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The Dresden Files #11.5
Love Hurts
An e-book short story by New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher, originally published in the anthology SONGS OF LOVE AND DEATH, edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois.
Harry and Murphy investigate a series of love spells with deadly consequences.
Takes place between Turn Coat and Changes.
Harry and Murphy investigate a series of love spells with deadly consequences.
Takes place between Turn Coat and Changes.
35 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2011
26 people are currently reading
6649 people want to read
About the author
Jim Butcher
204 books51.2k followersJim 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.
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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
April 13, 2020
Q:
As far as I know, I am the only wizard on the planet earning a significant portion of his income working for a law enforcement agency. (c) Dresden... Harry Dresden!
Q:
I had a huge advantage. I’m freakishly tall. (c)
Q:
Some very unromantic things had happened to them after death. (c)
Q:
“Of the two people having this conversation, which one of them exposed the last guy rearranging people’s heads?” (c)
Q:
I made several mental nighttime sweeps through the city using the scale model of Chicago in my basement, and got nothing but a headache for my trouble. (c)
Q:
I worked my way methodically down the list, crossing out names, until I got to “ask random people on the street. (c)
Q:
There are days when I don’t feel like much of a wizard. Or an investigator. Or a wizard investigator.
Ordinary PIs have a lot of days like that, where you look and look and look for information and find nothing. I get fewer of those days than most, on account of the whole wizard thing giving me a lot more options—but sometimes I come up goose eggs anyway. (c)
Q:
“I thought you always said magic isn’t about good and evil.”
“Neither is sunshine.” (c)
Q:
He walks his own road and doesn’t let anyone make him do differently. (c)
Q:
She frowned at a little plastic barrier with an Authorized Personnel Only notice on it, then calmly ignored it and went on over.
“Anarchist,” I muttered... (c)
As far as I know, I am the only wizard on the planet earning a significant portion of his income working for a law enforcement agency. (c) Dresden... Harry Dresden!
Q:
I had a huge advantage. I’m freakishly tall. (c)
Q:
Some very unromantic things had happened to them after death. (c)
Q:
“Of the two people having this conversation, which one of them exposed the last guy rearranging people’s heads?” (c)
Q:
I made several mental nighttime sweeps through the city using the scale model of Chicago in my basement, and got nothing but a headache for my trouble. (c)
Q:
I worked my way methodically down the list, crossing out names, until I got to “ask random people on the street. (c)
Q:
There are days when I don’t feel like much of a wizard. Or an investigator. Or a wizard investigator.
Ordinary PIs have a lot of days like that, where you look and look and look for information and find nothing. I get fewer of those days than most, on account of the whole wizard thing giving me a lot more options—but sometimes I come up goose eggs anyway. (c)
Q:
“I thought you always said magic isn’t about good and evil.”
“Neither is sunshine.” (c)
Q:
He walks his own road and doesn’t let anyone make him do differently. (c)
Q:
She frowned at a little plastic barrier with an Authorized Personnel Only notice on it, then calmly ignored it and went on over.
“Anarchist,” I muttered... (c)
June 16, 2023
A "love story". Right for a dark V-Day. Too bad I read it now. *lol*
No, serioulsy, it's another case Harry is helping Murphy with. This time with a "romantic" twist thanks to mental tempering.
The case, combined with Harry's own heartache after the events in the last novel made for a slight "d'aw" factor. It's also nicely emphasizing how well Harry and Murphy work together and what great friends they are (I'm glad the author didn't turn them into lovers like sooo many others do it in their UFs). Not enough to make this one of my favorite short stories in the series though.
No, serioulsy, it's another case Harry is helping Murphy with. This time with a "romantic" twist thanks to mental tempering.
The case, combined with Harry's own heartache after the events in the last novel made for a slight "d'aw" factor. It's also nicely emphasizing how well Harry and Murphy work together and what great friends they are (I'm glad the author didn't turn them into lovers like sooo many others do it in their UFs). Not enough to make this one of my favorite short stories in the series though.
January 16, 2015
Hey, do you like feeling like Jim Butcher walked up and punched you in the sternum with brass knuckles? Then you'll love "Love Hurts!"
