What do you think?
Rate this book
The Chronicles of St Mary's #8.6
Christmas Past
The First Farrell Family Christmas
Max, Leon and Matthew - together at last for Christmas at St Mary's - a time of conspicuous consumption, riotous misbehaviour and the traditional illegal Christmas jump. And this time, it's inter-generational.
Donning her unfamiliar mother hat, Max takes Matthew back to 19th century London, where they plan to deliver a parcel of Christmas cheer to his former friends, but find themselves confronting the terrifying Old Ma Scrope in the process.
'Tis the season to be jolly.
It's also the season of goodwill towards all mankind.
Pity no one told Max.
Max, Leon and Matthew - together at last for Christmas at St Mary's - a time of conspicuous consumption, riotous misbehaviour and the traditional illegal Christmas jump. And this time, it's inter-generational.
Donning her unfamiliar mother hat, Max takes Matthew back to 19th century London, where they plan to deliver a parcel of Christmas cheer to his former friends, but find themselves confronting the terrifying Old Ma Scrope in the process.
'Tis the season to be jolly.
It's also the season of goodwill towards all mankind.
Pity no one told Max.
Audible Audio
First published December 25, 2017
169 people are currently reading
1932 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Taylor
85 books5,447 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews
February 10, 2018
Short and delightful xmas story featuring our scariest mom yet. Max. Also, arguably the worst. Or best. Depends on your POV. :)
She takes her child to disease-ridden London to give food and blankets to Matthew's old friends in the muck.
Time-travel can be nice, sometimes, and no one got pissed on. This time.
The best part is the yelling. Go Max!
A very Scrooge-y story. :) And cute.
She takes her child to disease-ridden London to give food and blankets to Matthew's old friends in the muck.
Time-travel can be nice, sometimes, and no one got pissed on. This time.
The best part is the yelling. Go Max!
A very Scrooge-y story. :) And cute.
December 26, 2017
One Christmas tradition of late has been reading the annual St Mary's Christmas short story, and this years edition was really good. I loved the interactions between Max and Matthew, I found them really heartwarming and genuine. It's great to see Max develop as a character into more of a mother figure for Matthew, even if it covers a lot of heartache. More then previous years this also felt more like a 'traditional' Christmas tale.
I did miss Peterson and Markham though, but I suppose they do have to recover from those injuries at some point.
I did miss Peterson and Markham though, but I suppose they do have to recover from those injuries at some point.
January 31, 2018
Another Christmas short story from our favourite disaster magnets. Yes, I'm at bit late since it's already January, but that didn't diminish my enjoyment in the slightest.
Now, I will admit that I still haven't read novel #8 but the short stories are balm to my soul so I couldn't resist this one any more than the last.
Leon and Matthew are living with the time police in Max's future. Leon for medical reasons after what happened to him in #8 (but he's about to return for good apparently) and Matthew out of his own free will because after what was done to him, he doesn't exactly have strong family ties. Which breaks Max's heart but she doesn't show it.
So this Christmas, Leon and Matthew come to visit and of course it's all about yet another illegal time jump (it's a Christmas tradition after all) - only this time it's just Max and Matthew and for a very good reason.
I will not go into details or tell you if, or what, goes wrong. Suffice it to say that this one very much pulled on my heartstrings in a good way and had some very satisfying moments plus some hope for the future.
Now, I will admit that I still haven't read novel #8 but the short stories are balm to my soul so I couldn't resist this one any more than the last.
Leon and Matthew are living with the time police in Max's future. Leon for medical reasons after what happened to him in #8 (but he's about to return for good apparently) and Matthew out of his own free will because after what was done to him, he doesn't exactly have strong family ties. Which breaks Max's heart but she doesn't show it.
So this Christmas, Leon and Matthew come to visit and of course it's all about yet another illegal time jump (it's a Christmas tradition after all) - only this time it's just Max and Matthew and for a very good reason.
I will not go into details or tell you if, or what, goes wrong. Suffice it to say that this one very much pulled on my heartstrings in a good way and had some very satisfying moments plus some hope for the future.
April 11, 2018
Beautiful heartwarming tale.
I love these little short stories that Taylor does for St. Mary's they are always character driven and add so much heart to the ridiculous and zany antics of the full series. This one focuses on Max and Matthew a wonderful and delicate relationship that has been happening for a while not but this little tale was so well constructed I can't even put to words the wonderful feelings I had at the last line of dialog from Matthew at the end of this tale. It's good. It's so so so good.
Onward to the next book!
I love these little short stories that Taylor does for St. Mary's they are always character driven and add so much heart to the ridiculous and zany antics of the full series. This one focuses on Max and Matthew a wonderful and delicate relationship that has been happening for a while not but this little tale was so well constructed I can't even put to words the wonderful feelings I had at the last line of dialog from Matthew at the end of this tale. It's good. It's so so so good.
Onward to the next book!
December 19, 2019
Another jump - "and everything went white. . . " I love that phrase!
And this is Max and her son, Matthew! It's a family thing in this super short story. And with an air of Dickens about it. . . .
4 stars!
And this is Max and her son, Matthew! It's a family thing in this super short story. And with an air of Dickens about it. . . .
4 stars!
December 26, 2017
Short holiday story involving mostly Max and Matthew. Ending is a bit unbelievable, but can be forgiven as the intent is for a satisfying feel-good story. Fans of the series should enjoy it, but won't miss anything important if skipped.
June 25, 2018
Another delightful little short story from the St. Mary's nutcases. This time with a wonderful Christmas feel-good atmosphere and some much needed mother/son bonding time to boot.
As always, the writing and humor are the same level I expect from Jodi Taylor, and I'm very happy that for once she didn't rip my heart out and stomped on it, instead focusing on some much needed healing. Very short, but entertaining nonetheless.
4 stars for warming this old cynics heart, but not amazing either.
As always, the writing and humor are the same level I expect from Jodi Taylor, and I'm very happy that for once she didn't rip my heart out and stomped on it, instead focusing on some much needed healing. Very short, but entertaining nonetheless.
4 stars for warming this old cynics heart, but not amazing either.
December 14, 2022
I confess I'm skipping the full novels, and stick to the Christmas shorts, and this one was especially delightful.
A Christmassy feeling in the setting, the tone and the actual story itself, this scratched all the itches really well.
I like these shorts do much, I might even do give the second "normal" book a try after all...
It has *major* spoilers for the main series. So read this only in the correct order of you mind those.
I personally don't mind spoilers at all, I'm just happy when I get my Christmas Fantasy dose!
A Christmassy feeling in the setting, the tone and the actual story itself, this scratched all the itches really well.
I like these shorts do much, I might even do give the second "normal" book a try after all...
It has *major* spoilers for the main series. So read this only in the correct order of you mind those.
I personally don't mind spoilers at all, I'm just happy when I get my Christmas Fantasy dose!
December 12, 2022
Favourite St. Mary’s Christmas story so far.
May 24, 2023
This time the illegal Christmas jump is a family affair.
January 2, 2026
Finished reading: January 1st 2026
“And yes, I know we're not supposed to harm contemporaries, but no one ever said anything about not frightening the living shit out of them, so my conscience was clear.”
REVIEW
December 14, 2021
Everything I like in a short story. Excellent narrative and character development within a seasonal context. A real add-on to the series.
December 14, 2025
Delightful Christmas short that featured Max and her son Matthew bonding.
December 26, 2017
At last, the wait is over and the annual St Mary's Christmas romp has arrived and it was well worth the wait.
Max, Leon and Matthew are finally going to spend their first Christmas together. It has been particularly rough for them. Matthew kidnapped by Ronan and left in Victorian slums was finally rescued by his father. For Matthew years have passed whilst for Max it was only days. Instead of a baby she found herself with a small, untrusting boy who bore little resemblance to the baby that she loved and adored. .
However, it is Christmas, and what would Christmas at St Mary's be without a secret and illicit trip into the past as Max tries to regain her son's trust and love.
This has to be the best of all the short stories....though I suspect that I say this every year...It is certainly the most atmospheric as Jodi brings to life what life the characters and places described in her writings. A lovely edition to the series and if you don't have a little cry at the end I can only assume that you have no soul.
Max, Leon and Matthew are finally going to spend their first Christmas together. It has been particularly rough for them. Matthew kidnapped by Ronan and left in Victorian slums was finally rescued by his father. For Matthew years have passed whilst for Max it was only days. Instead of a baby she found herself with a small, untrusting boy who bore little resemblance to the baby that she loved and adored. .
However, it is Christmas, and what would Christmas at St Mary's be without a secret and illicit trip into the past as Max tries to regain her son's trust and love.
This has to be the best of all the short stories....though I suspect that I say this every year...It is certainly the most atmospheric as Jodi brings to life what life the characters and places described in her writings. A lovely edition to the series and if you don't have a little cry at the end I can only assume that you have no soul.
May 22, 2018
Oh thank you for this one!! Just mad that I didn’t know about it until today!
December 25, 2017
A Merry Christmas 😃
YESSSSS! This is satisfyingly totally Taylor, and pure Max. I can hardly wait for the next volume. More soon, please!
YESSSSS! This is satisfyingly totally Taylor, and pure Max. I can hardly wait for the next volume. More soon, please!
February 3, 2022
Love, love, love. Since Jodi Taylor is my favorite author I would expect nothing less than the best. I was not disappointed. Anxiously awaiting the next installment.
January 1, 2018
The perfect feel-good Christmas story...
January 8, 2018
Cute good story, typical Christmas at St Mary's fun, without the chaos. 3.5 stars, rated down just because it's too damn short.
December 25, 2017
Best ending to a St Mary's short story ever.
March 19, 2018
Max takes Matthew back to early Victorian England to help the two little boys who were chimney sweeps alongside him.
Oh Jodi, you pulled on my heartstrings with this novella. I can't say more without spoiling the story, just let me say that it was a lovely story and reflected what we all hope Christmas will be like.
Sigh, when is the next one?
Oh Jodi, you pulled on my heartstrings with this novella. I can't say more without spoiling the story, just let me say that it was a lovely story and reflected what we all hope Christmas will be like.
Sigh, when is the next one?
January 13, 2019
Loved it. I wasn't too happy with events in ATRIH so I'm glad this was a happier tale and I loved the fact it was once again written from Max' perspective and not any other characters. Roll on book 9!
January 2, 2018
A little bit Dickens but most definitely Jodi Taylor. A Max and Matthew Christmas outing to keep me going until the next book. Laughed out loud at the ending.
June 5, 2020
So cute!!
December 27, 2020
An excellent Christmas short story. Max finally becomes a mom.
January 27, 2021
This is a really nice short story about friendship and doing what you can to help even though you know you can't do everything. And it gives a good look into Max as a mother.
September 15, 2021
As usual, a fantastic addition to St Mary's. I think this is one of my favourite short stories so far!
December 10, 2022
Heartwarming.
December 24, 2022
Oh, Christmas giving, time travelling and a good dose of Christmas cheer! Getting to really love these novellas from the team at St Mary's!
December 3, 2024
This was a short story/novella set after book 8. Max takes her son back to his chimney sweep past to visit the friends he left behind. It was good to see that Matthew is becoming more settled.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 235 reviews