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The Chronicles of St Mary's #13
A Catalogue of Catastrophe
When all is lost. When everything is ending. When there's no hope. When you can't win. That's when you attack.
Punching well above their weight, Max and Markham set out to bring down a sinister organisation whose roots might be firmly embedded in the future but whose focus is the past.
Max's focus is staying alive long enough to reunite with Leon and Matthew - alternately helped and hindered by St Mary's. Who aren't always the blessing they like to think they are.
And that's not all. Are the effects of constantly leaping around the timeline beginning to make themselves felt? Is Max going mad? Or are the ghosts of the past finally catching up with her?
Punching well above their weight, Max and Markham set out to bring down a sinister organisation whose roots might be firmly embedded in the future but whose focus is the past.
Max's focus is staying alive long enough to reunite with Leon and Matthew - alternately helped and hindered by St Mary's. Who aren't always the blessing they like to think they are.
And that's not all. Are the effects of constantly leaping around the timeline beginning to make themselves felt? Is Max going mad? Or are the ghosts of the past finally catching up with her?
481 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2022
566 people are currently reading
2059 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Taylor
84 books5,381 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 448 reviews
April 22, 2022
Thirteen books in and tons of short stories later, a spin-off for the time police books, and I'm honestly amazed that I'm not even slightly tired of anything.
It's just plain fun. Those damn historians, now bounty-hunters, time-war veterans, slapstick goofballs, and mysterious security personnel... it's just endless fun. Great characters, so much snark, and now we have a lot of variety in plot and action and I just can't get enough.
Some series just have it. This one does.
If you know, you know, and it's still as strong as ever. :)
It's just plain fun. Those damn historians, now bounty-hunters, time-war veterans, slapstick goofballs, and mysterious security personnel... it's just endless fun. Great characters, so much snark, and now we have a lot of variety in plot and action and I just can't get enough.
Some series just have it. This one does.
If you know, you know, and it's still as strong as ever. :)
April 1, 2022
Another wonderful, action-packed trip through history with the crew of St. Mary's, a group of historians who "study historical events in contemporary time." DO NOT call it time travel. This is Book 13, and Max, while still working as a "recovery agent" along with Markham, finds herself with a new office job. She is also fighting strange symptoms that have started to happen whenever she does a time jump. This is not a standalone and the reader will benefit from beginning with Book 1, Just One Damned Thing After Another, and reading the series in order.
Whenever another St. Mary's book is available, I drop everything to read it. The cast of characters is fun-loving, witty, and smart, and they go through events that are sometimes hilarious, often dangerous, and occasionally tragic. And there are always fascinating history lessons. In this installment, we learn about the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215 and the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. History comes to vivid life, and our historians throw themselves right in the middle of it. Filled with humor, heartache, and history, this is a series that will leave you craving more. Fans will rejoice at this newest installment that heavily features Markham, a fan favorite. New readers of this series should take a time jump to book 1 and start an adventure they will never forget. Whether it's a laugh, a learning moment, or a punch in the gut, this series has everything.
I happily received a free copy of this book from Headline via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
Whenever another St. Mary's book is available, I drop everything to read it. The cast of characters is fun-loving, witty, and smart, and they go through events that are sometimes hilarious, often dangerous, and occasionally tragic. And there are always fascinating history lessons. In this installment, we learn about the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215 and the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. History comes to vivid life, and our historians throw themselves right in the middle of it. Filled with humor, heartache, and history, this is a series that will leave you craving more. Fans will rejoice at this newest installment that heavily features Markham, a fan favorite. New readers of this series should take a time jump to book 1 and start an adventure they will never forget. Whether it's a laugh, a learning moment, or a punch in the gut, this series has everything.
I happily received a free copy of this book from Headline via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
April 30, 2022
Well now ... bugger!
As anyone following the series knows, Max is no longer with St. Mary's. In fact, she and Markham are "freelancing" with Pennyroyal and Lady Amelia Smallhope. Dr. Bairstowe and Mrs. Brown, meanwhile, are very much alive albeit in hiding. All while St. Mary's has gone commercial and the opening shots in the Time Wars have been fired, apparently. Holy bullocking hell!
But the days of "freelancing" are being disturbed thanks to a faulty pod - if it is indeed faulty - and thus begins Max's and Markham's adventure that includes everything from racing up and down the timeline to a Mission Impossible stunt in an organization that involved the British Museum. And maybe, just maybe, history itself is involved in steering certain events to help a positive outcome.
Sadly, the books have become less and less about actual historical moments/persons and more about the action. Not that the historical research wasn't action-laden, but you know what I mean.
However, I got to admit that Max inserting herself into the organization, the plot concocted by her, Markham, Pennyroyal and Lady Amelia, them saving certain historical figures to protect history itself and even really swept me along and entertained me greatly.
