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The Chronicles of St Mary's #1-3
The Chronicles of St Mary’s Omnibus: Three Extraordinary Adventures
The Chronicles of St Mary's Boxset Vol 1 includes bestsellers Just One Damned Thing After Another, A Symphony of Echoes and A Second Chance.
“History is just one damned thing after another” - Arnold Toynbee
Just One Damned Thing After Another – Book One in The Chronicles of St Mary’s
A madcap new slant on history that seems to be everyone's cup of tea...
Behind the seemingly innocuous façade of St Mary's, a different kind of historical research is taking place. They don't do 'time-travel' - they 'investigate major historical events in contemporary time'. Maintaining the appearance of harmless eccentrics is not always within their power - especially given their propensity for causing loud explosions when things get too quiet.
Meet the disaster-magnets of St Mary's Institute of Historical Research as they ricochet around History. Their aim is to observe and document - to try and find the answers to many of History's unanswered questions...and not to die in the process.
But one wrong move and History will fight back - to the death. And, as they soon discover - it's not just History they're fighting.
Follow the catastrophe curve from eleventh-century London to World War I, and from the Cretaceous Period to the destruction of the Great Library at Alexandria.
For wherever Historians go, chaos is sure to follow in their wake ...
A Symphony of Echoes - Book Two in The Chronicles of St Mary’s
Max and the team visit Victorian London in search of Jack the Ripper, witness the murder of Archbishop Thomas a Becket in Canterbury Cathedral, and discover that dodos make a grockling noise when eating cucumber sandwiches.
But they must also confront an enemy intent on destroying St Mary's - an enemy willing, if necessary, to destroy History itself to do it.
A Second Chance - Book Three in The Chronicles of St Mary’s
St Mary’s is back and nothing is going right for Max.
The action jumps from an encounter with a mirror-stealing Isaac Newton to the bloody battlefield at Agincourt. Discover how a simple fact-finding assignment to witness the ancient and murderous cheese- rolling ceremony in Gloucester can result in CBC – concussion by cheese. The long awaited jump to Bronze Age Troy ends in personal catastrophe for Max and just when it seems things couldn’t get any worse – it’s back to the Cretaceous Period again to confront an old enemy who has nothing to lose.
So, make the tea, grab the chocolate biscuits, settle back and discover exactly why the entire history department has painted itself blue…
“History is just one damned thing after another” - Arnold Toynbee
Just One Damned Thing After Another – Book One in The Chronicles of St Mary’s
A madcap new slant on history that seems to be everyone's cup of tea...
Behind the seemingly innocuous façade of St Mary's, a different kind of historical research is taking place. They don't do 'time-travel' - they 'investigate major historical events in contemporary time'. Maintaining the appearance of harmless eccentrics is not always within their power - especially given their propensity for causing loud explosions when things get too quiet.
Meet the disaster-magnets of St Mary's Institute of Historical Research as they ricochet around History. Their aim is to observe and document - to try and find the answers to many of History's unanswered questions...and not to die in the process.
But one wrong move and History will fight back - to the death. And, as they soon discover - it's not just History they're fighting.
Follow the catastrophe curve from eleventh-century London to World War I, and from the Cretaceous Period to the destruction of the Great Library at Alexandria.
For wherever Historians go, chaos is sure to follow in their wake ...
A Symphony of Echoes - Book Two in The Chronicles of St Mary’s
Max and the team visit Victorian London in search of Jack the Ripper, witness the murder of Archbishop Thomas a Becket in Canterbury Cathedral, and discover that dodos make a grockling noise when eating cucumber sandwiches.
But they must also confront an enemy intent on destroying St Mary's - an enemy willing, if necessary, to destroy History itself to do it.
A Second Chance - Book Three in The Chronicles of St Mary’s
St Mary’s is back and nothing is going right for Max.
The action jumps from an encounter with a mirror-stealing Isaac Newton to the bloody battlefield at Agincourt. Discover how a simple fact-finding assignment to witness the ancient and murderous cheese- rolling ceremony in Gloucester can result in CBC – concussion by cheese. The long awaited jump to Bronze Age Troy ends in personal catastrophe for Max and just when it seems things couldn’t get any worse – it’s back to the Cretaceous Period again to confront an old enemy who has nothing to lose.
So, make the tea, grab the chocolate biscuits, settle back and discover exactly why the entire history department has painted itself blue…
1046 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 8, 2015
142 people are currently reading
505 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Taylor
84 books5,393 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 33 reviews
July 6, 2015
I'm sorry I'm finished. I stayed up almost all night reading. I can't recommend these enough, and will be saving up to by the next few books in the series. There were a few moments of Deus ex machina that were overdone, but in this particular universe they made sense.
March 6, 2016
I began reading The Chronicles of St. Mary series, by purchasing this 3 book set, on kindle, on the spur of the moment. I am in LOVE with this series!
