Dresden Files Series Order

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Dresden Files Series Order

1Irisheyz77
Edited: Jun 3, 2011, 3:47 pm

This is for those who might be new to the series and were wondering the order in which to read them. While the main plot in each book is begun and wrapped up in each novel, there is also a continuing plot from one book to the next. New books tend to refer to past events so in order to avoid confusion it might be best to read them in the the order published.

Prequel - Welcome to the Jungle (Graphic Novel)
Book 1 - Storm Front
Book 2 - Fool Moon
Book 3 - Grave Peril
Book 4 - Summer Knight
Book 5 - Death Masks
Book 6 - Blood Rites
Book 7 - Dead Beat
"Something Borrowed" - Short story in My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding
Book 8 - Proven Guilty
Book 9 - White Night
"It's My Birthday Too" - Short story in Many Bloody Returns
"Heorot" - short story in My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon
Book 10 - Small Favor
Novella - Backup (not sure where this falls as I haven't read it but it was published between 10 and 11 & is a story from Thomas's POV)
Book 11 - Turn Coat
Book 12 - Changes
Book 12a - Side Jobs - a collection of short stories - see Message 34 of this post for more detail
Book 13 - Ghost Story - in stores 26 July 2011
Book 14 - Cold Days - released TBD, most likely some time in 2012
Book 15 - TBD
Book 16 - TBD
Book 17 - TBD
Book 18 - TBD
Book 19 - TBD
Book 20 - TBD
**end of case type books**
Book 21 - apocalyptic trilogy #1
Book 22 - apocalyptic trilogy #2
Book 23 - apocalyptic trilogy #3

Two short stores that are chronologically before Storm Front can be found on JB's website, see the links below to read them:

Restoration of Faith - http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/restoration/

A Vignette - http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/vignette/

*Edited to update series order*

2MaggieO
Jul 1, 2007, 10:37 am

Well done, Irish - I'll have to go track down those short stories!

3Storeetllr
Jul 1, 2007, 1:57 pm

Irish ~ Thank you so much for the links to the shorts on Butcher's website, which I just read. They are the first of any Dresden Files stories I've read, and I think I'm in love! :)

Finding a great new (to me) series is like winning the lottery! I just bought Storm Front yesterday and am even more eager now to start reading it. Thanks again!

4Irisheyz77
Jul 1, 2007, 4:29 pm

You're very welcome Storeetllr. =)

Dresden Files is definately one of those lottery winning series. They just keep getting better.

5Storeetllr
Aug 3, 2007, 4:01 pm

Just stopped by to say hi and whine a little. I haven't been able to find the second book in the series (Fool Moon) anywhere I've looked. The library doesn't have it, the local B&N doesn't have it. Two local indies and three indies I visited while on vacation two weeks ago didn't have it. I'm afraid I'm going to have to bite the bullet and order it online (which I don't like to do as I prefer going into real bookstores as opposed to shopping the virtuals, but I need that book in order to read the rest of the series, most of which I have on my TBR shelf). I'm going to try a couple of bookstores a little farther afield tomorrow before I bow to the inevitable and order it online.

Well, thanks for listening and have a great weekend!

6MaggieO
Aug 3, 2007, 4:14 pm

Good luck with your quest, Storeetllr!

I myself couldn't rest till I had the next book in the series, each time I finished one. Several times I went from the last line of one book, directly to the first line of the next.

And now I've read them all. Sigh. I'm trying to keep my mind off Harry by reading other books I've been meaning to read for a long time. I may have to start over with Storm Front, but I'm trying to put it off as long as I can. After all, I love the Dresden books, but they haven't stopped me from buying lots of other books that are waiting for my attention!

7Storeetllr
Aug 5, 2007, 11:36 pm

Success! I had to drive to a neighboring city today and while there stopped into the B&N where I finally found Fool Moon. Bought it, of course, along with Grave Peril, as well as the hardcovers of Jonathan Strange and Killing Critics which were on the bargain shelves and which I could not resist. As soon as I got home and put away the groceries, I let the rest of my day's chores go and started reading Fool Moon, whichis so good.

8Irisheyz77
Aug 6, 2007, 9:14 am

So glad that you were able to find the book! =)

9Storeetllr
Edited: Aug 26, 2007, 10:58 pm

I think I've been bespelled.

Went to the Hollywood farmers' market this morning, which is just down the street from a huge Borders. So, of course, after I finished buying fresh figs, peaches, and goat cheese, I stopped in at the bookstore "just to look around" before I went home. (Ha Ha.)

Somehow, not quite sure how it happened, I found the fourth book of the Dresden Files Summer Knight in one hand and me at the cash register, credit card in the other hand. Wierd, huh? (Maybe I should call Harry.)

Has anything like that ever happened to you?

lol

10MaggieO
Aug 27, 2007, 9:19 am

I do know that books follow me home all the time, and I find the receipts for them, so I know I've paid for them. I think that's a bit spooky, too. Let me know if you're successful hiring Harry to investigate:)

I'm still pining for Dresden books, but I'm trying to put off starting the series over, since I have so many other books waiting for my attention.

