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The Chronicles of St Mary's #6.5
Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings
It’s Christmas again at St Mary's and time for Max’s obligatory illegal jump. On this occasion, however, they’re right up against it.
A loaded gun has been left behind in Ancient Egypt and it’s up to them to retrieve it before anyone accidentally blows their own head off, thus affecting the timeline for centuries to come.
And as if that’s not enough, someone (Max) has inadvertently poisoned Mr Markham.
It’s hot, they’re running out of supplies, they can’t find the gun, and it’s all going horribly wrong. Again.
A loaded gun has been left behind in Ancient Egypt and it’s up to them to retrieve it before anyone accidentally blows their own head off, thus affecting the timeline for centuries to come.
And as if that’s not enough, someone (Max) has inadvertently poisoned Mr Markham.
It’s hot, they’re running out of supplies, they can’t find the gun, and it’s all going horribly wrong. Again.
Audible Audio
First published November 13, 2015
192 people are currently reading
2359 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Taylor
92 books5,489 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 255 reviews
February 9, 2017
Okay, Egypt lovers! Wanna get eaten alive by bugs? Hmmmm Markham?
This is another christmas story, so, surprise, surprise.. not *that* much goes wrong, unless, of course, you're Max and you just have to pawn off your Wedding Ring to some jerk in ancient Egypt.
Long story.
Or no, it really isn't, actually. Short story. Why aren't you time-travel fans reading this? Silly people.
This is another christmas story, so, surprise, surprise.. not *that* much goes wrong, unless, of course, you're Max and you just have to pawn off your Wedding Ring to some jerk in ancient Egypt.
Long story.
Or no, it really isn't, actually. Short story. Why aren't you time-travel fans reading this? Silly people.
March 4, 2018
*** 4.44 ***
Our three most prone to calamities members of St. Mary's are doing another under the radar dash and grab mission to ancient Egypt. It is quick, painful and as always, hilarious!
Our three most prone to calamities members of St. Mary's are doing another under the radar dash and grab mission to ancient Egypt. It is quick, painful and as always, hilarious!
March 16, 2016
'You get a feel for when things go wrong.'
St Mary's group are engaged in another mishap and, as always, it's a fly by the seat of your pants adventure and things are definitely not going according to plan.
St Mary's historians investigate major historical events in time (time travel) but they are only to watch and record the events and not get involved, take anything, leave anything behind or harm a contemporary. But things are never so simple when you mix historians and time travel and well...the Time Police already think the St Mary's lot are irresponsible idiots. Well this time, someone left a loaded gun back in ancient Egypt and they need to retrieve the gun (secretly, of course) before a contemporary accidental blows his head off and changes the timeline, creating a paradox and getting the time police on their ass.
I was grinning and laughing throughout this lovely short story because Ms Taylor has a way with words and she's a comic genius. I can't wait to get my hands on Lies, Damned Lies, and History, soon.
St Mary's group are engaged in another mishap and, as always, it's a fly by the seat of your pants adventure and things are definitely not going according to plan.
St Mary's historians investigate major historical events in time (time travel) but they are only to watch and record the events and not get involved, take anything, leave anything behind or harm a contemporary. But things are never so simple when you mix historians and time travel and well...the Time Police already think the St Mary's lot are irresponsible idiots. Well this time, someone left a loaded gun back in ancient Egypt and they need to retrieve the gun (secretly, of course) before a contemporary accidental blows his head off and changes the timeline, creating a paradox and getting the time police on their ass.
I was grinning and laughing throughout this lovely short story because Ms Taylor has a way with words and she's a comic genius. I can't wait to get my hands on Lies, Damned Lies, and History, soon.
September 30, 2017
This was easily the best of all the novellas so far.
A not-so-easily solved problem leading to a jump back to Ancient Egypt (yay), a very personal story leading up to said problem (have I mentioned how much I like that these short stories give us more insight into the characters' lives?), lots of complications on site, some extremely funny incidents with my favourite security officer, an "aaawww"-inducing moment at the end. *sighs contently* Just perfect.
However, I'm curious to see if one of the things mentioned here will have sad implications in book #7 (to be discovered immediately because I just can't stop).
A not-so-easily solved problem leading to a jump back to Ancient Egypt (yay), a very personal story leading up to said problem (have I mentioned how much I like that these short stories give us more insight into the characters' lives?), lots of complications on site, some extremely funny incidents with my favourite security officer, an "aaawww"-inducing moment at the end. *sighs contently* Just perfect.
However, I'm curious to see if one of the things mentioned here will have sad implications in book #7 (to be discovered immediately because I just can't stop).
September 26, 2024
This is another Christmas short story from the St Mary's mob. It started out quite serious in nature but I was laughing by the end thankfully.
Back on active duty Gray and Bashford return with their crew only to report they've lost a gun in Ancient Egypt. Thankfully a very pregnant Max, Markham and Peterson rush to the rescue to save history (without the Time Police mucking things up).
Of course, it being St Mary's, things don't go to plan. Markham is particularly delightful in this episode but then the pests of Egypt and Max's help both play their part.
Just enough fun, just enough danger and just enough sloppiness for a lovely Christmas interlude.
Back on active duty Gray and Bashford return with their crew only to report they've lost a gun in Ancient Egypt. Thankfully a very pregnant Max, Markham and Peterson rush to the rescue to save history (without the Time Police mucking things up).
Of course, it being St Mary's, things don't go to plan. Markham is particularly delightful in this episode but then the pests of Egypt and Max's help both play their part.
Just enough fun, just enough danger and just enough sloppiness for a lovely Christmas interlude.
April 13, 2018
Amusing...but.
It's just not quite...I can't...okay, look, it's impossible to please everyone all the time and this is the one that doesn't do it for me. Not that that's a bad thing. It's just a thing. I still laughed and there are some lovely set-ups. It is a Disaster Magnet's duty to read all things Markham, no? So read!
It's just not quite...I can't...okay, look, it's impossible to please everyone all the time and this is the one that doesn't do it for me. Not that that's a bad thing. It's just a thing. I still laughed and there are some lovely set-ups. It is a Disaster Magnet's duty to read all things Markham, no? So read!
February 28, 2018
A typical St Mary' adventure. This time in Ancient Egypt and as you can guess it's a total mess. I really feel bad for Mr. Markham, he always, always ends up on the short end of the stick.
July 23, 2017
It was ok. Mildly amusing, a few laughs, not a lot of plot. Nice audible freebie for a short car drive.
February 15, 2017
I really enjoyed this little tale. It's about an expedition that went wrong where a team of historians accidentally left something contemporary (from modern time) in the past (not good!)
Max and her two friends, Markham and Peterson travel back in time to retrieve the item and along the way they discover some funny customs in Ancient Egyptian marketplaces and lose something pretty valuable... 3.5*s :)
Max and her two friends, Markham and Peterson travel back in time to retrieve the item and along the way they discover some funny customs in Ancient Egyptian marketplaces and lose something pretty valuable... 3.5*s :)
September 22, 2017
Another Audible freebie.
Let's see how long the good streak lasts. This one is also a 4*, like the first freebie I tried, We Like You So Much and Want to Know You Better .
Not bad, but nothing amazing either. Again, just long enough to lay down an interesting idea in front of you, without the risk of ruining it.
If you like it, you'll read the sequel. Or, in this case, 13 of them. Yes, bloody thirteen!
To be fair, this book is set between books #6 and #7, but can certainly be read as a standalone introduction to The Chronicles of St Mary's Series .
It's fun and full of wicked humor, but short and very straight-forward. I laughed out loud more than a few times. My colleagues apparently all have mothers who raised them well, as they politely pretended they haven't noticed my happy grunting laughter.
Time travelling, paradoxes and a bunch of crazy historians. Yep, I recommend. Especially for the beautiful voice of Zara Ramm. My Gods, what a pleasant surprise that was.
Grab it for free on Audible [US/UK]. No rush though - it's been free for months now, and I doubt they ever plan to change that.
"Our normal defense strategy is running like mad in the opposite direction. Obviously, it would be nice if we could rely on not getting into trouble in the first place, but we're St. Mary's, and that's not really a reasonable expectation"
Let's see how long the good streak lasts. This one is also a 4*, like the first freebie I tried, We Like You So Much and Want to Know You Better .
Not bad, but nothing amazing either. Again, just long enough to lay down an interesting idea in front of you, without the risk of ruining it.
If you like it, you'll read the sequel. Or, in this case, 13 of them. Yes, bloody thirteen!
To be fair, this book is set between books #6 and #7, but can certainly be read as a standalone introduction to The Chronicles of St Mary's Series .
It's fun and full of wicked humor, but short and very straight-forward. I laughed out loud more than a few times. My colleagues apparently all have mothers who raised them well, as they politely pretended they haven't noticed my happy grunting laughter.
Time travelling, paradoxes and a bunch of crazy historians. Yep, I recommend. Especially for the beautiful voice of Zara Ramm. My Gods, what a pleasant surprise that was.
Grab it for free on Audible [US/UK]. No rush though - it's been free for months now, and I doubt they ever plan to change that.
"Our normal defense strategy is running like mad in the opposite direction. Obviously, it would be nice if we could rely on not getting into trouble in the first place, but we're St. Mary's, and that's not really a reasonable expectation"
November 13, 2016
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Another Christmas short from St Mary's. Another delightful tale. What should have been an easy, although off the book, jump, will turn, as usual, into a more complicated situation really quick. And, of course, there will be danger involved.
I like these short stories on their own, but they are really good at portraying the St Mary's atmosphere. Also, it is just hilarious. This one in particular.
