In this definitive collection of stories, we are welcomed back to Harry's world while we eagerly await Peace Talks (hint, hint). Enjoy and reminisce!

Received a copy from NetGalley for an honest review.

Honestly? I liked it a lot.

I’ve read most of these stories before — in many cases I bought an anthology solely because there was a new Harry Dresden book on it — but this collection is a nice combination of tales of the wizard Dresden and his friends (and enemies) complete with introductions to each one, plus a brand new story that includes viewpoints from his daughter Maggie AND her dog, Mouse.

The other stories tell about his apprentice Molly both before and after she became a near-goddess, his old boss in her Wild West days fighting zombies with Wyatt Earp, crime boss John Marcone’s dealings with a supernatural threat, ME and polka enthusiast Butters’ first quest as a Knight, and several tales of Dresden including all three of the Bigfoot stories. But really, all of the stories are about Dresden one way or another.

It can seem like a long wait in between Dresden books these days, but little glimpses into his world and his characters like this help.

In some ways I like the short stories that Jim Butcher writes in the Dresden Files universe almost more than the main novels because they allow for that alternate point of view or reflections about Harry and the world around him that aren't possible in the main story. Much like Side Jobs before it, Brief Cases offers several short stories from Harry's first person point of view that fill in the gaps between novels without introducing anything vital if a reader of the main series were to skip them. Where this collection shines however is in the roughly half of the stories that take place from the point of view other "minor" characters from the Dresden universe. Luccio, Butters and Marcone but especially Molly all shine in their first person narratives and the characters will benefit from this look inside their motivations, fears and feelings when encountered again in the main series. The story that makes this compilation truly shine though is the final entry "Zoo Day" the well worked retelling of the same day from three characters' points of view was beautifully executed and really highlights that even though Harry may be a wizard that has seen it all doesn't mean that Harry sees all that's going on.

Reading this just reminds me how much I miss Jim Butcher's Dresden series! I'm hoping against hope this is a prelude to him going back to it, and giving his loyal fans the next chapter in Harry's story!

The new short included here was wonderful in particular! We, like Harry were just getting to know Maggie, and to see a story in Mouse's voice? INCREDIBLE.!!

An amazing, flawless collection from one of my favorite authors! More please!!

Each story in the urban fantasy collection is preceded by a brief note from the author. It’s fascinating to think that the school bully, the cute girl in class, or the mean teacher could actually be some supernatural villain. And could that big kid who is being hassled at school actually be Bigfoot’s half-mortal son? I liked most of the stories, but I felt (with disappointment) that those with female protagonists weren’t as.interesting or well written..