11Irisheyz77
Jan 23, 2008, 9:45 pm

Updated the initial post to reflect the newest short story "Heorot" in My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon. Has anyone here read it yet? I haven't but I know my mom bought it recently so I'll borrow it when she's done.

12lucien
Jan 23, 2008, 10:31 pm

"It's My Birthday Too" does feature the Dresden cast. Chronologically, it takes place after White Night.

I've haven't read "Heorot" yet so I don't know if it's before or after that. The timeline (warning: contains full spoilers for the series) at the forum's on Jim Butcher's website says "It's My Birthday Too" comes first then "Heorot".

13reading_fox
Jan 24, 2008, 4:23 am

If someone who owns/wants them can enter them into their catalog as single works, then they can be added to the Harry dresden files series information.

the format would be {dresden files (10|10a short story) }

similar to how the omnibuses are done.

14Irisheyz77
Edited: Jan 24, 2008, 9:44 am

Thanks for the info lucien - I'll update the series order list above accordingly.

redfox - I've also added the short stories to the Series information. Thanks for the tip on how to do it properly!

15Irisheyz77
Dec 13, 2008, 10:34 am

Updated to added Book 11 to the series order.

The title is going to be Turn Coat...any speculation as to what that might mean for the series? Think our beloved Harry might join the other side? *dum dum dummmm*

16Caspettee
Dec 29, 2008, 7:52 pm

My guess would be that perhaps Dresden discovers the "Black Court" member in the White Council or something similar?

17Siesser
Edited: Dec 30, 2008, 12:41 am

I agree with Caspettee, it's most likely revealing who the traitor is. Another possibility is that it has to do with Morgan's coming to Harry for help - possibly he is accused of being said double agent.

18Irisheyz77
Jan 17, 2009, 11:01 am

Has anyone here read the novella, Backup? A short story told from Thomas' POV. I read it recently and enjoyed it. Liked seeing the Dresden world from new eyes. My one complaint was that it was too short. All the scenes felt a little rushed an incomplete.

19karenmarie
Mar 14, 2009, 7:56 am

I think I've entered a new world.

I was at the Thrift Store yesterday evening, scanning books quickly before I was to meet my husband and daughter for dinner.

I saw a couple of books by the same author, Jim Butcher. Hadn't heard of him before, so I pulled them out. I saw the words paranormal, and wizard, and got interested.

The upshot is that I got the first 9 books for 50 cents each and now have a new series to start.

20Siesser
Mar 14, 2009, 9:50 am

Congratulations! You've stumbled across a most addictive and ever improving series. Book 11 of the Dresden series comes out next month. And I highly recommend the Codex Alera series as well, which has ever so slightly edged Dresden Files as my fave, thanks to the 4th and 5th books.

If you do decide to buy Turn Coat, the new Dresden novel, you can get an autographed copy from Dogeared Books at http://www.dogearedhalf-pricebooks.com/virtualsigning.htm

21Caspettee
Mar 14, 2009, 9:24 pm

Yes you wont look back now.

22karenmarie
Mar 15, 2009, 12:04 pm

Hey Siesser and Caspettee: Well, I finished Storm Front this morning. As soon as I finished it I let out a whoop of happiness. Husband asked what was going on, and I told him that I had just finished an absolutely wonderful book.

This is going to be fun.

I must admit that I also bought the first 3 books of the Codex Alera series but only to put on BookMooch - mysteries are my first love. They got snapped up within half a day and will be mailed Monday.

23Storeetllr
Edited: Mar 15, 2009, 2:02 pm

Better get going if you're going to read all three by Monday. lol

Edited for spelling. It's morning & I haven't had my coffee yet.

24karenmarie
Edited: Mar 16, 2009, 1:10 pm

Well, they're out the door. If I'm meant to read them, they'll be available again somewhere, sometime.

I have 701 books that I've identified as tbr, and they're all sitting on my shelves, so buying 9 books is enough for now, I guess. Plus I've got 15 books either promised or actually sent from BookMooch, and 2 more that I've asked for that haven't been accepted yet. Too many books, too little time.

I'm on page 53 of Fool Moon. The bookclub book is going to have to wait.....

25Caspettee
Edited: Mar 17, 2009, 8:21 am

Yea the book club didnt get going. But I am happy to try to get it going again if people are interested?

26sqdancer
Mar 20, 2009, 3:26 am

Sure, I'm still game.

Maybe the timing just wasn't right before.

27DeusExLibrus
Apr 7, 2010, 9:20 pm

I'll read the rest of the thread in a bit, but just wanted to say I just bought Changes with two day delivery, so it'll be here Friday! I'm doing a reread with chapter-by-chapter reflection including Welcome to the Jungle on my at deusexlibrus.blogspot.com, so go check it out, I'm hoping for a chapter a night. Tonight will be staring the comic.

28k1tsune
Apr 8, 2010, 6:56 pm

Next will be Ghost Story.

29Irisheyz77
Apr 10, 2010, 3:09 pm

k1tsune - has that been confirmed anywhere?

