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The Chronicles of St Mary's #8.5
A Perfect Storm
You don’t have to travel through time to experience catastrophe on an epic scale, as the disaster-magnets from St Mary’s are about to find out…
For Max, what starts off as a perfectly normal week is about to degenerate into a quagmire of egotistical film producers, monumental pub crawls, unsigned contracts, exploding rocks, Professor Rapson and his megaphone, the world’s biggest bacon butty – and Angus – the third component of the most notorious love triangle since Menelaus, Paris and Whatshername – the one with the face they launched ships off.
A Perfect Storm of calamity, devastation and misfortune only ever encountered at St Mary’s.
For Max, what starts off as a perfectly normal week is about to degenerate into a quagmire of egotistical film producers, monumental pub crawls, unsigned contracts, exploding rocks, Professor Rapson and his megaphone, the world’s biggest bacon butty – and Angus – the third component of the most notorious love triangle since Menelaus, Paris and Whatshername – the one with the face they launched ships off.
A Perfect Storm of calamity, devastation and misfortune only ever encountered at St Mary’s.
54 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 24, 2017
234 people are currently reading
1978 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Taylor
84 books5,396 followersJodi 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
September 8, 2017
Sitting down to write a review of this short story made me feel like I was going to have to admit to having the world's most massive groin malfunction.
For those of you who've read this story, you should have figured out what I mean.
For everyone else, please enjoy this image with my compliments.
And on to other news.
The story happens to be humorous as hell and it serves another purpose, namely, to fish for compliments on the fact that Ms. Taylor is now on the radar for a movie deal! Congratulations! Now if only we could get those swans out of the tree.
That being said, carry on, don't let me detain you.
For those of you who've read this story, you should have figured out what I mean.
For everyone else, please enjoy this image with my compliments.
And on to other news.
The story happens to be humorous as hell and it serves another purpose, namely, to fish for compliments on the fact that Ms. Taylor is now on the radar for a movie deal! Congratulations! Now if only we could get those swans out of the tree.
That being said, carry on, don't let me detain you.
October 15, 2017
Rating: Really? C'mon.
How can I convince the habitually skeptical or the hair-shirted Acolytes of Litrachure to try this fun, funny, poignant, deeply satisfying series? I can't and, if I'm honest with y'all, don't feel much need to. Reading exists for moments like these, wherever you yourownself find them, the moments where you laugh, sniffle, connect in a truly satisfying way with people who aren't real. As in birth-certificate real. Because they're sure as life real to the readers who love them.
How can I convince the habitually skeptical or the hair-shirted Acolytes of Litrachure to try this fun, funny, poignant, deeply satisfying series? I can't and, if I'm honest with y'all, don't feel much need to. Reading exists for moments like these, wherever you yourownself find them, the moments where you laugh, sniffle, connect in a truly satisfying way with people who aren't real. As in birth-certificate real. Because they're sure as life real to the readers who love them.
May 12, 2019
A quiet day at the research center for Time traveling Historians.
What could possibly wrong?
Meetings with the boss
Sometimes our interviews are rather like the Battle of Kadesh, when the Egyptians took on the Hittites – no clear winner but each side claims victory afterwards.
Making it up as they go along
Calvin Cutter looked at us. ‘Don’t you know what will happen?’
‘Nope,’ said Peterson happily.
Dr Bairstow coughed gently. ‘We tend to find that the element of uncertainty only adds to the excitement of the proceedings,’ which came as a complete surprise to Peterson and me who had, on many occasions, been given to understand – quite strongly sometimes – that the element of uncertainty did not feature prominently on his happy list.
When Hollywood producers want to make a time traveling movie
‘Hello. Justin. Yes. Write this down. An historical society. Dull as ditch water on the surface. But hiding a secret. They’re secret time travellers – changing history for the better. Bringing back the dinosaurs. Which escape and terrorise … oh I don’t know, how about Edinburgh? We could have them rampaging down Princes Street and destroying the castle. They help Boadicea when she defends London from Julius Caesar. They save Elizabeth I from the Great Fire of London.’
‘No,’ I said, feebly.
‘Freeing the princes in the Tower when Richard III tries to murder them.’
‘He probably didn’t,’ I said, even more feebly.
‘There’ll be a handsome hero.’
Peterson preened. On what grounds remained unclear.
‘And a beautiful heroine – stacked, of course.’
