3.5
Paranormal Payback
ByPublisher Description
A superstar lineup is included in this urban fantasy collection featuring short stories from New York Times bestselling authors Jim Butcher, Holly Black, Kim Harrison, Faith Hunter, and more …
In this short story collection, our heroes get what’s due to them—with a supernatural flair.
But the injustices that have been holding them back might cost them more than they realized. . . .
In “Mister Petty,” a brand-new Dresden Files story from #1 New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher, a woman hires Goodman Grey to get back at her cheating husband. She’s about to find out that Grey isn’t your ordinary detective—he’s a professional monster. And he’s going to balance the scales.
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black, “Dying Isn’t Just for the Young” follows an elderly widow reckoning with family scheming to take away her independence in a world infected by a disease of vampirism.
New York Times bestselling author Faith Hunter’s “Razors and Revenge” finds the vampire bounty hunter Shiloh awaiting her judgement at the hands of the Dark Queen, fresh off a brutal werewolf attack and the loss of a dear friend. But Shiloh’s not just a vampire anymore—and the wolfish instincts growing inside her are howling for blood.
And Kim Harrison takes us to the #1 New York Times bestselling series of the Hollows in her story “Dog-eared.” The demon Algaliarept makes a bargain with the dangerously insane Newt, the last female demon, to punish an arrogant wizard for abusing his precious magical texts—but how ruthless is Al willing to be to get his petty vengeance?
ALSO INCLUDES STORIES BY Jennifer Blackstream * Maurice Broaddus * Delilah S. Dawson * Kevin Hearne * Tanya Huff * Kerrie L. Hughes * R. L. King * R.R. Virdi
In this short story collection, our heroes get what’s due to them—with a supernatural flair.
But the injustices that have been holding them back might cost them more than they realized. . . .
In “Mister Petty,” a brand-new Dresden Files story from #1 New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher, a woman hires Goodman Grey to get back at her cheating husband. She’s about to find out that Grey isn’t your ordinary detective—he’s a professional monster. And he’s going to balance the scales.
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black, “Dying Isn’t Just for the Young” follows an elderly widow reckoning with family scheming to take away her independence in a world infected by a disease of vampirism.
New York Times bestselling author Faith Hunter’s “Razors and Revenge” finds the vampire bounty hunter Shiloh awaiting her judgement at the hands of the Dark Queen, fresh off a brutal werewolf attack and the loss of a dear friend. But Shiloh’s not just a vampire anymore—and the wolfish instincts growing inside her are howling for blood.
And Kim Harrison takes us to the #1 New York Times bestselling series of the Hollows in her story “Dog-eared.” The demon Algaliarept makes a bargain with the dangerously insane Newt, the last female demon, to punish an arrogant wizard for abusing his precious magical texts—but how ruthless is Al willing to be to get his petty vengeance?
ALSO INCLUDES STORIES BY Jennifer Blackstream * Maurice Broaddus * Delilah S. Dawson * Kevin Hearne * Tanya Huff * Kerrie L. Hughes * R. L. King * R.R. Virdi
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Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communitiesParanormal Payback Reviews
3.5
“Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
I was so excited about this and really thought I would enjoy it. Bite size portions of Dresden style stories seems perfect, but unfortunately it just didn't land. I really enjoyed the Jim Butcher story, and would LOVE to read more with that character, but the other stories just didnt hold up to his.”
“📱📖 Read on Kindle
📃 352 pages
⏱ Read time: 5 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Ace
📅 ARC provided by NetGalley
🗓️ Release Date: April 14, 2026
I came into this one already a little biased. Hand me anything with a Dresden Files label and I'm basically a golden retriever who just heard the word "walk". The Goodman Grey story Mister Petty absolutely delivered. Grey is Harry Dresden without the moral hand-wringing, and watching him operate in his own spotlight felt like being a handed a gift. If Butcher ever decides to give Grey a full novel, I will pre-order it at midnight without blinking.
The anthology as a whole is a solid sampler platter of urban fantasy. You've got witches, demons, vampires, and at least one ghost with a serious grudge, which honestly, is the energy we all deserve. The theme of payback ties everything together just enough to give it cohesion without feeling forced. Some stories introduced me to worlds and author I hadn't explored before, and a few of those are already on my TBR now. That's exactly what a good anthology should do. It's a speed-dating event for book series, and I left with a few numbers.
If you are a fan of The Dresden Files or urban fantasy in general, this collection offers enough sparks to keep you turning pages.
Would I recommend it?
It's a solid read, especially for fans of Harry Dresden Universe. It's a genuinely fun read with some standout moments, a few new authors worth following, and at least one story (you know which one, Grey fans) that'll have you grinning. Not every story hits home, but enough did to make it worth the few hours I spent with it.”
“Some of my favorite books are collections of short stories focusing on a certain theme. In this case, payback. More often than not, I pick the book up because one or more of my favorite authors have contributed a story. That was the case with this one, and I loved them!
I also found some new authors I want to explore and really, what more could you ask for? A great group of stories from amazing authors, the ability to jump around or read it cover to cover and yes, more books to add to your TBR.
I would like to thank Ace, Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for a copy. All opinions are my own and my review is voluntarily given.”
About Jim Butcher
Jim Butcher, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Dresden Files, turned to writing as a career because anything else probably would have driven him insane.
Kerrie L. Hughes is a paranormal girl in a way-too-normal world. She’s known primarily as an anthologist and short story writer but recently ventured into novels. Cauldron: A Great Lakes Grimoire is her first series, featuring witches, wizards, shifters, dragons, ghosts, and the Fae.
Kerrie L. Hughes is a paranormal girl in a way-too-normal world. She’s known primarily as an anthologist and short story writer but recently ventured into novels. Cauldron: A Great Lakes Grimoire is her first series, featuring witches, wizards, shifters, dragons, ghosts, and the Fae.
Other books by Jim Butcher
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