The Most Wonderful Time of the Year: A Christmas Short-Story Collection

The Chronicles of St Mary's #10.6/11.5/12.5

by Jodi Taylor

In the always eventful worlds of Jodi Taylor, it's never Christmas without illegal expeditions, riotous misbehaviour and stories you just can't put down . . .

This festive collection takes readers from Frogmorton Farm to Time Police HQ via the Institute of Historical Research at St Mary's in five (and a bit) short stories. A Bumper Bundle of Christmas tales collected together for the very first time.

Includes a Christmas message from the author herself and an exclusive new St Mary's scene, 'A Storm in a Teacup'

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Why is Nothing Ever Simple? For once, this Christmas jump is perfectly legal - though that doesn't make it any less dangerous. It's Major Guthrie's last, and to the Battle of Bannockburn, no less.

The Ordeal of the Haunted Room Who wouldn't jump at the chance to experience an authentic Victorian Christmas? Complete with a murderous ghost and one terrifying night in a terrible storm.

The Toast of Time Max and Markham prepare for their very first Christmas away from St Mary's, sure to be full of Peace and Goodwill to all men . . . plus Fabergé eggs, legendary swords and a belligerent ram.

Santa Grint It all begins when the Time Police hold their first Christmas Party. Their most dangerous mission yet.

Joy to the World When things take a unseasonably tricky turn on Frogmorton Farm, only Thomas can step in to save Christmas day . . .

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'A Christmas treat that didn't disappoint' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a short story from The Chronicles of St Mary's' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'What more could you want in your stocking on Christmas morning' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'A highlight of my Christmas' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'As much a part of my Christmas as the pantomime, mince pies and the King's speech' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Time Travel, Short Stories, Science Fiction, Christmas, Holiday

405 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2023

About the author

Jodi Taylor is the internationally bestselling author of the Chronicles of St Mary's series, the story of a bunch of disaster prone individuals who investigate major historical events in contemporary time. Do NOT call it time travel! She is also the author of the Time Police series - a St Mary's spinoff and gateway into the world of an all-powerful, international organisation who are NOTHING like St Mary's. Except, when they are.

Alongside these, Jodi is known for her gripping supernatural thrillers featuring Elizabeth Cage together with the enchanting Frogmorton Farm series - a fairy story for adults.

Born in Bristol and now living in Gloucester (facts both cities vigorously deny), she spent many years with her head somewhere else, much to the dismay of family, teachers and employers, before finally deciding to put all that daydreaming to good use and write a novel. Over twenty books later, she still has no idea what she wants to do when she grows up.

Reviews

[Pauline Calkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another collection of Christmas themed short stories. In one of them, Max, Markham, and Peterson take refuge in a Victorian mansion (perhaps haunted) after Peterson sprains or breaks his ankle. It involves a closed room mystery which is not that hard to figure out and some stock figures such as the judgmental, narrow-minded clergyman who abhors paganism. In the portrayal of this character, the author brings all her judgmental 21st century views.
The stories are mostly enjoyable and humorous, but I must confess I didn’t bother to read the final two stories, one involving the Time Police and the last about a misunderstood teenager. I just wasn’t interested.

[Mabel]

Only listened to the 2023 story since I already listened to all the rest when they came out, and I have yet to read the Frogmorton books.

It was fun!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Jodi Taylor's books

Jodi Taylor's books are just about my favorites ever. I buy both the Kindle and paperback editions. Her Christmas stories are always fun. I can't recommend her St. Mary's and Time Police series highly enough, and the Frogmorton Farm books are so full of love and kindness that they linger in your heart.

[Diana T-C · Rating 5 out of 5]

These short stories are a treat - I really enjoyed "Why is Nothing Ever Simple?", "The Toast of Time," and "Santa Grint" - these were all re-listens, but Jodi Taylor's writing includes details that I don't remember so it's just as fun as the first time.

