Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
[United States] : Accent Press : Made available through hoopla, 2013.
Description
"Behind the seemingly innocuous facade of St. Mary's Institute of Historical Research, a different kind of academic work is taking place. Just don't call it "time travel"--these historians "investigate major historical events in contemporary time." And they aren't your harmless eccentrics either; a more accurate description, as they ricochet around history, might be unintentional disaster-magnets. The Chronicles of St. Mary's tells the chaotic adventures of Madeleine Maxwell and her compatriots--Director Bairstow, Leon "Chief" Farrell, Mr. Markham, and many more--as they travel through time, saving St. Mary's (too often by the very seat of their pants) and thwarting time-travelling terrorists, all the while leaving plenty of time for tea. In the sequel to Just One Damned Thing After Another, Max and company visit Victorian London in search of Jack the Ripper, witness the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral, and discover that dodos make a grockling noise when eating cucumber sandwiches. But they must also confront an enemy intent on destroying St. Mary's--an enemy willing, if necessary, to destroy history itself to do it"--… (more)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2013-10-18
ISBN
9781681468792
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User reviews
LibraryThing member AuntieClio
What makes these books so much fun for me is the descriptions of history. When Max and team go to Canterbury, Taylor's writing really makes the reader understand what citizens of that time experienced.
That Dr. Max is as flawed as any of us and still strives for triumphal completion of her missions
A Symphony of Echoes does not stand alone, there is no "closure" so to speak on the big issue haunting St. Mary's. What will book #3 bring me, aside from the trip to Troy mentioned in the last line of book #2?
That Dr. Max is as flawed as any of us and still strives for triumphal completion of her missions
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makes me love her all the more. Even though she does tend to go over the top when she is, shall we say, more than a bit peeved.A Symphony of Echoes does not stand alone, there is no "closure" so to speak on the big issue haunting St. Mary's. What will book #3 bring me, aside from the trip to Troy mentioned in the last line of book #2?
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LibraryThing member rlangston
Not as good as the first one - narrative wasn't as tight.
LibraryThing member Gwendydd
This wasn't quite as dazzlingly fun as the first book, but was still a good enjoyable romp. I found some of the characters' emotional reactions to be overwrought, and some people's motivations were less than clear.... but the book is funny, engaging, lighthearted, and thoroughly enjoyable. I hope
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the rest of the series stays this good! Show Less
LibraryThing member dd196406
Fabulous book! Love this series!
LibraryThing member Zumbanista
I liked Symphony of Echoes, book 2 in the time travel series by Jodi Taylor, but perhaps not as much as the first one. There's still interesting assignments to various places in the past. This time, our historians brush up against Jack the Ripper (a very strange version here), Dodos, Thomas
What I didn't enjoy quite as much was the action involving the future St. Mary's Institute and the troubled relationship between Max and Leon, our romantic leads. In fact, I started to find Dr. Maxwell irritating a couple of times.
Still, the writing is generally good and witty so I'll have a read of the next book in line.
One note, it might be better to read these books closer together because the story lines do carry on and I'd forgotten some of the details of book 1 in the intervening year before I picked up book 2.
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Beckett, and by far the most interesting - Mary Stuart of Scotland. What I didn't enjoy quite as much was the action involving the future St. Mary's Institute and the troubled relationship between Max and Leon, our romantic leads. In fact, I started to find Dr. Maxwell irritating a couple of times.
Still, the writing is generally good and witty so I'll have a read of the next book in line.
One note, it might be better to read these books closer together because the story lines do carry on and I'd forgotten some of the details of book 1 in the intervening year before I picked up book 2.
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LibraryThing member mountie9
I had a hard time rating this one, I loved it but it has some slight problems that take it from being a perfect five. I would say its more of a four out of five. My main complaint is that it jumps around a lot and had me confused at times -- but hey that often happens when it comes to time travel
Favourite Quotes/Passages
“Dr Maxwell. Why are you wearing a red snake in my office?’ ‘Sorry, sir. Whose office should I be wearing it in?”
"In this century. as in any other, men wore the comfortable, practical stuff, and the women wandered round expiring underneath over-decorated tea-cosies and with inadequate footwear."
"I really wasn't looking forward to this, but you can't condemn someone to death and then disown the consequences."
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books. This one takes a bit of a dark turn, but at least there are some brilliant moments of humour that offset the darkness. I enjoyed getting to know a bit more about the background of some of the secondary characters and it was very fast paced. I also love the idea of going back in time and being able to witness memorable events and see historical figures in all of their humanity. Ok, I could do without the reality of the smells, lack of hygiene and misogynistic attitudes of course. The highlight of this series is of course the witty dialogue and delightfully unique characters, which make you care less about some of the plot holes that happen when dealing with time travel (oops sorry, should not use the phrase time travel, Max would be so disappointed with me.Favourite Quotes/Passages
“Dr Maxwell. Why are you wearing a red snake in my office?’ ‘Sorry, sir. Whose office should I be wearing it in?”