Assaults on hair were only one example of unspeakable cruelty committed here. But there is still the fact that, officially, Dr. Bairstowe is dead and the baddies are plotting to take over time travel while the not-so-bad guys are bureaucratic and perversely vile twats! I'm also very happy that we have established a few "new" characters in lead roles so Max is not too much center stage.
We also nicely referred back to a few things that had been happening in previous books. Not sure I buy all the explanations but it worked well enough (it is timey-wimey stuff after all) and I liked that we're finally seeing some negative consequences for some people since that makes the whole affair much more realistic (I dodn't like cop-outs).
However, the crowning piece was us getting back to St. Mary's. OK, not forever, but just the rag-tag band creating that brilliant diversion was so wonderful and felt so much like home that I actually teared up (not just from laughing). I seriously missed Prof. Rapson and his crazy ideas!
Hilarious, fast-paced, addictive, sadly lacking in the history department (see what I did there?), the series has lost none of its charm. And that ending!!!
As anyone following the series knows, Max is no longer with St. Mary's. In fact, she and Markham are "freelancing" with Pennyroyal and Lady Amelia Smallhope. Dr. Bairstowe and Mrs. Brown, meanwhile, are very much alive albeit in hiding. All while St. Mary's has gone commercial and the opening shots in the Time Wars have been fired, apparently. Holy bullocking hell!
But the days of "freelancing" are being disturbed thanks to a faulty pod - if it is indeed faulty - and thus begins Max's and Markham's adventure that includes everything from racing up and down the timeline to a Mission Impossible stunt in an organization that involved the British Museum. And maybe, just maybe, history itself is involved in steering certain events to help a positive outcome.
Sadly, the books have become less and less about actual historical moments/persons and more about the action. Not that the historical research wasn't action-laden, but you know what I mean.
However, I got to admit that Max inserting herself into the organization, the plot concocted by her, Markham, Pennyroyal and Lady Amelia, them saving certain historical figures to protect history itself and even really swept me along and entertained me greatly.
Assaults on hair were only one example of unspeakable cruelty committed here. But there is still the fact that, officially, Dr. Bairstowe is dead and the baddies are plotting to take over time travel while the not-so-bad guys are bureaucratic and perversely vile twats! I'm also very happy that we have established a few "new" characters in lead roles so Max is not too much center stage.
We also nicely referred back to a few things that had been happening in previous books. Not sure I buy all the explanations but it worked well enough (it is timey-wimey stuff after all) and I liked that we're finally seeing some negative consequences for some people since that makes the whole affair much more realistic (I dodn't like cop-outs).
However, the crowning piece was us getting back to St. Mary's. OK, not forever, but just the rag-tag band creating that brilliant diversion was so wonderful and felt so much like home that I actually teared up (not just from laughing). I seriously missed Prof. Rapson and his crazy ideas!
Hilarious, fast-paced, addictive, sadly lacking in the history department (see what I did there?), the series has lost none of its charm. And that ending!!!
April 14, 2022
Thanks to Netgalley and Headline for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I can't begin to describe how much fun Jodi Taylor's books are. I adore both St. Mary's and the Time Police spinoff, and they're absolutely highlights of my reading each year.
This one didn't fail to meet that qualification. Yet again, smashing success!
We pick up where we left off - with Max and Markham on the outs from St. Mary's, working with Smallhope and Pennyroyal as time bounty hunters. Only this time, someone invades their home base. Consequences abound! Shenanigans ensue!
We roll through a bunch of important moments in history, per the usual, this time focusing on trying to figure out this shady organization's plans. On top of all that, Max is starting to experience the side effects of all her time hopping and things are getting... weird.
I can't say more, as I don't want to spoil anything... but I am a little annoyed that now I have an extra few weeks to wait before the followup would come out next year, since I had an ARC. I am so excited to see more of this new shady group and what their goals are.
If you haven't read the Chronicles of St. Mary's, then you should definitely start at the beginning. Also, what's wrong with you? Go read them! They're amazing.
HIGHLY recommended.
I can't begin to describe how much fun Jodi Taylor's books are. I adore both St. Mary's and the Time Police spinoff, and they're absolutely highlights of my reading each year.
This one didn't fail to meet that qualification. Yet again, smashing success!
We pick up where we left off - with Max and Markham on the outs from St. Mary's, working with Smallhope and Pennyroyal as time bounty hunters. Only this time, someone invades their home base. Consequences abound! Shenanigans ensue!
We roll through a bunch of important moments in history, per the usual, this time focusing on trying to figure out this shady organization's plans. On top of all that, Max is starting to experience the side effects of all her time hopping and things are getting... weird.
I can't say more, as I don't want to spoil anything... but I am a little annoyed that now I have an extra few weeks to wait before the followup would come out next year, since I had an ARC. I am so excited to see more of this new shady group and what their goals are.
If you haven't read the Chronicles of St. Mary's, then you should definitely start at the beginning. Also, what's wrong with you? Go read them! They're amazing.
HIGHLY recommended.
April 13, 2022
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
4.5 hearts
A Catalogue of Catastrophe is the lucky 13 in The Chronicles of St Mary’s series. This is a set of books following historians as they travel to historical sites to study history in contemporary time. Some think of it as time travel but the members of St Mary's would disagree with you emphatically and then someone from their R&D section would possibly accidentally blow something up in your near vicinity to prove their point. This is a series that builds on each book so you should start at book one to understand what is going on.
Max is our heroine and PoV. She isn't your normal heroine as she is a middle-aged wife and mother who just happens to jump through time to various points in history to study them. Good thing history is on her side and jumps in to help here and there because believe me Max needs all the help she can get sometimes. She and bff Markham are currently in hiding and acting as recovery agents when someone tries to kill them. Not really a new thing, someone always seems to be trying to kill Max, but when they get a hint to who it might be, Max and Markham are off undercover to join a sinister organization to suss out what they are planning.
I really have loved these books. I'm generally not a fan of time travel books just because of the paradoxes and competing timelines etc but these where they are mostly studying history are much more fun. I do miss some of the St Mary's crew being around more since Max is working with a new group as a recovery agent but we do run into them from time to time in unexpected places and that is always a good time because it never runs smoothly.
If you like quick wit, unlikely heroines, historical moments in time and just fun, then this could be a great series for you. Only a few books in the 13 were below a 4-5 star rating for me and even those were very fun overall.
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
4.5 hearts
A Catalogue of Catastrophe is the lucky 13 in The Chronicles of St Mary’s series. This is a set of books following historians as they travel to historical sites to study history in contemporary time. Some think of it as time travel but the members of St Mary's would disagree with you emphatically and then someone from their R&D section would possibly accidentally blow something up in your near vicinity to prove their point. This is a series that builds on each book so you should start at book one to understand what is going on.
Max is our heroine and PoV. She isn't your normal heroine as she is a middle-aged wife and mother who just happens to jump through time to various points in history to study them. Good thing history is on her side and jumps in to help here and there because believe me Max needs all the help she can get sometimes. She and bff Markham are currently in hiding and acting as recovery agents when someone tries to kill them. Not really a new thing, someone always seems to be trying to kill Max, but when they get a hint to who it might be, Max and Markham are off undercover to join a sinister organization to suss out what they are planning.
I really have loved these books. I'm generally not a fan of time travel books just because of the paradoxes and competing timelines etc but these where they are mostly studying history are much more fun. I do miss some of the St Mary's crew being around more since Max is working with a new group as a recovery agent but we do run into them from time to time in unexpected places and that is always a good time because it never runs smoothly.
If you like quick wit, unlikely heroines, historical moments in time and just fun, then this could be a great series for you. Only a few books in the 13 were below a 4-5 star rating for me and even those were very fun overall.
April 21, 2022
If an international bestselling series is running into its thirteenth instalment and you’ve yet to read one, then you just know that it’s worth investigating as it must be so popular. Each book can be easily read as a standalone but as usual, reading a whole series enables you to follow all the character developments. The author has once again included her trademark cast of characters to refresh/introduce you to them but in a very informal and amusing way.
“A Catalogue of Catastrophe” is book 13 in Jodi Taylor’s ‘The Chronicles of St Mary’s’, the ongoing story of a bunch of disaster prone individuals, who investigate major historical events in contemporary time.
This time Dr. Maxwell (known as Max) is working undercover at a sinister organisation founded in the future, with a suspicious focus on the past. She needs to find out why she and her bounty hunter friends, were the target for a recent organised and brutal attack.
I adore History, and I equally adore time-travelling tv shows and movies - to be able to visit events in the past, even as just a spectator would be truly tremendous. The places Max and her unique friends visit - to prevent changes to the timeline - are wonderfully fascinating and in this adventure, we see the sealing of the Magna Carter, the Battle of Lincoln Fair and the events surrounding the Gunpowder Plot, all leading to an explosive and satisfactory denouement.
Leaping around the time-lines as Max does, is taking its toll on her and her body is slowly falling apart. Anyone who is familiar with Max will appreciate that this is not going to stop her and she continues to push herself to the brink for ‘history’.
I loved Max and Markham’s banter, though there’s a lot of witty and friendly teasing remarks between most of the characters. They can be cheesy but they are so very funny and definitely excusable!
This series is a fabulously fun read, that I defy anyone of any age not to enjoy. If you already know your history or if you just get educated from the historical facts mentioned, either way the St. Mary’s series is informative, unpredictable, action packed and thoroughly entertaining!
#ACatalogueOfCatastrophe - 4.5stars
Jodi Taylor is the author of the St Mary’s and Time Police series. She also writes supernatural thrillers which feature Elizabeth Cage, together with her enchanting Frogmorton Farm series - a fairy story for adults.
Thank you to Emily Patience at Headline for inviting me on the tour for A Catalogue of Catastrophe and for my copy of the book in return for an honest review.
“A Catalogue of Catastrophe” is book 13 in Jodi Taylor’s ‘The Chronicles of St Mary’s’, the ongoing story of a bunch of disaster prone individuals, who investigate major historical events in contemporary time.
This time Dr. Maxwell (known as Max) is working undercover at a sinister organisation founded in the future, with a suspicious focus on the past. She needs to find out why she and her bounty hunter friends, were the target for a recent organised and brutal attack.
I adore History, and I equally adore time-travelling tv shows and movies - to be able to visit events in the past, even as just a spectator would be truly tremendous. The places Max and her unique friends visit - to prevent changes to the timeline - are wonderfully fascinating and in this adventure, we see the sealing of the Magna Carter, the Battle of Lincoln Fair and the events surrounding the Gunpowder Plot, all leading to an explosive and satisfactory denouement.
Leaping around the time-lines as Max does, is taking its toll on her and her body is slowly falling apart. Anyone who is familiar with Max will appreciate that this is not going to stop her and she continues to push herself to the brink for ‘history’.
I loved Max and Markham’s banter, though there’s a lot of witty and friendly teasing remarks between most of the characters. They can be cheesy but they are so very funny and definitely excusable!
This series is a fabulously fun read, that I defy anyone of any age not to enjoy. If you already know your history or if you just get educated from the historical facts mentioned, either way the St. Mary’s series is informative, unpredictable, action packed and thoroughly entertaining!
#ACatalogueOfCatastrophe - 4.5stars
Jodi Taylor is the author of the St Mary’s and Time Police series. She also writes supernatural thrillers which feature Elizabeth Cage, together with her enchanting Frogmorton Farm series - a fairy story for adults.
Thank you to Emily Patience at Headline for inviting me on the tour for A Catalogue of Catastrophe and for my copy of the book in return for an honest review.
November 17, 2025
I was in a frustrating reading slump and piling up DNFs. My solution has been rereading tried-and-trues, and it has worked to reconnect me to an easier connection to stories.
Lately, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed re-reading the St Mary’s series (best enjoyed on audio). Though I expected to need a break from the series, because 13 in a row is a lot for a restless reader, I’ve happily rolled through it.
For a series I was dubious about when I started to read it a few years ago, finding it hard to connect to the humor and pacing, it’s now one of my most appreciated go-to’s, the mismatched quirks becoming a feature instead of a complaint.
My timing was perfect, while unintentional, to prepare for the latest release. When I finish #14 I may go straight on to revisit the Time Police series.
Lately, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed re-reading the St Mary’s series (best enjoyed on audio). Though I expected to need a break from the series, because 13 in a row is a lot for a restless reader, I’ve happily rolled through it.
For a series I was dubious about when I started to read it a few years ago, finding it hard to connect to the humor and pacing, it’s now one of my most appreciated go-to’s, the mismatched quirks becoming a feature instead of a complaint.
My timing was perfect, while unintentional, to prepare for the latest release. When I finish #14 I may go straight on to revisit the Time Police series.
April 15, 2022
Arc received in exchange for an honest review
The Chronicles of St Mary's series is the longest book series I've ever continued with, and it's with good reason. I know going into these books that I'm going to have a good time, surrounded by characters I adore, and learning a bit about history along the way. They've become a constant source of a mood booster for me, and I eagerly wait every April for a new book to be released.
A Catalogue of Catastrophe didn't fail me. Following straight on from where Another Time, Another Place left off, we find Max and Markham still in the employ of the dynamic duo, Pennyroyal and Lady Amelia Smallhope. Still working as bounty hunters, they unfortunately find themselves as the hunted as they are ambushed by are unknown organisation from the future. What follows is an inside job into the future for Max, before hurtling back to witness the battle of Lincoln Fields and the Gunpowder plot. But all this bouncing up and down the timeline might be finally taking its toll, with disastrous consequences for Max...
As always it's the characters and the obvious love of history that permeates the narrative that really make these stories so good. Every character is so well defined at this point that you truely could imagine them as part of your own friendship group, with inside jokes and a wealth of backstory to draw on. Weave these characters into history, any history, and its a match made in heaven. At one point we have Max and Markham handing out Greggs pasties on a battlefield. It's utterly bonkers, and utterly delightful.
I will mention that I did find the pacing a bit off with this one. We have a big lull in the narrative towards the end of the story, where Max is literally doing nothing except painting and attempting to cook (attempt may be too generous a word) and I admit these paragraphs did drag. Although I want Max to have a nice bit of family time, in reality I want to see her in mortal peril. I also really missed just being at St Mary's and seeing all the extended staff there. However, the ending pulled this back again for me, ending in a flourish in typical St Mary's style of revelations and tea.
Another solid addition to the Sy Mary's Chronicles. I can feel these last few books building up to something life altering for Max and Co., and I'll be there for the ride.
The Chronicles of St Mary's series is the longest book series I've ever continued with, and it's with good reason. I know going into these books that I'm going to have a good time, surrounded by characters I adore, and learning a bit about history along the way. They've become a constant source of a mood booster for me, and I eagerly wait every April for a new book to be released.
A Catalogue of Catastrophe didn't fail me. Following straight on from where Another Time, Another Place left off, we find Max and Markham still in the employ of the dynamic duo, Pennyroyal and Lady Amelia Smallhope. Still working as bounty hunters, they unfortunately find themselves as the hunted as they are ambushed by are unknown organisation from the future. What follows is an inside job into the future for Max, before hurtling back to witness the battle of Lincoln Fields and the Gunpowder plot. But all this bouncing up and down the timeline might be finally taking its toll, with disastrous consequences for Max...
As always it's the characters and the obvious love of history that permeates the narrative that really make these stories so good. Every character is so well defined at this point that you truely could imagine them as part of your own friendship group, with inside jokes and a wealth of backstory to draw on. Weave these characters into history, any history, and its a match made in heaven. At one point we have Max and Markham handing out Greggs pasties on a battlefield. It's utterly bonkers, and utterly delightful.
I will mention that I did find the pacing a bit off with this one. We have a big lull in the narrative towards the end of the story, where Max is literally doing nothing except painting and attempting to cook (attempt may be too generous a word) and I admit these paragraphs did drag. Although I want Max to have a nice bit of family time, in reality I want to see her in mortal peril. I also really missed just being at St Mary's and seeing all the extended staff there. However, the ending pulled this back again for me, ending in a flourish in typical St Mary's style of revelations and tea.
Another solid addition to the Sy Mary's Chronicles. I can feel these last few books building up to something life altering for Max and Co., and I'll be there for the ride.
May 9, 2022
Jodi Taylor is unstoppable. She's a generous author that drops her books promptly but maintains the quality of the story, continuation of plot and actually improves as she goes along. Lucky number 13 book is as good if not better than the previous books in the series.
Max and Markham are still bounty hunters and banned from St. Mary's. In this case, they are working against a secret international time traveling organization that wants to thwart history. The historical event d'jour is the Guy Fawkes plot. As usual Jodi Taylor takes a historical event and brings it to life. History teachers, administrators, policy makers, please take heed that teaching history does not have to be boring!
Max and Markham are still bounty hunters and banned from St. Mary's. In this case, they are working against a secret international time traveling organization that wants to thwart history. The historical event d'jour is the Guy Fawkes plot. As usual Jodi Taylor takes a historical event and brings it to life. History teachers, administrators, policy makers, please take heed that teaching history does not have to be boring!
May 11, 2022
So I stopped reading this series -it was getting very old and Max was horrible and I stopped caring about her long ago. But a friend told me that she was no longer with St. Mary's and there was a new story-line...this book is the second in this new story-line. I didn't read the first one and don't think it's necessary to do so. I read this on vacation which was perfect because it was easy to put down and pick up...it was ...okay. The humor that made the early books so fun is gone - in that there are no laugh out loud parts -but that kind of fun ended long ago anyway.... I just can't understand why everyone in the story is still letting Max drive the decisions and action -but of course that is what the author is writing. Will I read another ...maybe...you just have to be in the mood for Max and that is getting harder and harder.
February 5, 2023
So many people seem to love this book but quite frankly, I miss the humour and shenanigans of the earlier books and the ensemble cast and investigating historical events.
Yes, the ending was more like the St Mary's of old but the new plot line just isn't holding my interest as the original premise of the series did.
Yes, the ending was more like the St Mary's of old but the new plot line just isn't holding my interest as the original premise of the series did.
June 20, 2025
I was a teensy bit nervous starting this as St. Mary’s has become my favourite book series and now being at book 13 there was a risk as to whether another book could keep up the momentum and brilliance of the previous 12. However I hereby declare I will never ever doubt Jodi Taylor’s writing ability again! It was every bit as hilarious, wonderful, action packed and fantastic as all the other books. Markham and Max are the best dream team (or maybe best disaster team)! I won’t go into too much detail so as not to ruin the plot but I won’t look at the Guy Fawkes story the same again and it seems the Doctor Who wibbly, wobbly, timey, wimey theory is relevant everywhere! I feel there are potentially lots of books still to come in this series and the ending of this set that up nicely. Can’t wait to see what adventures Max and co find themselves in next.
April 3, 2022
This is a great series with only the occasional blip. This is definitely not a blip, the author is on fire throughout, a mix of humour, characterisation, thrills and, of course, history.
Max is doing what might be called bounty work, catching those abusing Time and handing them over to the Time Police for reward. Everything seems to be going well until she starts suffering from time sickness and the fact that someone is trying very hard to kill her.