Zara Ramm's narration is wonderful. I skipped the Frogmorton short story, I don't know why I haven't loved that series - yet :)
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From the Amazon description for the book:

"Why is Nothing Ever Simple? For once, this Christmas jump is perfectly legal - though that doesn't make it any less dangerous. It's Major Guthrie's last, and to the Battle of Bannockburn, no less.

The Ordeal of the Haunted Room Who wouldn't jump at the chance to experience an authentic Victorian Christmas? Complete with a murderous ghost and one terrifying night in a terrible storm.

The Toast of Time Max and Markham prepare for their very first Christmas away from St Mary's, sure to be full of Peace and Goodwill to all men . . . plus Fabergé eggs, legendary swords and a belligerent ram.

Santa Grint It all begins when the Time Police hold their first Christmas Party. Their most dangerous mission yet.

Joy to the World When things take a unseasonably tricky turn on Frogmorton Farm, only Thomas can step in to save Christmas day "

[Mel Edwards · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book over the Christmas holidays and it is a collection of short stories. These stories are Christmas themed, but with a modern twist.

I must say, I did find these stories, a little hard to follow at times due to the list of characters that are given at the beginning of each story. I feel that there were too many characters in some of the stories to keep track of what was actually happening.

My favourite one of these short stories was the one that sat in Victorian times. I found this one, the most enjoyable. It was very interesting how Jodi Taylor managed to incorporate the aspects of a Victorian Christmas so completely.

Perhaps it was just me not being in the right frame of mind when reading this book, but as I had trouble keeping up with the stories, I wouldn’t rush to read another Jodi Taylor book.

I rate this book 2 stars.

[Julian White · Rating 4 out of 5]

On kobo: 361 pages

Third collection of (mostly) Christmas themed St Mary's short stories, plus a couple of other entries.
This, together with the 2023 Christmas Pie episode and three short shorts from her blog means that I'm now up to date - and awaiting the new book(s)...


A Storm in a Teacup - new for the collection: a Christmas celebration goes wrong - even before it starts.

10.6 Why is Nothing Ever Simple? - 1314, Bannockburn. Major Guthrie's farewell outing.

11.5 The Ordeal of the Haunted Room - Winter Solstice 1895. The usual culprits on a trip to experience a typical late Victorian Christmas. (A locked room mystery.)

2.5 The Toast of Time - no longer at St Mary's Max and Markham are moonlighting as bounty hunters (sorry, rerieval agents) with Smallhope and Pennyroyal.

Santa Grint - a Time Police short story in which Grint becomes the poster boy for a kinder, caring Time Police...

Joy to the World - another episode from Frogmorton Farm (in whch Thomas reappears)


(Not in this collection but also read:

11.1 St Mary's and the Great Toilet Roll Crisis
11.2 The Girl With a Pearl in her Nose
ll.3 The Muse of History

[Julia Sarene · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Jody Taylor is a collection of funny Christmas stories. They are all set around the cast of the main series, but if you don't mind spoilers for the other books, they can all be read on their own as well! I do believe they are best if you have read at least the first book, so you have an idea what the series is about, and how the characters tick. I personally don't mind spoilers, so after the first book, I only read the holiday ones.

I especially liked this collection also including one story from the Time Police's POV, which was a nice change of pace.

[Gail Sacharski · Rating 4 out of 5]

The annual Christmas gift from author Jodi Taylor. This volume has a selection of St. Mary's short stories that usually aren't available in print form, only audible format. I had read most of them before, but there were a couple of new ones included; one a Time Police Christmas story called Santa Grint and the other a Christmas story featuring Frogmorton Farm. All of them were very good and I enjoyed the book very much.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Grade = 85% - B

Published 2023. 427 pages.

I love everything ever written and published by Jodi Taylor, especially The St Mary’s Institute, (Don’t Call it Time Travel) Series and the Time Police Series.

Every Christmas Ms Taylor produces one Christmas short series based on her novels. This volume has five stories - three based on St Mary’s, one on the Time Police, and one on the Frogmorton Farm series.

