Now in print for the very first time, this unmissable collection brings together seven short stories from the internationally bestselling Chronicles of St Mary's series, and one special guest tale from somewhere completely different. **Includes brand-new St Mary's short story When Did You Last See Your Father? and original introductions from the author** From riotous misbehaviour in Victorian London to ingenious feats of scientific invention (powdered water - just add water!), and from a chaotic Nativity play starring a vengeful Angel Gabriel to an illegal expedition to Mars, Jodi Taylor knows how to spin a good yarn. --- Christmas Past The Farrells are together at last for their first St Mary's Christmas, a time of riotous misbehaviour and the traditional illegal Christmas jump - this time to Victorian London. Battersea Barricades A glimpse into the past of some of your St Mary's favourites characters in the throes of Civil Uprisings. The Steam-Pump Jump St Mary's Max is injured and tied to Sick Bay but obviously a good historian would never let that get in her way. Step forward, Mr Markham... And Now For Something Completely Different Who would the St Mary's team be to turn down a little Christmas expedition to Mars? An illegal Christmas jump is traditional, after all. When Did You Last See Your Father? Have you ever wondered how things would go if Max's husband met Max's father? This is the story of what can happen if St Mary's doesn't like someone... Desiccated Water Professor Rapson breaks astonishing new ground with his latest feat of scientific invention. Markham and the Anal Probing When Markham disappears in the middle of nowhere, Max jumps to the logical conclusion - alien abduction. Little Donkey A chaotic Nativity play like no other, starring a donkey intent on eating the baby Jesus and a vengeful Angel Gabriel.

In the always eventful worlds of Jodi Taylor, it's never Christmas without illegal expeditions, riotous misbehaviour and stories you just can't put down . . . This festive collection takes readers from Frogmorton Farm to Time Police HQ via the Institute of Historical Research at St Mary's in five (and a bit) short stories. A Bumper Bundle of Christmas tales all in print for the very first time. Includes a Christmas message from the author herself and an exclusive new St Mary's scene, 'A Storm in a Teacup' --- Why is Nothing Ever Simple? For once, this Christmas jump is perfectly legal - though that doesn't make it any less dangerous. It's Major Guthrie's last, and to the Battle of Bannockburn, no less. The Ordeal of the Haunted Room Who wouldn't jump at the chance to experience an authentic Victorian Christmas? Complete with a murderous ghost and one terrifying night in a terrible storm. The Toast of Time Max and Markham prepare for their very first Christmas away from St Mary's, sure to be full of Peace and Goodwill to all men . . . plus Fabergé eggs, legendary swords and a belligerent ram. Santa Grint It all begins when the Time Police hold their first Christmas Party. Their most dangerous mission yet. Joy to the World When things take a unseasonably tricky turn on Frogmorton Farm, only Thomas can step in to save Christmas day . . . --- 'A Christmas treat that didn't disappoint' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a short story from The Chronicles of St Mary's' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'What more could you want in your stocking on Christmas morning' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'A highlight of my Christmas' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'As much a part of my Christmas as the pantomime, mince pies and the King's speech' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

BOOK 3 IN THE GRIPPING SUPERNATURAL SERIES BY THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE CHRONICLES OF ST MARY'S I don't know who I am. I don't know what I am. The identity of Elizabeth Cage has always been a mystery. Even she doesn't know who, or what, she is. But she's learned to live with it. Until now, when what should have been a peaceful holiday turns into anything but, and Elizabeth is forced to recognise that she isn't what she seems. But neither is anyone else. Has her whole life been a lie? Someone very badly wants to know the truth about Elizabeth Cage. And they'll do anything to find out. But who will live to regret it? Twisty, dark and incredibly gripping, the Elizabeth Cage novels are perfect for fans of Sarah Painter and Genevieve Cogman. Readers love Jodi Taylor: 'Jodi Taylor does brilliant, strong female heroes, and Elizabeth follows on from Max in the St Mary's series' 'I look forward to another adventure with this quirky and perfectly matched pair' 'Hold on to your seat and close your eyes if you dare!' 'Gripping and full of curious plot turns' 'An on-the-edge-of-your-seat thriller where no assumptions can be made'

A special Chronicles of St Mary's Christmas short story that is sure to entertain. If you love Jasper Fforde or Ben Aaronovitch, you won't be able to resist Jodi Taylor. It's Christmas at St Mary's and time for the traditional illicit jump. Except this one is perfectly legal. It's Major Guthrie's last jump. To the Battle of Bannockburn, no less. An important moment in History for two nations - one that warrants everyone's full attention. But Max soon finds herself grappling with a near-lethal game of pooh sticks, another avian incursion and two turbulent teenagers intent on piloting their own illegal jump. And that's all before they even get near fourteenth-century Scotland. For this is St Mary's and nothing is ever simple . . . Readers love Jodi Taylor: 'Once in a while, I discover an author who changes everything... Jodi Taylor and her protagonista Madeleine "Max" Maxwell have seduced me' 'A great mix of British proper-ness and humour with a large dollop of historical fun' 'Addictive. I wish St Mary's was real and I was a part of it' 'Jodi Taylor has an imagination that gets me completely hooked' 'A tour de force'

'Not enough stars to do this justice. I loved it' Reader review ⭐ ⭐⭐ ⭐⭐ Introducing THE TIME POLICE - an irresistible spinoff from the internationally bestselling CHRONICLES OF ST MARY'S. A long time ago in the future, the secret of time travel became known to all. Unsurprisingly, the world nearly ended. There will always be idiots who want to change history. Enter the Time Police. An all-powerful, international organisation tasked with keeping the timeline straight. At all costs. Their success is legendary. The Time Wars are over. But now they must fight to save a very different future - their own. This is the story of Jane, Luke and Matthew - the worst recruits in Time Police history. Or, very possibly, three young people who might change everything. A sensational new series for fans of Doctor Who, Terry Pratchett and Jasper Fforde. *** DOING TIME is a five-star read!: 'I blooming well loved this book' ⭐ ⭐⭐ ⭐⭐ 'Excellent start to this St Mary's Chronicles spinoff series. There is Taylor's trademark humour, along with moments of real lump-in-the-throat poignancy' ⭐ ⭐⭐ ⭐⭐ 'Clever, witty, humourous, touching, emotional, just about everything anyone could want' ⭐ ⭐⭐ ⭐⭐ 'Another superb book from the pen of Jodi Taylor' ⭐ ⭐⭐ ⭐⭐ 'Can't wait for the next one'⭐ ⭐⭐ ⭐⭐

The first three extraordinary adventures in the Chronicles of St Mary's series, now available together in ebook. If you love Jasper Fforde or Ben Aaronovitch, you won't be able to resist Jodi Taylor. 'The Chronicles of St Mary's are the stories of a bunch of time travelling historians who investigate major historical events in contemporary time. Do NOT call it time travel. They are frequently described as "a bunch of tea-sodden disaster magnets", bouncing from crisis to catastrophe and back again. For is it not written, where historians go disaster is sure to follow?' - Jodi Taylor In these first three novels, meet the disaster magnets of St Mary's as they hurtle their way around History. JUST ONE DAMNED THING AFTER ANOTHER When Madeleine Maxwell is recruited by the St Mary's Institute of Historical Research, she discovers the historians there don't just study the past - they revisit it. But one wrong move and History will fight back - to the death. And she soon discovers it's not just History she's fighting... A SYMPHONY OF ECHOES Dispatched to Victorian London to seek out Jack the Ripper, things go badly wrong when he finds the St Mary's historians first. Stalked through the fog-shrouded streets of Whitechapel, Max is soon running for her life. Again. A SECOND CHANCE It began well. A successful assignment to 17th century Cambridge to meet Isaac Newton, and another to witness the historic events at The Gates of Grief. So far so good. But then came the long-awaited jump to the Trojan War that changed everything. And for Max, nothing will ever be the same again. Readers love Jodi Taylor: 'Once in a while, I discover an author who changes everything... Jodi Taylor and her protagonista Madeleine "Max" Maxwell have seduced me' 'A great mix of British proper-ness and humour with a large dollop of historical fun' 'Addictive. I wish St Mary's was real and I was a part of it' 'Jodi Taylor has an imagination that gets me completely hooked' 'A tour de force'

This book considers the key critical interventions on short story writing in South Africa written in English since the year 2000. The short story genre, whilst often marginalised in national literary canons, has been central to the trajectory of literary history in South Africa. In recent years, the short story has undergone a significant renaissance, with new collections and young writers making a significant impact on the contemporary literary scene, and subgenres such as speculative fiction, erotic fiction, flash fiction and queer fiction expanding rapidly in popularity. This book examines the role of the short story genre in reflecting or championing new developments in South African writing and the ways in which traditional boundaries and definitions of the short story in South Africa have been reimagined in the present. Drawing together a range of critical interventions, including scholarly articles, interviews and personal reflective pieces, the volume traces some of the aesthetic and thematic continuities and discontinuities in the genre and sheds new light on questions of literary form. Finally, the book considers the place of the short story in twenty-first century writing and interrogates the ways in which the short story form may contribute to, or recast ideas of, the post-apartheid or post-transitional. The perfect guide to contemporary short story writing in South Africa, this book will be essential reading for researchers of African literature.

A Chronicles of St Mary's short story that is sure to entertain. If you love Jasper Fforde or Ben Aaronovitch, you won't be able to resist Jodi Taylor. **Includes bonus St Mary's escapades Desiccated Water and Markham and the Anal Probing and original introductions from the author** When Did You Last See Your Father? 'Max, your father is here. He's come to take Matthew away' Have you ever wondered what would happen if Max's husband met Max's father? What would Leon do? They're normally a fairly amiable bunch, but this is the story of what to expect if St Mary's doesn't like someone. As in, really doesn't like someone. Warning: contains a unit-wide criminal enterprise, a great deal of illegal activity and a sad misuse of public resources. All the things a father will do to protect his family. It is also a story of revenge. Because this is payback - St Mary's style. Desiccated Water Professor Rapson breaks astonishing new ground with his latest feat of scientific invention. Markham and the Anal Probing When Markham disappears in the middle of nowhere, Max jumps to the logical conclusion - alien abduction. Readers love Jodi Taylor: 'Once in a while, I discover an author who changes everything... Jodi Taylor and her protagonista Madeleine "Max" Maxwell have seduced me' 'A great mix of British proper-ness and humour with a large dollop of historical fun' 'Addictive. I wish St Mary's was real and I was a part of it' 'Jodi Taylor has an imagination that gets me completely hooked' 'A tour de force'

Ten optimistic and forward-looking space stories that show how we journey to the stars! This is the third volume of the collected short stories of Joe Vasicek. It includes: The Scales of the Space Whale The most dangerous creatures in the universe will kill you before they know you exist! In the Beginning Paradise is not what—or where—it seems. (After Dinner Conversation, August 2020) From the Ice Incarnate They say that going into cryo is the closest thing to death short of actually dying. I believe it. (1st place, 2009 Vera Hinckley Mayhew Contest BYU) When She Awakes To pay her father's debt, she must offer herself as coin. The Infiltrator The aliens are already among us, in a form we refuse to see. (Not Far From Roswell, December 2019) Abductors Always check your backblast before launching your UFO. (Never before published!) Starchild The revolutions passed, and the stars spun silently underfoot. (Bards and Sages Quarterly, October 2019) L’enfer, c’est la Solitude War is not the only hell in the cold, empty void of space. (Perihelion, March 2016; The New Accelerator, August 2018) The Janus Anomaly What do you do when you're the only sane one and everyone else is crazy? (Kasma Magazine, May 2019; Twilight Tales, February 2021) Lizzie-99XT To save humanity, she must become the machine. (Serial Magazine, August 2019)

The Short Story after Apartheid offers the first major study of the anglophone short story in South Africa since apartheid’s end. By focusing on the short story this book complicates models of South African literature dominated by the novel and contributes to a much-needed generic and formalist turn in postcolonial studies. Literary texts are sites of productive struggle between formal and extra-formal concerns, and these brief, fragmentary, elliptical, formally innovative stories offer perspectives that reframe or revise important concerns of post-apartheid literature: the aesthetics of engaged writing, the politics of the past, class and race, the legacies of violence, and the struggle over the land. Through an analysis of key texts from the period by Nadine Gordimer, Ivan Vladislavić, Zoë Wicomb, Phaswane Mpe, and Henrietta Rose-Innes, this book assesses the place of the short story in post-apartheid writing and develops a fuller model of how artworks allow and disallow forms of social thought.