Mean Streets

Mean Streets cover
Good Books rating 3.67
Technical
  • ID: 3466
  • Added: 2025-10-18
  • Updated: 2025-10-18
  • ISBN: 9781440699948
  • Publisher: Penguin
  • Published: 2009-01-06
  • Reviews: 3

Mean Streets is an enthralling anthology that brings together four acclaimed fantasy authors to explore the darker side of urban life through the lens of paranormal investigations. Each novella features a unique protagonist—Harry Dresden, John Taylor, Harper Blaine, and Remy Chandler—each a skilled detective in their own right, grappling with supernatural crimes and personal demons. From Chicago to London, Mexico to Boston, these stories delve into the shadows of the city, where magic and mystery collide. The collection is a testament to the authors' ability to blend genre-bending elements with gripping storytelling, offering readers a thrilling escape into worlds where the ordinary meets the extraordinary. The anthology not only showcases the authors' signature styles but also highlights their collaborative effort to create a cohesive and immersive reading experience. Whether it's Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden facing off against a dangerous enemy, Simon R. Green's John Taylor unraveling a complex case in the Nightside, Kat Richardson's Harper Blaine confronting dark family secrets, or Thomas E. Sniegoski's Remy Chandler solving a supernatural murder, each story is a standalone masterpiece that will leave readers eager for more.

Reviews
Hidden in Pages · 2009-08-25
mixed 3.00

The reviewer found some stories disappointing but enjoyed Sniegoski's contribution the most. It exceeded their expectations.

The reviewer at Hidden in Pages had mixed feelings about this anthology. They were disappointed by some of the stories they had high hopes for, but they were pleasantly surprised by Sniegoski's contribution, which they considered the best of the bunch. The reviewer appreciated the variety in the collection, even if not every story lived up to their expectations.


Quick quotes

    Overall I found the stories I expected to like were nothing special.

    The best of the bunch was Sniegoski's “Noah's Orphans.”

    I think I was a bit disappointed overall, but there were some bright spots.

TechnoMom · 2009-06-07
excellent 4.50

This anthology is one of the best, featuring four engaging novellas. The stories are well-crafted and enjoyable.

TechnoMom really enjoyed this collection, highlighting it as one of the best anthologies they've read recently. They appreciated the variety and depth of the four novellas, each offering a unique and engaging story. The reviewer particularly enjoyed the blend of different styles and genres within the collection, making it a standout read.


Quick quotes

    Mean Streets is one of the best anthologies I've read in a while.

    It only has four different pieces in it, but they're all novellas, and all by ...

    They're all good, but the Jim Butcher story is my favorite.

Good, Bad, and Unread · 2009-02-17
good 3.50

This anthology is a good read with standout stories from Greene and Butcher. Even the lesser-known stories have their merits.

The reviewer from Good, Bad, and Unread found this anthology to be a good overall read. They particularly praised the stories by Greene and Butcher, considering them the best in the collection. While the other stories were not as impressive, they still found value in each one, making the anthology worth the read.


Quick quotes

    Overall, this was a good anthology.

    The Greene and Butcher stories are the best of the bunch.

    Even the Sniegoski story, which was not as strong, had its moments.