Another Christmas short from St Mary's. Another delightful tale. What should have been an easy, although off the book, jump, will turn, as usual, into a more complicated situation really quick. And, of course, there will be danger involved.
I like these short stories on their own, but they are really good at portraying the St Mary's atmosphere. Also, it is just hilarious. This one in particular.
November 16, 2018
*3.5 Stars
I’ll give Jodi Taylor this, she’s got a good thing going on with The Chronicles of St. Mary’s. I’ve grabbed a few of her shorts on Audible. They are great little distractions on my daily commute.
Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings takes its readers on a quick little holiday trip back to ancient Egypt. It is filled with what I am coming to know as Taylor’s trademark sarcastic humor. Let’s be honest, the story has to move quickly for an hour and a half, there really isn’t a whole lot of time to waste.
What I really like about The Chronicles of St. Mary’s shorts is that I can just jump midway into the series without following the full-length books in the series.
While it’s not a full-length, in depth story, Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings was fun and entertaining. Job done!
I’ll give Jodi Taylor this, she’s got a good thing going on with The Chronicles of St. Mary’s. I’ve grabbed a few of her shorts on Audible. They are great little distractions on my daily commute.
Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings takes its readers on a quick little holiday trip back to ancient Egypt. It is filled with what I am coming to know as Taylor’s trademark sarcastic humor. Let’s be honest, the story has to move quickly for an hour and a half, there really isn’t a whole lot of time to waste.
What I really like about The Chronicles of St. Mary’s shorts is that I can just jump midway into the series without following the full-length books in the series.
While it’s not a full-length, in depth story, Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings was fun and entertaining. Job done!
July 11, 2022
Another fun outing with Max and crew and some WD40- love this series!
April 23, 2018
I very rarely give short stories 5 stars but this one was absolutely perfect for what it was-- a small snippet of life at St. Mary's. Hilarious as usual. A great way to get me even more excited for the release of the next book in a few days. And it was free on Audible which makes it even better! A wonderful way for fans of the series to spend 1+ hours. (This is not meant for people who have not read any of this series yet. Don't start with this short story. Start with book 1.)
January 7, 2018
Oh! This was a lot of fun! Just the right level of snark mixed with adventure. Who could ask for anything more?
Yet another series to add to my ever-growing list (thanks, Sinisa :p). I've already downloaded a couple of other freebies in this series and have added the first in series to my wishlist.
Yet another series to add to my ever-growing list (thanks, Sinisa :p). I've already downloaded a couple of other freebies in this series and have added the first in series to my wishlist.
January 19, 2026
This book waa a slight disappointment. It’s short, but that didn’t hold Santa Grint back. This was my first foray into the Chronicles of St. Mary’s series, and perhaps I will warm to it, but this one seemed shallow, and, well, kind of pointless.
March 18, 2022
Nice short story about a quick trip to Ancient Egypt. This was very enjoyable and light read.
December 30, 2015
I ought to have a separate shelf entitled "Instant Favourites" because so far all of Jodi Taylor's books and short stories have immediately qualified for a place on it. I read this short story on the train and kept snorting with laughter. It's the usual St Mary's mayhem, with all the historians covering up for each other and behaving atrociously-but-lovably.
I'm rationing myself on this series - the urge is to devour the whole lot in one sitting!
I'm rationing myself on this series - the urge is to devour the whole lot in one sitting!
October 22, 2022
Nothing happens that can't be skipped (unlike the last short), this one feels a lot like a little deleted scene post book 6. A little bit of history, a cute twist at the end, and lots of laughs at the expense of poor Markham.
September 12, 2024
A short story that teaches you the perils of WD40! (Oh and a trip to Egypt too).
September 29, 2018
Short stories are what Jodi Taylor excels at. Her books read like a bunch of short stories randomly thrown together. She should just write short stories and skill the novels.
December 26, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed reading some of the Christmas stories over Christmas this year. They made me happy.
August 3, 2021
I liked that this is a solution they just go back and watch. The pain of looking back in time for a missing gun. Interesting to see the thorough ness as well as see how Ms. Grey was knocked out of work as a historian. The annual Christmas caper.
December 15, 2022
Just find the gun guys! These stories are so well written and such fun to listen to.
January 27, 2023
What a terrific short story. And what a sweet ending!
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February 1, 2025Markham + WD40 = not good
December 2, 2025
Just as the title says: story takes place in ancient Egypt. Short funny and informative 🙂
August 15, 2017
The 3rd St Mary's free audible book in 2 days and the weakest(?) so far.
But still a fun bed time story. :)
But still a fun bed time story. :)
October 3, 2017
I think this is possibly my favourite of the St Mary’s novellas. It was funny, it was amusing, and while there wasn’t a major plot, it was entertaining.
March 4, 2017
ROTFL!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 255 reviews