The ninth book in the bestselling British madcap time-travelling series, served with a dash of wit that seems to be everyone’s cup of tea. Behind the seemingly innocuous facade of St. Mary’s Institute of Historical Research, a different kind of academic work is taking place. Just don’t call it “time travel”?these historians “investigate major historical events in contemporary time.” And they … time.” And they aren’t your harmless eccentrics either; a more accurate description, as they ricochet around history, might be unintentional disaster-magnets.
From Tudor England to the burning city of Persepolis, from a medieval St. Mary’s under siege to Victorian Rushford and a very nasty case of gaol fever, Max is struggling to keep her private life intact. There’s an ambitious programme hindered by giant teapots, plus Mrs. Midgely’s objection to dead hamsters in her airing cupboard, and Mr. Markham’s stubborn refusal to reveal his exact marital status.
And as if that’s not enough’the unfortunately not leprosy-laden Malcolm Halcombe is back. Admittedly, none of this is the most secure platform from which to launch an initiative to bring down the renegade Clive Ronan, but hey’what’s the worst that could happen?
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It’s Jodi…what’s not to like?
Thank goodness! After a few stinker reviews, how nice to review something fun, exciting, well-written and intelligent.
Not going to mention too many details, but the St. Mary’s crew gets the chance to see Henry VIII. For me, Fat Henry as they call him, is one historical ratfink that ranks up there with Hitler, Stalin and Caligula in natural villainy. Here not so much, but he’s on the downswing and about to lose another wife. Clive Ronin lurks evilly and Max takes a detour to medieval England for a very long solo trip through no choice of her own.
It’s worthwhile to note that Max as a female character, wife and mother, is not defined by being a wife and mother. They are essential elements to her identity, but this book and her stay in medieval England, post Black Plague, really drives home the concept that she sees herself as an individual first. Having read so many romances where the heroine is not a complete person with her hero, Max’s independence and drive to survive is refreshing. Some readers will hate it.
Her sojourn isn’t just medieval England, but medieval St. Mary’s. Without getting into spoilers, Jodi Taylor creates a life for Max out of time that is interesting and ultimately bittersweet and poignant and made me tear up.
Brilliant stories of travelling back in time to witness historical events as they really happened. Funny stories are followed by tragic war stories and back to clever stories. The people are fascinating, the dialogue fast paced, page turner doesn’t say how addictive this series is. I feel smarter after each book.
I love this series. What a wild ride! Max hatches a plan to catch Ronan but the plan backfires and he catches Max instead! She gets stranded in the past. One minute I was laughing next I’m crying. Very emotional book! I’ve read this book a few times. The emotions gets me every time! I love Jodi’s writing! She brings out the feelings of each of the characters!
When I read the Author’s Note at the beginning of this book and saw that Ms. Taylor intended to make Max fall for a contemporary, I was extremely skeptical and convinced I was going to hate it. No way in hell would anyone buy that for even a second, but whatever…let’s see what happens.
Well, isn’t my face red! It was perfect! So believable and so well done. I loved 1399 St. Mary’s, and while I do think the book spends a wee-bit too much time there, it was kind of a nice departure to see Max SO COMPLETELY out of her element…literally.
Now…that being said, I have a few observations about where this series is going/has gone.
Clive Ronan is getting old. Like, rock-hard stale as stale can be, old. There’s only so many times Max can be kidnapped by the same man before it loses it’s excitement and becomes tedious. The fact that this one man has managed to evade the Time Police and St. Mary’s for so long is starting to become unbelievable.
The twist at the end of this story was QUITE a shock, don’t get me wrong…not in a million years did I see that one coming, but it’s somewhat muted by the feeling of, “Oh, it’s Clive…AGAIN. When is that guy gonna just DIE already?!”
Max constantly needing to be rescued is just getting tiresome. I miss the old days of the jumps where crazy shenanigans ensued, and while they almost always got the job done, there was some serious fun and adventure along the way.
Now, though? Things have become heavy and sad. Everywhere you turn there’s just sadness and pain. People dying or seriously injured, babies being snatched away, and returned years later, Max and Leon unable to Just. F-ing. TALK to each other, Peterson slipping further and further into depression. Even Markham is struggling to fit into his new role and be comfortable in his skin. I realize they’re older and wiser now, but the fun and joy of the job seem to be completely gone. Clive Ronan has managed to overshadow everything.
It’s a lot.
There’s also some serious plot holes that are either glossed over, never explained, or just flat out ignored. I won’t get into them because I don’t want to give anything away, but readers are asked to suspend a lot of belief in some places (I realize how ironic that sounds considering this is a series about time travel, but still…)
Overall though, I enjoyed this installment. It definitely has a different vibe to it from the previous books, but I can only take so much more of Clive Ronan. The way this book ended made no sense as Max says she’s going to do things HER way when the entire plot of this book was done HER way. It was HER plan!! Persepolis, the crown, luring Clive to St. Mary’s…all her idea! And it went HORRIBLY wrong! So I’m not sure what this next story is going to be about, but if the Clive Ronan plot isn’t wrapped up in that book, then I think that may be it for me, as that storyline is WELL past its sell-by date.
It’s a murder of crows and a parliament of owls. With historians, apparently, it’s an argumentation. The usual suspects at St. Mary’s – “tea-swilling disaster magnets” – lurch through another contemporary time period (never, ever, say time travel) while fending off their arch foe. Author Jodi Taylor, with her usual flair, brings each historical era to breath-taking life. I flew through the pages, alternately laughing and biting my nails. Inevitably, with the last paragraph, I found myself whining: Why does it have to end?
I have read and enjoyed all of this series including the short stories. Highly recommended
History, laughter, fun and hijinx.
Max and friends never disappoint and they always come up with a surprise or two to laugh over.
A really great and gripping series.
I’ve loved every book in this series. Time for another one!
I love everything by Jodi Taylor don’t miss this one!
Love the whole series…makes me want to drink tea…
The thought of travelling through time fascinates me. I love this book.
This whole series is just fantastic!
I love all her books and short stories. Hilarious and great history lessons to boot!
Love it! What a wonderful idea “researching historic events in contemporary time”!
A great romp through history with characters you would love to meet.
I loved the English sense of humor, irony and satire. The book is well stocked with it.
Jodi Taylor’s series,The Chronicles of St. Mary’s, is an absolutely, gob-smackingly wild ride through history. Max and her fellow Historians are a delight to meet.
If I wasn’t happily married, Max would have some competition for Leon. Dr. Bairstow is my kind of boss; and, his PA, Mrs Partridge. is just divine. Mr. Markham, the Head of Security, has many secrets. I would love to discover just where he did go to school. Professor Rapson, of Research and Development, is the perfect slightly deranged scientist. The whole lot of them may be crazy, but I feel that I would fit right in. Where do I send my resume? I have found myself laughing and crying right along with this dedicated group of researchers through nine novels and all of the short stories. Every time Max says, “What could possibly go wrong?” I know that I am in for another hysterical adventure somewhere in time.
I love her books. Fabulous writer. I wish I could meet her characters in real life, they are smart, clever, funny, compassionate . Great series, I intend to read them all!
Wild and crazy book series. Good fun and real page turner.