Doing Time: a hilarious new spinoff from the Chronicles of St Mary's series Paperback – 15 October 2020

I had my eye for long on this title and with the lockdown making us feel as though we are 'doing time' indoors, I went ahead and picked it up. It was worth every rupee that I paid for it. It put my anxieties to sleep and got me engaged within a world where 'time' is of the essence.Those who haven't read the earlier series of St. Mary's Chronicles can pick this up and get sucked right into the story. Those who have read the series (like me) will wait eagerly for the appearance of some of the legendary characters from the series.Mathew Farrel, Luke Parrish, and Jane Lockland have their own quirks that make them absolutely charming. To me, they seemed a bit like Harry, Ron, and Hermoine. A dream team that gets into trouble more often than out.Loved it. Jodi Taylor has never disappointed her readers, ever.

Doing Time is the first (hopefully in a series) of novels focused on the Time Police side of the St Mary's story arc. Sort of. It's about three recruits to the Time Police, one of them from the St Mary's world, and how they get through the first six months of life with the organization. Along the way they chase a rabbit in Australia, swipe a winning lottery ticket, murder a few people....or do they?...and generally annoy genuine Time Police.I really enjoyed reading through Doing Time over a weekend. It's an easy read, and familiar characters and settings helped make it more fun. There's cameos from St Mary's, which are also fun. I understand the point of view of some reviewers here who wanted more depth, but I thought the story was fine as it was. If you're a St Mary's fan, you'll enjoy Doing Time. If this is your first exposure, you won't get some of the inside references, perhaps, but you will have a great read. Recommended without question! Now, when's the next volume ready, I wonder...

ROFLAnother fine St. Mary’s, well the Time Police, novel. This one follows Matt Farrell, and two new, and exciting characters, Luke and Lockwood. (Sorry it sounds better then Luke and Jane). Hmm, that’s kind of like Singing in the Rain, isn’t it? Lockwood and DuMont, silly me....Doh. Oh!Back to the Doing Time...It is a great story, very amusing, and a wonderful introduction to the Time Police’s newest recruits aka Team Weird. Oh, and our friends from St. Mary’s, the past, the present, and the future, join in for a time. A time? Get it? T-I-M-E, aka Tempus Fugit (hey, do you pronounce “Fugit” as few-git, few-jit, or does one accent the first syllable as in Fug-it?). But, who cares; we’re St. Mary’s - we pronounce it to fit the situation. For example, Max looks at a clock and reads the writing Tempus Fugit as “Tempest in a Teapot”, Judy sees it (and the guy with the gun pointed at her) and says Fire Truck. While Markham sees the blinking red light (attached to an IED behind the clock face and says Fug-It! They’re all correct, because they pronounced the word(s) to fit their current situation. They do that every time, don’t they? Time and time again. Oh, you’re not Watch-ing yourself, are you? That can happen today...or tomorrow...or could have happened already....tic-tok, tic-tok, tick-tock. The watchmen are watching and are being watched themselves. Tick Tock. As they say, a broken clock is right twice a day.What else?Commander May is still in charge, and succeeding, we and St. Mary’s wish her well.Max is Max is Max, and maximizing herself as Max Mom.If you’re a fan of St. Mary’s, like I am, you’ll certainly love this latest novel by Jodi-in-Chief. It’s plotted well, great characters ( as usual), and exciting action - Especially when the gun goes off, that's when you’re left wondering who’s gunning for who.How long until the next book? I’m looking forward to seeing how Matthew handles the future, or is it the past? And Luke and Lockwood’s relationship should be interesting and fun. The only thing lacking I thought, was that Jane didn’t show herself (Time Police Jane),to her a Granny. I would’ve liked to have seen that scene, Oii, enough with the puns, where are the Huns when you need them.And Luke, I am your father. Haha haha. Was I the only one highlighting that? It is what it is, is it?LIAYF. 🙀

What just happened? How did I go into this firmly and completely on the side of St Mary's, squinting sideways at the - boo, hiss - Time Police but end up rooting for Team Weird as much as I ever do for the Disaster Magnets?! Well, because it’s Jodi Taylor, of course, and her writing always, always bowls the reader along from incident to incident (seriously, there are individual scenes that could form the entire plot of other novels!) Her books are joyous, breakneck-speed adventures, but don’t imagine that leaves no room for careful characterisation, or even moments of breath-catching pathos. This is brilliant, clever, entertaining stuff.I fully intended to keep my 'favourite' badge for Matthew, because we know him already and I had no wish to warm to the other members of his team...ha, ha. Hahaha. I would follow any of them, anywhere. Jane is amazing. Her arc was thoroughly satisfying. I loved that some old friends from St Mary's popped up, really loved seeing them, but I would have been okay, story wise, if our new heroes had had to manage on their own. And I say that as someone who was highly sceptical that the - boo, hiss - Time Police would ever capture my heart in the same way. (That is NOT a challenge to leave anyone out in future. All stories are improved with added Markham!)I would love to list some of the laugh-out-loud moments, but I think it’s better for readers to trip over them themselves. Just know that I lost count of the times I wanted to share a bit with anyone in the vicinity. Especially near the end. In the office. I’m giggling just thinking of the line.Not enough stars to do this justice. I loved it.

I enjoyed this book so much!A different angle on the previously feared and hated Time Police, with much humour, some interesting and likeable new characters and a breathtaking plot. It also brings back some of my favourite characters from St.Mary’s, much like a reunion with old friends. As with all her preceding books, I was sorry to finish it, and hope it will not be long before the appearance of the next masterpiece by Jodi Taylor.

A bit clunky at the beginning, maybe because a lot of background info had to be given.Three young recruits, each with a different background, trying to find their place in the world and their new employer. The Time Police itself - on the verge of a change, sometimes subtly, sometimes openly, with known and new characters - some we love to see, some we love to hate.The outsiders' look on St. Marys was hilarious - so far we only had Max's and Markhams perspective of it and they are very much in the thick of it all.Team Weird is promising - I hope, Jane confronts her grandmother, Lukes father gets investigated by Grint at some point and Matthew discovers that there are more things in the world than his parents, the Time Map and Mikey.I am glad Max and Ellis must have reached some kind of truce - I hope to read all about it in the next St. Marys - book.Overall a very fun read - the only bad thing is the long wait for the next one.Spoiler Alert:Ellis and North - who would have thought? I look forward to see how that develops.