What do you think?
Rate this book
The Chronicles of St Mary's #11.5
The Ordeal of the Haunted Room
A Christmas ghost story - Chronicles of St Mary's style! For fans of Doctor Who and Jasper Fforde...and A Christmas Carol.
Where better for the annual festive jump than the chance to experience a real Victorian Christmas?
On the longest night of 1895, a terrible storm rages above Harewood Hall. Max, Markham and an injured Peterson are welcomed in by the Harewood family, but quickly realise that the gathering is far from celebratory. For tonight marks the Ordeal of the Haunted Room.
Every Harewood heir must endure one terrifying night alone in the Haunted Room before he can inherit the family seat. Legend says that ghosts will murder anyone who isn't the true heir.
Francis Harewood's ordeal will begin at midnight and end at dawn, but it isn't long before everything goes horribly wrong. . .
RUNNING TIME => 2hrs. and 35mins.
©2020 Jodi Taylor (P)2020 Headline Publishing Group Ltd
Where better for the annual festive jump than the chance to experience a real Victorian Christmas?
On the longest night of 1895, a terrible storm rages above Harewood Hall. Max, Markham and an injured Peterson are welcomed in by the Harewood family, but quickly realise that the gathering is far from celebratory. For tonight marks the Ordeal of the Haunted Room.
Every Harewood heir must endure one terrifying night alone in the Haunted Room before he can inherit the family seat. Legend says that ghosts will murder anyone who isn't the true heir.
Francis Harewood's ordeal will begin at midnight and end at dawn, but it isn't long before everything goes horribly wrong. . .
RUNNING TIME => 2hrs. and 35mins.
©2020 Jodi Taylor (P)2020 Headline Publishing Group Ltd
Audible Audio
First published December 25, 2020
588 people are currently reading
1476 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Taylor
84 books5,414 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 237 reviews
December 25, 2020
You won't understand a word of what I'm saying if I explain why I loved reading this jolly little murder mystery. Here's what the cognoscenti should know: While you're wondering what the heck this was all about...why was this a jump? who wanted this data? what's going on at St Mary's?...Jodi's weaving her web under your dribbling chin. Max's use of, um, an unexpected name and identity alone could keep me giggling for hours.
And in the end a secret is revealed that amplifies the impact of a very, very important scene from St Mary's timeline's past. One that makes me mist up every time I think about it. You'll know when you get there.
And in the end a secret is revealed that amplifies the impact of a very, very important scene from St Mary's timeline's past. One that makes me mist up every time I think about it. You'll know when you get there.
December 25, 2020
Murder, ghosts and St. Mary's. It wouldn't be Christmas without Max, Markham and Peterson on a jump and this time we get a little mystery to solve too. It's atmospheric, slightly hysterical and always entertaining.
As usual we're introduced to a group of facinating historical contemporaries as Max tries (and fails) to remain inconspicuous as she tries to solve the ordeal of the haunted room. It's a room that the heir of a Victorian estate must stay in for one night in order to take control of the estates finances. But there's something a bit off about the room, which isn't helped by the fact that a previous owner died under there mysterious circumstances. Arriving by chance, or perhaps gently guided here by History, Max must use all her usual wit and wisdom to solve what's going on.
Excellent festive cheer from the St Mary's crew, that has firmly become a yearly Christmas tradition.
As usual we're introduced to a group of facinating historical contemporaries as Max tries (and fails) to remain inconspicuous as she tries to solve the ordeal of the haunted room. It's a room that the heir of a Victorian estate must stay in for one night in order to take control of the estates finances. But there's something a bit off about the room, which isn't helped by the fact that a previous owner died under there mysterious circumstances. Arriving by chance, or perhaps gently guided here by History, Max must use all her usual wit and wisdom to solve what's going on.
Excellent festive cheer from the St Mary's crew, that has firmly become a yearly Christmas tradition.
January 1, 2021
I loved it. I love them all, actually; this is my favorite series and I hope it goes on forever. Wonderful characters, action, history AND laugh-out-loud humor, what's not to love?
December 31, 2020
Lite on the time travel, except for the blindingly obvious, light on the humor, which still manages to be perfectly normal, this Xmas St. Mary's short story DOES happen to be heavy on the Cozy Mystery. Victorian Cozy, even!
The light-hearted touch has all the tones of Marple with a great psych-out, but I think it was the gothic atmosphere that stole the day.
It was definitely a change from the normal Xmas story, but not unpleasant.
The light-hearted touch has all the tones of Marple with a great psych-out, but I think it was the gothic atmosphere that stole the day.
It was definitely a change from the normal Xmas story, but not unpleasant.
January 28, 2021
Quite the entertaining short story. Not that I'm surprised at all... it's St. Mary's!
April 28, 2021
A very British Sherlockian locked room mystery in Victorian England where Max, Peterson and Markham come to the rescue. As usual, Markham does the dirty work.
A short story.
A short story.
December 30, 2020
Another delicious Christmas tradition: the annual short story with our beloved disaster magnets.
This time, Max, Markham and Peterson end up in a Jacobian/Victorian house during what was supposed to be a normal assignment in 1895 (the typo in the ebook was entertainingly confusing until the year was mentioned shortly later *lol*). Not too bad a way to spend Christmas, eh? The only problem? There are ghosts afoot.
Can we just take a moment to appreciate that the introduction of the different characters is always hilarious? :D
Naturally, the story was short but fun - as I had hoped and come to expect. Though it was less funny than others; it had a more serious tone (maybe because of the subject matter). Still, a wonderful mixture of A Christmas Carol and Scooby-Do with a little timey-wimey stuff thrown in, of course.
Most importantly, though, it's about the reveal at the very end. The author has been very cleverly holding back throughout the story (I was wondering why a Victorian Christmas would justify a jump) and then ... delicious! A bit like the post-credit scenes Marvel used. :D
This time, Max, Markham and Peterson end up in a Jacobian/Victorian house during what was supposed to be a normal assignment in 1895 (the typo in the ebook was entertainingly confusing until the year was mentioned shortly later *lol*). Not too bad a way to spend Christmas, eh? The only problem? There are ghosts afoot.
Can we just take a moment to appreciate that the introduction of the different characters is always hilarious? :D
Naturally, the story was short but fun - as I had hoped and come to expect. Though it was less funny than others; it had a more serious tone (maybe because of the subject matter). Still, a wonderful mixture of A Christmas Carol and Scooby-Do with a little timey-wimey stuff thrown in, of course.
Most importantly, though, it's about the reveal at the very end. The author has been very cleverly holding back throughout the story (I was wondering why a Victorian Christmas would justify a jump) and then ... delicious! A bit like the post-credit scenes Marvel used. :D
January 7, 2024
The Traditional (illegal) Christmas Jump brings Max, Peterson and Markham to a manor house where a sinister ritual takes place.
The "Time Travelling Three"(c) help to investigate the locked room mystery.
The "Time Travelling Three"(c) help to investigate the locked room mystery.
December 27, 2021
Sometimes you think you are travelling to observe history and sometimes you end up in the middle of it.
Max, Peterson and Markham were just supposed to catalog a standard Victorian Christmas. But then there was this haunted room you see and someone died there last year and the mystery was just too delicious to not be a part of and were they really supposed to let the would be murderer get away with it?
A quick story going back in time where Max seems to get into just enough trouble on Christmas Eve. Like you would expect of her.
Max, Peterson and Markham were just supposed to catalog a standard Victorian Christmas. But then there was this haunted room you see and someone died there last year and the mystery was just too delicious to not be a part of and were they really supposed to let the would be murderer get away with it?
A quick story going back in time where Max seems to get into just enough trouble on Christmas Eve. Like you would expect of her.
May 10, 2021
“‘Goodness gracious,’ she said, and I made a mental note to dial back my normal bad language before it got me into trouble.”
Nancy Drew meets Connie Willis. Amusing first person narrative of time travelers who are only the to observe and record historical events, but never do. This time they’re armpit deep in a recurring murder mystery set in Victorian England at Christmastide.
‘We belong to the Institute of Historical Research at St Mary’s Priory, where we investigate major historical events in contemporary time. Do not call it time-travel.’
[Spoiler!] Quibble: the means of introducing the poison is not credible. A few glass vials of carbon monoxide released at the back of a flaming fireplace would be drawn up the chimney and not remain in the room in sufficient quantity to kill.
‘Again—with this sort of impact on the timeline—how are any of you still alive?’ ‘It’s gets worse, sir.’
Nancy Drew meets Connie Willis. Amusing first person narrative of time travelers who are only the to observe and record historical events, but never do. This time they’re armpit deep in a recurring murder mystery set in Victorian England at Christmastide.
‘We belong to the Institute of Historical Research at St Mary’s Priory, where we investigate major historical events in contemporary time. Do not call it time-travel.’
[Spoiler!] Quibble: the means of introducing the poison is not credible. A few glass vials of carbon monoxide released at the back of a flaming fireplace would be drawn up the chimney and not remain in the room in sufficient quantity to kill.
‘Again—with this sort of impact on the timeline—how are any of you still alive?’ ‘It’s gets worse, sir.’
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2021
Enjoyable and timely (couldn't resist). Time travel wrapped around Christmas, wrapped around the Victorian era, rolled up into a ghost story. I dare you to resist.
This was one of the 'tweener tales, shorties that serve as bridges between larger tomes. And delightfully can be absolutely random in nature and substance, filling in gaps a reader wanders off on while wondering about details that absolutely don't matter. But really they do.
If you've stayed with me this far, you get it. If not, I lost you at Sentence #3. Off with you, me lad, and be lively!
This was one of the 'tweener tales, shorties that serve as bridges between larger tomes. And delightfully can be absolutely random in nature and substance, filling in gaps a reader wanders off on while wondering about details that absolutely don't matter. But really they do.
If you've stayed with me this far, you get it. If not, I lost you at Sentence #3. Off with you, me lad, and be lively!
May 1, 2021
A quick St Mary's short story. This is the most recent story released on Christmas Day. I needed something short to read before May 1 and it did the trick.
Max, Peterson, and Markham regale us with their usual antics in Victorian England after as per usual, Peterson hurts himself and they stumble upon a supposed haunted room...dum...dum...dum. Luckily they are able to stick around to find out exactly what happens and to skirt the edges of meddling in history one more time.
Always entertaining and a good segue for the next novel which I hope to read in May.
Max, Peterson, and Markham regale us with their usual antics in Victorian England after as per usual, Peterson hurts himself and they stumble upon a supposed haunted room...dum...dum...dum. Luckily they are able to stick around to find out exactly what happens and to skirt the edges of meddling in history one more time.
Always entertaining and a good segue for the next novel which I hope to read in May.
June 4, 2022
I loved this, as usual, St Mary's is full of mayhem and mischief.
October 29, 2024
Another great short story by Jodi Taylor. Read it. Need I say more?!
January 2, 2021
I always look forward to Christmas, not least for the next short story from St Mary's. This latest one was worth the wait.
A sealed room mystery with a haunting (dum...dum...dum) to boot.
Our intrepid trio are off on another unsanctioned Christmas jump, this time to observe a typical Christmas of times gone by.
As highly recommended as always, a must read.
A sealed room mystery with a haunting (dum...dum...dum) to boot.
Our intrepid trio are off on another unsanctioned Christmas jump, this time to observe a typical Christmas of times gone by.
As highly recommended as always, a must read.
December 30, 2023
A short Christmas murder mystery, St Mary’s style. Somewhat predictable outcome. The final reveal went over my head.
November 2, 2025
Another dependably amusing tale of the crazy folks at St. Mary's.
December 5, 2021
This is a wacky time-travel short story. I listened to the audiobook version. I found it hilarious.
A group of scholars are sent back in time to experience a Victorian Christmas, but one of the party is injured. They seek shelter at a nearby mansion and what was suppose to be a Christmas experience turns into a haunted house murder mystery with a murder probably happening really, really soon. In the midst of Victorian chauvinism and the snide remarks of the women, eventually the mystery is solved.
Any modesty issues? One joke was rather crude, but it might slip past most people. Or maybe not. Generally speaking the subject matter and the jokes can be crude, including sexual jokes. They aren't horrible, but not exactly appropriate for dinner conversation with your parents.
Note: If you haven't read any of this series before, you might still enjoy it knowing that it is a time travel story about bumbling scholars, but try to read the first novel in the series for background: "Just One Damned Thing After Another".
I really liked the story. I'll probably read/listen to it again.
If you like British time traveling historians in a more serious setting try reading "Doomsday Book" by Connie Willis and/or "Blackout" and "All Clear" by the same author. The pair of books should be read as one.
A group of scholars are sent back in time to experience a Victorian Christmas, but one of the party is injured. They seek shelter at a nearby mansion and what was suppose to be a Christmas experience turns into a haunted house murder mystery with a murder probably happening really, really soon. In the midst of Victorian chauvinism and the snide remarks of the women, eventually the mystery is solved.
Any modesty issues? One joke was rather crude, but it might slip past most people. Or maybe not. Generally speaking the subject matter and the jokes can be crude, including sexual jokes. They aren't horrible, but not exactly appropriate for dinner conversation with your parents.
Note: If you haven't read any of this series before, you might still enjoy it knowing that it is a time travel story about bumbling scholars, but try to read the first novel in the series for background: "Just One Damned Thing After Another".
I really liked the story. I'll probably read/listen to it again.
If you like British time traveling historians in a more serious setting try reading "Doomsday Book" by Connie Willis and/or "Blackout" and "All Clear" by the same author. The pair of books should be read as one.
January 1, 2021
I loved this novella. Characters, writing, humor? Everything worked perfectly.
What set it apart for me was on the last page, it references another novella in this series, specifically my favorite moment from the entire series.
Now, the Chronicles of St. Mary’s is eleven novels thick, with a lot of novellas to fill in the odd gaps, to say nothing of the spinoff. There’s a lot to remember, there’s no Wikipedia to assist, so absent going to a fan group and begging them to remind me who ABC is or in what book XYZ happened, I have to rely on memory. There are times I am grateful when she does the “previously on St. Mary’s” thing or has Max put in a bit of useful exposition.
She doesn’t do that here. She references my favorite, most understated moment of the series, and draws the novella to a close.
If this were any other moment in the entire series, I would have been all “What is she talking about? When did that happen? What kind of ending is that?”
But I remembered. And I loved it. It was perfect. No exposition. No previously on St. Mary’s.
I got it. Perfectly.
I’m the biggest hypocrite in the world as well. Five stars.
What set it apart for me was on the last page, it references another novella in this series, specifically my favorite moment from the entire series.
Now, the Chronicles of St. Mary’s is eleven novels thick, with a lot of novellas to fill in the odd gaps, to say nothing of the spinoff. There’s a lot to remember, there’s no Wikipedia to assist, so absent going to a fan group and begging them to remind me who ABC is or in what book XYZ happened, I have to rely on memory. There are times I am grateful when she does the “previously on St. Mary’s” thing or has Max put in a bit of useful exposition.
She doesn’t do that here. She references my favorite, most understated moment of the series, and draws the novella to a close.
If this were any other moment in the entire series, I would have been all “What is she talking about? When did that happen? What kind of ending is that?”
But I remembered. And I loved it. It was perfect. No exposition. No previously on St. Mary’s.
I got it. Perfectly.
I’m the biggest hypocrite in the world as well. Five stars.
December 28, 2020
A great addition to the brilliant St Mary's series. Drawing on the Victorian gothic novel and the locked room detective story, this year's Christmas extravaganza features the time travelling disaster magnets of St Mary's Priory in a spooky 19th C murder mystery. Max, Peterson and Markham find themselves stranded at an olf country estate on the night of the winter solstice where an odd family tradition is about to take place. As always I recommend this entire series.
January 11, 2021
I'm a giant fan of the Chronicles of St. Mary's. This was a fun diversion, not really about historical time travel, more a traditional mystery story. You don't need to know anything about the characters (Max, Peterson and Markham) to enjoy it. But I prefer the books, since they take me to places in history while hijinks ensue.
December 25, 2020
Classic Jodi!
Fantastic as always. Waiting for the new Christmas story to arrive on my Kindle at midnight, then staying awake to read it is definitely one of my favourite Christmas traditions!
Fantastic as always. Waiting for the new Christmas story to arrive on my Kindle at midnight, then staying awake to read it is definitely one of my favourite Christmas traditions!
December 25, 2020
Victorian murder mystery
With a twist. Great short story with some of your favourite characters, looking forward to the next book from st Mary's 😍
With a twist. Great short story with some of your favourite characters, looking forward to the next book from st Mary's 😍
December 25, 2020
Enjoyed listening to the St Mary's Christmas tradition short story, delivered overnight by Santa 🎅 (Audible) and narrated by Zara Ramm.
December 31, 2020
Always great to get back to St Mary's for the holiday book. Another great/ enjoyable one and super quick to read. Good story, as always!
January 4, 2021
Mr Markham tries his hand at solving a Victorian murder
March 7, 2021
Love the way Jodie writes. Lots of snickers as I read - and I'm not talking about the chocolate bar. :)
May 3, 2021
A fun little romp in an old Victorian 'Haunted' house with our usual suspects. Great pastime!
March 18, 2023
Really fun short story from the St. Mary’s time travelers!
January 8, 2026
Review upcoming
Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews