Side Jobs by Jim Butcher – review

Side Jobs, the most recently published Dresden Files book by Jim Butcher, is a compilation of short stories, most previously published in other anthologies or elsewhere.  For a Harry Dresden fan, this is a treasure trove.  I would not, however, recommend this to a Harry newbie, as many of these stories take place between the sequential books and contain spoilers.  There are ten stories in the book, and they range from a small vignette to a novella.

The first story, “A Restoration of Faith,” is the only unpublished one, and Butcher says that it was one of the earliest Harry stories from before the first book had been published.  I thought it was an excellent look into the character that is Harry.  Driven, purposeful and honorable – and, of course, very stubborn.

“Vignette” isn’t really a story as such but a very nice look at what makes Harry, well, Harry.

“Something Borrowed” was a part of the anthology My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding and tells the story of how Georgia became the something borrowed at her own wedding when Jenny Greenteeth decided to pay back the werewolves for being a part of the Summer and Winter courts’ war.  What I like about this one is that it has sort of an Inspector Clousseau vibe to it, in that everything turns out all right but at no point does it look like it will.

“It’s My Birthday Too” from Many Bloody Returns has a darker side but also has some very sweet moments.  While all Harry wants to do is give his brother a birthday gift, he’s got to get through a vampire on a rampage first.

“Heorot” from My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon happens in between Small Favor and Turn Coat and is where Harry learns more than he wanted to know about Norse mythology and Johnny Marcone’s chief of security, Ms Gard.

Most Harry Dresden stories have a sense of humor – there are bits and pieces of funny dialogue or situations but “Day Off” was written specifically for the humor factor and tells the story of what can happen when Chicago’s only practicing wizard tries to take a day off from his responsibilities.  Definitely a fun read.

Backup is the novella told from the eyes of Thomas, the White Court vampire.  Not only do we get the unusual perspective of Harry Dresden from someone else’s eyes, but we also get to see events that Harry will never know about as Thomas saves him from himself.

“The Warrior” is a story with a bit of a twist – the main idea of it is not really tied in to the plot but in the way Harry goes about his business.  He makes a very interesting point for the “law of unintended consequences” wherein every decision we make has consequences, even if we don’t realize it.

In “Last Call,” Jim Butcher explores the evils of alcohol – especially when it has been altered by the god of wine.  Harry and Murphy must find out how Mac’s micro-brewed beer was altered and get to it before it gets consumed in large quantities.  A little more lighthearted than usual and a fun read.

Harry and Murphy are again working together in “Love Hurts,” where someone is mucking about with love spells, leading to mayhem and murder.

“Aftermath” was the story that I and probably every other Harry Dresden fan most anticipated.  Taking place directly after the shocking events of Changes, “Aftermath” follows Murphy as she grieves over her lost friend and her lost job and attempts to take Harry’s place investigating some odd disappearances in Chicago.

All in all, I found this to be an exemplary collection of stories.  Even though I had previously read most of them, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the author’s notes about each one and reading them again all together.  Again, this is a must for the Harry Dresden fan and something to tide you over until the next book, Ghost Story, comes out later this year.  If you have never read any of the Dresden Files books, try the first two stories here and see if you like the character – then start at the beginning with Storm Front, enjoy the ride through Changes, and then come back and read the rest of these shorts.  You’ll thank me, I promise.