‘She keeps having to be rescued, of course. From Pharaoh’s harems. From being burned at the stake. You know the sort of thing. She falls in love with a Viking and brings him back to the modern day. Could he have superpowers? We could start with the Mayflower and the brave pilgrims fleeing religious persecution.’
‘They didn’t,’ I said feebly. ‘They emigrated because England wasn’t strict enough for their…’
A manuscript of the Time Travelers' secret was in danger of being released to the public...
The producers, Mr Cutter appears to have walked off with Mr Sands’ manuscript.’
He continued to stare out of the window. ‘Ah well, no great harm done.’
I blinked. ‘But sir, he was talking about making a movie or a holo. About time travel. Based on Mr Sands’ story.’
‘Yes, I believe he was.'
‘But won’t it be even worse if they make a movie out it than if he publishes the book?’
‘Of course not, Dr Maxwell. When have you ever known a movie to bear even a passing resemblance to the book from which it is adapted? Once the entertainment industry gets its hands on it, the original work will be completely unrecognisable, trust me.’
A beautifully short story from "The Chronicles of St Mary’s" time travelers. I really liked this gem and I will read (and review) the whole series.
Enjoy!
What could possibly wrong?
Meetings with the boss
Sometimes our interviews are rather like the Battle of Kadesh, when the Egyptians took on the Hittites – no clear winner but each side claims victory afterwards.
Making it up as they go along
Calvin Cutter looked at us. ‘Don’t you know what will happen?’
‘Nope,’ said Peterson happily.
Dr Bairstow coughed gently. ‘We tend to find that the element of uncertainty only adds to the excitement of the proceedings,’ which came as a complete surprise to Peterson and me who had, on many occasions, been given to understand – quite strongly sometimes – that the element of uncertainty did not feature prominently on his happy list.
When Hollywood producers want to make a time traveling movie
‘Hello. Justin. Yes. Write this down. An historical society. Dull as ditch water on the surface. But hiding a secret. They’re secret time travellers – changing history for the better. Bringing back the dinosaurs. Which escape and terrorise … oh I don’t know, how about Edinburgh? We could have them rampaging down Princes Street and destroying the castle. They help Boadicea when she defends London from Julius Caesar. They save Elizabeth I from the Great Fire of London.’
‘No,’ I said, feebly.
‘Freeing the princes in the Tower when Richard III tries to murder them.’
‘He probably didn’t,’ I said, even more feebly.
‘There’ll be a handsome hero.’
Peterson preened. On what grounds remained unclear.
‘And a beautiful heroine – stacked, of course.’
‘She keeps having to be rescued, of course. From Pharaoh’s harems. From being burned at the stake. You know the sort of thing. She falls in love with a Viking and brings him back to the modern day. Could he have superpowers? We could start with the Mayflower and the brave pilgrims fleeing religious persecution.’
‘They didn’t,’ I said feebly. ‘They emigrated because England wasn’t strict enough for their…’
A manuscript of the Time Travelers' secret was in danger of being released to the public...
The producers, Mr Cutter appears to have walked off with Mr Sands’ manuscript.’
He continued to stare out of the window. ‘Ah well, no great harm done.’
I blinked. ‘But sir, he was talking about making a movie or a holo. About time travel. Based on Mr Sands’ story.’
‘Yes, I believe he was.'
‘But won’t it be even worse if they make a movie out it than if he publishes the book?’
‘Of course not, Dr Maxwell. When have you ever known a movie to bear even a passing resemblance to the book from which it is adapted? Once the entertainment industry gets its hands on it, the original work will be completely unrecognisable, trust me.’
A beautifully short story from "The Chronicles of St Mary’s" time travelers. I really liked this gem and I will read (and review) the whole series.
Enjoy!
September 8, 2017
This St. Mary's short story is proudly presented by
as well as
and
exploding rocks (don't ask).
Is it just me or does Jodi Taylor make some not-so-pleasant remarks about the film industry here? Does that mean she was approached by some movie companies for an adaptation of the series (and wasn't very pleased, which I could totally understand)? *is getting excited*
Anyway, this short story is taking place shortly after the last novel. Leon, Guthrie and Markham are back but severely injured (Guthrie will never again be able to be head of Security, Markham is recovering the fastest, Leon seems to be more severely injured than he's letting on and needs therapy). Peterson is still recovering psychologically more than anything.
This slightly depressing setting is interrupted when Dr. Bairstow tells Max to get a movie producer to sign a contract that can finance the repairs at Hawking (the wing where the pods are that got destroyed in the last novel, causing the afore-mentioned injuries).
The problem? Well, the guy is a twat and although things go slightly well at first, he is rude and uninterested so Max improvises. With a demonstration. Planned, prepared and executed by Professor Rapson. Well, at least he'll go out with a BANG.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Seriously, despite the previous events (I'm still refusing to read the novel because just knowing some of the corner stones is making me tear up), Jodi Taylor manages to slowly but surely re-introduce her trademark humour and heal a bit of the readers wounds as well. That last sentence by Dr. Bairstow killed me though and I'm now sitting here clutching my pillow and crying (in a good way).
as well as
and
exploding rocks (don't ask).
Is it just me or does Jodi Taylor make some not-so-pleasant remarks about the film industry here? Does that mean she was approached by some movie companies for an adaptation of the series (and wasn't very pleased, which I could totally understand)? *is getting excited*
Anyway, this short story is taking place shortly after the last novel. Leon, Guthrie and Markham are back but severely injured (Guthrie will never again be able to be head of Security, Markham is recovering the fastest, Leon seems to be more severely injured than he's letting on and needs therapy). Peterson is still recovering psychologically more than anything.
This slightly depressing setting is interrupted when Dr. Bairstow tells Max to get a movie producer to sign a contract that can finance the repairs at Hawking (the wing where the pods are that got destroyed in the last novel, causing the afore-mentioned injuries).
The problem? Well, the guy is a twat and although things go slightly well at first, he is rude and uninterested so Max improvises. With a demonstration. Planned, prepared and executed by Professor Rapson. Well, at least he'll go out with a BANG.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Seriously, despite the previous events (I'm still refusing to read the novel because just knowing some of the corner stones is making me tear up), Jodi Taylor manages to slowly but surely re-introduce her trademark humour and heal a bit of the readers wounds as well. That last sentence by Dr. Bairstow killed me though and I'm now sitting here clutching my pillow and crying (in a good way).
November 16, 2017
Sometimes the last few sentences adds the last star!
March 25, 2018
After the way And the Rest is History ended I just couldn't wait to listen to this one. I just needed to reassure myself that my beloved characters are more or less on the way to recovery. Thankfully this was nothing like that awful book and things were light and funny and filled with flying shrapnel. So just a typical day at St Mary's :) And that was precisely what I needed.
January 6, 2018
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
A Perfect Storm was just what we needed after And The Rest Is History. It was a much lighter read and more like the earlier works, where Max is more, well, Max. Expect everything you've come to expect from St. Mary's and you won't be disappointed!
A Perfect Storm was just what we needed after And The Rest Is History. It was a much lighter read and more like the earlier works, where Max is more, well, Max. Expect everything you've come to expect from St. Mary's and you won't be disappointed!
August 30, 2017
St Mary's
It's standard St. Mary's-they aren't called disaster magnets for nothing. After the last full length book though, I need a good laugh as a reason to keep reading the series, and damned if Jodi Taylor didn't leave me in tears at the end. Tears. In a short story. These are supposed to be only fun, not heartwarming too. But...tears.
It's standard St. Mary's-they aren't called disaster magnets for nothing. After the last full length book though, I need a good laugh as a reason to keep reading the series, and damned if Jodi Taylor didn't leave me in tears at the end. Tears. In a short story. These are supposed to be only fun, not heartwarming too. But...tears.
April 24, 2018
4.5 stars
I love this series, but the short stories often are particularly delightful. They feature the humor and quirky characters without the tragedies so often seen in the novels. Loved this.
I love this series, but the short stories often are particularly delightful. They feature the humor and quirky characters without the tragedies so often seen in the novels. Loved this.
August 27, 2017
Another short story from the wonderful characters at St. Mary's. This time we see Max traversing the perilous role of 'fundraiser' as she escorts a Mr Cutter around St Mary's in the hope of procuring some much needed funds. As usual, we have the added capers from Markham, Peterson and the gang following a pub crawl dressed as various superheroes.
Have I mentioned I want a job at St Mary's?
Have I mentioned I want a job at St Mary's?
April 20, 2021
Hilarious and light hearted and much needed after the end of the last book!
August 16, 2022
3.5 stars
Another St. Mary’s story checked off the list. Sadly, this one contained no time travel. Rather it was Max and the gang trying their best (and failing) to be professionals around important guests. It had some moments that made me crack up as usual (Angus the chicken), but overall it was a teeny bit lacking compared to other short stories Jodi Taylor has written. Still, can’t complain — I will read anything about these characters at this point.
5.0 —One of the best I've ever read. Will be burned into my brain. Couldn't care less about weaknesses (if any). Would recommend to everyone and their mother.
4.5 —Loved this read. Will remember it fondly. Few weaknesses. Would recommend to anyone.
4.0 —Enjoyed this read. Will remember it fondly. Minor weaknesses. Would recommend to fans of the genre.
▌3.5 —Somewhat enjoyed this read. Might be memorable. Notable weaknesses. Would recommend to fans of the genre.
3.0 —Somewhat enjoyed this read. Not very memorable. Notable weaknesses. Would recommend to people who like similar books.
2.5 —Neutral or Underwhelming read. Not very memorable. Significant weaknesses. Would recommend to people who like similar books.
2.0 —Underwhelming or unenjoyable read. Not very memorable or memorable for the wrong reasons. Significant weaknesses. Might recommend to people who like similar books.
1.5 —Unenjoyable read. Not very memorable or memorable for bad reasons. Major weaknesses. Probably wouldn't recommend.
1.0 —I wish I never wasted minutes of my life on this trash. I would go out of my way to convince others not to read it.
Another St. Mary’s story checked off the list. Sadly, this one contained no time travel. Rather it was Max and the gang trying their best (and failing) to be professionals around important guests. It had some moments that made me crack up as usual (Angus the chicken), but overall it was a teeny bit lacking compared to other short stories Jodi Taylor has written. Still, can’t complain — I will read anything about these characters at this point.
5.0 —One of the best I've ever read. Will be burned into my brain. Couldn't care less about weaknesses (if any). Would recommend to everyone and their mother.
4.5 —Loved this read. Will remember it fondly. Few weaknesses. Would recommend to anyone.
4.0 —Enjoyed this read. Will remember it fondly. Minor weaknesses. Would recommend to fans of the genre.
▌3.5 —Somewhat enjoyed this read. Might be memorable. Notable weaknesses. Would recommend to fans of the genre.
3.0 —Somewhat enjoyed this read. Not very memorable. Notable weaknesses. Would recommend to people who like similar books.
2.5 —Neutral or Underwhelming read. Not very memorable. Significant weaknesses. Would recommend to people who like similar books.
2.0 —Underwhelming or unenjoyable read. Not very memorable or memorable for the wrong reasons. Significant weaknesses. Might recommend to people who like similar books.
1.5 —Unenjoyable read. Not very memorable or memorable for bad reasons. Major weaknesses. Probably wouldn't recommend.
1.0 —I wish I never wasted minutes of my life on this trash. I would go out of my way to convince others not to read it.
March 15, 2023
This is one of the few series for which I bother to read the short stories in between the full-length books, and I’m glad I read them. While the stories are incredibly short – too short for most who enjoy the series – the events in them are, at least in part, relevant to the full-length book that’s up next. They’re always entertaining and this one is no exception.
Watching the staff of St. Mary’s try to impress a movie producer and entice him into signing a contract with St. Mary’s was like watching a comedic disaster movie, waiting to see what would happen next. I only wish the book was longer!
Watching the staff of St. Mary’s try to impress a movie producer and entice him into signing a contract with St. Mary’s was like watching a comedic disaster movie, waiting to see what would happen next. I only wish the book was longer!
September 15, 2021
Absolutely fabulous!
June 11, 2018
And with a crash and a bang, St Marys is back, on top form as ever!
I really didn't like the last offering in the Chronicles, #8 And the Rest is History, so I was apprehensive to say the least about this short story, coming so soon after and also part of the Long and Short of It compilation.
There were a lot of painful avenues in ATRIH that led readers down some dark paths so to read this was a joy, as it's like reading Jodi Taylor's earlier works all over again, but with new storylines and quirks that, even in the limited number of pages a short story allows, had me laughing out loud. Mrs Enderby & Dr Bairstow on top form, Max and Peterson even more so! The swans made an obligatory appearance up a tree. I loved it! I'm more keen now than I was before to read An Argumentation of Historians which is due out next year.
**POTENTIAL SMALL SPOILER**The only thing I would say is that the reason this may have been so much a better book for me was that there was little mention of Leon, he had no active lines, and nothing of Matthew. So it was like reading about Max in JODTAA, when she was younger, "care-free" (ha) and more likely to get into scrapes with no regard for the consequences.
I really didn't like the last offering in the Chronicles, #8 And the Rest is History, so I was apprehensive to say the least about this short story, coming so soon after and also part of the Long and Short of It compilation.
There were a lot of painful avenues in ATRIH that led readers down some dark paths so to read this was a joy, as it's like reading Jodi Taylor's earlier works all over again, but with new storylines and quirks that, even in the limited number of pages a short story allows, had me laughing out loud. Mrs Enderby & Dr Bairstow on top form, Max and Peterson even more so! The swans made an obligatory appearance up a tree. I loved it! I'm more keen now than I was before to read An Argumentation of Historians which is due out next year.
**POTENTIAL SMALL SPOILER**The only thing I would say is that the reason this may have been so much a better book for me was that there was little mention of Leon, he had no active lines, and nothing of Matthew. So it was like reading about Max in JODTAA, when she was younger, "care-free" (ha) and more likely to get into scrapes with no regard for the consequences.
August 27, 2017
This new novella takes place at St Mary's where the team are in various degrees of rehabilitation after their last mission. Max has just two tasks: get one of their former colleagues to destroy his latest novel (about time travel) and get a film producer to sign a lucrative contract with St Mary's for historical research and/or costumes. But the producer is an ass and Max allows Professor Rapson to recreate Hannibal's fire setting techniques. There are foetid vapours, fake accents, superheroes, a pub crawl (on a Monday night) and film producers - just another day at the office for St Mary's
May 12, 2019
How much I missed this series! I was thrilled to see that a new (even if short) story was released recently. Couldn't wait to grab it.
I was reading last night in bed (around midnight) with hubby quietly sleeping next to me, and I had serious difficulties suppressing the shudders of laughter that would convulse my body every now and then while reading, to avoid waking him up. A very difficult feat to do!
Please hurry up with the next book, we're already starving here!
I was reading last night in bed (around midnight) with hubby quietly sleeping next to me, and I had serious difficulties suppressing the shudders of laughter that would convulse my body every now and then while reading, to avoid waking him up. A very difficult feat to do!
Please hurry up with the next book, we're already starving here!
March 27, 2024
I’ve put some, er, time ... between my St. Mary’s readings, in part to focus on others and in part to ration them. As always, delightful fun, and another clever shirt. I enjoy Ms. Taylor’s wit (fallout from a pub crawl: “Markham won the ‘Who can come home with the most traffic cones?’ competition. He always does.”) and her turn of phrase in a single sentence (“He said nothing very eloquently”). And now, before picking up the last short between #8 & #9, back to what I was doing...
August 30, 2017
loved this latest installment from St Mary's. You just know when Professor Rapson has an idea to impress the film producer that things will go wrong and when Dr Bairstow casually wanders out of the medical ward with Angus I had to laugh. No way can the crew keep anything from his notice no matter how hard they try. Love these books, they can cheer you up on the most depressing day.
October 18, 2017
Another great little short story.
I've said it many times, Taylor's writing is very episodic and these short stories are the best cause the pacing is spot on and focused. The hijinx this time around is just as priceless and the depth of characters comes from all the time readers have spent with them. The pub crawl was classic.
Onward to the next book!
I've said it many times, Taylor's writing is very episodic and these short stories are the best cause the pacing is spot on and focused. The hijinx this time around is just as priceless and the depth of characters comes from all the time readers have spent with them. The pub crawl was classic.
Onward to the next book!
November 16, 2017
I read this slightly out of order - I haven't read books 7 or 8 yet - so there were some spoilers here for me - but fairly non spoilery as far as these things go (ie people are injured, but you don't get told how/what happened) and the story is fun and as madcap as these novellas at St Marys always are.
December 26, 2018
I continue to adore this series, even though I've stepped away from it for a bit. As the financial future of St. Mary's is in jeopardy (again) Max is placed in charge of wowing a big-name movie director. As usual, everything that can go wrong, does, and in the most hilarious possible way. A fun, zany, Christmas morning read.
August 24, 2017
3.5 but I totally enjoy this whole series so rounded up. This is a thirty minute read with a lot of bang for your buck :-)
September 5, 2017
Usual romp, but with a serious turn and tone.
November 6, 2017
Fun and reassuring after the upheaval of book 8.
January 23, 2021
This was a fun read. And then the second to last sentence hit me in the feelz. So now I have to blow my nose and get ready for the next story.
June 29, 2025
Angus! 😍
December 12, 2025
Having so much fun reading these kindle shorts!
February 14, 2020
Not laughed so hard and loud for ages. Not a book to read if you are trying to get off to sleep!
April 26, 2019
Love this series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews