''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

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.

Set between Dead Beat and Proven Guilty,[1] Something Borrowed was published in My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding (October 3, 2006, ISBN 0-312-34360-4);[2] 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 in 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.

Set between White Night and Small Favor,[1] It's My Birthday, Too was published in Many Bloody Returns (September 4, 2007, ISBN 978-0-441-01522-1);[3] 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.

Set between White Night and Small Favor,[1] Heorot was published in My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon (December 26, 2007, ISBN 978-0-312-37504-1);[4] 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.

Set between Small Favor and Turn Coat,[1] Harry's Day Off was published in Blood Lite (October 21, 2008, ISBN 1-4165-6783-6)[5] It was later reprinted in Side Jobs as Day Off.

Backup

"Backup"
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 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.

Set between Small Favor and Turn Coat,[1] Backup was published independently by Subterranean Press.[6] 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 Mean Streets
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.

Set between Small Favor and Turn Coat,[1] The Warrior was published in Mean Streets (January 6, 2009, ISBN 978-0-451-46249-7).[7] It was later reprinted in Side 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.

Set between Small Favor and Turn Coat,[1] 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
Brief Cases
Media type Roleplaying Game booklet
Publication date July 7, 2009
Preceded by Proven Guilty
Followed by White Night

Harry Dresden instructs a class of young Wardens on methods for investigating supernatural phenomena, using one of his own past cases as an example. He describes the four A's of his technique (Ascertain, Analysis, Assemble, Act), but warns them to beware of a fifth A (Arrogance).

Set at about the time of Proven Guilty, "AAAA Wizardry" was published in Volume Two: Our World of The Dresden Files Roleplaying Game (June 15, 2010, ISBN 978-0-9771534-8-0). It was later reprinted in Brief Cases.

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
Brief Cases
Publication date July 20, 2010
Preceded by Turn Coat
Followed by Changes

On a mission for Lara Raith, Justine visits Johnny Marcone to request shelter for herself and a child under the terms of the Unseelie Accords. Marcone reluctantly agrees to harbor her for the child's sake, using a formidable range of magical and mundane weaponry to stop the Fomor pursuing them. In the aftermath of the battle, Marcone reflects on the effectiveness of his defenses and how he plans to use them against Harry Dresden in the future. Narrated by Marcone.

Set between Turn Coat and Changes,[1] "Even Hand" was published in Dark and Stormy Knights (July 20, 2010, ISBN 0-312-59834-3)[8]. It was later reprinted in Brief Cases.

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 anyway, 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.

Set before Storm Front,[1] Restoration of Faith was published on Jim Butcher's web site;[9] it was later reprinted in Side Jobs.

Publicity and Advertising

"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.

Set between Death Masks and Blood Rites,[1] Publicity and Advertising was published on Jim Butcher's web site;[10] it was later reprinted in Side Jobs as Vignette.

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[1]

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.

Set between Changes and Ghost Story,[1] Aftermath was published exclusively in Side Jobs (October 26, 2010).

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.

Set between Turn Coat and Changes,[1] 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.

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
Brief Cases
Publication date July 5, 2011
Preceded by Small Favor
Followed by Turn Coat

Harry is hired to look into the Curse of the Billy Goat, which has plagued the Chicago Cubs in the postseason for decades, and try to lift it if possible. The case leads him to the king of the Tylwyth Teg, who cast the curse himself and has been renewing it every year. After a friendly talk with the king, a longtime Cubs fan, Harry decides not to interfere and risk costing the team its loyal fan base.

Set between Small Favor and Turn Coat,[1] Curses was published in Naked City: Tales of Urban Fantasy (July 5, 2011, ISBN 978-0-312-38524-8). It was later reprinted in Brief Cases.

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
Brief Cases
Publication date May 29, 2012
Preceded by Dead Beat[Footnote 1]
Followed by Proven Guilty[1]

The teenage scion of a Sasquatch and a woman, Irwin Pounder is virtually immune to disease. When his parents learn that he has fallen ill at the boarding school he attends, they hire Harry to find out if something is wrong. Harry visits Irwin and discovers that someone is using dark magic to drain energy from his aura. The culprit proves to be the school's headmaster, who has been magically regrowing his hair to reverse his baldness. Harry orders him to stop or face reprisals from the White Council, and Irwin quickly recovers.

Set between Dead Beat and Proven Guilty,[11] I Was a Teenage Bigfoot was published in Blood Lite 3: Aftertaste (May 29, 2012, ISBN 978-1451636246). It was later reprinted in Brief Cases and Working for Bigfoot.

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
Brief Cases
Publication date June 5, 2012
Preceded by Turn Coat[11]
Followed by Changes

Strength of a River in His Shoulders, a Bigfoot, asks Harry to look in on his half-human son Irwin Pounder, who is attending college and playing football. Harry discovers that Irwin's girlfriend Connie is a White Court vampire whose powers have little effect on him. When her father tries to psychically force her to have sex with Irwin and fatally drain his life force, Harry and River Shoulders intervene to save them both. Irwin meets his father for the first time, the price Harry set for helping, and he and Connie quietly disappear from campus.

Set between Turn Coat and Changes,[1] Bigfoot on Campus was published in Hex Appeal (June 5, 2012, ISBN 978-0312590727). It was later reprinted in Brief Cases and Working for Bigfoot.

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
Brief Cases
Publication date August 28, 2012
Preceded by Fool Moon[11]
Followed by Grave Peril

Strength of a River in His Shoulders is a Bigfoot who has a son, Irwin Pounder, by an archaeologist he met during a dig. When River learns that Irwin is being bullied at school, he worries about the boy's safety and hires Harry Dresden to investigate. Harry learns that Irwin's tormentors are under the protection of a svartalf who threatens to kill Harry if he interferes, but Harry finds a way for Irwin to solve the problem on his own.

Set between Fool Moon and Grave Peril,[1] B is for Bigfoot was published in Under My Hat: Tales From the Cauldron (August 28, 2012, ISBN 978-0375868306). It was later reprinted in Brief Cases and Working for Bigfoot.

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
Brief Cases
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 deaths, and sets out to prevent it. Her life turns for the better after succeeding. Narrated by Molly Carpenter.

Set between Ghost Story and Cold Days,[1] Bombshells was published in Dangerous Women (December 3, 2013 ISBN 978-0765332066). It was later reprinted in Brief Cases.

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
Brief Cases
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. Set after Skin Game.[1]. It was later reprinted in Brief Cases.

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
Brief Cases
Publication date November 1, 2016
Preceded by Cold Days
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.

Set between Cold Days and Skin Game,[1] Cold Case was published in Shadowed Souls. It was later reprinted in Brief Cases.

Day One

"Day One"
Author Jim Butcher
Country U.S.A.
Language English
Series The Dresden Files
Genre(s) Urban fantasy/Mystery novel
Published in Unfettered II
Brief Cases
Publication date November 21, 2016
Preceded by Skin Game

During training for his new role as a Knight of the Cross, Waldo Butters successfully meets his first challenge fighting a rogue baku.

Day One was published in the anthology Unfettered II. Set after Skin Game.[1]. It was later reprinted in Brief Cases.

A Fistful of Warlocks

"A Fistful of Warlocks"
Author Jim Butcher
Country U.S.A.
Language English
Series The Dresden Files
Genre(s) Urban fantasy/Mystery novel
Published in Straight Outta Tombstone
Brief Cases
Publication type anthology
Publisher Baen Books
Media type Trade paperback
Publication date July 3, 2017
Followed by Storm Front

Anastasia Luccio, a Warden for the White Council, is pursuing a few dangerous characters and ends up in Dodge City, home of Wyatt Earp.

A Fistful of Warlocks was published in the anthology Straight Outta Tombstone. It is set in the late 1800s. It was later reprinted in Brief Cases.

Zoo Day

"Zoo Day"
Author Jim Butcher
Country U.S.A.
Language English
Series The Dresden Files
Genre(s) Urban fantasy/Mystery novel
Published in Brief Cases
Publication date June 5, 2018
Preceded by Skin Game

Harry, his daughter Maggie, and his dog Mouse try to enjoy a day at the zoo, only for each to face a supernatural threat - a young warlock for Harry, a pack of haunts for Maggie, and Mouse's discovery that his own brother is orchestrating events to target them both. A Rashomon-style story told alternately from each character's separate point of view.

Set after Skin Game, Zoo Day was published exclusively in Brief Cases (June 5, 2018).

Stories by internal chronology

TitlePublication yearPreceded byFollowed by
A Fistful of Warlocks2017Storm Front
Restoration of Faith2010Storm Front
B is for Bigfoot2012Fool MoonGrave Peril
Publicity and Advertising2010Death MasksBlood Rites
Something Borrowed2006Dead BeatProven Guilty
I Was a Teenage Bigfoot2012Dead BeatProven Guilty
It's My Birthday, Too2007White NightSmall Favor
Heorot2007White NightSmall Favor
Harry's Day Off2008Small FavorTurn Coat
Backup2008Small FavorTurn Coat
The Warrior2009Small FavorTurn Coat
Last Call2009Small FavorTurn Coat
Curses2011Small FavorTurn Coat
AAAA Wizardry2009UnknownUnknown
Love Hurts2010Turn CoatChanges
Bigfoot on Campus2012Turn CoatChanges
Even Hand2010Turn CoatChanges
Aftermath2010ChangesGhost Story
Bombshells2013Ghost StoryCold Days
Cold Case2016Cold DaysSkin Game
Jury Duty2015Skin Game
Day One2016Skin Game
Zoo Day2018Skin Game

Collections

Side Jobs

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)
Pages 418

Side Jobs was published on October 26, 2010 as a collection of most of the existing short stories in the series at the time. 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

  1. "A Restoration of Faith"
  2. "Vignette"
  3. "Something Borrowed"
  4. "It's My Birthday, Too"
  5. "Heorot"
  6. "Day Off"
  7. "Backup"
  8. "The Warrior"
  9. "Last Call"
  10. "Love Hurts"
  11. "Aftermath"

Working for Bigfoot

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
Pages 131

Working for Bigfoot was published on June 30, 2015. It is a collection of novellas, previously published in other anthologies, about Harry working for Bigfoot to help when his half human son gets into trouble.

Story order

  1. "B is For Bigfoot"
  2. "I Was a Teenage Bigfoot"
  3. "Bigfoot on Campus"

Brief Cases

Brief Cases
Author Jim Butcher
Country United States
Language English
Series The Dresden Files
Genre Urban fantasy/Mystery novel
Publisher ACE
Publication date
June 5, 2018 (hardcover—US only)
Media type Print (hardcover)
Pages 437

Brief Cases was published on June 5, 2018 as a collection of Dresden Files short stories. The novella Zoo Day was first included in this publication. The stories take place between the events of the novels in the series and are arranged in chronological order.

Story order

  1. "A Fistful of Warlocks"
  2. "B is for Bigfoot"
  3. "I Was a Teenage Bigfoot"
  4. "Curses"
  5. "AAAA Wizardry"
  6. "Bigfoot on Campus"
  7. "Even Hand"
  8. "Bombshells"
  9. "Cold Case"
  10. "Jury Duty"
  11. "Day One"
  12. "Zoo Day"

Footnotes

  1. 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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Jim Butcher's short stories
  2. "Amazon: My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding". ISBN 0312343604. Missing or empty |url= (help)
  3. "Amazon: Many Bloody Returns". ISBN 0441016758. Missing or empty |url= (help)
  4. "Amazon: My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon". ISBN 0312375042. Missing or empty |url= (help)
  5. "Amazon: Blood Lite". ISBN 1416567836. Missing or empty |url= (help)
  6. "Jim Butcher and Orson Scott Card Sold Out on Publication!". Subterranean Press. 2008-11-02. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
  7. "Amazon: Mean Streets". ISBN 0451462491. Missing or empty |url= (help)
  8. http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/side-jobs
  9. "Restoration of Faith"
  10. "Publicity and Advertising"
  11. 1 2 3 "Short Stories (Side Jobs and Brief Cases)". jimbutcher.com.
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