My God, I can't even describe how much of a love/hate relationship I have with this short story. It's so good, and yet it's also like voluntarily allowing someone to torture you for half an hour and then thanking them afterward. I mean, some people are into that, but Christ almighty, this story HURTS.
Harry and Murphy aren't quite starcrossed lovers, but they're pretty damn close. They have solid, unshakable obligations and reasons why they can't be together, but they have such a deep friendship and love for each other that you can see them struggling with it anyway. There is no doubt these two idiots are in love. It's too late to escape by now, but the cost of ever consummating their relationship would be extremely high, and so they just suffer through staying friends.
This was a great side story for Butcher to write just because it deserves its own little bit of attention independent from the plot-heavy novels. Harry and Murphy would be an incredible couple if they ever got together, but he does point out that it would be tumultuous to say the least. Murphy has all kinds of baggage, as does Harry, and it would be heinous sorting through it all to get to that happy ending. The story reflects the state of their relationship at the time--tons of heat, tons of loyalty, tons of chemistry, and tons of issues. It's a Catch 22.
Until Peace Talks comes out, we have no real answer to the Harry/Murphy conundrum, but it seems like they've finally reached the point where they would rather take the risk than keep pretending they aren't madly in love with each other. I'm down with that. Sure, it'll hurt big time, but whatever, I think these two can go the distance. Also, I really need them to have sex (for real *glares at Skin Game*). Like, now. Right now. Clothes off, Dresden and Murphy. If Peace Talks doesn't open with you two banging the hell out of each other, I will hunt Jim Butcher down like a dog.
...seriously, though, this story is awesome and you should read it and be miserable like the rest of the Harry/Murphy fandom.
My God, I can't even describe how much of a love/hate relationship I have with this short story. It's so good, and yet it's also like voluntarily allowing someone to torture you for half an hour and then thanking them afterward. I mean, some people are into that, but Christ almighty, this story HURTS.
Harry and Murphy aren't quite starcrossed lovers, but they're pretty damn close. They have solid, unshakable obligations and reasons why they can't be together, but they have such a deep friendship and love for each other that you can see them struggling with it anyway. There is no doubt these two idiots are in love. It's too late to escape by now, but the cost of ever consummating their relationship would be extremely high, and so they just suffer through staying friends.
This was a great side story for Butcher to write just because it deserves its own little bit of attention independent from the plot-heavy novels. Harry and Murphy would be an incredible couple if they ever got together, but he does point out that it would be tumultuous to say the least. Murphy has all kinds of baggage, as does Harry, and it would be heinous sorting through it all to get to that happy ending. The story reflects the state of their relationship at the time--tons of heat, tons of loyalty, tons of chemistry, and tons of issues. It's a Catch 22.
Until Peace Talks comes out, we have no real answer to the Harry/Murphy conundrum, but it seems like they've finally reached the point where they would rather take the risk than keep pretending they aren't madly in love with each other. I'm down with that. Sure, it'll hurt big time, but whatever, I think these two can go the distance. Also, I really need them to have sex (for real *glares at Skin Game*). Like, now. Right now. Clothes off, Dresden and Murphy. If Peace Talks doesn't open with you two banging the hell out of each other, I will hunt Jim Butcher down like a dog.
...seriously, though, this story is awesome and you should read it and be miserable like the rest of the Harry/Murphy fandom.
May 19, 2012
Love Hurts is book 11.5 in the Dresden Files, an Urban Fantasy Series by Jim Butcher. In this story, Harry assists Murphy with a double suicide. This is the second double suicide in twelve days and the pattern draws enough suspicion for Murphy to call in Harry. The couples were infatuated with each other, found dead and wrapped in each other's arms. Harry discovers the last "suicide" couple were siblings and presumes a mind manipulation. Murphy looks into a connection between the couples and Harry questions everyone in his address book and comes up with nothing. Murphy discovers that each couple attended the fair and its a good place to start looking for clues. They spend the day searching and when the sun goes down, Harry feels a magical source. They pursue a lead that takes them into the tunnel of terror and leave with deeper feelings for one another. They kiss, hold hands, and decide they are perfect for one another and meant to be. Harry realizes that this is too good to be true, so they must have been mind manipulated. Murphy questions him and when he replies that this is Harry and Murphy, nothing works out easily for them, she realizes that he's right. They return to the Tunnel of Terror were they track down a vampire of the red court. She's been making couples fall in love and only a few go crazy enough to kill themselves. By making couples head over heels, she's taking food away from the vampires of the white court and creating more food for the red court. She threatens Harry and when she doesn't stop, Murphy puts a few chambers of bullets in her head. They both are still in love, so Harry seeks out an artifact as the source. When they find the piece of leather, Harry and Murphy both want to keep it safe and hold on to their feelings. They know its wrong though and share a deep good bye kiss before Harry turns it to ash. Of course, when the artifact is destroyed, they realize that they have obstacles keeping them apart. Poor Harry. Always the loner. I love Harry Dresden and as much as I want him to be happy, I secretly want him to stay a loner until the bitter end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2017
Answers the question (that shouldn't be asked): Can Harry and Murphy live happily ever after?
January 12, 2024
From the beginning, it always seemed like Harry and Karen were endgame.
May 14, 2025
Another great tale about our friend Harry Dresden and Murphy. This story includes a supernatural love spell put into some good beer. It is well written and very entertaining.
December 17, 2015
This is a small novella as part of the Songs of Love and Death Anthology. In it, Harry and Murphy are investigating a case where couples are getting murdered. Someone is responsible and they need to find them before more people get hurt.
What I liked about the story is that Harry and Murphy do get to admit some of their feelings for each other. Their friendship is solid, but they haven't discussed what they feel for each other in a while.
As always, things are not what they look like and they are lucky to be alive by the end of the story.
Now, I still have some hope that Harry can fall for Molly. I'm probably in the minority.
4/5 Fangs
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What I liked about the story is that Harry and Murphy do get to admit some of their feelings for each other. Their friendship is solid, but they haven't discussed what they feel for each other in a while.
As always, things are not what they look like and they are lucky to be alive by the end of the story.
Now, I still have some hope that Harry can fall for Molly. I'm probably in the minority.
4/5 Fangs
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
June 30, 2020
3.5-4 stars
This was a pretty enjoyable short story. It involved Harry and Murphy investigating the deaths of multiple couples. While tracking the bad guy, Harry and Murphy get caught in a bit of a thrall that makes them want each other. They pull out of it and catch the bad guy but I kind of wish they hadn't come to their senses... Despite my disappointment, it was still a pretty good short. :)
* read as apart of the Side Jobs Anthology.
6-30-20 - This was a reread as I go back through the whole series in prep for the new book coming out in July. This is still a very good short story. :)
This was a pretty enjoyable short story. It involved Harry and Murphy investigating the deaths of multiple couples. While tracking the bad guy, Harry and Murphy get caught in a bit of a thrall that makes them want each other. They pull out of it and catch the bad guy but I kind of wish they hadn't come to their senses... Despite my disappointment, it was still a pretty good short. :)
* read as apart of the Side Jobs Anthology.
6-30-20 - This was a reread as I go back through the whole series in prep for the new book coming out in July. This is still a very good short story. :)
February 5, 2022
'Love Hurts' (The Dresden Files #11.3) by Jim Butcher. ✓
★★★★★/5.
★★★★★/5.
April 5, 2023
God, but this one was good! It addresses the strumming sensual tension between Harry and Murph in a smartly done way, faithful to the characters and, probably because of it, deeply painful.
They both have their reasons not to pursue a romantic relationship, both have their fears and their scars that make them shy from any entanglement between each other. But oh, how they want it!
The end is beautiful and heartbreaking. I loved it.
They both have their reasons not to pursue a romantic relationship, both have their fears and their scars that make them shy from any entanglement between each other. But oh, how they want it!
The end is beautiful and heartbreaking. I loved it.
