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The Chronicles of St Mary's #9.7
And Now For Something Completely Different
Here's a question for you. What's the most exciting thing ever found in a fire bucket? And don't say 'fire' because you'll be wrong.
Suppose - just suppose - it was the technology to take a pod to Mars? Yeah, now we're talking!
Every Christmas, for reasons which seem good at the time - especially after an eggnog or two - Max and the others leap into the nearest pod and indulge in their illegal Christmas jump. It's a tradition. This year, however, just to be different, they find themselves part of someone else's illegal Christmas jump. It's time to don a spacesuit and bring your own urine!
Suppose - just suppose - it was the technology to take a pod to Mars? Yeah, now we're talking!
Every Christmas, for reasons which seem good at the time - especially after an eggnog or two - Max and the others leap into the nearest pod and indulge in their illegal Christmas jump. It's a tradition. This year, however, just to be different, they find themselves part of someone else's illegal Christmas jump. It's time to don a spacesuit and bring your own urine!
73 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 25, 2018
312 people are currently reading
2060 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Taylor
81 books5,363 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 263 reviews
December 26, 2018
Considering that historians generally equate Christmas with hijinx, this really IS a Christmas story. :)
That being said, our intrepid pee-drenched explorers head to mars against all good sensibilities, precautions, and common sense. Especially since doing so inevitably screws up... everything. History, the timeline, other expeditions... who cares! It's now all about Covering One's Ass.
Good thing we're on the historian's side... right?
Fun story!
That being said, our intrepid pee-drenched explorers head to mars against all good sensibilities, precautions, and common sense. Especially since doing so inevitably screws up... everything. History, the timeline, other expeditions... who cares! It's now all about Covering One's Ass.
Good thing we're on the historian's side... right?
Fun story!
December 26, 2018
The Disaster Magnets go to Mars! The Time Police, poor lambs, are most unamused. There is no Yule tradition left that is more enjoyable than the St Mary's Christmas story. Now that the...carpetbaggers...in charge of Doctor Who have canned the Christmas special because "they're out of ideas."
I ask you.
But no such terror besets St Mary's Disaster Magnets! Here we are all gruntled and kempt and fully Christmased.
(The missing star is docked from Author Taylor's ratings/wages for the infelicity of flashbacking the story.)
I ask you.
But no such terror besets St Mary's Disaster Magnets! Here we are all gruntled and kempt and fully Christmased.
(The missing star is docked from Author Taylor's ratings/wages for the infelicity of flashbacking the story.)
March 17, 2025
Ha ha! Brilliant.
Can't give much away without giving everything away suffice it to say that Max and Petersen end up going to Mars. Yes the planet.
It's absolutely bonkers with some Time Police interference and a nice part for Pinky, who will eventually head up St Mary's far into the future.
Jodi Taylor says she'd been wanting to put this episode into one of the novels but I think it works much better as a short story.
Very funny. Very illuminating in a typical "oh so that's what that was" St Mary's kind of way - think Markham and Alfred the Great type silliness.
I love these "Christmas" short stories. Not Christmassy but a definite boost halfway between novels.
Can't give much away without giving everything away suffice it to say that Max and Petersen end up going to Mars. Yes the planet.
It's absolutely bonkers with some Time Police interference and a nice part for Pinky, who will eventually head up St Mary's far into the future.
Jodi Taylor says she'd been wanting to put this episode into one of the novels but I think it works much better as a short story.
Very funny. Very illuminating in a typical "oh so that's what that was" St Mary's kind of way - think Markham and Alfred the Great type silliness.
I love these "Christmas" short stories. Not Christmassy but a definite boost halfway between novels.
December 26, 2018
Its Christmas Day, which can only mean one thing... a new St Mary’s novella, and we were certainly given something completely different. This year we follow some of the gang, old and new, as they explore Mars and witness the first landing of the red planet.
This was certainly a change of pace (and genre) to the typical St Mary’s novels, with Max and Peterson playing a very minimal role in a jump that takes them into the future. Not being as connected to the future director of St Mary’s, or the Time Police, I wasn’t as taken with the storyline this year - but Jodi certainly knows how to play with her genres in a fun way. This is almost like science fiction light, with all the fun and none of the heavy science and space talk - but I admit I missed the historical stuff, and the passion and attention to details that Jodi carefully manages to craft into her novels. Don’t get me wrong, this was entertaining and I flew through it... I just didn’t connect with it as much as I normally do.
And I missed Markham.
This was certainly a change of pace (and genre) to the typical St Mary’s novels, with Max and Peterson playing a very minimal role in a jump that takes them into the future. Not being as connected to the future director of St Mary’s, or the Time Police, I wasn’t as taken with the storyline this year - but Jodi certainly knows how to play with her genres in a fun way. This is almost like science fiction light, with all the fun and none of the heavy science and space talk - but I admit I missed the historical stuff, and the passion and attention to details that Jodi carefully manages to craft into her novels. Don’t get me wrong, this was entertaining and I flew through it... I just didn’t connect with it as much as I normally do.
And I missed Markham.
December 27, 2018
Such fun to see more of a different time period staff of St. Mary's and the Time Police. It's not confusing at all, right? :P
And MARS! Jodi, you've certainly nailed the ability to entertain. :)
And MARS! Jodi, you've certainly nailed the ability to entertain. :)
December 26, 2018
It has become a tradition in recent years that Jodi Taylor releases a short story about the disaster magnets of St. Mary's institute on 25 December.
This time, it's not necessarily Christmas in the story but who cares - we're going to Mars!!!
Yep, Max, Petersen and a few other people stomp around the Red Planet to ensure the first Mars Landing will be successful.
Naturally, there is a little bit of a problem up there and a little bit of a discovery in a lava tube (or was it?).
For anyone being surprised about the destination, don't be. The pods have always jumped around the place (and time) so why not to another planet?
This offers some VERY interesting musings on discoveries and whether or not humanity is ready for them, the history of humanity and human nature. Very well done.
The author did a very good job with how this was written and also with tying it up in earlier books. This wasn't as funny as previous short stories - except for the very end - but it was very good nonetheless or especially because of that and as atmospheric as I had hoped despite Max and Tim only being in it on the periphery. :D
This time, it's not necessarily Christmas in the story but who cares - we're going to Mars!!!
Yep, Max, Petersen and a few other people stomp around the Red Planet to ensure the first Mars Landing will be successful.
Naturally, there is a little bit of a problem up there and a little bit of a discovery in a lava tube (or was it?).
For anyone being surprised about the destination, don't be. The pods have always jumped around the place (and time) so why not to another planet?
This offers some VERY interesting musings on discoveries and whether or not humanity is ready for them, the history of humanity and human nature. Very well done.
The author did a very good job with how this was written and also with tying it up in earlier books. This wasn't as funny as previous short stories - except for the very end - but it was very good nonetheless or especially because of that and as atmospheric as I had hoped despite Max and Tim only being in it on the periphery. :D
July 11, 2020
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
This has become a Christmas tradition, and the story is usually one of my few pre-orders each year. A short read while waiting for the Christmas dinner.
As always, it is fun. But only read this if you are already familiar with the series. This is one of those series that are best read in order even though they are jumping all over the time line...
This has become a Christmas tradition, and the story is usually one of my few pre-orders each year. A short read while waiting for the Christmas dinner.
As always, it is fun. But only read this if you are already familiar with the series. This is one of those series that are best read in order even though they are jumping all over the time line...
March 14, 2019
Jodi Taylor never disappoints - a trip to Mars with At Mary's causing their usual level of mayhem
December 25, 2018
It's become a tradition for me to wait up after midnight on Christmas Eve to wait for delivery of the new St Mary's Christmas story to my kindle so I can start it immefiately. As the title suggest this is in a different vei than previous installments with the illicit xmas eve jump destination being Mars. It was still funny and entertaining although I would have preferred Max's pov. I'll be interested to see the author do a series on the Time Police since a) I am 90% in this for Max and the St Mary's cast and b) she has done too good a job prejudicing me against them! Highly recommend this entire series.
April 6, 2020
Wonderful story! Mission to Mars!
December 28, 2022
Without a doubt, my absolute favourite novella by Jodi Taylor! Such a pleasure to listen too!
April 21, 2021
“When you’re at St. Mary’s it’s always Christmas somewhere” is yet another reason added to my (very long)list of factors as to why my new ambition in life is to become a historian there. In the latest of the St. Mary’s stories members of the current and future St. Mary’s and the Time Police become involved in a trip to Mars because well... why not! As hilarious as usual this is not one to miss!
December 31, 2018
Always one of my best Christmas presents ! A slight variation from the usual Christmas release but another smart, funny and entertaining story in an outstanding series. If you haven't started this series yet, what are you waiting for? There's no time like the present - or is there?
January 4, 2019
This was my first St. Mary's experience. I am sure I am missing something by jumping into the middle of some well-established world, but this was like listening to an awful barstool argument. Paragraphs and paragraphs to get to a point. The persistent tension drawn out for words and words.
The premise itself is clever and interesting, but the prolonging and the nattering. It's like the opposite of plot development. Going around the block slowly in a car over and over is what reading this felt like. Even attempting to speed makes you feel like you're in the same spot.
The premise itself is clever and interesting, but the prolonging and the nattering. It's like the opposite of plot development. Going around the block slowly in a car over and over is what reading this felt like. Even attempting to speed makes you feel like you're in the same spot.
May 3, 2019
This litre insane tale is a microcosm of what I love so much about this series.
The humor is laugh out loud, the premise is ridiculous, the banter absolutely fantastic and the pacing is spot on. They go to Mars. That's all I need to say and long time readers will giggle.
Onward to the next book!
The humor is laugh out loud, the premise is ridiculous, the banter absolutely fantastic and the pacing is spot on. They go to Mars. That's all I need to say and long time readers will giggle.
Onward to the next book!
September 10, 2019
All of these (books, novellas, short stories) are completely wonderful. Be sure to read them in order.
Taylor has a sense of humor and worldview that entirely works for me. Her characters do too.
Taylor has a sense of humor and worldview that entirely works for me. Her characters do too.
December 25, 2018
Read St Mary’s
How can I possibly describe to you The hilarity, the joy and the fun that comes from reading Jodi Taylor? You’re right. I can’t. Read them and you will see for yourself.
How can I possibly describe to you The hilarity, the joy and the fun that comes from reading Jodi Taylor? You’re right. I can’t. Read them and you will see for yourself.
January 15, 2019
Very clever, stand lone short story!
March 26, 2019
Small little romp, but to me it wasn't the same without Max and Peterson in the lead. Still fun to listen to as Jodi Taylors writing is always entertaining.
Read
March 30, 2019Taylor is one of a very few authors who can make me laugh out loud - and the latest short story (an annual Christmas tale) is no exception.
July 1, 2019
Always great
Read everything Jodi Taylor has written and I'm never disappointed. If you've never read anything of hers i th i k it's time that you did.
Read everything Jodi Taylor has written and I'm never disappointed. If you've never read anything of hers i th i k it's time that you did.
August 6, 2019
This was a really fun story and I loved the new characters involved. The whole idea was great and it just made the rest of the world so intriguing :)
January 29, 2021
Hilarious and totally believable in it's ridiculusness.
November 22, 2021
Even without Max narrating, this was excellent, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Anything that upsets the Time Police is a good job done in my view!
August 5, 2023
This was a short story about travelling to Mars and what can and does go wrong when St Mary’s are involved.
December 27, 2018
This combined 2 of my favorite things (I won't tell you which, because spoilers)-but if you're a fan of St Mary's you'll definitely love this!
December 30, 2018
And Now For Something Completely Different - Taylor
Audio performance by Zara Ramm
2.5 stars
This is a short story from Taylor’s ongoing time travel series. A very short story. Listening time came in just under 2 hours. Of the two hours, possibly 30 minutes held new material. I didn’t object when the author rehashed background from previous books in her preface, but when characters in the story reiterate exactly the same material, this was obviously padding to meet a required word count.
The actual story about an illicit ‘jump’ to the first human Mars landing was mildly entertaining. However, it suffered from the very tired, overused, body fluid jokes. And, it didn’t help that the author took the narrative voice away from Maxwell. Overall, a disappointment.
Audio performance by Zara Ramm
2.5 stars
This is a short story from Taylor’s ongoing time travel series. A very short story. Listening time came in just under 2 hours. Of the two hours, possibly 30 minutes held new material. I didn’t object when the author rehashed background from previous books in her preface, but when characters in the story reiterate exactly the same material, this was obviously padding to meet a required word count.
The actual story about an illicit ‘jump’ to the first human Mars landing was mildly entertaining. However, it suffered from the very tired, overused, body fluid jokes. And, it didn’t help that the author took the narrative voice away from Maxwell. Overall, a disappointment.
May 22, 2023
Excellent!
A wonderful short story for a cozy Christmas morning! Don't skip the author's preface; Taylor gives the reader a bit of back story in her trademark humour . If course I love Max as the POV, but this was an interesting change and was, indeed, something completely different!
A wonderful short story for a cozy Christmas morning! Don't skip the author's preface; Taylor gives the reader a bit of back story in her trademark humour . If course I love Max as the POV, but this was an interesting change and was, indeed, something completely different!
December 16, 2024
Edit from a reading in 2024: Now that I know the characters from the Time Police, I enjoyed it more.
Well, this is certainly completely different. The first part was a lot of talking, and characters we only know tangentially, but it was still fun. The second part was fantastic. I really love this series and I hope we do get to see a Mars landing.
Well, this is certainly completely different. The first part was a lot of talking, and characters we only know tangentially, but it was still fun. The second part was fantastic. I really love this series and I hope we do get to see a Mars landing.
September 19, 2024
The whole short story was one drawn out babbling from most one character- albeit a funny(ish) one. I love Jodi Taylor, but the short stories are rarely fun for me- they feel like they are written out of and obligation to a publisher... However to get the full St Mary's picture I have to read them 😑 ugh!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 263 reviews