I read a lot of sci-fi and fantasy. This is 193 for this year. I don’t finish the bad ones. There are far too many books for me to waste time on them. This one isn’t bad but it isn’t brilliant. I feel like the author has a lot of world building in his plans but it’s getting dribbled out very slowly. Grimsby is likable, he’s kind and tries to do the right thing. And pairing him up with the grizzled old officer is a classic combo. If like me you you read a zillion and one books each year this series is a fine one to add the the towering heaps to be read. The other reader I’d recommend it to is someone who wants urban fantasy without the romance. Because of lot of urban fantasy has the tough chick with the impossibly hot, generally unnaturally rich… guy on the side. This series is for someone who wants the fantasy but doesn’t want the romance to be right alongside the story. I think there’s potential for future books in the series to wring a 4 star review out of me but not quite yet.

Long Past Dues by James J. Butcher is the 2nd book in his urban fantasy The Unorthodox Chronicles series. Refresher: The Unorthodox Chronicles is a magic world, with human Usuals and paranormal Unorthodox; the Department of Unorthodox Affairs and Auditors are government magical elites, with witches who use spells to control their power. It is a world where magic is out in the open but tightly regulated.
Grimsby, our hero, has recently become an Auditor, working for Boston’s Department of Unorthodox Affairs. He is partnered with Mayflower (Huntsman), an assassin for the Unorthodox; but lately Mayflower hasn’t been around, thinking of retiring; and Grimsby is stuck doing menial jobs. When he is in his boss’s office to complain, he sees a folder for a friend (Rayne) and switches folders to take on an exciting case. When Grimsby shows the folder to Mayflower, he becomes interested, as he sees something long in the past, that bring them together to find out the truths.
Together, they begin an investigation to discover who performed a recent incomplete ritual, that reminds Mayflower of someone he eliminated 20 years ago. Mayflower does not have certain abilities, such as Grimsby’s witch powers, which helps them discover the danger in the horizon. In a short period, Grimsby becomes concerned about his friend, Rayne, and worries she is in danger, pushing Mayflower to help him find Rayne.
I had noted in my first book review, that Grimsby was a bit unsure of himself, always bumbling things; this does continue in the second book, though nearer to the end he got better. Having Mayflower as his partner eventually gave him more confidence. I did like Grimsby’s pet friend, Wudge, who was off the wall for the most part. I also liked Rayne, but the ending was left so open. Because of the cliffhanger, I have not decided if I want to read the next book.
Long Past Dues is an urban fantasy adventure, slow going at times and suspenseful closer to the end. The last half of the book, Grimsby and Mayflower are constantly thrown into chaos and danger. Long Past Dues was a good story written by James J. Butcher, though I did think there was too many details and redundancy

In this 2nd novel in the The Unorthodox Chronicles by James J. Butcher, he’s created a novel that is both descriptive and punchy, with imaginative language and fast paced action that will keep readers engaged. Grimsby is written with greater complexity and the troubles he and Mayflower face are far more interesting than just dealing with creatures and curses. 

In this second novel, I can see the growth in both the author’s writing but also in the worldbuilding. The department of Unorthodox Affairs is better described and we learn far more about the world that Grimsby and Mayflower face. The Department could still use more development but we also see how Wudge begins to fit into the narrative and how costs are paid not just by Grimsby but by his friends and others who wield magic in this world. 

The action is fast paced, the dialogue punchy and the descriptive language is superb. When reading this book, I could visualize the characters and the scenes with ease. I loved the deepening of the supernatural elements and I was thoroughly entertained by the story. While it does still bear some similarities to The Dresden Files, I can now see it breaking away and becoming something far more original and unique. The ending is complex and powerful and promises more to come.

If you like stories about magic and wizards, you will enjoy James J. Butcher’s take on magic. He brings us a character that struggles with magic but still succeeds, a character that is complex and entertaining. The story is descriptive and punchy, with scenes that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It was a thoroughly entertaining read.

