Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Out Law by Jim Butcher Series: The Dresden Files #18.75
on May 5, 2026
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 204
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible
In a city that’s just beginning to recover from the devastation caused by the Battle of Chicago, Harry Dresden is finally pulling himself together as well. He’s ensconced in his own personal castle, healing his various wounds and training an eager new apprentice. The last thing he wants is any trouble. But, as history has consistently—and quite annoyingly—shown, what Harry wants is rarely what Harry gets.
It starts with a visit from Harry’s most powerful frenemy, Gentleman John Marcone, Baron of Chicago. He needs Harry to assist in the redemption of an underling who’s looking to go straight. And since Harry does kinda sorta owe Marcone for saving his life once (stupid honorable debt!), it’s not a request he can refuse. He’ll just wish he had.
Because this little favor is going to drag Harry into a fight he doesn’t want on behalf of a lowlife he doesn’t trust against an enemy more powerful and pestilent than he ever could’ve an insatiable, demonic foe whom Harry himself may have created when he wiped out the vampires of the Red Court so long ago.
Before, all it wanted was blood. Now it wants the entire world . . .
There’s a comfort and joy with reading more in a long known series. The characters and world are familiar. But there is also the new character and new development in the world. Out Law is a great example as a short in the Dresden Files series.
About half the size of the regular installments, we still get some new characters. There’s further knowledge about a supernatural evil. Harry’s ordinary life which has plenty of battles and efforts to improve things.
With all the drastic changes, and losses, it’s nice to see Harry on a smaller mission. It’s brought to him by Marcone, which makes it suspicious. A bad guy wants to go straight and Harry’s role is to help him. The complexity and danger become apparent, and also the benefit to Marcone. Harry is the right man for the job though.
The next full length book is Mirror, Mirror expected in 2027. Out Law plus Mister Petty which was in Paranormal Payback are keeping me highly engaged.
About Jim Butcher
Jim Butcher is the author of the Dresden Files, the Codex Alera, and a new steampunk series, the Cinder Spires. His resume includes a laundry list of skills which were useful a couple of centuries ago, and he plays guitar quite badly. An avid gamer, he plays tabletop games in varying systems, a variety of video games on PC and console, and LARPs whenever he can make time for it. Jim currently resides mostly inside his own head, but his head can generally be found in his home town of Independence, Missouri.
Jim goes by the moniker Longshot in a number of online locales. He came by this name in the early 1990′s when he decided he would become a published author. Usually only 3 in 1000 who make such an attempt actually manage to become published; of those, only 1 in 10 make enough money to call it a living. The sale of a second series was the breakthrough that let him beat the long odds against attaining a career as a novelist.
All the same, he refuses to change his nickname.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 26-COYER
I’m glad you loved this so much, and it’s nice that a new full length book is on the way😁
Thank you.
Excellent review, Anne💜 So great that it’s still exciting after all this time. I paused at #4 and always intended to resume.
Thanks Jonetta. I enjoy this series.
I do love this series, but I never finished Battle Ground for *reasons*. I wonder if I could jump back in and be okay with all of the changes. I listened to Mister Petty and as soon as it started I was nostalgic for the series.
It is nostalgic reading on in a series. You could go on ignoring Battle Ground. But it’s kind of like skipping Scourged in IDC, you miss key information even if it is tough to read.
I read a few of the first books but never kept up. This is one I should catch up with as I think I’d love it.
I do love it and have planned a few times to do it as a Read-along. But there are so many books! They are more normal length which helps.
I really need to get back into this series. Someday.
I really enjoy them.
I’ve got to make sure my aunt’s boyfriend knows about these and the new one coming out next year. Thanks for sharing!
I am always reading the new ones.