They were all pretty good.....

[Doreen Farrar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not new material, but perfect for the season

In the introduction, Jodi Taylor explained that this year's Christmas book was intended to collect some of the best Christmas stories into a single volume. As a longtime fan, I think the stories chosen were great choices. I'm glad that I bought it.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've "read" the majority of these before and those bumped it to a 3 star review. The scene from St. Mary's was OK, but Joy to the World seemed to have nothing to do with any St. Mary's or the Time Police.

ETA: After checking, I realize now that the last story is from a different series I haven't read.

[Joann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed all the short stories in this festive compilation. I think these short stories provide another dimension to many of the characters found in full-length novels. They also showcase the author's skill as a writer and her quirky sense of humour. Imagine the entertaining conversation she would provide over a cuppa. It would be so much fun!

[Teddi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed listening to the St Mary's and Time Police stories but the last story from a completely different series that has nothing to do with that universe was an odd addition to the collection. I've never read that series as it doesn't interest me and it still doesn't. Whiney naive teenagers and fantasy horses arent my thing

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love a trip to St. Marys, and the festive Time Police & Frogmorton stories were awesome. This is very much a book for fans - I can't imagine these stories would work well as introductions to their respective series. I'm a fan though, so I was very happy.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Left the last short story as I don't read that series. But thoroughly enjoyed all the others. Especially Santa Grint! I ship Grint and Jane so much! It's made me look forward to the next TP novel - already on pre-order.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun collection of previously published short stories, all centred around the holidays, and across Taylors books, this collection is a nice easy read between Christmas and New Year's, and has some exciting little adventures along with it!

[PR · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is just...the best in this space..

All the emotions from A to Z. Will read them all...short stories books whatever...'enough said! I absolutely, truthfully, unequivocally love these stories band cannot wait to feed through them all!!!

[Kenneth J · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're Jodi Taylor fan and haven't read this, you're missing a great "ride". They stories are all enjoyable not to mention funny.
If you aren't a Jodie fan or simply don't know much about her, I suggest you pick up one of her novels [starting with the the first one} and have a ball reading it.
BTW, I mentioned in one of my initial reviews of her books, they are not something you want to read in a public place -- you'll be laughing too hard and people will wonder..................

[F. C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jodi Taylor’s delightful shorts

Jodi Taylor is one of England’s gifts to the English-reading world, a writer of comic genius in her books about St. Mary’s and the Time Police, and a gentle voice in her Frogmorton Farm stories.

Read her.

[Pat Stearman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collection of the Christmas short stories. I'd read one or two before.
It having been a while since I read any of the St Mary's books it was good if confusing to catch up with these and rather lovely to see Thomas again in the Frogmorton Farm story.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of several of Jodi's short stories. She publishes one every Christmas day. This newest compilation is definitely not a lot of Ho Ho Ho, but they are all entertaining and more background on some of the characters is revealed.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up. If you read Another Time, Another Place and were wondering where Smallhope and Pennyroyal came from, the answer's in here.

[Jenni Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun collection of Christmas stories

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant collection of Ms Taylor's Christmas stories. I own and have read and reread all of them before but you can never have enough of a great thing.

[Karly Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delicious, delightful, December! The audiobook is played each December whilst awaiting Jodi's Christmas Day short story.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant collection of stories from Jodie's encompassing many different characters. Lovely ending to 2023!

[Karen Slora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always look forward to the stories of St. Mary’s. The story line throughout the series is a mix of history and time travel. And Max is the spunky historian who always seems to be getting into mishaps. These stories though seemed renditions of the same tropes, and didn’t hold me as well as the other books in this series.

[Emankhu Osagie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please how do they read in good read

[Kerry Bridges · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d read them all already, but it was fun to listen at Christmas

[Pammi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, Jodi Taylor could write about white paint drying, and I would strap on an Adult Diaper and pee my pants and laugh my tits off!