James J. Butcher returns with the second novel in his urban fantasy series set in and around Boston, Massachusetts featuring Grimshaw Griswald Grimsby. The world is divided into those without any magical or paranormal capabilities and those that have them and there is access to another dimension called Elsewhere. Grimsby is the newest Auditor in the magical Department. Auditors are the magical elite who are government-sanctioned witches with power and prestige. They enforce the laws about magic, but Grimsby learns not all such tasks are exciting. For six months, he’s handled mundane magical troubles. Fed up with being overlooked for a better case, he takes a case file intended for a friend, Auditor Rayne Bathory.

His partner, Huntsman Leslie Mayflower, has not been showing up for work for a month, but when he sees the appropriated case file, he recognizes the ritual in the case photos as being like one of his cases from 20 years ago. Working together, can they stop the ritual from being completed? Eighteen-inch tall Wudge has also been living with Grimsby for the last six months and is still searching for the mysterious door that had been promised to him in book one of the series.

The dynamic between Grimsby and Mayflower as well as between Grimsby and Wudge was fun to experience has they got to know one another better and worked together. Grimsby is bothered by hypocrisy, dislikes arguing, and he is lonely, loyal, hardworking, and kind. Mayflower has a temper and he’s grouchy, bitter, and dangerous. Wudge provides comic relief and takes conversations very literally. Rayne tends to be cold, calm, professional, stressed, lonely, and feels betrayed. These are just four of the individuals in this novel filled with diverse and well-developed characters.

The plot is layered and has plenty of twists and turns combined with suspense, tension, and action. It is more polished and the pacing is better than book one of the series. There’s a significant surprise in this story line. Once again, it was hard to put the book down because there was always something new happening that piqued my interest. What an ending! It was not what I expected, but it certainly sets the situation up for a fantastic book three. The fantasy part of the world-building was terrific. The story contains elements of fantasy and suspense with a mystery that kept me turning the pages. Additional themes include dealing with failure, not giving up, friendship, trust, betrayal, theft, power, and doing what’s right, as well as human struggles and growth.

Overall, this novel was engaging and entertaining with a vivid fantasy environment created to immerse readers in this new urban world. This series should be read in order. I am looking forward to seeing what happens next in the series.

Berkley Publishing Group - Ace and James J. Butcher provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for October 10, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

3.5 hearts

The Unorthodox Chronicles series is written by Jim Butcher's son, James. As with most urban fantasy, each book further develops the world and characters so I would read them in order. Often when starting a series, I am just trying to understand how everything works. Now I wanted to see what the story would be already knowing a bit about the world.

Now Grimsby is an auditor after his last experience with Mayflower. But Mayflower thinks he is done with the work until he senses something from an old case. So Grimbsy is working the job without training or a mentor or a partner. He is expected to take some basic tests and is mostly not doing well. He is not given anything but paperwork and check-in type cases.

Grimsby is not stupid and he is certainly caring for his friends and really tries hard to help people. He just has so few resources or skills. I found some of his choices to be unbelievable. In the last book, Mayflower was a help and they worked together. Now Mayflower doesn't seem very helpful and his knowledge is limited.

I think maybe a problem I am having is with the pacing. Everything, even battles or fights, seems slow. I don't normally notice pacing so I'm not sure what isn't working for me. Possibly, it's whenever there is a fight instead of action, there is a long stream of options and decisions in Grimsby's head. And all I can think is why isn't he dead already?

Grimsby also wanted to help Wudge and that got him in another round of dangerous situations. He had no information and seemed to have nowhere to get information or any ability to work on solving the problem. He doesn't seem able to talk to anyone, like other auditors he knew through training. Learning the world through Grimsby is a bit like an unreliable narrator due to his lack of knowledge.

At the end of the last book, I hoped Grimsby had a bit of confidence and certainly more experience. In Long Past Dues, he seems to be mostly stumbling around on his own, getting injured but staying alive. I do admire his passion for saving others. It seems like Mayflower will be working with him going forward and perhaps Grimsby will get the experience and resources he needs.

