Brief Cases

May 7, 2018
This entertaining collection assembles 11 reprints and one brand new novella, all set in the world of Butcher’s popular Chicago-based wizard PI, Harry Dresden (last seen in 2014’s Skin Game). In a trio of lighthearted Bigfoot-centric stories, Harry helps out an erudite Sasquatch named River Shoulders on behalf of his half-human son, Irwin. In “Bombshells,” Harry’s apprentice, the quick-thinking Molly Carpenter, goes up against a powerful foe (while wearing a little black dress, no less), and in “Even Hand,” Harry’s sworn enemy, dapper crime boss John Marcone, takes drastic steps to protect an innocent child. The Wild West–set crowd-pleaser “A Fistful of Warlocks” features White Council Warden Anastasia Luccio, who teams up with Wyatt Earp to put a stop to some very dark deeds. The standout is the tender original novella, “Zoo Day,” in which Harry takes his 10-year-old daughter, Maggie, to the zoo. First they encounter a young warlock in need of Harry’s help, and then Maggie is attacked by a group of haunts. This collection mostly serves to whet longtime fans’ appetites while they wait for the next full-length installment, and newcomers will find little of interest here.

The narration of James Marsters anchors a dozen short stories from the long-running Dresden Files fantasy/mystery series, that recounts the adventures of a wisecracking Chicago wizard. Not for unfamiliar listeners, the short pieces span 15 novels and abound with spoilers. The stories feature Dresden and/or his allies grappling with Wild West wizards, Bigfoot's son, Lovecraftian horrors, and more. Marsters's narration continues to capture the spirit of the novels superbly, while the other narrators pale in comparison. Author Jim Butcher narrates one story and compelling prefaces before each of the stories, but even he can't surpass beloved series regular Marsters. A strong thematic connection running throughout elevates the collection beautifully. J.M.M. � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine