Lies, Damned Lies and History

The Chronicles of St. Mary's, Book 7

By: Jodi Taylor

Narrated by: Zara Ramm

Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

I've done some stupid things in my time. I've been reckless. I've broken a few rules. But never before have I ruined so many lives or left such a trail of destruction behind me.

As Max would be the first to admit, she's never been one for rules. They tend to happen to other people. But this time she's gone too far, and everyone is paying the price. Grounded until the end of time, how can she ever put things right?

©2016 Jodi Taylor (P)2016 Audible, Ltd

plots and overcoming disaster

We start with total disaster, followed by smaller disasters, then redemption.
Plots abound as Thirsk University outs its Chancellor and installs their own oversight at St Mary’s. The staff at St Mary’s finds its’ way around multiple obstacles, which include, but are not limited to: Returning Arthur’s sword to its resting place; Markham’s ear being shot off and naming his ringworm Oscar; driving with a dead grandmother; conniving academics with leprosy; and aerodynamic fish. Max is in the thick of it with a few more major events like her last jump going to Stonehenge; being kidnapped by Ronin; then rescued by the Time Police, who are battered by a Max having her baby. Just the usual action, suspense and hilarity.
Ramm does a decent job of narration.

Love this series!

Yet another wonderful episode in this great series! Great characters, weird and wonderful plots, tenderness, and all the accolades to Zara's narration. Fantastic selection - I would recommend this series to all modern sci-fi fans!!

Lies, Damned Lies LOVED IT

Just keeps getting better Loved every minute. Can't wait for the next one to come out.

Read this book BEFORE the short St Mary's Day Out

Read this book BEFORE the short titled something like "St Mary's Day Out." The short contains spoilers to this book.

I love this series,

And I’ve given every book five stars. I wish I could have given this one six!

Addictive

This is a great series, entertainingly original. I enjoyed it so much that I was downloading the next audiobook as I was listening to this one.

Another great book by Jodi Taylor

Can’t wait to read the next book in the series! And Zara Ramm is amazing! Don’t ever change this combo!

Love the St Mary’s books.

So much happens in each book, it’s a fun whirlwind. Great characters, most fleshed out really well. It’s my favorite series.

Excellent, as always!

Couldn't put it down. I am continually impressed with Taylor's ability to create new situations and develop characters even further.

Too Many Improbable Things

I really enjoy this series. Jodi Taylor has great characters and interesting stories with historical tidits thrown in. Zara Ramm is a great narrator and gives each character a unique voice that you recognize even during uninterrupted dialogue

My quibble with this book is that it sets up two situations with horrible consequences, and then the consequences do not happen. The first situation resolves without any real explanation of why the consequences never occur. The second situation resolves in a reaonable enough manner. But the lack of explanation for the first resolution and the immediate follow-up with another narrow escape seems too improbable and contrived.

I know, I am complaining about lack of realism in a series about time-traveling historians. That is why I classify it as a quibble. But usually Jodi keeps a higher level of internal consistency, and this one felt pasted-over. As if it was written into a corner and then the solution was too much trouble to deal with. If there was less build-up to the first situation, it would not have bothered me. But the huge build-up followed by a squib instead of an explosion felt intellectually dishonest.

Still, an enjoyable book and I already have the next two books in the series.