I thought Dead Man’s Hand - the first book in this series - was exceptional, but Long Past Dues took the story up ten notches to absolute perfection.

Starting with the end, I have to say that the ending of this story is so impactful that I shed a tear or two. It wasn’t what I expected, but it was just right for the story and leaves plenty of room for more books in the series. It’s a thought-provoking, bittersweet, soft conclusion that had me thinking about it long after I finished the book.

I love the character development, particularly of Grimsby and Mayflower - it goes beyond so many other stories. As a character-driven story, I want to see good character development, but I don’t know if I have seen it on quite this level. Grimsby is the green Auditor (detective) who only wants to help people, and Mayflower is the older, hardened Hunter who has seen it all and had to make hard choices more times than he wants to remember - a combination we’ve all seen many times over. But the moral complexities of good versus evil/right versus wrong these two face together are handled authentically and developed at the right pace to hit home with me at every turn.

I also love the world-building, the fast-pace, and the quirky humor in both of the stories. Long Past Dues didn’t have those laugh-out-loud moments that the first book did, but there were still plenty of snickers and smiles as I made my way through the story. The world-building is incredible, and for an urban fantasy, it is exceptional. The many details and nuances make me forget that the book is set in Boston.

This is a series I will continue to follow, as I can’t wait to see what happens next, particularly where the character development goes.

4 stars. Grimsby has finally gotten the Auditor position he wanted, only to realize too late that it’s not all sunshine and roses, and no one in the Department feels that he rightfully earned it. In a desperate bid to prove himself, he ends up tangled in a muddle of theft, questionable promises, and past evils that could cost him not only his life but put the lives of the few friends he has at dire risk as well.

As with the first book, this one started out slowly. There were times when the story got bogged down in introspection, some of which made sense later on, some of which could probably have been left out without readers noticing. Grimsby seems as though he’s faltered in maturity under the strain of his new responsibilities, making impulsive decisions and mistakes that someone who’s reached his position of power can’t afford to fall prey to.

I hope we eventually get to see that his small acts of kindness in dire times allow him to reap rewards later.

I was given the opportunity to review an e-ARC of LONG PAST DUES through NetGalley and Berkley.
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This is the second book in The Unorthodox Chronicles by James J. Butcher. James Butcher is Jim Butcher's (author of The Dresden Files books). I loved the Dresden Files and Harry Dresden's adventures, so I started reading The Unorthodox Chronicles to see how they compared.

Description:
Grimsby, the newest Auditor in the magical Department of Unorthodox Affairs, finds himself in hot water when he intercepts a friend’s case in this fast-paced and thrilling urban fantasy.

Against all odds, Grimshaw Griswald Grimsby has become an Auditor, enforcing laws about magic for Boston’s Department of Unorthodox Affairs. But Grimsby soon realizes the daily grind of his job is far removed from the glamour he imagined. Overlooked for every exciting case, Grimsby tires of being told to handle mundane magical troubles, and appropriates a case file intended for a friend.

Alongside Leslie Mayflower, the temporarily unretired Huntsman, Grimsby aims to crack the case and discover the origin of a strange, unfinished ritual—one that seems to imitate the handiwork of a foe Mayflower put down twenty years ago.

Together, they’ll have to deal with escaped werewolves, a cursed artifact, and a perilous journey to the mysterious subterranean city below Boston, all to uncover the shocking truth. At any cost, Grimsby must stop this ritual from finally being completed. Yet the cost may be paid not by himself but by his friends. . . .

My Thoughts:
First of all, let me say that James J. Butcher's world setup around the adventures of Grimshaw Griswald Grimsby is as much fun as the Harry Dresden adventures. I like Grimsby, the inexperienced, somewhat timid, new auditor in the story. The subterranean world under the city of Boston was quite an experience. Grimsby's mission in this one was dangerous and tense. If you like fantasy adventures you will enjoy this book!

Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group, Ace through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on October 10, 2023.

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for the early copy of this one! Below you'll find my honest review.

The author has definitely honed his craft some more!!! This one was fantastic, and really delivered a solid plot, moving at just the right pace, with just the right reveals. It continues some of the storylines set up in book one, pushing them forward and leaving just enough threads dangling for you to know there's more to come without the plot of *this one* feeling unfinished.

The villain in this one was clever. I figured it out early on, but didn't figure out the connections to the main and side plots, so that was a nice surprise.

I really like the character of Wudge. Wildly entertaining, that one. I also love how Grimsby fights for Mayflower as well. And Rayne's story from the first gets amped up in this one, too, as all the storylines head for a big crash into each other near the end.

Recommended for fans of urban fantasy, but please read book one first. :) Can't wait for book three!

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Dead Man’s Hand, last year, so was excited to get back to this world and to see what the characters had been up to. It was an enjoyable read, though it did tend to meander a bit.

Grimshaw Griswald Grimsby is finally an Auditor, but he is really struggling to fit in still. He is such a wonderful character with a big heart and such compassion for others even when they are trying to kill him. His strong moral compass really helps him out, especially when dealing with his partner Mayflower. Many lives are saved, because Grimsby doesn’t feel that it is right just to harm someone when they are out of control. Grimsby is still dealing with his past, and he is still longing to belong and often has doubts about himself, but he is learning to get around all that.

Mayflower is a tough guy who will shoot first and ask questions later. His attitude toward life and people is quite jaded, but he sees the goodness in Grimsby and will listen to him and does try to not kill everyone. He is also haunted by a past that we still don’t know a lot about, but is slowly being revealed. They make a good team, both having strengths and weaknesses that help them solve this case.

The pacing is steady and flows along at a good pace. Grimsby and Mayflower follow the clues and figure out what it going on in a timely manner. There is a bit of meandering in the plot though, with some scenes that didn’t necessarily have much to do with the overall plot, but added some nice action scenes. There are still a lot of unanswered questions about the characters, especially their pasts and how it affects them in the present, but hopefully these will be resolved in the next book. I loved that we got to see more of this interesting world, where magic is out in the open, but strictly controlled and monitored. It is a very interesting urban fantasy setting that keep getting better.

I really enjoyed this second installment of the series, and I am looking forward to the next book. If you liked the first book, I think you will find this one to be a solid second book.

Reviewed is scheduled to go live on my blog on release day.

Long Past Due is the second book in a series by James J. Butcher, the son of the author of The Dresden Files, Jim Butcher. I admit my draw to the series was because he was the son of Jim, and I loved the Dresden files, so while waiting for the next one from his dad, I picked up this series. This second book is even better than the first book. Now that we have established our characters, we start with Grimsby dragging the huntsman back to work kicking and screaming. The book is pleasant, and it is great to see the characters grow with each book. I appreciate the fresh perspective on witches presented in this series. The world created is immersive, and I hope to see more of Wudge as Grimsby's sidekick, though I am not sure Grimsby wants more of Wudge.

Thank you, NetGalley and Ace, for my free digital copy for review.

Grimsby is an unexpected hero with a unique power that lies in his inherent goodness. Despite lacking the strength of more formidable witches, he adeptly navigates challenging situations to prevent tragic outcomes. Additionally, Grimsby longs for a sense of belonging.

I appreciate the captivating plot twists and numerous obstacles that Grimsby must overcome throughout the story. These elements contribute to an enjoyable and engaging reading experience.

The friendship between Grimsby and Mayflower is particularly endearing as they support one another through their respective journeys. This bond makes them relatable characters that readers can root for.

In general, I appreciate the fresh perspective on witches presented in this narrative. The world created by the author is immersive and leaves me eagerly anticipating future installments to witness Grimsby's personal growth and evolution.

