This is a highly entertaining time-travel series by a British writer.  The premise is that there is St. Mary’s Institute of Historical Research where the resident Historians “investigate major historical events in contemporary time”.  Just don’t call it time travel.  While time, itself, has certain safeguards to prevent messing with the timeline; St. Mary’s also has rules in place about what can and cannot be done.  And the Historians do try to follow those rules…mostly.  A successful mission means the mission parameters were met…it doesn’t always mean everyone comes home in one piece, or at all.

So, if the gentle reader has been keeping up, they know now that our Max is preggers.  And while Dr. Bairstow is still allowing her the occasional jaunts to the past, he (and Leon) are determined that she will not put herself in harm’s way. So when Dr. Bairstow informs her that two new missions are coming up; she’s quite interested in which one she’ll go on.  And, as one might expect, she doesn’t get the fun, exciting (read: dangerous) one.  But it went well enough; as these go, it was really a cake-walk.  The next one should have been, as well.

It was an opportunity to see how a hill fort actually operated.  Hill forts are just as they sound – a fort on a hill.  And England, apparently, is rift with the things.  It should have been a quiet trip so, of course, when they landed it appeared to be in the middle of a war.  Actually, it was an evacuation as the local inhabitants sought the safety of the fort against a Saxon incursion.  Our heroes were swept up in the exodus and found themselves helping defend the fort.  But that wasn’t the most exciting thing to happen.  It was when the country’s signature hero arrived to help the fort…it was almost unbelievable to realize they were actually in the presence of Arthur.  Once they realized who was there, there was no question of leaving until they’d seen as much as possible.  And that’s when things went tits-up, as usual.  It involved a sword, a mystical ghost and bad luck.  And when the dust settled, St. Mary’s was forever changed.  Max was persona non gratis, Thirsk was mad as a wet hen, David Sands had left – forever, both Markham and Peterson lost their possible promotions, and Gareth Roberts – well, it began with him and while he was forever grateful for their intervention, he was devastated that so many had suffered on his behalf. 

With Max no longer at the helm as Chief Operations Officer, and St. Mary’s in disgrace, Dr. Bairstow had no choice but to accept Thirsk’s terms if he wanted to remain in their financial good graces.  It was a sure bet that he knew exactly what would happen when Thirsk sent two of their own with instructions that these two would accompany every mission.  Two people with no training. Two people who really had no idea what it was like being a Historian with St. Mary’s.  And one of the two broke the most cardinal law of St. Mary’s at the initial go – he left people behind.  And whether anyone liked it or not, Max had to be the one to go and retrieve their people.

Later, Max saw an opportunity to provide the insatiable Thirsk with another treasure bonanza but was forstalled by none other than Dr. Bairstow; who, apparently, had another idea in mind.  In order to put everything back into the proper perspective, it was necessary to invoke medical protocols for leprosy, and allow a certain disgraced individual to “discover” the treasure in order to make Thirsk realize they would only get their largesse if they kept their fingers out of St. Mary’s pies.

And, then, finally – the requisite “fun” and “harmless” little trip to ancient Stonehenge, as Max’s final mission before her baby would come.  Which was, for this reader, going to be the final screw-up where the Time Police would come, she would get kidnapped or nearly killed…or worse.  But it didn’t. Which made me feel a bit discombobulated as I’d come to expect this formula in this stories.  Then we were treated to a sad farewell as Max packed up the last of her things and prepared to leave St. Mary’s for her new home in the village and a domestic life. 

It was only a few pages from the end and still…nothing really hellacious had happened.  What, if anything, could Taylor do now?  And then… that’s when the fit hit the shan.  Holy Mother…

So if you think I’m going to tell you…forget it. Because to really appreciate this story, you must become the story (pompously stated).  No, really, I’m not giving away the final spoiler.  Alright, alright…several questions remain, to be answered in the next book, I’m sure.  Such as who will remain married, who exactly is married to whom, and who might be expecting wedding bells.  And Max’s baby, of course… Did I forget to mention the Time Police?

In retrospect, this story was a trifle more serious than the previous ones; which is saying something since we’d seen the Library at Alexandria burn, and St. Mary’s attacked.  Maybe it was the tone.  Overriding it all was the knowledge that Max was in her last month of pregnancy and maybe all good things had to come to an end.  (Ok, I’m may be overstating it a bit, since I know more books are to come.) I measure it by the number of out-loud guffaws, snorts, and chortles I experienced.  And while there were plenty, I kind of felt there were fewer than expected.  But there were some seriously good ones!

If you’ve read my previous reviews, you should, by now, be accustomed to my gushing over this author’s work.  But I can’t think of anything new to say; the stories were great, the characters top-notch, and the humor wicked.  And they read so very quickly; it’s like the best sandwich you’ve ever eaten…every single time.   ~~  Catherine Book

For more titles by Jodi Taylor click here