Everything you could hope for is here, madcap adventure and a supporting cast of many people you will recognise. The author writes with ease and wit and her characters leap off the page (and then probably land in nettles or water, it’s that kind of book).
Thoroughly enjoyable fun.
Max is doing what might be called bounty work, catching those abusing Time and handing them over to the Time Police for reward. Everything seems to be going well until she starts suffering from time sickness and the fact that someone is trying very hard to kill her.
Everything you could hope for is here, madcap adventure and a supporting cast of many people you will recognise. The author writes with ease and wit and her characters leap off the page (and then probably land in nettles or water, it’s that kind of book).
Thoroughly enjoyable fun.
April 18, 2022
I came for the time travel but I stayed for well, everything else!
I don't know what else I can say about this series that I haven't already said. It's one of my very favorite series that I am currently reading. The hilarity, mayhem, madcap-ishness, along with the history, and yes, time travel (sorry historian's) makes each book a very enjoyable read. This is book 13 so to be sure, it's a bit of a time investment but one that I think is well worth it. Don't get me wrong, you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll get a headache and hurl the book across the room but still so worth it.
The only problem now is that I have quite awhile to wait for the next book. I need more Max (I'd honestly forgotten her first name) and the crazy cast of St Mary's in my life.
I don't know what else I can say about this series that I haven't already said. It's one of my very favorite series that I am currently reading. The hilarity, mayhem, madcap-ishness, along with the history, and yes, time travel (sorry historian's) makes each book a very enjoyable read. This is book 13 so to be sure, it's a bit of a time investment but one that I think is well worth it. Don't get me wrong, you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll get a headache and hurl the book across the room but still so worth it.
The only problem now is that I have quite awhile to wait for the next book. I need more Max (I'd honestly forgotten her first name) and the crazy cast of St Mary's in my life.
July 4, 2023
The Chronicles of St. Mary’s is my absolute favourite series and I crave each new instalment. So much happens in this book that I’m sure I’ll have to read it again when book 14 is published. Max is my all time favourite character as her personality leaps off the page. Jodi Taylor writes with extraordinary wit and intelligence while weaving an increasingly complex plot. This felt almost like a love letter to the fans of the series because only we devotees will understand the numerous inside jokes as well as be able to pull together the plot threads from the previous dozen books to fully understand what’s happening in this latest page turner. I’m only sorry that it will be another year before the next book is published. Can’t wait!
July 22, 2022
I don’t think that this author can do much wrong to be honest, her books always work for me and I just find myself having so much fun when I read them. I have to say this one is no exception and following Max and Markham together and away from the rest of St Mary’s is hilarious and jarring all at once. I definitely enjoyed it and will for sure keep on with the series (at this many books in that’s probably obvious)! 4*s
November 29, 2025
Quand on est rendu au tome 13, ça veut dire qu'on aime.
Et c'est mon cas. Elle me proposerait n'importe quoi avec Max comme personnage principal et je le lis!
Et c'est mon cas. Elle me proposerait n'importe quoi avec Max comme personnage principal et je le lis!
February 20, 2022
I was so excited to see the latest Jodi Taylor in my list of NetGalley ARCs. I have EVERYTHING Jodi has written, and have yet to find something I don't like.
This one didn't disappoint either. Max's with my very favourite character, Markham, and the action runs away from us as it always does with she and Markham get together. Perfect cuddled on the sofa with a warm fire burning reading.
This one didn't disappoint either. Max's with my very favourite character, Markham, and the action runs away from us as it always does with she and Markham get together. Perfect cuddled on the sofa with a warm fire burning reading.
November 19, 2024
Having read the complete series about 4 times I was really looking forward to this one.
And I was not disappointed, yet again we have not stop action mixed in with usual mishaps and mayhem that we can only expect from St Mary’s .
5 star would highly recommend.
Looking forward to the next one
And I was not disappointed, yet again we have not stop action mixed in with usual mishaps and mayhem that we can only expect from St Mary’s .
5 star would highly recommend.
Looking forward to the next one
April 18, 2022
3 3/4 Stars: Jodi Taylor’s writing makes me laugh out loud, as always. Her St. Mary’s books are quirky, full of sarcasm and humor, and packed with action. What I liked: the characters; the history lessons; the action (for the most part). What I didn’t like: I felt like I should have re-read the last book to try to remember all that was happening; the leaps forward and backward in time; the “to be continued” ending. Not my favorite in the series, but still fun.
December 21, 2022
I think this is not the best book in the series so far. The plots are inconsistent.The characters of Pennyroyal and Smallhope are uninteresting and boring. Smallhope does nothing but drink margaritas. And Max's little eccentricities, which were charming when she was young, are starting to get annoying.
March 20, 2022
Books don’t get better than Jodi Taylor’s. Never has a series so sucked me in. You always know there is some catastrophe or twelve just around the corner but it never gets old and Jodi finds a way to utterly surprise you EVERY TIME. Another great book, I hope the series never ends.