30k1tsune
Edited: Apr 10, 2010, 9:45 pm

Yes, I have it from some interview of the author. Would have to search a while to get a link, sry :D. But you should also find the quote in the jim butcher forum.
Edit:
http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,16786.msg767516.html#msg76751...

31hmajor
Jul 2, 2010, 4:21 pm

Thanks for the list. I am wondering where the story in Strange Brew falls. I don't want to get ahead of myself!
Backup has been hard to find lately, so I'm glad to see it's coming out, along with most of the Dresden stories so far, in the forthcoming Side Jobs.

33Nentuaby
Jul 12, 2010, 6:22 pm

For the record, Something Borrowed is chronologically ahead of Proven Guilty and referenced therein.

34Irisheyz77
Dec 5, 2010, 11:15 pm

The short stories that appear in Side Jobs and where they fall are as follows

A Restoration of Faith...(before the first book, Storm Front)
Vignette.......................Between Death Masks (5) and Blood Rites (6)
Something Borrowed.......Between Dead Beat (7) and Proven Guilty (8)
It's My Birthday, Too.....Between White Knight (9) and Small Favor (10)
Heorot..........................Between White Knight (9) and Small Favor (10)
Day Off.........................Between Small Favor (10) and Turn Coat (11)
Backup..........................Between Small Favor (10) and Turn Coat (11)
The Warrior...................Between Small Favor (10) and Turn Coat (11)
Last Call.....................Between Small Favor (10) and Turn Coat (11)
Love Hurts....................Between Small Favor (10) and Turn Coat (11)
Aftermath.....................After Changes

35Irisheyz77
Jun 3, 2011, 3:50 pm

Updated list with title of the 14th book based on this Q&A on Jim Butcher's FAQ page

Q. How many books is Jim writing for the Dresden Files?

A. 23ish: 20ish “case books,” like those we’ve seen so far, plus a 3-book apocalyptic trilogy. Book #12, Changes, hit bookstores in April 2010. Book #13, Ghost Story, will be released July 26, 2011. Book #14 will be called Cold Days, though we don’t have a release date for it yet.

http://www.jim-butcher.com/faq

36Caspettee
Jun 7, 2011, 4:39 am

I've been bad fell behind! But I am rectifying the situation right now!

37Darmetheon
Jun 29, 2014, 5:10 pm

Book 14: Cold Days -- Released on November 27, 2012 (http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/cold-days-14)

Book 15: Skin Game -- Released on May 27th 2014 (http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/skin-game-15)

38BlaneMather
Mar 15, 2017, 7:14 am

Book 16 (no release date listed yet) is set to be titled "Peace Talks."

http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/peace-talks-16

39andreadmw
May 1, 2020, 9:07 am

Book 16: Peace Talks -- Released on July 14th, 2020 (https://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/peace-talks-16)
Book 17: Battle Ground -- Released on September 29th, 2020 (https://www.jim-butcher.com/battle-ground-17)

40Storeetllr
May 2, 2020, 1:26 pm

>38 BlaneMather: >39 andreadmw: Wow, that took awhile!

41andreadmw
May 24, 2020, 2:35 pm

Right? It's been so long I am re-reading the series to get back in to it. Actually listening to the audio books for the first time. James Marsters is incredible.

42Storeetllr
May 25, 2020, 12:52 pm

I've got the audio of Skin Game to listen to now. It's taken me awhile because I kind of lost the urge to read them after Changes. I was kind of really bummed by the ending of that one and just could not read the next when it came out. I managed to finally get back to the series and recently listened to Ghost Story and Cold Days, which were turned out to be good after all. Apparently, I'd gotten too emotionally invested in Dresden's story and took the ending of Changes too much to heart.

Anyway, I've both read the print version and listened to the audio version of the books and prefer the audio versions, perhaps in large part because Marsters is, as you say, incredible.

43reading_fox
May 25, 2020, 4:03 pm

>41 andreadmw: - snap! I'd forgotten how much Harry changes from the earliest books. And I get to re-meet some of my favourites like Lash. I wish Jim would let Harry's sidekicks stay around longer, they only get a few books apart from Murph and Molly to soem degree and even she goes awol for many of them.

>42 Storeetllr: I was desperate to read Ghost story after changes, I'd avoided any discussions as I usually do, and couldn't believe what had happened. I knew there were more books coming, but they weren't yet published. It may have been one of my very very few pre-orders to find out what had happened. It's a trick that only works once, but it was very well done.

44andreadmw
Jun 11, 2020, 8:39 pm

Yes. I remember getting Changes. I won the coin toss in our home and was able to read it before my husband. He found me in the bedroom sobbing while i read it. I also went the opposite, I was in such disbelief about what happened at the end of Changes that I pounced on the next book. I've yet to forgive him for what he did. It has been fun revisiting all these characters I love and I am looking very forward to the new books this year.

Actually Peace Talks comes out on my birthday so I plan just to read the book that day.

I have to mention again, James Marsters does such an incredible job narrating these. Its almost like reading a whole new book because the experience of listening is so different from reading (in my opinion)