At long last, Grimshaw Griswald Grimsby is an Auditor, a magic cop responsible for keeping order in Uncanny Boston. Sure, he can barely muster more than one spell, his former allies hate him, his partner is deep in a depressive funk, and he isn't even trusted to drive, but he finally achieved his lifelong dream. Chafing at the low-level tasks assigned to him, Grimsby horns in on a mysterious, uncompleted summoning that has dangerous implications that could spell the end for Grimsby and his frenemies. A serviceable installment of urban fantasy, fans of Butcher will enjoy Grimsby's bumbling, though many will find themselves losing patience for his boneheaded moves and general incompetence.

My thanks to NetGalley for making an eARC of this book available to me.

I gave this author a second chance, but not likely to give a third. The writing was too uneven, as was the world-building and the magic system. The main character continues to be whiny and lets purported "friends" step all over him. Admittedly, he comes out of his shell a bit and wrests back a bit more control of his life and self-confidence very late in the book, but it's too little and too late for me.

New characters that live in the world of my favorite wizard Harry Dresden, sign me up. Reliable story telling, comic relief and yes, magic. Grimshaw Griswald Grimsby has become an Auditor. He is now responsible for enforcing laws about magic for Boston’s Department of Unorthodox Affairs. Grimsby thought it would be exciting but he doesn't get those cases. When he partners with Leslie Mayflower, the temporarily unretired Huntsman, Grimsby decides to discover the origin of a strange, unfinished ritual which imitates a case of an enemy Mayflower put to rest twenty years ago.

A cursed artifact, escaped werewolves, and a mysterious subterranean city below Boston, will lead them to the the shocking truth. In Butcher's stories, world building is beyond compare.

I made a boo-boo. I accidentally requested Book 2 as an advanced reader copy (ARC) and was accepted. And then realized that it was Book 2... so I thought I should read the first book first.

And I don't like Book 1... so, I cannot make myself try reading my ARC of Book 2.

I’m loving this new series. Fantastic world building. I can’t wait to see more from this author and I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I keep accidentally grabbing books in a series from Netgalley, with Long Past Dues being the second book in James J. Butcher's Unorthodox Chronicles. That said, while I'm sure I was missing a fair bit of emotional context, the story was still an enjoyable ride. Butcher, not unlike his father, writes urban fantasy, with this series taking place in Massachusetts. The main character is definitely a sort of Charlie Brown persona, and whether that means he's lovably inept or annoyingly so might depend on the reader. I personally was able to enjoy the idea of the character who succeeds not through overwhelming might, but by the skin of his teeth and through desperate planning. The side characters are a bit of a mixed bag, with the Huntsman and Finley feeling more like tropes than fully fleshed out characters (Finley is a new addition to this book it seems, but their introduction definitely falls a bit flat for me), while I found Rayne, the distant Auditor and Grimsby's childhood friend (?), to be much more interesting. Butcher is clearly still building up lore in his world, which I appreciate, and it's promising to get the sense of a solid history he's alluding to in this text, despite knowing how much or little was already revealed in the first book.

TL;DR: If you like urban fantasy as a genre or like the Dresden Files (sorry, but the reference has to be made), you'll probably enjoy this solid, though not groundbreaking, tale.

I like this series; however, with the last name of Butcher comes some expectations in the urban fantasy genre. With this second book of the series, James J. Butcher makes strides in character development. The general storyline is engaging but lags at times and as an uberfan of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, there are too many similarities that just aren't hitting the mark to be an ultra satisfying read. One more slight observation is the the author's failure to revisit the cliffhanger of book one. Why have it there unless it is a thread to revisit? Will he later? I presume so, but after at least 1 book is maybe too long of a pause even for me.

Final thoughts - still has great potential but he's not there yet.

Grimsby, finally an Auditor in the magical Department of Unorthodox Affairs, finds the mundane tasks he takes on aren't at all what he expected of the job. While trying to help his friend Wudge he ends up in an alternate universe under Boston. With a ritual to stop and a reluctant partner to get back in the game this is a interesting trip with lots of magic and plenty of character development.