April 17, 2022
Her usual work of genius
I love you, Jodi Taylor. I love your books, your cleverness, your plotting, your sense of humor, but mostly I love you because you invented St. Mary's. My reading life would be exceedingly less exciting without them.
I love you, Jodi Taylor. I love your books, your cleverness, your plotting, your sense of humor, but mostly I love you because you invented St. Mary's. My reading life would be exceedingly less exciting without them.
August 27, 2022
This contemporary science fiction novel (should it be fantasy? There are mythological elements too) was 100% fun, as are all the St Mary’s books.
I loved it. Things are looking grim for Max at the end, but there’s a weak glimmer of hope.
I loved it. Things are looking grim for Max at the end, but there’s a weak glimmer of hope.
May 24, 2022
As usual, Jodi Taylor smashes this out of the park and Zara Ramm as audible narrator is just the best narrator for this series.
January 7, 2025
When I started The Chronicles of St Mary's series in 2018, I knew I had stumbled upon something special. The fact that I’ve just finished book 13 and am still as captivated as ever—reveling in the twisty plot, immersed in the historical scenes, and thinking of these characters as part of my own family—is a testament to Jodi Taylor’s incredible storytelling. I hope this series never ends!
And if anyone with the power to make it happen is reading this, please turn this series into a TV show!
In A Catalogue of Catastrophe, the prominent historical event is The Gunpowder Plot ("Remember, remember the 5th of November")—but who was really behind ensuring it all didn’t go as planned...?
And if anyone with the power to make it happen is reading this, please turn this series into a TV show!
In A Catalogue of Catastrophe, the prominent historical event is The Gunpowder Plot ("Remember, remember the 5th of November")—but who was really behind ensuring it all didn’t go as planned...?
November 30, 2022
[4.5 stars]
March 25, 2022
This is book 13 in the 'Chronicles of St Mary's' series, so it is probably best not to read this one unless you have at least read 'Another Time, Another Place'.
Well, I've now got whiplash from following this wild careering adventure which crosses several timelines. It's a manic journey set in beautifully realised snapshots of different points in a historical and future England.
Max (Dr Maxwell) is, as always, our witty, breathless -sometimes annoying- narrator. She is suffering from time travel sickness which won't come as a surprise to anyone but herself.
No longer working for St Mary's, Max has got a desk job, at a seemingly rather staid organisation in the future, to uncover a plot to change the course of history.
With Markham as her wife ( I know!)and helped by Lady Amelia and Pennyroyal they set about to stop the plans. Back and forth through history, with typical chaotic results.
I love Jodi Taylor's meticulous research, which sets the scene in each historical period, whilst never being intrusive and taking over from the narrative. Moreover, the historical detail is both fun and informative, including a timely reminder about the origin and importance of our parliament which will outlast the sometimes dubious politicians acting within its remit.
I also enjoyed the skybound silver birch forests floating above a futuristic London - a ray of hope in an otherwise fairly grim future.
I don't want to spoil the plot or annalyse the logistics; treat it like an adventure and just hang on for the ride. The author's love for her characters and their predicaments is infectious. Just don't let Max cook for you. Ever.
The ending will, at least partially satisfy long-term St Mary fans whilst leaving a number of loose ends for the next book.
Meanwhile, I'm off for a quiet lie-down with a cup of tea while nursing a big book hangover.
There will be another book? Won't there? Yes? Please?
Many thanks to #Netgalley for advance copy of book.
Well, I've now got whiplash from following this wild careering adventure which crosses several timelines. It's a manic journey set in beautifully realised snapshots of different points in a historical and future England.
Max (Dr Maxwell) is, as always, our witty, breathless -sometimes annoying- narrator. She is suffering from time travel sickness which won't come as a surprise to anyone but herself.
No longer working for St Mary's, Max has got a desk job, at a seemingly rather staid organisation in the future, to uncover a plot to change the course of history.
With Markham as her wife ( I know!)and helped by Lady Amelia and Pennyroyal they set about to stop the plans. Back and forth through history, with typical chaotic results.
I love Jodi Taylor's meticulous research, which sets the scene in each historical period, whilst never being intrusive and taking over from the narrative. Moreover, the historical detail is both fun and informative, including a timely reminder about the origin and importance of our parliament which will outlast the sometimes dubious politicians acting within its remit.
I also enjoyed the skybound silver birch forests floating above a futuristic London - a ray of hope in an otherwise fairly grim future.
I don't want to spoil the plot or annalyse the logistics; treat it like an adventure and just hang on for the ride. The author's love for her characters and their predicaments is infectious. Just don't let Max cook for you. Ever.
The ending will, at least partially satisfy long-term St Mary fans whilst leaving a number of loose ends for the next book.
Meanwhile, I'm off for a quiet lie-down with a cup of tea while nursing a big book hangover.
There will be another book? Won't there? Yes? Please?
Many thanks to #Netgalley for advance copy of book.
April 20, 2022
Today is my stop on the Blog Tour for this wonderful book. Thanks so much to the publisher for reaching out to me, and for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review 💕
I just adore St Mary's. It's been a little while since I last read a Jodi Taylor book, and I'm kicking myself for having left it so long. Getting back to this series was such a comfort. As soon as I picked this up it all came flooding back to me. It is so easy to get hooked on this series, in fact I fully intend on going back and reading the ones I missed.
If you haven't read any of these before you can absolutely start with any instalment (fair warning, this is the thirteenth in the series) they can easily be read as standalones, but they also read superbly well as a series letting you see the character development arcs and how they each got to where they are now.
I was first introduced to St Mary's years ago, and even then I think I was late to the party as there were already a few books released. If I said the premise of the series as a whole is a group of accident and disaster prone society members travelling in time and investigating famous historical events, you basically get the idea. Each book handles different events, different timelines, and so on, but they all follow that same principle.
This instalment was great fun. The banter between the main cast is impeccable, and kept me laughing from start to finish, and some of the history scenes are completely bonkers. The historical events we see in this one are; the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215, the Battle of Lincoln in 1217, and the Gunpowder plot in 1605.
Now I'm back into this series I'll be keeping my eye out for the next one for sure!
4 Highly Entertaining Stars ⭐
I just adore St Mary's. It's been a little while since I last read a Jodi Taylor book, and I'm kicking myself for having left it so long. Getting back to this series was such a comfort. As soon as I picked this up it all came flooding back to me. It is so easy to get hooked on this series, in fact I fully intend on going back and reading the ones I missed.
If you haven't read any of these before you can absolutely start with any instalment (fair warning, this is the thirteenth in the series) they can easily be read as standalones, but they also read superbly well as a series letting you see the character development arcs and how they each got to where they are now.
I was first introduced to St Mary's years ago, and even then I think I was late to the party as there were already a few books released. If I said the premise of the series as a whole is a group of accident and disaster prone society members travelling in time and investigating famous historical events, you basically get the idea. Each book handles different events, different timelines, and so on, but they all follow that same principle.
This instalment was great fun. The banter between the main cast is impeccable, and kept me laughing from start to finish, and some of the history scenes are completely bonkers. The historical events we see in this one are; the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215, the Battle of Lincoln in 1217, and the Gunpowder plot in 1605.
Now I'm back into this series I'll be keeping my eye out for the next one for sure!
4 Highly Entertaining Stars ⭐
January 28, 2024
A three... just. I love Jodi Taylor and this series, but this book was too long, the conspiracy too muddled, there's almost no Leon, and Markham and Max feel somewhat joyless. For a series with over a dozen titles, some are stronger than others for sure, but I haven't really felt that I'm reading a book that was purely transitional until this one. I feel like most of this is trying to create a bridge between the upheaval of the last two books and whatever confrontation we are being set up for in the next book or two.
This book finds Max and Markham pivoting their bounty-hunting assignment into undercover detective work. Someone is out to get them and all leads point to a mysterious organization called Insight. As they embark on the mission, Max is feeling every bit of the physical and mental recoil of years of jumping, to the point where she may be jeopardizing her life--and others--if she continues.
As much as I am interested in this idea of exploring the potential physical and psychological consequences of time travel, I feel like this brings out a particularly selfish side in Max to the point where Markham is unmistakably the voice of reason. Alarming, to be sure.
While it's completely on brand for Max to ignore her own well-being, and to resist medical guidance, her wilful refusal to comprehend the danger to Markham and her family seems like it pushes things too far. The plot with Insight I can't make head or tail of. This plotline has been unfolding over possibly as many as four books at this point and it's too long of an arc without having a single villain (like Ronan) to create some kind of focal point. I feel like I have to reread the last two or so to sort it all out.
This is just too long for a book with such little resolution and forward progress
This book finds Max and Markham pivoting their bounty-hunting assignment into undercover detective work. Someone is out to get them and all leads point to a mysterious organization called Insight. As they embark on the mission, Max is feeling every bit of the physical and mental recoil of years of jumping, to the point where she may be jeopardizing her life--and others--if she continues.
As much as I am interested in this idea of exploring the potential physical and psychological consequences of time travel, I feel like this brings out a particularly selfish side in Max to the point where Markham is unmistakably the voice of reason. Alarming, to be sure.
While it's completely on brand for Max to ignore her own well-being, and to resist medical guidance, her wilful refusal to comprehend the danger to Markham and her family seems like it pushes things too far. The plot with Insight I can't make head or tail of. This plotline has been unfolding over possibly as many as four books at this point and it's too long of an arc without having a single villain (like Ronan) to create some kind of focal point. I feel like I have to reread the last two or so to sort it all out.
This is just too long for a book with such little resolution and forward progress
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