Mean Streets

Mean Streets by Jim Butcher, Kat Richardson, Simon R. Green, Thomas E. Sniegoski

Published: Roc Trade (January 6, 2009)

At A Glance: From four of today’s hottest fantasy authors—all-new novellas of dark nights, cruel cities, and paranormal P.I.s.

The best paranormal private investigators have been brought together in a single volume—and cases don’t come any harder than this.

New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher delivers a hard-boiled tale in which Harry Dresden’s latest case may be his last.

Nightside dweller John Taylor is hired by a woman to find something she lost—her memory—in a thrilling noir tale from New York Times bestselling author Simon R. Green.

National bestselling author Kat Richardson’s Greywalker finds herself in too deep when a “simple job” goes bad and Harper Blaine is enmeshed in a tangle of dark secrets and revenge from beyond the grave.

For centuries, the being that we know as Noah lived among us. Now he is dead, and fallen-angel-turned-detective Remy Chandler has been hired to find out who killed him in a whodunit by national bestselling author Thomas E. Sniegoski.

What the Goose? I’m very happy this book came out when it did, ’cause I’ve been jonesing for some Harry Dresden action. It’s no secret to those who know me that I’m a crazy fan of the Dresden Files. Jim Butcher has definitely burst on the scene with this character and series, not to mention his fantasy series, The Codex Alera, as well. A master storyteller is he, yes. There’s just something about his manner of writing that immediately draws me in and holds me until the end, and then I want more. I’ve read all the Dresden and Alera books and can’t wait for the release of the next one.

And this story definitely filled the craving for a little bit. It’s all good as Harry fears for his good friend Michael. Yes, that Michael. The one with the really big sword. Only now, he’s retired (if you’ve read the last book, Small Favors, you’d know why). So now Harry is the keeper of two Swords of the Cross, and someone’s out to get them, and possibly hurt Michael and family in the process.

The other three stories were actually very good, in that I’ve been curious about these authors but haven’t wanted to invest the time and/or money in their books yet. Too many other things to read. But these short stories let me have a sampling of some very good authors. I’m definitely picking up Kat Richardson’s first book, Greywalker. And I think I may already have a Simon R. Green book in my library from a run to Half-Price Books. Looking forward to reading that one soon.

Now, Thomas Sniegoski. I have some mixed feelings, and it’s not because of his writing style. His main character is a fallen-angel-turned-private-investigator. Yes, that’s interesting. But it diverges so much from my own system of beliefs that it’s hard to separate the two and enjoy the story. In this one, for instance, Noah (yes, that Noah) has been murdered. Apparently his association with God during the whole Ark building gave him some kick-ass longevity. That doesn’t bug me much. It’s the part where he’s obsessing over those things that he wasn’t able to save. And I’m not talking about humanity. No, he’s concerned about those Chimerians. God’s first creations. Which He grew bored with and decided to save humanity instead. Interesting premise, but it’s just… I dunno. I did enjoy it, and I AM going to read Sniegoski’s first book about Remiel (the angel private eye). I’m just not sure if I’ll be able to enjoy it or not at this point.

All in all, Mean Streets is a quick and worthwhile read. Definitely not a disappointment. On the Suck-o-Meter, this book Most Definitely Did Not Suck.