September 2, 2017
325 - 2017
September 17, 2020
Short but sweet
August 2, 2025
a fun way to start something....and as Jim says in the intro, inject Love into one of the most relationship-free leads in the world of Fantasy
June 8, 2022
Love Hurts is a really cool short story starring Harry and Murphy. Harry and Murphy work on a case together causing some unintended consequences. This one really hit me right in the feels - I just want Harry and Murphy to get together already.
August 25, 2011
A short story which is part of The Desden Files series, which I haven't read. I like short stories because they allow us readers to get a feel for a series before actually diving into it. I find there's so many urban fantasy series out there and only a few of them are of interest to me, I often seek out short stories for the sole purpose of weeding out what I'm going to read in that specific genre. Most of the time, by the end of the story, I know whether or not I'll be reading further into the series or not... This Time, however, I'm not sure, I'm still undecided. It's going to be one of those author I keep aside in case feeder feel like it.
The word that comes to mind to describe the writing is "efficient"; it does it's job quickly, without fuss or detour, I'm even going to risk saying it's a very masculine writing style (apologies to those who feel offended by my narrow mindedness ;)!). The story was thick with information on the related novels, so much so in the beginning that it was preventing me from getting into the story. There is such a thing as too much information, especially in a short story. Even if that information is delivered in an efficient manner. Usually, that would have immediately marked this series as a no go for me, but what puzzles me is that in so short a story, I got a really good feel for the characters, they seemed whole, not only one or two aspects of a more complex personality... I'm one of those readers who care more about the characters than about the stories, i've no problem reading stories that are about nothing as long as the characters interest me, while I'll abandon novels which show a great story but in which character creations has been neglected. As I'm writing this, I'm thinking that I'll probably venture into this series eventually... I'm curious, at least a little.
The word that comes to mind to describe the writing is "efficient"; it does it's job quickly, without fuss or detour, I'm even going to risk saying it's a very masculine writing style (apologies to those who feel offended by my narrow mindedness ;)!). The story was thick with information on the related novels, so much so in the beginning that it was preventing me from getting into the story. There is such a thing as too much information, especially in a short story. Even if that information is delivered in an efficient manner. Usually, that would have immediately marked this series as a no go for me, but what puzzles me is that in so short a story, I got a really good feel for the characters, they seemed whole, not only one or two aspects of a more complex personality... I'm one of those readers who care more about the characters than about the stories, i've no problem reading stories that are about nothing as long as the characters interest me, while I'll abandon novels which show a great story but in which character creations has been neglected. As I'm writing this, I'm thinking that I'll probably venture into this series eventually... I'm curious, at least a little.
October 9, 2017
Such a heartstrings puller!
Dresden and Murphy are investigating a homicide that appears to be love related. Through both magical and standard police practices, they track the leads to a "Tunnel of Terror" ride at the Illinois State Fair. Bribing the carnie to take a look around, they find themselves getting flirty with each other (including a first kiss) and realize they are under the influence of a love spell. Finding a secret hatch in the ride, they come across a lab and Baroness LeBlanc of the Red Court, who is causing this love as a way to weaken the White Court. Fight breaks out and Leblanc is killed, which leads them back to the seat beats on the ride that have been instilled with rune magic (similar to the Wolf Belts from "Fool Moon"). Burning them, the love between Harry and Murphy dissolves, and we the reader, are left to wonder why they don't get together for real.
Great story, great writing, well thought out and a joy to read. High recommend.
Dresden and Murphy are investigating a homicide that appears to be love related. Through both magical and standard police practices, they track the leads to a "Tunnel of Terror" ride at the Illinois State Fair. Bribing the carnie to take a look around, they find themselves getting flirty with each other (including a first kiss) and realize they are under the influence of a love spell. Finding a secret hatch in the ride, they come across a lab and Baroness LeBlanc of the Red Court, who is causing this love as a way to weaken the White Court. Fight breaks out and Leblanc is killed, which leads them back to the seat beats on the ride that have been instilled with rune magic (similar to the Wolf Belts from "Fool Moon"). Burning them, the love between Harry and Murphy dissolves, and we the reader, are left to wonder why they don't get together for real.
Great story, great writing, well thought out and a joy to read. High recommend.