"In this century. as in any other, men wore the comfortable, practical stuff, and the women wandered round expiring underneath over-decorated tea-cosies and with inadequate footwear."
"I really wasn't looking forward to this, but you can't condemn someone to death and then disown the consequences."
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LibraryThing member michigantrumpet
The second installment in Jodi Taylor's The Chronicles of St. Mary's series. We follow Madeline "Max" Maxwell and her colleagues of that most unique of History Departments as they travel back in time to investigate questions of interest. These are not the doddering dusty academics of literary
Even this fantasy avoiding reader has been drawn in and enchanted by this series. Witty and amusing (Dodos!), it is also packed with action with an occasional bit of sex tossed in. Don't read the series out of order, however. There is a flow from one volume to the next with lots delicious clues dropped along the way.
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stereotype. They have a seat in the cathedral for the murder of Thomas Becket and are chased through the murky alleys of London by Jack the Ripper. Even more intriguing, the survival of St. Mary's itself is endangered by a mysterious group of other time traveling historians. Much is riding on our team of intrepid scholars.Even this fantasy avoiding reader has been drawn in and enchanted by this series. Witty and amusing (Dodos!), it is also packed with action with an occasional bit of sex tossed in. Don't read the series out of order, however. There is a flow from one volume to the next with lots delicious clues dropped along the way.
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LibraryThing member LongDogMom
I flew through this St. Mary's followup. It starts with Max and Kal going to Victorian England to see Jack the Ripper, and as always, there are unexpected consequences that pull you in and hold on tight. Horror, humour, science fiction, supernatural entities and even a little romance thrown in for
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good measure. The St. Mary's Institute for Historical Research is full of characters can continue to surprise in unpredictable ways, getting into scrapes in the past, and the future, and uncovering mysteries and fixing the time line along the way. A fun and interesting read that keeps you turning pages to see what will happen next! I love this series!! Show Less
LibraryThing member jamespurcell
A good entry in what could be a very good series. Really fun characters with vast opportunities to dabble in history. Sorting our old England so that the right queen was beheaded was a challenge with a very creative solution.
LibraryThing member jetangen4571
action-adventure, time-travel, urban-fantasy, suspense
Fast paced and fascinating! I had this in my TBR pile (for 2 years! ) and couldn't believe that I had not reviewed it. Then I realized that I had not even read it! Obviously I rectified that. I love the fast pace and intertwined subplots as
Zara Ramm provided excellent narration with feeling.
Fast paced and fascinating! I had this in my TBR pile (for 2 years! ) and couldn't believe that I had not reviewed it. Then I realized that I had not even read it! Obviously I rectified that. I love the fast pace and intertwined subplots as
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well as the interesting characters. No spoilers, the publisher's blurb gives clues. Just suspend disbelief and enjoy! Zara Ramm provided excellent narration with feeling.
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LibraryThing member dd196406
Fabulous book! Love this series!
LibraryThing member bell7
The second adventure of the intrepid time-traveling historians of St. Mary's opens with Madeleine "Max" Maxwell and her friend Kal in Victorian London looking for a glimpse of Jack the Ripper. They get a bit more than they bargained for, and when they bring a terrifying stowaway back with them to
While I still really enjoyed the read, the second book was not quite as fun as the first. I'm not sure if I knew more what to expect, or maybe I just read it too soon after Just One Damned Thing After Another. Still a fun read and I'll continue the series as I really enjoy the characters - Chief Farrell, Max and her brash ways, the indestructible Markham. Time spent with them is not wasted, just the way the plot veered from one direction to the other and I was a little dizzy keeping up annoyed me about halfway through.
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St. Mary's, their friends will have to use all their ingenuity to save their lives.While I still really enjoyed the read, the second book was not quite as fun as the first. I'm not sure if I knew more what to expect, or maybe I just read it too soon after Just One Damned Thing After Another. Still a fun read and I'll continue the series as I really enjoy the characters - Chief Farrell, Max and her brash ways, the indestructible Markham. Time spent with them is not wasted, just the way the plot veered from one direction to the other and I was a little dizzy keeping up annoyed me about halfway through.
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LibraryThing member jtck121166
More of the same - great stuff, etc. - but I wouldn't start here. I thought the best part of Book 1 was the hilarious (and hilariously told) set up and preposterousness of the premise. This time, Ms Taylor can jump straight in, obviously, which she does, and suddenly we're back again in the world
Also, I have to say, by about half way through this one, if that, the character of 'Max' Maxwell, who I suppose we must now call 'feisty', does begin to wear a little thin.
Don't think I'll bother with #3.
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of Dr Who of the 1980s, which isn't really why we(I) have bought the book.Also, I have to say, by about half way through this one, if that, the character of 'Max' Maxwell, who I suppose we must now call 'feisty', does begin to wear a little thin.
Don't think I'll bother with #3.
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LibraryThing member John_Warner
In this second novel of the Chronicles of St. Mary's series, Madeleine "Max" Maxwell is now in management. She and her team begin this novel on White Chapel in an attempt to identify Jack the Ripper. This time jaunt is followed by trips to Canterbury Cathedral to witness the assassination of Thomas
This series has become a guilty pleasure. The novels are light reading and the reader has the opportunity to learn about various historical periods and events. If you are a fan of the television series, Timeless, you need to pick up this series.
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Beckett and to Nineveh to search for the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. If these trips which are rarely ever without problems is enough they also must deal with a time travelling villain who is trying to erase St. Mary's from history. This series has become a guilty pleasure. The novels are light reading and the reader has the opportunity to learn about various historical periods and events. If you are a fan of the television series, Timeless, you need to pick up this series.
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LibraryThing member nicx27
Another fun instalment of The Chronicles of St Mary's, as good as the first in the series. In which other book would Jack the Ripper and Mary Queen of Scots feature? Great fun. Bring on book 3!
LibraryThing member tututhefirst
As I've said before, I'm not a time-travel fan, but this series is so fun. I love the characters, the plots, and the whole insuciance of this group of "historians" who magically zip through time fixing things that weren't quite right in history, or even go forward a bit to see how things might be.
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In this one the group goes looking for Jack the Ripper, witnesses the murder of Thomas a Becket, tries to save Do=Do birds from extinction, and makes sure a would be interloper doesn't screw up the succession to the british throne in the days of Mary Queen of Scots. Great fun in audio, and just what the doctor ordered as an antidote to an overdose of really heavy reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member BethYacoub
~~~~4.5 Stars~~~~
This is the second book in the series and in my opinion is just as good as the first! They "are not time-travelers! they are historians. They investigate major historical events in contemporary time".
and what a job they do.
In this book we cross paths with Jack the Ripper, travel
I'm happily off to book #3
This is the second book in the series and in my opinion is just as good as the first! They "are not time-travelers! they are historians. They investigate major historical events in contemporary time".
and what a job they do.
In this book we cross paths with Jack the Ripper, travel
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to the future, find out who's really helping the very dislikeable Ronan, witness a famous brutal murder, set a salacious tryst back on track and find out the next (absolutely monumental) assignment. Most of the characters are so loveable you can't help but feel/root for them, even the bad guys elicit emotions befitting their character. This installment is chock full of History, as any good "non time-travel" time-travel book should be. I'm happily off to book #3
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LibraryThing member Berly
Just as good as the first one, with a little romance thrown in. This series is perfect summer reading!
LibraryThing member passion4reading
Once again the intrepid historians of St Mary's travel through time, encountering Jack the Ripper, meeting Mary Stuart, witnessing the assassination of Sennacherib, and rescuing some dodos – it's all in a day's work. But they also have to deal with a traitor in their midst who threatens history's
This volume continues the overarching plot arc of a member of St Mary's trying to change history, whom we encountered in Just One Damned Thing after Another, and it certainly raises the stakes, both professionally and personally, for our favourite historian and narrator of the series, Dr Maxwell.
I love this series and Jodi Taylor's well-drafted and engaging, not to mention highly idiosyncratic, characters are worthy companions to spend one's precious time with. The historical locations are well chosen and researched, and not always what one would expect, and the author manages to convey a distinct atmosphere that transports the reader effortlessly to the distant (and not so distant) past. Though individual plot points may not always be entirely convincing, she knows ho to increase the tension and effortlessly blends the light with the dark, the humour with the tragedy.
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timeline, not to mention the lives of everyone at St Mary's.This volume continues the overarching plot arc of a member of St Mary's trying to change history, whom we encountered in Just One Damned Thing after Another, and it certainly raises the stakes, both professionally and personally, for our favourite historian and narrator of the series, Dr Maxwell.
I love this series and Jodi Taylor's well-drafted and engaging, not to mention highly idiosyncratic, characters are worthy companions to spend one's precious time with. The historical locations are well chosen and researched, and not always what one would expect, and the author manages to convey a distinct atmosphere that transports the reader effortlessly to the distant (and not so distant) past. Though individual plot points may not always be entirely convincing, she knows ho to increase the tension and effortlessly blends the light with the dark, the humour with the tragedy.
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LibraryThing member EvaW
So fun to read!
LibraryThing member Olivermagnus
This is the second book in the fascinating Chronicles of St. Mary's, an extremely entertaining time travel series. At the beginning of the book, Max, now a seasoned and trained Historian, manages to accidentally bring Jack the Ripper back from Victorian London, then goes back in time to Scotland
We see many of the characters we met in the first book. They are realistically portrayed and some of the situations where they are in peril seem believably resolved. Given this is a fantasy novel, I guess I'm not sure if realistic is the correct word. Max and Leon's relationship hits a snag in this book and I'm not sure that's a bad thing.
Because there are several time jumps in this book, I was worried that it would seem like a book of short stories but the author has managed to keep everything tied together. I think my recommendation would be to expand a bit on only two of the subplots instead of four. Hopefully the next book in the series will be a little smoother in that respect. I gave this book an extra half star for the audio narration by Zara Ramm, who is the perfect voice of Max.
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where she needs to ensure the marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots, to preserve history. One of the very best sections of the book involves a Dodo hunt, which is both amazing and hilarious.We see many of the characters we met in the first book. They are realistically portrayed and some of the situations where they are in peril seem believably resolved. Given this is a fantasy novel, I guess I'm not sure if realistic is the correct word. Max and Leon's relationship hits a snag in this book and I'm not sure that's a bad thing.
Because there are several time jumps in this book, I was worried that it would seem like a book of short stories but the author has managed to keep everything tied together. I think my recommendation would be to expand a bit on only two of the subplots instead of four. Hopefully the next book in the series will be a little smoother in that respect. I gave this book an extra half star for the audio narration by Zara Ramm, who is the perfect voice of Max.
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LibraryThing member Rusty37
I enjoyed this overall, but found it a bit uneven; there were parts that were really good, and parts that I didn't enjoy so much. Generally I preferred the bits that involved time travel (yes, I know I shouldn't call it that) to the present-day (in the book's timeline).
LibraryThing member jdifelice
Another fun adventure with the St.Mary's gang. I enjoyed the characters in this one, but their development felt stunted, I felt like things kept getting pushed aside because events were happening that took precedence, and it felt a little forced.
Overall, this was fun, fast paced, and well told.
Overall, this was fun, fast paced, and well told.
LibraryThing member KateBaxter
What an imaginative story this second book in The Chronicles of St. Mary's series provided. It's part espionage, adventure, comedy, romance, tragedy and a bit of historic time travel. I can only imagine that the first in series was equally so. The pace was quick and there was never a dull moment.
The book starts off with a quick romp to Victorian England and ends with plans to attend the battle of Troy. In between, there are trips to the future and training field trips to the past. Our heroine is all business, yet deep down holds a brokenness which her Chief Farrell tries to reach. I certainly am not going to spoil that part for you.
If you're looking for a humorous romp through historic moments by folks with an adventurous spirit, then this may just be the book for you.
I am grateful to Night Shade Books and Goodreads First Reads for having provided a free copy of this book. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Synopsis (from book's back cover):
Book Two in the madcap time-travel series based at the St Mary's Institute of Historical Research that seems to be everyone's cup of tea.
In the second book in the Chronicles of St Mary's series, Max and the team visit Victorian London in search of Jack the Ripper, withess the murder of Archbishop Thomas a Becket in Canterbury Cathedral, and discover that dodos make a grockling noise when eating cucumber sandwiches.
But they must also confront an enemy intent on destroying St Mary's - an enemy willing, if necessary, to destroy History itself to do it.
Show More
The heroine of the story, Madeleine Maxwell ("Max") is a spitfire with a clever wit and wildcat reflexes. She is highly respected but often getting herself and other team members into scrapes and binds of the most heroic order. The book starts off with a quick romp to Victorian England and ends with plans to attend the battle of Troy. In between, there are trips to the future and training field trips to the past. Our heroine is all business, yet deep down holds a brokenness which her Chief Farrell tries to reach. I certainly am not going to spoil that part for you.
If you're looking for a humorous romp through historic moments by folks with an adventurous spirit, then this may just be the book for you.
I am grateful to Night Shade Books and Goodreads First Reads for having provided a free copy of this book. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Synopsis (from book's back cover):
Book Two in the madcap time-travel series based at the St Mary's Institute of Historical Research that seems to be everyone's cup of tea.
In the second book in the Chronicles of St Mary's series, Max and the team visit Victorian London in search of Jack the Ripper, withess the murder of Archbishop Thomas a Becket in Canterbury Cathedral, and discover that dodos make a grockling noise when eating cucumber sandwiches.
But they must also confront an enemy intent on destroying St Mary's - an enemy willing, if necessary, to destroy History itself to do it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member being_b
Even faster-paced than the first one, if possible. The world-building is opening up all kinds of new possibilities, and Maxwell remains awesome (and scary).