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The Time Police #4
About Time
After their heroic efforts to safeguard the Acropolis and prevent the Paris Time-Stop, the Time Police have gone from zero to hero in but a single bound.
Then one fateful mission to apprehend a minor criminal selling dodgy historical artefacts blows up in all their faces. An officer is attacked within TPHQ. A prisoner is murdered. And investigations are about to lead to the one place where no officer can legally tread.
Worst of all, trouble is brewing for Team Weird as a surprise revelation tears the team apart.
For Commander Hay, battling to keep the Time Police afloat in a sea of storms, this will turn out to be a very long day.
Listening Length: 12 hours and 30 minutes
Then one fateful mission to apprehend a minor criminal selling dodgy historical artefacts blows up in all their faces. An officer is attacked within TPHQ. A prisoner is murdered. And investigations are about to lead to the one place where no officer can legally tread.
Worst of all, trouble is brewing for Team Weird as a surprise revelation tears the team apart.
For Commander Hay, battling to keep the Time Police afloat in a sea of storms, this will turn out to be a very long day.
Listening Length: 12 hours and 30 minutes
13 pages, Audible Audio
First published October 13, 2022
305 people are currently reading
1382 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Taylor
84 books5,380 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 342 reviews
December 7, 2022
In this 4th book about the Time Police, there is a team-up with at least part of St. Mary's. Interestingly, that is neither the most important part, nor the most dangerous (for the rest of the world). Because after recent events, Mickey is now a TP member. Permanent. Nobody is safe. *lol*
Nevertheless, there are other highly interesting developments, too. Such as what really happened to Jane's parents. And Luke's family's involvement in those events.
Historically, we meet none other than Nikola Tesla. Not sure how much he actually understood but I suspect it was much more than the TP officer thought/expected.
Then there is the brilliant reunion of Luke and his father which was the most hilarious thing - not an easy thing to accomplish considering that Max got to finally shoot a gun in this book - with the expected disastrous consequences.
Oh, and we meet Plimpton again and finally take out at least a large chunk of his operation.
In short: Another wonderful adventure with a more and more likeable Time Police. Equal to the disaster magnets at St. Mary's, interestingly enough.
Zara Ramm was also a force to be reckoned with concerning the accents here. I always enjoy her narration but somehow had even more fun this time around (see what I did there?). ;P
Nevertheless, there are other highly interesting developments, too. Such as what really happened to Jane's parents. And Luke's family's involvement in those events.
Historically, we meet none other than Nikola Tesla. Not sure how much he actually understood but I suspect it was much more than the TP officer thought/expected.
Then there is the brilliant reunion of Luke and his father which was the most hilarious thing - not an easy thing to accomplish considering that Max got to finally shoot a gun in this book - with the expected disastrous consequences.
Oh, and we meet Plimpton again and finally take out at least a large chunk of his operation.
In short: Another wonderful adventure with a more and more likeable Time Police. Equal to the disaster magnets at St. Mary's, interestingly enough.
Zara Ramm was also a force to be reckoned with concerning the accents here. I always enjoy her narration but somehow had even more fun this time around (see what I did there?). ;P
December 7, 2022
Gimme the next one already! *wails*
November 11, 2022
Team Weird are back again, although this time it might be the beginning of the end for Jane, Matthew and Luke as secrets unravel and revelations split the group apart.
As always, I love Jodi's books and her fun collection of characters. The Time Police are an extension of the St Mary's family at this point (although I'm sure both would be appauled at the comment) and in this book I particularly enjoyed Matthew and Max's growing relationship. By having Team Weird split also allowed for more personal growth as Luke bonds with his dad, Matthew discovers a few new talents and Jane tries once again to exert some kind of authority and rational thinking into every operation.
While I enjoyed the plot overall, and the way the three separate storylines eventually came together, I think at times this needed a bit more cohesion. We jump from Matthew's story, which was full of tension and intrigue, back to North and Mikey without concluding Matthew's properly. And although I like the overarching villain theme, I'm starting to wonder if we'll ever get any kind of closure involving Henry Plimpton. He's become a parody of himself at this point - the ruthless, moustache twiddling villain who doesn't care about anyone, but always manages to get away. I want more from him, and some answers.
I'm just nitpicking at this point, because I can always rely on Jodi Taylor to provide a lot of fun and high jinks to her stories and she never disappoints. I look forward to the St Mary's and Time Police books every year, and long may they continue.
As always, I love Jodi's books and her fun collection of characters. The Time Police are an extension of the St Mary's family at this point (although I'm sure both would be appauled at the comment) and in this book I particularly enjoyed Matthew and Max's growing relationship. By having Team Weird split also allowed for more personal growth as Luke bonds with his dad, Matthew discovers a few new talents and Jane tries once again to exert some kind of authority and rational thinking into every operation.
While I enjoyed the plot overall, and the way the three separate storylines eventually came together, I think at times this needed a bit more cohesion. We jump from Matthew's story, which was full of tension and intrigue, back to North and Mikey without concluding Matthew's properly. And although I like the overarching villain theme, I'm starting to wonder if we'll ever get any kind of closure involving Henry Plimpton. He's become a parody of himself at this point - the ruthless, moustache twiddling villain who doesn't care about anyone, but always manages to get away. I want more from him, and some answers.
I'm just nitpicking at this point, because I can always rely on Jodi Taylor to provide a lot of fun and high jinks to her stories and she never disappoints. I look forward to the St Mary's and Time Police books every year, and long may they continue.
Read
February 3, 2025Another thoroughly enjoyable instalment in this bonkers series. Lively writing, entertaining characters, high levels of mayhem.
April 8, 2023
I am absolutely in love with this author and her work in the world of The Chronicles of St. Mary's! It is a treat and a delight to read them - they make me happy 😊😊😊!
September 16, 2023
The Chronicles of St. Mary’s is still my favorite time travel series by favorite author Jodi Taylor, but The Time Police gives that series a run for its money. Especially this volume. I wasn’t entirely sold on the cast of characters in the first volume, but I am invested in the characters now in this, the fourth and latest book in the series.
The Time Police patrol the time line, attempting to prevent or rectify catastrophic changes that would mess up the flow of history. We encountered them in the St. Mary’s books. We saw them entirely from St. Mary’s point of view: sometimes helpful, but often stupid, overbearing, regimented, brutal and obstructive, with a shoot first and ask questions later attitude. Also, many Time Police officers do not care about history.
A lot of that is true, but the current Commander, Marietta Hay, is attempting to rectify the mistakes of her predecessor and make the Time Police a bit more acceptable to the public, i.e., kinder and gentler (in appearance if not reality).
In The Time Police series, we see the Time Police from their own point of view. And yes, the senior officers are constantly having to mop up disasters.
But there’s more to the Time Police than meets the eye. Or St. Mary’s viewpoint about them.
We find out, for example, that in spite of the insistence of Max and others (both St. Mary’s and Time Police), that Lt. Grint is stupid, he isn’t. He’s inarticulate, but he’s not dumb.
Anyway, the main focus of these books is Team Weird (officially Team 236). Team Weird consists of three young and newly trained officers whose unusual ways don’t quite fit in with the regimented Time Police (which has a procedure for nearly every contingency). There’s Max and Leon Farrell’s son Matthew, a small and quiet guy with an almost psychic connection to the Time Map. There’s the (formerly) mousy Jane Lockland, who is worried about the conflicting voices in her head. And there’s the brash, spoiled, arrogant, handsome, rich kid, Luke Parrish, who has a talent for pissing everyone off.
In this book, Team Weird seems to be falling apart. Revelations about the pasts of Jane and Luke (events unknown to either until this volume) threaten to create an unrepairable rift in Team Weird. Luke, in particular, is on the verge of ruining Team 236 and his Time Police career. Jane and Matthew, though, are coming into their own. Jane and Lt. Grint are awkwardly and humorously stumbling towards romance. Matthew is happy about the presence of his girlfriend, the alternately infuriating and brilliant Mikey, who plays a more prominent role in this volume.
Events unfold involving a psychopathic villain and his minions, pod toilet facilities (and a lack theoreof), and Jane’s horrible grandmother. Someone is apparently resurrected from the dead. There’s an unknown traitor among the Time Police ranks. Officer North starts her historical briefing presentations with a bang.
There’s an illegal jump to World War II era New York City in which Nicola Tesla makes a brief appearance. This takes place in and around beloved New York landmarks: The New York Public Library (the main branch), Bryant Park, and the art deco New Yorker Hotel. As a lifelong New Yorker I certainly appreciated these scenes.
Zara Ramm was, as usual, a good and suitable audio reader. She made fewer mistakes reading here than usual, although she repeatedly mispronounced Mikey’s last name, Meiklejohn, as “Micklejohn”.
I wrote my original version of this review in the iPhone Goodreads app, which deleted it without a trace before I could save it. Autosave would have prevented that. But, alas, it seems that Goodreads/Amazon have no plans to improve their terrible Goodreads app. I’ve noticed no enhancements to either performance (very poor) or features (very lacking). Ah well, it’s the Age of Low Expectations, isn’t it?
The Time Police patrol the time line, attempting to prevent or rectify catastrophic changes that would mess up the flow of history. We encountered them in the St. Mary’s books. We saw them entirely from St. Mary’s point of view: sometimes helpful, but often stupid, overbearing, regimented, brutal and obstructive, with a shoot first and ask questions later attitude. Also, many Time Police officers do not care about history.
A lot of that is true, but the current Commander, Marietta Hay, is attempting to rectify the mistakes of her predecessor and make the Time Police a bit more acceptable to the public, i.e., kinder and gentler (in appearance if not reality).
In The Time Police series, we see the Time Police from their own point of view. And yes, the senior officers are constantly having to mop up disasters.
But there’s more to the Time Police than meets the eye. Or St. Mary’s viewpoint about them.
We find out, for example, that in spite of the insistence of Max and others (both St. Mary’s and Time Police), that Lt. Grint is stupid, he isn’t. He’s inarticulate, but he’s not dumb.
Anyway, the main focus of these books is Team Weird (officially Team 236). Team Weird consists of three young and newly trained officers whose unusual ways don’t quite fit in with the regimented Time Police (which has a procedure for nearly every contingency). There’s Max and Leon Farrell’s son Matthew, a small and quiet guy with an almost psychic connection to the Time Map. There’s the (formerly) mousy Jane Lockland, who is worried about the conflicting voices in her head. And there’s the brash, spoiled, arrogant, handsome, rich kid, Luke Parrish, who has a talent for pissing everyone off.
In this book, Team Weird seems to be falling apart. Revelations about the pasts of Jane and Luke (events unknown to either until this volume) threaten to create an unrepairable rift in Team Weird. Luke, in particular, is on the verge of ruining Team 236 and his Time Police career. Jane and Matthew, though, are coming into their own. Jane and Lt. Grint are awkwardly and humorously stumbling towards romance. Matthew is happy about the presence of his girlfriend, the alternately infuriating and brilliant Mikey, who plays a more prominent role in this volume.
Events unfold involving a psychopathic villain and his minions, pod toilet facilities (and a lack theoreof), and Jane’s horrible grandmother. Someone is apparently resurrected from the dead. There’s an unknown traitor among the Time Police ranks. Officer North starts her historical briefing presentations with a bang.
There’s an illegal jump to World War II era New York City in which Nicola Tesla makes a brief appearance. This takes place in and around beloved New York landmarks: The New York Public Library (the main branch), Bryant Park, and the art deco New Yorker Hotel. As a lifelong New Yorker I certainly appreciated these scenes.
Zara Ramm was, as usual, a good and suitable audio reader. She made fewer mistakes reading here than usual, although she repeatedly mispronounced Mikey’s last name, Meiklejohn, as “Micklejohn”.
I wrote my original version of this review in the iPhone Goodreads app, which deleted it without a trace before I could save it. Autosave would have prevented that. But, alas, it seems that Goodreads/Amazon have no plans to improve their terrible Goodreads app. I’ve noticed no enhancements to either performance (very poor) or features (very lacking). Ah well, it’s the Age of Low Expectations, isn’t it?
October 14, 2022
I think Jodi Taylor is a genius and as I’ve read everything she’s published, so it will come as no surprise that I was delighted with this new Time Police Novel. The major problem with it, of course, is that it isn’t several million words long. Can’t Jodi write any faster than two books a year?!
The whole story takes place in one day and we follow different groups as they get up to different things, before most of the threads join together, with a few left dangling for the next in the series. This time we learn a bit more about Jane’s back story and who her parents are and what they were like, we learn a bit more about Mikey and how talented she truly is, but this novel did not move the plot very much further in terms of apprehending the main villain or solving some of the issues the last novel ended with. It is a pity there wasn’t more of a ‘catch up’ feel to it in the beginning as it’s a year since I read the last book in the series and can’t quite remember all the aspects that were solved last time. It would just be helpful. But there is still some absolutely marvellous stuff here.
A mole in the time police; Henry Plimpton, the harmless seeming grandad-type who’s actually a super baddie intent on destroying pretty much everything; Matthew ending up in a remote and terrifying place and of course, a cameo by Max, a brief one of Peterson and Leon, all make this a rip-roaring and exciting read. As always with Jodi Taylor there is laugh out loud humour that means you disturb the person lying next to you as you frantically read till past midnight. The sheer number and spread of her characters make this a fascinating book, and we’ve got to know them so well over the last few years that sometimes it might feel as though she has bitten off a bit more than she should (not can) chew! Whilst I love Max, who doesn’t? we could probably have had less on her and more on Team Weird. I’m probably slightly too invested in the lives of these imaginary people. I desperately wanted more of Callen as he’s just such an interesting and sneaky character! And what of Grint and Jane? Will they never get there?
If you are a fan of St Mary’s and The Time Police, you’ll love this book; it has everything you want: adventure, time travel, humour, adventure, a touch of romance, excitement and adventure. You won’t want to miss it. And if you’re not a fan of Jodi Taylor’s yet, what’s wrong with you?
I was given a free copy of this ebook to review. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publish. It was an honour and a deep privilege.
The whole story takes place in one day and we follow different groups as they get up to different things, before most of the threads join together, with a few left dangling for the next in the series. This time we learn a bit more about Jane’s back story and who her parents are and what they were like, we learn a bit more about Mikey and how talented she truly is, but this novel did not move the plot very much further in terms of apprehending the main villain or solving some of the issues the last novel ended with. It is a pity there wasn’t more of a ‘catch up’ feel to it in the beginning as it’s a year since I read the last book in the series and can’t quite remember all the aspects that were solved last time. It would just be helpful. But there is still some absolutely marvellous stuff here.
A mole in the time police; Henry Plimpton, the harmless seeming grandad-type who’s actually a super baddie intent on destroying pretty much everything; Matthew ending up in a remote and terrifying place and of course, a cameo by Max, a brief one of Peterson and Leon, all make this a rip-roaring and exciting read. As always with Jodi Taylor there is laugh out loud humour that means you disturb the person lying next to you as you frantically read till past midnight. The sheer number and spread of her characters make this a fascinating book, and we’ve got to know them so well over the last few years that sometimes it might feel as though she has bitten off a bit more than she should (not can) chew! Whilst I love Max, who doesn’t? we could probably have had less on her and more on Team Weird. I’m probably slightly too invested in the lives of these imaginary people. I desperately wanted more of Callen as he’s just such an interesting and sneaky character! And what of Grint and Jane? Will they never get there?
If you are a fan of St Mary’s and The Time Police, you’ll love this book; it has everything you want: adventure, time travel, humour, adventure, a touch of romance, excitement and adventure. You won’t want to miss it. And if you’re not a fan of Jodi Taylor’s yet, what’s wrong with you?
I was given a free copy of this ebook to review. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publish. It was an honour and a deep privilege.
September 5, 2025
I love all of the Time Police Books, but this might be my favorite as new secrets are revealed about all three members of Team Weird. When damaging information is made known, Team Weird fractures, and two members are estranged, leaving one in the middle. A new member of the Time Police will make you smile, and as always Max makes an appearance. These books are not standalones, but you will not regret reading the first three. They are delightful.
Jodi Taylor once again gives us a time travel story filled with adventure and romance, but balanced with heartbreak, loss, and reality. The characters from The Time Police books are becoming as beloved as those from the Chronicles of St. Mary's, Jodi's first series, and favorite characters from St. Mary's do make an appearance. There is a definite parent-child theme in this book as Max and Matthew, Luke and his father, and others share amazing moments together. The revealing of secrets doesn't seem to stop, much to the delight of Taylor's readers.
I listened to the audiobook, and Zara Ramm, as always, does a masterful job with all the characters. She portrays both humorous and tragic moments with skill, leaving us laughing and crying throughout the book. She is my favorite narrator across the board.
Fans of Science Fiction and Historical fiction will love this new installment in the Time Police series.
Jodi Taylor once again gives us a time travel story filled with adventure and romance, but balanced with heartbreak, loss, and reality. The characters from The Time Police books are becoming as beloved as those from the Chronicles of St. Mary's, Jodi's first series, and favorite characters from St. Mary's do make an appearance. There is a definite parent-child theme in this book as Max and Matthew, Luke and his father, and others share amazing moments together. The revealing of secrets doesn't seem to stop, much to the delight of Taylor's readers.
I listened to the audiobook, and Zara Ramm, as always, does a masterful job with all the characters. She portrays both humorous and tragic moments with skill, leaving us laughing and crying throughout the book. She is my favorite narrator across the board.
Fans of Science Fiction and Historical fiction will love this new installment in the Time Police series.
December 6, 2022
At this point, any book by Jodi Taylor has become a "OMG did this just come out? I needed to have read it by yesterday" kind of book.
The fact that I didn't, this time, has now become a source of deep and abiding shame and I will now become a round clown.
That being said, I'm always happy to read any of the St. Mary's books and I think I like the Time Police even more. Still.
The only thing that drove me a bit batty on this one was the fact that the weird team kinda split up. Irreconcilable differences bit. I don't like that one little bit. Team Weird is my GO-TO force!
Well, you know how these things go. Croatan aside, hijinks abound, a father and son resolve a few differences, and a high-class whore gets paid.
This is nothing that I did not already expect.
And it's all fun as hell.
The fact that I didn't, this time, has now become a source of deep and abiding shame and I will now become a round clown.
That being said, I'm always happy to read any of the St. Mary's books and I think I like the Time Police even more. Still.
The only thing that drove me a bit batty on this one was the fact that the weird team kinda split up. Irreconcilable differences bit. I don't like that one little bit. Team Weird is my GO-TO force!
Well, you know how these things go. Croatan aside, hijinks abound, a father and son resolve a few differences, and a high-class whore gets paid.
This is nothing that I did not already expect.
And it's all fun as hell.
March 31, 2025
I'm which we learn a lot about Jane's family (or lack thereof) but also exactly how much of an idiot Luke is. I can say no more without this becoming a spoiler graveyard.
About Time kicks off innocuously enough with Team Weird being sent on their first post graduation job. It's a doddle - go and pick up some dodgy dealer flogging "historical artefacts" to an unsuspecting 17th century public. Of course when they catch up with him and he recognises Jane you know it's all going to go horribly wrong.
Add in a trip to (sshhh) the USA, a meeting with Tesla for one over-excited inventor, an impromptu wander into a centuries old mystery, Henry Plimpton and maybe even a date or two and you've a recipe for mayhem. You could almost believe that you were at St Mary's.
Onwards and upwards now to the latest episode- Killing Time.
About Time kicks off innocuously enough with Team Weird being sent on their first post graduation job. It's a doddle - go and pick up some dodgy dealer flogging "historical artefacts" to an unsuspecting 17th century public. Of course when they catch up with him and he recognises Jane you know it's all going to go horribly wrong.
Add in a trip to (sshhh) the USA, a meeting with Tesla for one over-excited inventor, an impromptu wander into a centuries old mystery, Henry Plimpton and maybe even a date or two and you've a recipe for mayhem. You could almost believe that you were at St Mary's.
Onwards and upwards now to the latest episode- Killing Time.
January 31, 2023
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
4.5 hearts
About Time is the fourth book in The Time Police , the spin off series to The Chronicles of St Mary’s. I usually struggle with time travel books because of the normal paradoxes and other issues I generally have with how they have inconsistencies. The best thing about these series is they never change anything in time, but we get to see some glimpses of historical places or events or people. In About Time we get to see Tesla, yes Nikola Tesla so already this was going to be interesting for me.
Our favorite Time police team, 236, or Team Weird prove yet again they can't do anything the easy way. They were just supposed to grab someone out of time selling illegal and fake artifacts, maybe try out one of Amelia Meiklejohn newest inventions. What it turned into was someone killed at the time police headquarters, a failed but interesting experiment, a revelation about Jane's parentage that Luke is not taking well and a trip to St. Mary's for some assistance to check out a specific time in the future, and also a side trip to New York and some interactions with the one and only Nikola Tesla, just before his death.
I have so much fun with Matthew Parish and the Time Police. Like mother, like son he is bound to get himself is a situation or five and always finds the most entertaining ways to get out of said situations. His future girlfriend, now employed by the Time Police, is a fun addition to the cast and her interactions with the commander and captain are just hilarious. Matthew gets a trip to Roanoke out of this adventure and we learn criminals pick the worst time and place to set up shop; it is like they didn't study history at all.
Luke Parish, sometimes not my favorite character of the cast, always adds some great comic relief and once he pulls his head out of a body cavity not to be named, he actually comes through for our team. Luke's relationship with his father, while complicated, gets vetted out a bit in About Time and I did like the direction it is going.
With some help from a few members of St. Mary's we are able to learn more about the dastardly Henry Plimpton and his schemes that are rocking the Time Map. This was a great adventure exploring a few interesting moments and places in time along with discovering who in the Time Police might still be involved in the nefarious deeds from the past unfriendlier version of the Time Police.
Narration:
Zara Ramm has been the narrator for both The Time Police and The Chronicles of St Mary’s she has such a fun way of presenting all of the characters and really captures the humor of both series. Always a fantastic performance of the story capturing all the fun and adventure and that English humor that is present throughout the entire story. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
4.5 hearts
About Time is the fourth book in The Time Police , the spin off series to The Chronicles of St Mary’s. I usually struggle with time travel books because of the normal paradoxes and other issues I generally have with how they have inconsistencies. The best thing about these series is they never change anything in time, but we get to see some glimpses of historical places or events or people. In About Time we get to see Tesla, yes Nikola Tesla so already this was going to be interesting for me.
Our favorite Time police team, 236, or Team Weird prove yet again they can't do anything the easy way. They were just supposed to grab someone out of time selling illegal and fake artifacts, maybe try out one of Amelia Meiklejohn newest inventions. What it turned into was someone killed at the time police headquarters, a failed but interesting experiment, a revelation about Jane's parentage that Luke is not taking well and a trip to St. Mary's for some assistance to check out a specific time in the future, and also a side trip to New York and some interactions with the one and only Nikola Tesla, just before his death.
I have so much fun with Matthew Parish and the Time Police. Like mother, like son he is bound to get himself is a situation or five and always finds the most entertaining ways to get out of said situations. His future girlfriend, now employed by the Time Police, is a fun addition to the cast and her interactions with the commander and captain are just hilarious. Matthew gets a trip to Roanoke out of this adventure and we learn criminals pick the worst time and place to set up shop; it is like they didn't study history at all.
Luke Parish, sometimes not my favorite character of the cast, always adds some great comic relief and once he pulls his head out of a body cavity not to be named, he actually comes through for our team. Luke's relationship with his father, while complicated, gets vetted out a bit in About Time and I did like the direction it is going.
With some help from a few members of St. Mary's we are able to learn more about the dastardly Henry Plimpton and his schemes that are rocking the Time Map. This was a great adventure exploring a few interesting moments and places in time along with discovering who in the Time Police might still be involved in the nefarious deeds from the past unfriendlier version of the Time Police.
‘We don’t really have finest hours, do we? The occasional satisfactory second is about all we can aspire to.’
Narration:
Zara Ramm has been the narrator for both The Time Police and The Chronicles of St Mary’s she has such a fun way of presenting all of the characters and really captures the humor of both series. Always a fantastic performance of the story capturing all the fun and adventure and that English humor that is present throughout the entire story. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
February 26, 2025
And with that I’m fully caught up on all of the St Mary’s / Time Police series. For having been such a foot dragger at the start, I’m now enthusiastically waiting for the next entry.
November 24, 2022
As always, Jodi Taylor delivers again with this book and I really liked that we got to see Max and Matthew team up and work together more in this story. I love both of them and I think seeing the monther-son bond between them is lovely, even though they're a funny pair, they've come a long way since Matthew first arrived on the scene :)
I also enjoyed seeing Luke and his father continue to try to get to know one another. They are a bit broken in their relationship so seeing them try to mend it slowly is nice, and I liked some of the reveals and secrets of their family history that we get to see too.
Jane irritated me a little with her inner-voice in this one, and I didn't feel she was as strong as in previous books, but I guess she wasn't as much the focus in this one so it wasn't too much of an issue.
Overall another enjoyable and solid read and of course I'm always excited for more :) 4*s
I also enjoyed seeing Luke and his father continue to try to get to know one another. They are a bit broken in their relationship so seeing them try to mend it slowly is nice, and I liked some of the reveals and secrets of their family history that we get to see too.
Jane irritated me a little with her inner-voice in this one, and I didn't feel she was as strong as in previous books, but I guess she wasn't as much the focus in this one so it wasn't too much of an issue.
Overall another enjoyable and solid read and of course I'm always excited for more :) 4*s
October 7, 2022
Another thrilling Time Police adventure full of shocks, surprises, and shenanigans. There is precious little Team Weird time as the characters are scattered about absolutely all over the place (including St. Mary's) but there are new partnerships and relationships which deteriorate, develop, and reignite. Jodi's writing is an absolute joy and full of humour, pathos, thrills, and everything in between. This feels like a more ambitious novel than the previous adventures as the book's world expands and the focus shifts to different characters. Consequently some established favourites do fade into the background a little but there are tantalising glimpses of things that may develop in future books and I can't wait to read them! More Team Weird time would be very welcome though 😉.
Thank you to Net Galley for an advance copy of the novel.
Thank you to Net Galley for an advance copy of the novel.
April 14, 2023
Another fantastic installment from those utter bastards, the Time Police.
October 15, 2022
I was very lucky because I had the honor and privilege of meeting the author, Jodi Taylor in London and joining an evening to celebrate the publication of this book and, coincidentally her 70th birthday. It was a lovely evening and I can certainly see why she chose those publishers (the roof top gardens, she says, and yes, I would happily pitch my invisible pod there for eternity :-)) I must admit that I re-read book #3 before finally getting my hands on About Time, so everything would be fresh in my mind which actually helped me to enjoy it more, as it is very much packed with action and new/guest characters. Oh, and giggles, too. (Jodi swears the Epilogue incident happened to people she knew, so apparently it is not so outlandish after all. :-)))
(spoilerish parts)
-I wish we had more North/Ellis interaction.
-Good to see ( even more) strong women characters taking the center stage (Varma, Mrs Farnborough)
-Names. Names are important.
(spoilerish parts)
-I wish we had more North/Ellis interaction.
-Good to see ( even more) strong women characters taking the center stage (Varma, Mrs Farnborough)
-Names. Names are important.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2022
Jodi Taylor threw in everything but the kitchen sink for this one. There are plots and subplots and several bunches of characters harrying off to different times and places trying to catch the bad guys.
You know what? I didn't like it as much.
With these subject and her excellent characters, she has enough material (and the right kind of brain) to last the rest of her life, which I certainly hope is long and fruitful. I didn't see a need to have so many plot lines and times going on everywhere. Toward the end, I was losing track of who was who and what was happening.
Having said that, you won't be disappointed with this book. Taylor's humor certainly hasn't degraded, and the St. Mary's/Time Police crossovers are still hilarious.
Zara Ramm IS the voice of these books, and she does another sterling job of the narration. She is definitely one of best reasons to listen to these in audio format.
You know what? I didn't like it as much.
With these subject and her excellent characters, she has enough material (and the right kind of brain) to last the rest of her life, which I certainly hope is long and fruitful. I didn't see a need to have so many plot lines and times going on everywhere. Toward the end, I was losing track of who was who and what was happening.
Having said that, you won't be disappointed with this book. Taylor's humor certainly hasn't degraded, and the St. Mary's/Time Police crossovers are still hilarious.
Zara Ramm IS the voice of these books, and she does another sterling job of the narration. She is definitely one of best reasons to listen to these in audio format.
February 18, 2024
It is always worth it to read a book twice. Loved it even more the second time around.
June 4, 2023
Another great Time Police / St. Mary's adventure with lots of surprises, shocks and of course shenanigans!!
Team Weird - Matthew, Jane and Luke - are in a bit of a pickle in this book. They have split up and secrets and backstories come to light. The team's future might be at risk....
There are actually 3 separate missions happening simuletaneously and there is a LOT going on!!
I loved that
I loved the St. Mary's series by Jodi Taylor and this spin-off series is also great. For me any book by Jodi Taylor is a must read and I always wonder "why did I wait so long to read this?!?"
Team Weird - Matthew, Jane and Luke - are in a bit of a pickle in this book. They have split up and secrets and backstories come to light. The team's future might be at risk....
There are actually 3 separate missions happening simuletaneously and there is a LOT going on!!
I loved that
I loved the St. Mary's series by Jodi Taylor and this spin-off series is also great. For me any book by Jodi Taylor is a must read and I always wonder "why did I wait so long to read this?!?"
January 13, 2023
4 Stars
I enjoyed Jodi Taylor's delightful St. Mary's books but the Time Police series is my favorite. The only bad thing about them is that the author doesn't write them fast enough.
I enjoyed Jodi Taylor's delightful St. Mary's books but the Time Police series is my favorite. The only bad thing about them is that the author doesn't write them fast enough.
May 5, 2023
Fun times per usual!
October 5, 2023
Enjoyed this; and yes, I already giggled reading the "Role Call". And that Epilogue. And... [I've been warned, no more tea for me if I spoil anything about the book.]
November 9, 2022
Aanndd this series just keeps getting better, even though I'm not sure I can truly explain it coherently (although it all made sense when I was reading it, honest guv). I really don't suggest you start the series here as there are so many characters whose back-stories are laid out in the previous books, although you could probably get away without reading the St Mary's series beforehand (although why wouldn't you? They're awesome!).
The Time Police appear to be riding a tide of popularity, they are tipped to win a parliamentary vote to award them more funding and everything is looking rosy. Then a trip to arrest a minor criminal selling plastic skulls to gullible peasants blows up in their faces, unravelling unknown facts about Jane's family and the death of her parents. The secrets break up Team Weird (or Team 236 to give them their official designation, just when they were starting to get things right. Luke is threatening to leave the Time Police if he can't get reassigned, Matthew has gone to St Mary's, and Jane is hiding in her quarters arguing with Bolshie Jane.
With illegal trips to 1940s America to meet with Nikolai Tesla, a jump to a secret location which turns out to be way scarier than it first appears, and a brilliant comedic scene with Luke and his father goading their enemies this is Jodi Taylor gold, also I didn't miss the hidden nuggets she just tossed in like throwaway lines (of course I can't remember a single one at 3:36 am when I'm writing this because I've just flown halfway round the world and can't sleep).
Anyway, loved it, loved it, loved it. Can't wait for the first Time Police Christmas novella - Christmas dinner may be a bit late at our house this year.
The Time Police appear to be riding a tide of popularity, they are tipped to win a parliamentary vote to award them more funding and everything is looking rosy. Then a trip to arrest a minor criminal selling plastic skulls to gullible peasants blows up in their faces, unravelling unknown facts about Jane's family and the death of her parents. The secrets break up Team Weird (or Team 236 to give them their official designation, just when they were starting to get things right. Luke is threatening to leave the Time Police if he can't get reassigned, Matthew has gone to St Mary's, and Jane is hiding in her quarters arguing with Bolshie Jane.
With illegal trips to 1940s America to meet with Nikolai Tesla, a jump to a secret location which turns out to be way scarier than it first appears, and a brilliant comedic scene with Luke and his father goading their enemies this is Jodi Taylor gold, also I didn't miss the hidden nuggets she just tossed in like throwaway lines (of course I can't remember a single one at 3:36 am when I'm writing this because I've just flown halfway round the world and can't sleep).
Anyway, loved it, loved it, loved it. Can't wait for the first Time Police Christmas novella - Christmas dinner may be a bit late at our house this year.
October 17, 2022
About Time by Jodi Taylor.
Patience is not a virtue known to the Time Police. And Commander Hay is facing the longest day of her life...
After their heroic efforts to safeguard the Acropolis and prevent the Paris Time-Stop, the Time Police have gone from zero to hero. Then one fateful mission to apprehend a minor criminal selling dodgy historical artefacts blows up in all their faces. An officer is attacked within TPHQ. A prisoner is murdered. And investigations are about to lead to the one place where no officer can legally tread. Worst of all, trouble is brewing for Luke, Jane and Matthew as a shocking revelation threatens to tear Team Weird apart for good.
I really enjoyed this book. Great story and characters. 5*.
Patience is not a virtue known to the Time Police. And Commander Hay is facing the longest day of her life...
After their heroic efforts to safeguard the Acropolis and prevent the Paris Time-Stop, the Time Police have gone from zero to hero. Then one fateful mission to apprehend a minor criminal selling dodgy historical artefacts blows up in all their faces. An officer is attacked within TPHQ. A prisoner is murdered. And investigations are about to lead to the one place where no officer can legally tread. Worst of all, trouble is brewing for Luke, Jane and Matthew as a shocking revelation threatens to tear Team Weird apart for good.
I really enjoyed this book. Great story and characters. 5*.
October 22, 2022
I love the Time Police and the spin off series from The Chronicles of St. Mary’s. Jodi Taylor writes with such wit and intelligence. These characters feel like a reluctant yet beloved family. This was the most ambitious book of the series to date telling 3 connected stories that make me quite excited about the future books in this series. Is anyone else feeling Luke and Jane together or is Grint starting to grow on you?
March 11, 2023
Someone stir me guts like soup I NEED MORE
the ending is atrocious and should be illegal and I love everyone in this book and Henry the pimp can explode and I want someone to be the Grint to my Jane 😭
the ending is atrocious and should be illegal and I love everyone in this book and Henry the pimp can explode and I want someone to be the Grint to my Jane 😭
October 14, 2022
Yep it’s another 5*
The whole history of St Mary’s and now the Time Police is so rich I can’t recommend enough that readers new to these stories start at the beginning. For those who have this is brilliant continuation of the story. After so many it would be easy for the author to run out of steam but these stories are just getting consistently better. They are funny but that humour is just a layer on top of another complex action mystery. This is author who really respects her readers and constantly delivers great stories. Please keep them coming!
The whole history of St Mary’s and now the Time Police is so rich I can’t recommend enough that readers new to these stories start at the beginning. For those who have this is brilliant continuation of the story. After so many it would be easy for the author to run out of steam but these stories are just getting consistently better. They are funny but that humour is just a layer on top of another complex action mystery. This is author who really respects her readers and constantly delivers great stories. Please keep them coming!
December 5, 2025
I enjoy these Time Police stories, and Jane is evolving into the main focus, which is great. Mikey is a terrific character, snd makes you wish she’d been included more in the earlier books. The action moves quickly and there is always lots of great history included because of the time travel. I am looking forward to book six but sad there are no more.
October 17, 2024
3.48 stars. It’s enjoyable, but (my opinion) not as much as the previous ones…
November 4, 2022
Every time I start a Time Police book, I'm reminded how much I really don't like main characters. And every time something really good happens in the book that reminds me why I love the books anyways. Another great one, even if the MCs are annoying.
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