June 20, 2013
I only read the short story "Love Hurts" by Jim Butcher. This one is such a tease! It gives us what we've (okay, I've) been waiting for - almost. Then takes it away completely. :-p
April 16, 2015
short and fun!
September 12, 2016
3.5-star
Interesting... Didn't know they consider Murphy still with Kincaid at this point.
Interesting... Didn't know they consider Murphy still with Kincaid at this point.
February 6, 2021
4.5 Stars
Read as part of the Side Jobs Anthology. Ouch. This one hurts. Poor Harry and Murphy. It's so clear these two are really in love with each other and I keep waiting for them to figure out how to make a relationship work. This sort of forced love spell which has couples dying around town is of course exactly what is going to force these two to acknowledge something. Still it's never easy. This one is hard as they're fighting their real feelings for each other while still knowing their under a bit of a spell as well.
Read as part of the Side Jobs Anthology. Ouch. This one hurts. Poor Harry and Murphy. It's so clear these two are really in love with each other and I keep waiting for them to figure out how to make a relationship work. This sort of forced love spell which has couples dying around town is of course exactly what is going to force these two to acknowledge something. Still it's never easy. This one is hard as they're fighting their real feelings for each other while still knowing their under a bit of a spell as well.
June 22, 2023
A great story and I love the carnival setting for most of it but boy am I SICK TO DEATH of the "will-they-wont-they" shipping between Dresden and Murphy. Ive said from the beginning it feels troped out and makes no sense. I would LOVE if this story put the nail in the coffin of them ever being together and we could ALL MOVE ON but sadly if anything it makes the likelihood even greater that they will get together eventually. So frustrating. Hed honestly make more sense with Molly than Murphy, and Anastasia made WAY more sense than either.
September 10, 2024
This was an interesting story exploring around what might have happened between Murphy and Harry if they ever decided being together was a good idea. I think it's also terribly sad because I'm now reading it right after the ending of "Changes". Well, not sure how this series will continue but while these novellas do not add a terrible amount of story and imagination to it, they do flesh out the story a little for the fans. Which is probably exactly the aim of a short-story collection attached to so long a series...
May 20, 2018
read in Side Jobs
I know I mentioned in Last Call that I was not impressed with Murphy's mind being messed with, but I feel that this instance was a completely different cup of tea. This "influence" was very obviously built off of something that was already there. I about cried at their kiss and found my heart begging to just leave that damn seat belt alone!
I know I mentioned in Last Call that I was not impressed with Murphy's mind being messed with, but I feel that this instance was a completely different cup of tea. This "influence" was very obviously built off of something that was already there. I about cried at their kiss and found my heart begging to just leave that damn seat belt alone!
June 21, 2021
Read this in brief cases or side jobs ( don’t remember which but does it matter?) both books are Harry anthologies and they add much to his story. Here he is working with Murphy (cute, tiny, blonde cop) trying to solve some murders. They are smitten but ignore it for a variety of reasons, but get manipulated into frantic “I wanna” until they realize something is coaxing this along. Like all the stories in these two books, fantastic!
April 15, 2023
When Murphey and Harry investigate a series of suicide pacts, they need to chase down the supernatural source. This story adresses the sexual tension between the friends and has them exploring their relationship. This story can be found in Side Jobs.
October 14, 2017
Because of this I'm going to have to read the last half of the series again. God damn it, knowing Murphy was at one time with Kincaid and how fucked Harry's relationship with Anastasia was, I just feel so bad for the dude. How can you just do that? This story has to have a sneaky sequel somewhere. I'm so ready to dive into my 2nd read-through of the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2022
A red court vampire is using a magic focus, a seat belt in the Tunnel of Terror ride at the State Fair, to find a way to chemically make people fall in love. She drives some people to kill themselves. When Harry and Murph fall victim, we get a false start of the relationship that will happen later in the series.
One of the weaker entries in Side Jobs.
One of the weaker entries in Side Jobs.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2018
A masterful little tale about Harry and Murphy, with nicely handled subtlety when . A nice follow-up to "Last Call" and setup for both Changes and "Aftermath".
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews