" (from Straight Outta Tombstone, edited by David Boon), read by Cassandra Campbell: 3.5 stars

I loved listening to Cassandra Campbell narrate this short story. My chief complaint? I WANTED MORE! Too short, but extremely promising. I'd listen to an entire series of her Wild West adventures.

"B Is for Bigfoot" (from Under My Hat: Tales from the Cauldron, edited by Jonathan Strahan), read by James Marsters
"AAAA Wizardry" (from the Dresden Files RPG), read by James Marsters
"I Was a Teenage Bigfoot" (from Blood Lite 3: Aftertaste, edited by Kevin J. Anderson), read by James Marsters: 4.5 stars

I already listened to these stories in Working for Bigfoot and I loved them then. Same rating. Still loved these short stories.

"AAAA Wizardry" (from the Dresden Files RPG), read by James Marsters: 3-stars

Good, but not particularly memorable. Again, I just wanted more!

"Curses" (from The Naked City, edited by Ellen Datlow), read by James Marsters: 4.5 stars

Fun, fun, fun! Baseball fun. This was a great short.

"Even Hand" (from Dark and Stormy Knights, edited by P. N. Elrodread), read by Jim Butcher: 4 stars

Jim Butcher did a great job narrating this! Loved hearing a story from Gentleman Johnnie Marcone's POV. I could use a whole book of this stuff. Very well done.

"Bombshells" (from Dangerous Women, edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois), read by Julia Whelan: 4.5 stars

LOVED Julia Whelan's narration and adored this new-to-me story from the POV of Molly. Exciting, fun, and dangerous enough to keep me on my toes. I want more, more, more stories from Molly's POV.

"Cold Case" (from Shadowed Souls, edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie Hughes), read by Julia Whelan: 4.5 stars

Yes, yes, yes! Love you, Lady Molly.

"Jury Duty" (from Unbound, edited by Shawn Speakman), read by James Marsters: 4 stars

Very solid, awesome narration as always.

"Day One" (from Unfettered II, edited by Shawn Speakman), read by Oliver Wyman: 3.5 stars

Polka will never die!

"Zoo Day" (original), read by James Marsters: 5 stars

Loved this complex story, excellent reading. What a way to end!

Mouse & Maggie

I really enjoyed the story with Mouse and Maggie. I can see some spinoffs in the future.

Dresden Files MSG

These stories not only enhance the flavor of the Dresden Files, with insight into characters other than our eponymous hero, but these tales leave you wanting more. So much so that I plan on spending my fall re-listening to all the Dresden books, with these and the Side Jobs stories inserted chronologically. As always the characters are fully realized and interesting, and the world building is exquisite. I can not sign my praise for both Butcher and Marsters loudly enough.
#DresdenFiles #JimButcher #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

fun to hear the author

some stories were new, some stories I'd heard before and other compilations. All were good. Jim Butcher should refrain from writing dog speech it just doesn't work for Mouse.

Can't go wrong

What's not to love in another Jim Butcher story. Nada, nothing everything is right on course for good story telling, great characters and as anyways twist and turns from the otherly world in Chicagoland

Some Entertaining Stories

This book is our (the fans) consolation I guess for J. Butcher not writing his book. AGAIN for yet ANOTHER year! Thanks Jim. I appreciate it.