Historical Romance & Fantasy are my favorite genres, & Jodi Taylor captures them in this story.
I have read all 6 of these books. Each one is a page turner that I couldn't put down.
I love the main characters, Max & Leon....& the eccentric cast of St. Mary's. I think men AND women can relate to these books. There is history, war, weapons, violence, time travel, science, foul language, humor (I was literally laughing out loud) love, death and SEX! What more could you want??? The author is witty & honest.
I hope more books follow, to continue the story of Dr. Madeline Maxwell & her love through all ages, Leon Farrell.
Historical Romance & Fantasy are my favorite genres, & Jodi Taylor captures them in this story.
I have read all 6 of these books. Each one is a page turner that I couldn't put down.
I love the main characters, Max & Leon....& the eccentric cast of St. Mary's. I think men AND women can relate to these books. There is history, war, weapons, violence, time travel, science, foul language, humor (I was literally laughing out loud) love, death and SEX! What more could you want??? The author is witty & honest.
I hope more books follow, to continue the story of Dr. Madeline Maxwell & her love through all ages, Leon Farrell.
January 9, 2024
Kobo epub 9781472266866; 945 pages
Finished the first two (Just One Damned Thing After Another and A Symphony of Echoes) on March 11; brief pause for a short story before the third novel, Second Chance).
I'm a fan of time travel (sorry, investigating major historical events in contemporary time... ) so this was attractive from the start. The protagonist, Max, is an historian recruited by St Mary's to research events, mainly in the past but with one notable foray into the future. Disaster-prone historians have a short life expectancy but over the course of these three novels Max manages to turn this around and rises to be Head of the History Department, visiting the Somme, the Cretaceous, the burning of the Library at Alexandria, the Ripper murders in Whitechapel, a future St Mary's, the murder of Thomas a Becket, the Edinburgh of Mary Queen of Scots, Troy and Agincourt - plus a number of other trips; she falls in and out of love and generally muddles through until right at the end. Enlivening the proceedings is a rogue agent or two...
As well as the time travel there are flashes of humour, an eccentric supporting cast - and one or two interesting aspects of historical figures - plus odd musings on the nature of Time, paradoxes, History itself. Parts remind me of Poul Anderson's Time Patrol stories (still one of my favourite series), Doctor Who (of course) - and Terry Pratchett (who is referenced once or twice). Other pop culture figures get a mention (Cooper-Hofstater) - and also Donald Trump.
Several more novels and a clutch of short stories available, too.
Rereading the early books with the intention of getting up to date (and filling in the gap in the middle... ) with the short stories as 'filler' in the correct position (initially from The Long and Short of It). As entertaining as the first time!
Splendid stuff!
Finished the first two (Just One Damned Thing After Another and A Symphony of Echoes) on March 11; brief pause for a short story before the third novel, Second Chance).
I'm a fan of time travel (sorry, investigating major historical events in contemporary time... ) so this was attractive from the start. The protagonist, Max, is an historian recruited by St Mary's to research events, mainly in the past but with one notable foray into the future. Disaster-prone historians have a short life expectancy but over the course of these three novels Max manages to turn this around and rises to be Head of the History Department, visiting the Somme, the Cretaceous, the burning of the Library at Alexandria, the Ripper murders in Whitechapel, a future St Mary's, the murder of Thomas a Becket, the Edinburgh of Mary Queen of Scots, Troy and Agincourt - plus a number of other trips; she falls in and out of love and generally muddles through until right at the end. Enlivening the proceedings is a rogue agent or two...
As well as the time travel there are flashes of humour, an eccentric supporting cast - and one or two interesting aspects of historical figures - plus odd musings on the nature of Time, paradoxes, History itself. Parts remind me of Poul Anderson's Time Patrol stories (still one of my favourite series), Doctor Who (of course) - and Terry Pratchett (who is referenced once or twice). Other pop culture figures get a mention (Cooper-Hofstater) - and also Donald Trump.
Several more novels and a clutch of short stories available, too.
Rereading the early books with the intention of getting up to date (and filling in the gap in the middle... ) with the short stories as 'filler' in the correct position (initially from The Long and Short of It). As entertaining as the first time!
Splendid stuff!
July 3, 2016
A cross between Doctor Who, Primeval, the Thursday Next novels of Jasper Fforde, and Time Team. Sometimes funny and always fast paced. This boxset contains the first three novels in the series and I should have probably taken a longer break between each individual novel as I began to find it all a bit samey. The books are more plot than characterisation but that's fine - just occasionally I wished for something a bit deeper emotionally. Quite enjoyed them, but haven't yet decided whether I'll read any more of the series.
May 23, 2020
Surprisingly good
I bought this omnibus edition for 99p, so wasn't expecting to much. But it was well written and the author has certainly done her homework.
A decidedly quirky sort of story, but with a really good premise.
Sometimes it felt like I was reading a youth book, but with the sex scenes, which was unnecessary in my view. It certainly wasn't.
I did find Max a little grating after a time, but the story moved along at a cracking pass, with some really good twists.
I might be tempted to read the next one in the collection, if it's not to expensive.
I bought this omnibus edition for 99p, so wasn't expecting to much. But it was well written and the author has certainly done her homework.
A decidedly quirky sort of story, but with a really good premise.
Sometimes it felt like I was reading a youth book, but with the sex scenes, which was unnecessary in my view. It certainly wasn't.
I did find Max a little grating after a time, but the story moved along at a cracking pass, with some really good twists.
I might be tempted to read the next one in the collection, if it's not to expensive.
September 14, 2017
Each book is just as good as the last. I love every one! The plot lines are extraordinary, the characters are all interesting and likeable except for the main character Maxwell! She is super frustrating at times, although she does have many outstanding qualities which draw you in and keeps you turning the page!
All in all this is the best trilogy I have read since Harry Potter, I hope to see Potter style special effect filled movies on the big screen.
All in all this is the best trilogy I have read since Harry Potter, I hope to see Potter style special effect filled movies on the big screen.
September 13, 2015
The habit of saying "if only I knew what was going to happen to him" and "if I knew then what I was about to find out" was incredibly irksome. It ruined the flow of the book for me.
October 29, 2021
This is a fun read for those who enjoy time travelling historian books. This universe shares much in common with similar series e.g. Connie Willis’ Oxford series, in terms of the rules of time travel and observation, so is easy to follow.
Each of Taylor’s books has a multitude of destinations: you’re not immersed in one particular period but get a taste of several; I enjoyed the variety. I also enjoyed the narrator’s tone and the main characters. I found the narrative disjointed, however - one story line (with its focal destination) does not flow smoothly after its predecessor: there can be a gap of years between them which are only mentioned in passing, if you’re lucky. I felt this detracted from the series as we miss out on opportunities for character development (not to mention more plot lines!), e.g. in the years between Max’s first drop and when she is (suddenly) an experienced historian. Perhaps Taylor fills in the gaps in later books? I’ll have to read and find out.
Each of Taylor’s books has a multitude of destinations: you’re not immersed in one particular period but get a taste of several; I enjoyed the variety. I also enjoyed the narrator’s tone and the main characters. I found the narrative disjointed, however - one story line (with its focal destination) does not flow smoothly after its predecessor: there can be a gap of years between them which are only mentioned in passing, if you’re lucky. I felt this detracted from the series as we miss out on opportunities for character development (not to mention more plot lines!), e.g. in the years between Max’s first drop and when she is (suddenly) an experienced historian. Perhaps Taylor fills in the gaps in later books? I’ll have to read and find out.
November 20, 2018
My wife suggested that I try Jodi Taylor’s ‘The Chronicles of St Mary’s series, as she is a great fan of it. I started with the first book in the series, ‘One damned thing after another’ and really enjoyed it and decided to get the second one in the series. I saw that the Boxset Volume 1 was available and bought it.
I started the second book, ‘A symphony of echoes’ early one weekend and it was so good that having finished it I read the next one. The third novel , ‘Second chance’ was equally as good and like another reviewer said, I was sorry to finish it. I’m certainly hooked and will be getting the other novels to read. A great series that I very highly recommend.
I started the second book, ‘A symphony of echoes’ early one weekend and it was so good that having finished it I read the next one. The third novel , ‘Second chance’ was equally as good and like another reviewer said, I was sorry to finish it. I’m certainly hooked and will be getting the other novels to read. A great series that I very highly recommend.
May 30, 2022
great series
I was quite glad to find the first three novels in the Chronicles of St Mary's combined in this omnibus - it gave me a good idea of whether I'd enjoy the series before investing in each of the novels individually. As it turned out, I enjoyed it very much and have read all but the 13th novel, Catalogue of Catastrophe, which was recently released and is at the top of my TBR list!
I was quite glad to find the first three novels in the Chronicles of St Mary's combined in this omnibus - it gave me a good idea of whether I'd enjoy the series before investing in each of the novels individually. As it turned out, I enjoyed it very much and have read all but the 13th novel, Catalogue of Catastrophe, which was recently released and is at the top of my TBR list!
April 3, 2021
A entertaining and novel set of books from Jodi Taylor about the time travelling historians of St Mary's. I throughly enjoyed these books, but got a little fatigued towards the end of the third book as events had started to repeat themselves too much for my liking.
However this is a minor quibble and I am looking forward to reading the next books in the series after I've had a bit of a break.
However this is a minor quibble and I am looking forward to reading the next books in the series after I've had a bit of a break.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2021
Wonderful Trilogy
After reading this book I purchased a copy for my kindle AND brought the audible books. I’m a huge fan of of Jodi Taylor and her diverse range of books especially The Nothing Girl. Treat yourself to wonderful escapism and explore the amazing world that Jodi creates. ABSOLUTELY RECOMMENDED
After reading this book I purchased a copy for my kindle AND brought the audible books. I’m a huge fan of of Jodi Taylor and her diverse range of books especially The Nothing Girl. Treat yourself to wonderful escapism and explore the amazing world that Jodi creates. ABSOLUTELY RECOMMENDED
September 17, 2021
A real roller coaster ride of drama and humour from these tea swigging time travelling historians. Great fun. She had me from the introduction when she asked physicists and historians not to throw rocks at her as she made everything up.
July 15, 2017
An unforgettable romp through time and places, from the Jurassic-era dinosaurs all the way to WW1. It is brimming with good humour and edge-of-your-seat intrigue. Loved it!
October 2, 2018
Excellent series will read again!
February 5, 2019
Entertaining and informative book. Time travelling historians. Awesome. Laughed out loud in many places.
June 3, 2019
Laughter filled with a few tears makes The Chronicles worth reading. Love Jodi Taylor's books.
December 24, 2021
This is now one of my all time favourite books
January 9, 2024
I enjoyed! Had two plot points near the end that I found a little lame, also took a long time to develop. Don’t think I’ll keep reading in the series
March 21, 2020
What’s not to love? If you want to fall in love with characters, if you love drama and adventure, if you want to be enthralled by retellings of history (fiery and ballsy retellings that’ll make you want to learn more) and you just need a swashbuckling, time-travelling, feast of the imagination with heart that’ll make you weep and humanity that will make you squirm one moment and laugh till you cry the next, she’s the author for you! Can’t get enough of these books, thank goodness there’s more!
March 6, 2020
Brilliant
I loved this omnibus, I read it in one big splurge. It has romance, humour, excitement and tragedy. The descriptions of the fall of Troy will linger with me for a long time. Brilliantly written, I will definitely read more of Max's escapades. Well done Jodi, Thanks for writing👍
I loved this omnibus, I read it in one big splurge. It has romance, humour, excitement and tragedy. The descriptions of the fall of Troy will linger with me for a long time. Brilliantly written, I will definitely read more of Max's escapades. Well done Jodi, Thanks for writing👍
August 2, 2023
I devoured these books on a long, long set of flights from New Zealand to England.
The series deserves five stars, apart from the very explicit sex scene in book one, which left a sour taste. Completely unnecessary, and the reason I've dropped a star.
I will happily read the rest of this imaginative series. I love the intertwining of historical characters and events.
The series deserves five stars, apart from the very explicit sex scene in book one, which left a sour taste. Completely unnecessary, and the reason I've dropped a star.
I will happily read the rest of this imaginative series. I love the intertwining of historical characters and events.
May 2, 2015
Very Interesting
I was kinda worried about reading this set of books. But as I went along I discovered them to be really great. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series. I loved the time travel and the history. Great read.
I was kinda worried about reading this set of books. But as I went along I discovered them to be really great. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series. I loved the time travel and the history. Great read.
March 27, 2015
A great, rollicking read!
What a fun story. I was sucked in immediately and became way too emotionally invested in these characters. Now I have to go find the next story. What happens next?!
What a fun story. I was sucked in immediately and became way too emotionally invested in these characters. Now I have to go find the next story. What happens next?!
May 24, 2015
Adventure and history
I was a little iffy at first but the title grabbed me and I was off and reading. Great characters, history lessons and enough blow things up for everyone.Really enjoyed this one.
I was a little iffy at first but the title grabbed me and I was off and reading. Great characters, history lessons and enough blow things up for everyone.Really enjoyed this one.
February 17, 2021
It's a time travel series of a different sort, some... no, a lot of tongue in cheek, but in all seriousness.
There's as much accuracy as possible, considering the subject in most of the stories is unresolved circumstances.
British humor, murders, mysteries, fantasy, time travel and more!
There's as much accuracy as possible, considering the subject in most of the stories is unresolved circumstances.
British humor, murders, mysteries, fantasy, time travel and more!
April 18, 2021
St Mary's Boxset
All three books are very exciting to read and are worthy of read again like going to see a film again . Loved them all, I think I am now addicted to The Chronicles of St Mary's.
All three books are very exciting to read and are worthy of read again like going to see a film again . Loved them all, I think I am now addicted to The Chronicles of St Mary's.
November 5, 2015
The Chronicles of St Mary's Bxet Vol1
This was a great books but you'll have to love your history. I enjoy it and hope you will too
This was a great books but you'll have to love your history. I enjoy it and hope you will too
October 13, 2015
Adored book one. Book two; not as much. Book three; heartbreaking.
March 6, 2020
Such a fun read. Thoroughly enjoyed it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews