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The Time Police #3
Saving Time
From the bestselling author of THE CHRONICLES OF ST MARY'S.
Life is good for Team Weird, now heroes and fully fledged Time Police officers. Luke can't wait to bear arms. Jane has a date. And Matthew still hasn't had his hair cut.
But Time waits for no one and neither do criminal masterminds. A major threat to the Timeline is looming, one far deadlier than mere idiots who want to change history. And when a familiar face becomes a Very Important Lead, will conflicting family loyalties spell trouble for Team Weird?
One missing. One guilt-ridden. And one facing the end of their Time Police career before it's even begun. Not so good then, after all.
FOR FANS OF DOCTOR WHO, THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB AND JASPER FFORDE.
Readers love the Time
'This got five stars only because I couldn't give it six!'
'I don't think I've ever laughed out loud so much reading a book'
'I am always gutted when I finish a Jodi Taylor book as I know I will have to wait for the next one'
'Joyous, breakneck-speed adventures'
'Lots more in this series please'
'This book is BRILLIANT'
'Brilliantly conceived and flawlessly written'
Life is good for Team Weird, now heroes and fully fledged Time Police officers. Luke can't wait to bear arms. Jane has a date. And Matthew still hasn't had his hair cut.
But Time waits for no one and neither do criminal masterminds. A major threat to the Timeline is looming, one far deadlier than mere idiots who want to change history. And when a familiar face becomes a Very Important Lead, will conflicting family loyalties spell trouble for Team Weird?
One missing. One guilt-ridden. And one facing the end of their Time Police career before it's even begun. Not so good then, after all.
FOR FANS OF DOCTOR WHO, THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB AND JASPER FFORDE.
Readers love the Time
'This got five stars only because I couldn't give it six!'
'I don't think I've ever laughed out loud so much reading a book'
'I am always gutted when I finish a Jodi Taylor book as I know I will have to wait for the next one'
'Joyous, breakneck-speed adventures'
'Lots more in this series please'
'This book is BRILLIANT'
'Brilliantly conceived and flawlessly written'
512 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2023
249 people are currently reading
1584 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Taylor
88 books5,357 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 406 reviews
October 22, 2021
It’s a relief to be able to write that the worst thing about Saving Time is that it ended. There’s so much drivel out there, thank you Kindle Unlimited, that reading a good book with a plot, minimal stupid characters and grammar can be rare.
This will not be a plot driven review as SPOILERS!!!!!! Plus if you haven’t read the others, and shame on you if you haven’t, it will mean nothing.
Astonishingly enough romance is in the air for more than one character in the third book in the Time Police series, but it's subtle and my lips are sealed although I will say JT writes the best first date ever. Jodi Taylor’s other rabid fans may hunt me down, but the Time Police series may supersede the St. Mary’s series as it incorporates characters from both, and Taylor does an excellent job weaving them together. Luke, Jane and Mathew definitely grow even more as characters.
The J.K. Rowling effect (e.g. the patience to introduce Scabbers only to unveil him as Peter Pettigrew two books later) is apparent here as threads planted in the other books are revealed. For an author in today’s instant gratification era to plot out character and story elements in one book and have the faith in her readers to slowly unveil them one or two books later is rare. It happens here, but beware the book ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger.
I CAN’T WAIT!!!!!!!!!
This will not be a plot driven review as SPOILERS!!!!!! Plus if you haven’t read the others, and shame on you if you haven’t, it will mean nothing.
Astonishingly enough romance is in the air for more than one character in the third book in the Time Police series, but it's subtle and my lips are sealed although I will say JT writes the best first date ever. Jodi Taylor’s other rabid fans may hunt me down, but the Time Police series may supersede the St. Mary’s series as it incorporates characters from both, and Taylor does an excellent job weaving them together. Luke, Jane and Mathew definitely grow even more as characters.
The J.K. Rowling effect (e.g. the patience to introduce Scabbers only to unveil him as Peter Pettigrew two books later) is apparent here as threads planted in the other books are revealed. For an author in today’s instant gratification era to plot out character and story elements in one book and have the faith in her readers to slowly unveil them one or two books later is rare. It happens here, but beware the book ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger.
I CAN’T WAIT!!!!!!!!!
December 3, 2021
What a fantastic and fast-paced adventure!
In the 3rd installment, we follow Jane, Luke and Matthew as they have become full-fledged officers of the TimePolice. But they soon have to split up and - like in any good horror movie - that doesn't go so well.
From Luke's suspicion that his ver yown father is "Mr. P" who is trying to break time itself to Jane being treated horribly by her own colleagues (albeit from a totally different team). Oh, and let's not forget Matthew who might or might not die in this one. Along with a family member of his.
Yep, the death toll is rising once again.
But in between we get hilarious date nights, a little visit to St. Mary's, a truly underestimated and quite intelligent baddie as well as interesting background info as to the why of the events since book 1.
The adventure was truly nice, but once again, the author shines most in the moments when it's about the interpersonal stuff. Great friendships, blossoming love (or not?), a nice helping of come-uppance, awesome chases and even a little sprinkle of actual history! And a few moments that were so gripping, emotionally, that I might have had to fight back tears.
Definitely a fluffy, feel-good series but what's wrong with that?!
In the 3rd installment, we follow Jane, Luke and Matthew as they have become full-fledged officers of the TimePolice. But they soon have to split up and - like in any good horror movie - that doesn't go so well.
From Luke's suspicion that his ver yown father is "Mr. P" who is trying to break time itself to Jane being treated horribly by her own colleagues (albeit from a totally different team). Oh, and let's not forget Matthew who might or might not die in this one. Along with a family member of his.
Yep, the death toll is rising once again.
But in between we get hilarious date nights, a little visit to St. Mary's, a truly underestimated and quite intelligent baddie as well as interesting background info as to the why of the events since book 1.
The adventure was truly nice, but once again, the author shines most in the moments when it's about the interpersonal stuff. Great friendships, blossoming love (or not?), a nice helping of come-uppance, awesome chases and even a little sprinkle of actual history! And a few moments that were so gripping, emotionally, that I might have had to fight back tears.
Definitely a fluffy, feel-good series but what's wrong with that?!
Read
November 22, 2021Another highly entertaining instalment in Team Weird's adventures. Good fun with a kind heart. The plot is perhaps a bit baggy, but it's as ever a joyful escape from the world.
October 16, 2021
As always Firetrucking Brilliant. 🚒
December 3, 2021
I think it's safe to say that these and the St. Mary's books (all interwoven) will continue to be my go-to feel-good comedy/SF adventure books for years more to come. There's no sign of anything slowing down. When some characters get older, fantastic new ones always come to fill in all the very best gaps.
Team weird, no longer probationary, are free to get into the wildest trouble in the timestreams as they take down the baddie time-travelers, corporate greedsters, con men, and terrorists. Of course, sometimes the worst enemy is their own department. Or themselves.
This is firmly the kind of book that is the definition of, "oh, god, you just had to BE there to believe this..."
Fortunately, as readers, we're RIGHT in the thick of it. :)
Still fantastic.
Team weird, no longer probationary, are free to get into the wildest trouble in the timestreams as they take down the baddie time-travelers, corporate greedsters, con men, and terrorists. Of course, sometimes the worst enemy is their own department. Or themselves.
This is firmly the kind of book that is the definition of, "oh, god, you just had to BE there to believe this..."
Fortunately, as readers, we're RIGHT in the thick of it. :)
Still fantastic.
November 3, 2021
4 Stars
Dare I say it? I prefer Team Weird to the St. Mary's bunch. All three books in the Time Police series have been hilarious and wildly entertaining. Please Ms. Taylor, may I have some more?
Dare I say it? I prefer Team Weird to the St. Mary's bunch. All three books in the Time Police series have been hilarious and wildly entertaining. Please Ms. Taylor, may I have some more?
October 10, 2021
As ever, I've thoroughly enjoyed this book and the only disappointment is that I now have to wait again for the next one.
November 3, 2021
This is another excellent instalment and I loved seeing the blend of St Mary’s and The Time Police in this one. There’s a lot I could talk about but I don’t want to spoil this series as we’re so far into it (St Mary’s comes first and has over 10books already and is ongoing, then TP) but suffice to say I’m not bored yet and there’s always something super fun to enjoy in each book.
The highlight of this story for me was the date. Jane and someone (won’t say who so as not to spoil) go on a first date and it was honestly some of the best writing. I just loved how very ‘Jane’ it all was and how the scene worked so well and had so many tender and laugh out loud moments. I think it’s fun to see a bit of romance sparking too!
I also have to say I think Taylor does a great job of showing her craft off here as she sets up things a few books back which come to fruition here. It’s lovely to follow the series and discover characters returning, crossing over and affecting things for all the rest of them later on. Cause and effect and mysterious Mr P is a big part of the time police dilemma of the moment.
Jane, Matthew and Luke are still great characters and I enjoyed finding out more of their stories and lives and personalities. I feel like they just keep getting more and more fleshed out and it’s super fun to enjoy. 4.5*s from me :)
The highlight of this story for me was the date. Jane and someone (won’t say who so as not to spoil) go on a first date and it was honestly some of the best writing. I just loved how very ‘Jane’ it all was and how the scene worked so well and had so many tender and laugh out loud moments. I think it’s fun to see a bit of romance sparking too!
I also have to say I think Taylor does a great job of showing her craft off here as she sets up things a few books back which come to fruition here. It’s lovely to follow the series and discover characters returning, crossing over and affecting things for all the rest of them later on. Cause and effect and mysterious Mr P is a big part of the time police dilemma of the moment.
Jane, Matthew and Luke are still great characters and I enjoyed finding out more of their stories and lives and personalities. I feel like they just keep getting more and more fleshed out and it’s super fun to enjoy. 4.5*s from me :)
March 6, 2023
Pure joyous perfection 🤓🤓🤓❤️👍!!!
December 26, 2021
This might be my favourite Time Police novel so far, and in excellent news, there are plenty more to come. This might actually be the one series I'm able to keep up with as they are published!
Our motley gang of Time Police recruits, the nervy Jane, the nerdy Matthew, and the trigger happy Luke, are back and are out of their probationary period, if only by the skin of their collective teeth. That, in and of itself is a bit scary as setting them lose on the populace is not necessarily the best idea! They are unreliable, prone to accidents and alternately not very brave and down right gung ho!
In this one a criminal mastermind is preparing to tamper with time, and must be stopped. Luke suspects that it is his father and his evil minions who are doing this and sets about setting a trap for him, however of course nothing is so simple. Jane is fumbling around being unsure of herself until she discovers not only that there is a romance waiting in the wings for her, if only she can be brave. It turns out she is unbelievably brave of course and as trouble lurks around every corner she proves her mettle and gets stuck in with large weapons, trap setting for nasty grandmothers and dealing with her past as well as her romance. And lovely Matthew, he is going to be in mortal danger (of course) and put himself in the path of time itself, this will not go well.
In this one we get a lot of popping in from characters in the St Mary's series, which makes me so very happy. I love these books, deeply and abidingly. There is such a lot going on and the twisty turny plot twisty nature of them keeps me entertained and occasionally brings tears to my eyes. Such good stuff.
Our motley gang of Time Police recruits, the nervy Jane, the nerdy Matthew, and the trigger happy Luke, are back and are out of their probationary period, if only by the skin of their collective teeth. That, in and of itself is a bit scary as setting them lose on the populace is not necessarily the best idea! They are unreliable, prone to accidents and alternately not very brave and down right gung ho!
In this one a criminal mastermind is preparing to tamper with time, and must be stopped. Luke suspects that it is his father and his evil minions who are doing this and sets about setting a trap for him, however of course nothing is so simple. Jane is fumbling around being unsure of herself until she discovers not only that there is a romance waiting in the wings for her, if only she can be brave. It turns out she is unbelievably brave of course and as trouble lurks around every corner she proves her mettle and gets stuck in with large weapons, trap setting for nasty grandmothers and dealing with her past as well as her romance. And lovely Matthew, he is going to be in mortal danger (of course) and put himself in the path of time itself, this will not go well.
In this one we get a lot of popping in from characters in the St Mary's series, which makes me so very happy. I love these books, deeply and abidingly. There is such a lot going on and the twisty turny plot twisty nature of them keeps me entertained and occasionally brings tears to my eyes. Such good stuff.
March 24, 2025
Things I love about this series:
It's very well written
It's fast paced
There's lots of likeable characters
The use of historical events is very clever
Clive Ronan rarely shows his face
Things I don't like:
The endless procrastination by all characters - 20 minutes of "what if" is enough to drive anyone insane
The Time Police's so-called change of direction but they still want to shoot everything or blow everything up - it's really boring
The ever present danger that one main character will "die" during the book - it's always erroneous and is becoming repetitive
In this episode the mysterious Mr P is discovered, various members of the TP die (or not), The Time Police say rude things about historians, St Mary's say rude things about the TP and at least one major historical event is explained very cleverly. Oh and Jane has a very eventful time - good for her!
It's very well written
It's fast paced
There's lots of likeable characters
The use of historical events is very clever
Clive Ronan rarely shows his face
Things I don't like:
The endless procrastination by all characters - 20 minutes of "what if" is enough to drive anyone insane
The Time Police's so-called change of direction but they still want to shoot everything or blow everything up - it's really boring
The ever present danger that one main character will "die" during the book - it's always erroneous and is becoming repetitive
In this episode the mysterious Mr P is discovered, various members of the TP die (or not), The Time Police say rude things about historians, St Mary's say rude things about the TP and at least one major historical event is explained very cleverly. Oh and Jane has a very eventful time - good for her!
November 8, 2021
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Saving Time is the third book in The Time Police , the spin off series to The Chronicles of St Mary’s. It follows Max and Leo’s son Matthew and a few other characters, one of whom might be a tad schizophrenic and the other is a recovering playboy. While you don’t need to have read the Chronicles of St. Mary’s ( although you should as it is absolutely hilarious) I think it will add to the enjoyment of this series all the more if you have that background to the world. Also, St. Mary’s characters inevitably make a few appearances in the series, so it is fun to know their previous stories.
Matthew, Jane and Luke have graduated by the skin of their teeth and are a real unit now. It is time to get out there and protect time and there is a lot of time to protect. When the crew go in to check on a minor offender, they find a neighborhood completely destroyed and the suspect dead. This leads off onto a merry chase and they will have to discover who is trying to cover their tracks by blowing up an entire neighborhood and what the end game goal is. There could be some huge ripples through the time line if they don’t succeed so no pressure.
Matthew has blossomed in his role as a time cop and it is so good to see how much he has grown over the years. The best part of this book though, were the few new blossoms of some potential romances. One was particularly unexpected but I enjoyed it none-the-less. Luke is getting a bit used to his role as team leader and is less of a playboy these days but that could just be because he has made it through all of the female Time Cop staff and has limited options anymore. Jane, still hears her tougher and wimpier self in her head and might suffer from some minor schizophrenia but not enough to hamper her ability to get the job done and honestly, they are funny. Together they make up a great team who all bring something different to the table. So go Team Weird; you are doing great.
Jodi Taylor has a great sense of humor and character dialogue is really why I read these books. It is witty, quick and smart and really makes me smile. Someone is usually kidnapped or presumed dead or lost in time for a while but that is just the fun of the story really. I usually don’t enjoy time travel books due to the paradoxes and such but this series seems to have figures out some interesting ways around that so it is not a concern for me.
Overall, both the Chronicles of St. Mary’s and the Time Police are a fantastic jump through time and "see a little history" along the way stories.
Narration:
Zara Ramm has done all the books set in the world and she is fantastic at the narration. Her delivery of the dialogue really adds to the humor of all the books and I think she makes the books even better than if I’d just read it. She really has a great grasp of the authors intent and gives the reader a great delivery of the story. I was able to listen to this book at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:
https://soundcloud.com/headline-books...
Saving Time is the third book in The Time Police , the spin off series to The Chronicles of St Mary’s. It follows Max and Leo’s son Matthew and a few other characters, one of whom might be a tad schizophrenic and the other is a recovering playboy. While you don’t need to have read the Chronicles of St. Mary’s ( although you should as it is absolutely hilarious) I think it will add to the enjoyment of this series all the more if you have that background to the world. Also, St. Mary’s characters inevitably make a few appearances in the series, so it is fun to know their previous stories.
Matthew, Jane and Luke have graduated by the skin of their teeth and are a real unit now. It is time to get out there and protect time and there is a lot of time to protect. When the crew go in to check on a minor offender, they find a neighborhood completely destroyed and the suspect dead. This leads off onto a merry chase and they will have to discover who is trying to cover their tracks by blowing up an entire neighborhood and what the end game goal is. There could be some huge ripples through the time line if they don’t succeed so no pressure.
Matthew has blossomed in his role as a time cop and it is so good to see how much he has grown over the years. The best part of this book though, were the few new blossoms of some potential romances. One was particularly unexpected but I enjoyed it none-the-less. Luke is getting a bit used to his role as team leader and is less of a playboy these days but that could just be because he has made it through all of the female Time Cop staff and has limited options anymore. Jane, still hears her tougher and wimpier self in her head and might suffer from some minor schizophrenia but not enough to hamper her ability to get the job done and honestly, they are funny. Together they make up a great team who all bring something different to the table. So go Team Weird; you are doing great.
Jodi Taylor has a great sense of humor and character dialogue is really why I read these books. It is witty, quick and smart and really makes me smile. Someone is usually kidnapped or presumed dead or lost in time for a while but that is just the fun of the story really. I usually don’t enjoy time travel books due to the paradoxes and such but this series seems to have figures out some interesting ways around that so it is not a concern for me.
Overall, both the Chronicles of St. Mary’s and the Time Police are a fantastic jump through time and "see a little history" along the way stories.
Narration:
Zara Ramm has done all the books set in the world and she is fantastic at the narration. Her delivery of the dialogue really adds to the humor of all the books and I think she makes the books even better than if I’d just read it. She really has a great grasp of the authors intent and gives the reader a great delivery of the story. I was able to listen to this book at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:
https://soundcloud.com/headline-books...
October 18, 2021
After the ever-growing collection of St. Mary’s tales (11 novels, 14 short stories and counting,) and two previous Time Police novels, one could be forgiven for assuming Jodi Taylor might be inclined to “phone one in” every now and then. Keeping it as exciting, interesting, and educational as usual to be sure, but if ever there was a time that she might be excused for getting away with a more sedate, less twisty-turny story than her normal runaway pod at breakneck pace, this could be that one.
Nothing could be further from the case.
Saving Time might be the most thrilling, head-scratching, edge of the seat story she’s written so far. Never (and I mean NEVER) a dull moment, with no letting up even slightly on the gas pedal, this one had me alternately holding my breath and gasping in shock/delight/fear/worry throughout its happily hefty length.
If you like time travel stories even a little you really should read all of her novels and short stories, but if you’re just starting out, you could do worse than reading the three Time Police books first, then going back through the wonderful backlog. (Though I’m very glad I started with the very first St. Mary’s novel and worked my way forward - and backward - through them all.)
Highly recommended - enjoy the ride.
Nothing could be further from the case.
Saving Time might be the most thrilling, head-scratching, edge of the seat story she’s written so far. Never (and I mean NEVER) a dull moment, with no letting up even slightly on the gas pedal, this one had me alternately holding my breath and gasping in shock/delight/fear/worry throughout its happily hefty length.
If you like time travel stories even a little you really should read all of her novels and short stories, but if you’re just starting out, you could do worse than reading the three Time Police books first, then going back through the wonderful backlog. (Though I’m very glad I started with the very first St. Mary’s novel and worked my way forward - and backward - through them all.)
Highly recommended - enjoy the ride.
July 16, 2025
In decades to come I can imagine people having to google (or what ever the equivalent then will be) why a 2020 event planner was useless! Tangent aside I love that Jodi Taylor manages to pepper her books with little Easter eggs like this, humour and just a lot of hilarity even in the most tense, plot rattling and dramatic of situations.
‘Saving Time’ is the third book in the Time Police series and is, as ever, amazing.
‘Saving Time’ is the third book in the Time Police series and is, as ever, amazing.
March 25, 2022
Now THAT was a good time... for me. Not for the characters, yeesh!
October 20, 2021
On and on,may it never end!!!
As always, Ms. Taylor's charm and story telling skills have produced yet another page turning, wisecracking , original themed, fun to read action novella that just brightens my day upon reading i!!! Yes I will admit to being a devoted fan and Am somewhat biased, yes, but! It's just an entertaining read and worth whatever they're asking for to have a chance to spend some time in a good,nay great book. Thank you again Ms. Taylor, please....MORE!
As always, Ms. Taylor's charm and story telling skills have produced yet another page turning, wisecracking , original themed, fun to read action novella that just brightens my day upon reading i!!! Yes I will admit to being a devoted fan and Am somewhat biased, yes, but! It's just an entertaining read and worth whatever they're asking for to have a chance to spend some time in a good,nay great book. Thank you again Ms. Taylor, please....MORE!
October 29, 2021
I never tire of Jodi Taylor’s witty tales. The Time Police spinoff series of the wonderful Chronicles of St. Mary’s series is another delicious delight of mayhem and hi jinx with a smattering of time travel thrown in for good measure. If you haven’t read the Chronicles of St. Mary’s series yet, do yourself a favour and get stuck in. You won’t regret it.
March 11, 2023
Another fantastic installment in the Time Police/ St Mary's world.
I don't even know where to start with this, the character development was excellent, the adventures were exciting and the snark was strong. Just another day at TPHQ.
I don't even know where to start with this, the character development was excellent, the adventures were exciting and the snark was strong. Just another day at TPHQ.
November 28, 2022
I think 'Saving Time' is the book where the Time Police series comes into its own. In the first book, 'Team Weird', three misfit Time Police trainees who seemed unlikely to survive through to graduation, where the answer to the question 'How do you pull off a spin-off series that makes the Time Police, who are the cultural opposite to the anarchic, curiosity-driven, rule-bending, chaos-causing St Mary's, into heroes - even though they're a black-clad, weapons-wielding, shoot first and don't bother asking questions afterwards, hierarchical, militaristic brutish bunch?'. They're a clever plot device to humanise the Time Police and get to understand what the organisation was trying to do.
In 'Saving Time', Team Weird aren't trainees anymore. They're proper Time Police. Well, except that they're still misfits and trouble magnets and many of the Time Police want nothing to do with them. Team Weird has moved well beyond being a plot device. Over the past two books, they've become well-drawn individuals with complicated back-stories, diverse motivations and an absolute commitment to each other that means that they never back down or buckle under. Each team member is easy to like. Their flaws make them relatable, their strengths make them admirable and their loyalty to each other makes them enviable.
Reading 'Saving Time' was slow, gentle fun spiced with moments of danger and outbreaks of violence that felt real enough to be exciting but not gruesome enough to push the novel into GrimDark territory. A lot of the fun and some of the violence came from watching the Time Police adjust to having Team Weird among them. There is abuse and betrayal. There is an almost cringe-making attempt at dating. There is the pleasure of seeing the people in Team Weird become more confident and more whole.
The plot is more complicated and less episodic than my experience of the St. Mary's books had led me to expect. This series has a strong story arc. The events in 'Saving Time' are closely linked to the first two books and characters that were introduced earlier reappear, often in surprising ways. In terms of the story arc, 'Saving Time' is a bridging book, it opens up as many topics as it resolves but it has a strong sense of forward motion that made me keen to read the fourth book 'About Time', which has just been released.
I recommend the audiobook versions of the Time Police novels. Zara Ramm's narration adds a whole layer of enjoyment, like the cream and jam in a Victoria Sponge cake.
In 'Saving Time', Team Weird aren't trainees anymore. They're proper Time Police. Well, except that they're still misfits and trouble magnets and many of the Time Police want nothing to do with them. Team Weird has moved well beyond being a plot device. Over the past two books, they've become well-drawn individuals with complicated back-stories, diverse motivations and an absolute commitment to each other that means that they never back down or buckle under. Each team member is easy to like. Their flaws make them relatable, their strengths make them admirable and their loyalty to each other makes them enviable.
Reading 'Saving Time' was slow, gentle fun spiced with moments of danger and outbreaks of violence that felt real enough to be exciting but not gruesome enough to push the novel into GrimDark territory. A lot of the fun and some of the violence came from watching the Time Police adjust to having Team Weird among them. There is abuse and betrayal. There is an almost cringe-making attempt at dating. There is the pleasure of seeing the people in Team Weird become more confident and more whole.
The plot is more complicated and less episodic than my experience of the St. Mary's books had led me to expect. This series has a strong story arc. The events in 'Saving Time' are closely linked to the first two books and characters that were introduced earlier reappear, often in surprising ways. In terms of the story arc, 'Saving Time' is a bridging book, it opens up as many topics as it resolves but it has a strong sense of forward motion that made me keen to read the fourth book 'About Time', which has just been released.
I recommend the audiobook versions of the Time Police novels. Zara Ramm's narration adds a whole layer of enjoyment, like the cream and jam in a Victoria Sponge cake.
October 18, 2021
Wow
Where does Jodi come up with these ideas. The character development in this series is great. I am enjoying seeing where they’re going to end up. The plot line is a little tricky in this book but does answer some previous questions. This really was an action packed trip through time. Great , great story.
Where does Jodi come up with these ideas. The character development in this series is great. I am enjoying seeing where they’re going to end up. The plot line is a little tricky in this book but does answer some previous questions. This really was an action packed trip through time. Great , great story.
February 26, 2025
The budding romance in this book had me laughing hard out loud every time it put its head up in this story. Only Jodi Taylor.
One more to go in my great re-reading of these two series. Of course the next installment is pre-ordered.
One more to go in my great re-reading of these two series. Of course the next installment is pre-ordered.
February 1, 2024
So very good!
October 4, 2023
Firetrucking Hell! Lots of love is in the air.
October 14, 2021
Team Weird has passed probation, and are full-fledged officers of the Time Police. All hell breaks loose. As Matthew, Jane & Luke cope with a super-villain, the pending destruction of the Acropolis, the apparent murder of a witness and his family, the nuclear bomb in the heart of 1902 Paris, the kidnapping of Mikey, and the disappearance of Max, everything comes to a temporary resolution at Max's funeral. And did I mention love is in the air?
October 18, 2021
4.5/5 ⭐️
And now I have to wait for the next book. 😭
And now I have to wait for the next book. 😭
October 25, 2021
Excellent. I didn't think the spin off series to St Mary's would be good but it has exceeded all expectations with a whole new set of characters that at only 3 books in are just as zany as the ones at St Mary's (don't let them hear you say that). I don't know how Taylor keeps this series fresh and interesting but they do and it's brilliant. I was gripped - the twist is excellent in this one and the cameos are a lot of fun. I'm intrigued as to where this story's going because i guess it's the Time Wars? Which will be Team Weird's nemesis much in the same way that Clive Ronan was Max, Leon's and Dr Bairstow's.
It is already too long until the next one.
It is already too long until the next one.
November 12, 2024
After a week of migraines and feeling rubbish, I had no idea how much I needed this!
Firetrucking good book!
Firetrucking good book!
October 20, 2021
*
*
*
Audiobook
Story: A-, Narration: A
Not a review, just some thoughts for personal reference. Spoilers.
I go into Jodi Taylor books knowing I'll learn things, knowing I'll laugh, and knowing there's also a chance I'll be devastated. I won't say if all of those things happened with this book, of course.
This series is lighter on the history aspect than the St. Mary's books, but the interpersonal relationships and quick dialog are there. I love seeing Team Weird grow, personally and professionally. I can't believe Taylor was able to make me care about the Time Police, and I can't believe Grint (Grint!) has become one of my favorite characters.
There were a lot of twists and plots within plots in this book. That could be annoying, but it as well done and moved the plot forward. Just as with Grint, people (and things) aren't always as they first seem. And, of course, I fully expect everything I think I know now to be upended again and again. Can't wait for it.
Zara Ramm narrated this, as she does all of the St. Mary's/TP books. As wonderful as the books are on their own, she elevates them to a stratospheric level.
*
*
Audiobook
Story: A-, Narration: A
Not a review, just some thoughts for personal reference. Spoilers.
I go into Jodi Taylor books knowing I'll learn things, knowing I'll laugh, and knowing there's also a chance I'll be devastated. I won't say if all of those things happened with this book, of course.
This series is lighter on the history aspect than the St. Mary's books, but the interpersonal relationships and quick dialog are there. I love seeing Team Weird grow, personally and professionally. I can't believe Taylor was able to make me care about the Time Police, and I can't believe Grint (Grint!) has become one of my favorite characters.
There were a lot of twists and plots within plots in this book. That could be annoying, but it as well done and moved the plot forward. Just as with Grint, people (and things) aren't always as they first seem. And, of course, I fully expect everything I think I know now to be upended again and again. Can't wait for it.
Zara Ramm narrated this, as she does all of the St. Mary's/TP books. As wonderful as the books are on their own, she elevates them to a stratospheric level.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2021
Another excellent, entertaining yarn. It has some very funny moments, especially as Jane ventures into dating! There are also some unexpected twists, and events don’t so much roll as thunder and crash towards a finale in which Ms Taylor manages, with considerable aplomb, to keep all balls spinning in the air. There’s plenty of chaos and, as the threat grows, it really isn’t a given that our unlikely heroes, or indeed the Time Police in general, will survive.
The only flaw, for me, was that one of the saves felt a bit unconvincing. A difficult standard to apply, I know, as it is time travel! But it’s like watching an action movie - you accept the conventions of the genre and go along with most of it but, that being said, it’s nonetheless a fine balance. So perhaps just that one ball slipped a little, without being dropped, but which in the context of things flying, whining, crashing, or exploding, as time warps, suspends, or threatens to stop altogether, is hardly surprising.
All up, though, a five-star read. It has engaging characters, including secondary ones. In particular watch for Lieutenant Grint, who has some absolutely priceless moments.
The only flaw, for me, was that one of the saves felt a bit unconvincing. A difficult standard to apply, I know, as it is time travel! But it’s like watching an action movie - you accept the conventions of the genre and go along with most of it but, that being said, it’s nonetheless a fine balance. So perhaps just that one ball slipped a little, without being dropped, but which in the context of things flying, whining, crashing, or exploding, as time warps, suspends, or threatens to stop altogether, is hardly surprising.
All up, though, a five-star read. It has engaging characters, including secondary ones. In particular watch for Lieutenant Grint, who has some absolutely priceless moments.
September 21, 2022
Man I love these books! And Jodi is one of my favorite authors
Man alive this book upped the stakes for so many characters. They died and then they weren't it all fell to pieces and then it didn't this book was incredible I kept wanting to know what was going to happen next. Thankfully the next book is due to come out in October so I don't have to wait to long. This book has a hilarious sense of humor and I love the banter between all the characters
Man alive this book upped the stakes for so many characters. They died and then they weren't it all fell to pieces and then it didn't this book was incredible I kept wanting to know what was going to happen next. Thankfully the next book is due to come out in October so I don't have to wait to long. This book has a hilarious sense of humor and I love the banter between all the characters
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