Just One Damned Thing After Another

The Chronicles of St Mary's, Book 1

De: Jodi Taylor

Narrado por: Zara Ramm

'One of my favourite books of all time' CHARLAINE HARRIS

'Jodi Taylor is quite simply the Queen of Time. Her books are a swashbuckling joyride through History' C. K. MCDONNELL

--

They say that History is just one damned thing after another. Welcome to St Mary's Institute of Historical Research - where damned things happen every day.

When Dr Madeleine 'Max' Maxwell is recruited by St Mary's, she finds their methods to be somewhat unorthodox. They don't just study the past - they actually visit it, carefully observing historical events as they unfold in real time.

And not dying. This last part is important.

The whole of History now lies before Max and her new colleagues, but, as she will discover, time travel is never straightforward. Because History doesn't like to be messed with, and danger lurks in every century...

Fast-paced, witty and delightfully unconventional, Just One Damned Thing After Another is the first in Jodi Taylor's beloved and bestselling Chronicles of St Mary's series. For fans of Terry Pratchett, Doctor Who, Genevieve Cogman and Ghosts.

©2013 Jodi Taylor (P)2014 Audible Studios

Wow!

No spoilers here but the title of this book truthfully sums up the story quite well. The narration is very well done. This book kept me up late and I have listened to several parts again because they were so funny.

Wow, what a book!

Would you listen to Just One Damned Thing After Another again? Why?

Yes, there is a lot going on and I am sure I missed something funny!

What did you like best about this story?

It is written with the same tongue and cheekiness as Jasper Fforde

Have you listened to any of Zara Ramm’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Nope, but will watch for her.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Wished for more history

I loved the concept of this book and I quite enjoyed the beginning, I just wish that the characters spent more time within the historical timelines. The main character was a real go getter and there were some nice twists, however, some of the character interaction was a bit much for me.

The narration was good and I hope the next book in the series focuses more on the historical side.

Not My Cup of Tea, but Maybe Yours

Would you try another book from Jodi Taylor and/or Zara Ramm?

I would certainly listen to anything Zara Ramm narrates. I think she is wonderful. If Jodi Taylor tried a straight mystery, I would listen to it. But for me, the fantasy genre needs to be handled lightly, or it kills my willingness to suspend disbelief. This novel takes itself a bit too seriously for a time travel fantasy about a society of zany British dons who defend the world from catastrophe in the form of sociopathic British dons.The serious tone of this featherlight concept provoked my internal naysayer I was too busy mentally poking holes in the plot to give myself over to it. I could not grant Taylor the space she needed to develop her plot and I found myself saying "No, no, no" to my car stereo. So, my bad, but not my cup of tea.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It didn't make sense. In a time travel novel, the timeline has to be traceable so that, when all the secrets are revealed, you can go back and see how the people who got fooled were tricked, and how the people doing the fooling managed to get ahead of their dupes. Listen to a Jasper Fforde Thursday Next novel to see how this can be done right. This did not happen for me in Just One Damned Thing After Another.

Which character – as performed by Zara Ramm – was your favorite?

Zara Ramm did a good job making the main character charming, As usual with Audible narrators, I was blown away by how easily she changes sexes. Ms. Ramm can do dialogue on behalf of a female character, and one breath later summon up a male voice so instantly recognizable as that character that my subconscious accepts without noticing. I wonder how these narrators do it. I like the richness of Ms. Ramm's voice, too.

Was Just One Damned Thing After Another worth the listening time?

Sorry, only just. I was down to my last audiobook while taking a tedious road trip, but I needed some breaks, here and there, to listen to the voices in my head because they were slightly more amusing. I never skip through books, but I came close here.

Any additional comments?

If it's not going to bother you that you have to take seriously the idea of time-traveling British dons and their predators, you likely will enjoy this book. I'm just a grouch and I prefer mystery to fantasy.

Original and well written

It’s very clever. The author really thought out the story. I love the wit (reminds me a little of Terry Pratchett) It just works: well rounded interesting characters, strong plot and good writing. I feel like the author actually did the research.

Delightful

Love the intrepid, clever and devious Max. Couldn't stop reading. Trying desperately to not read book two for at least an hour. History, time travel, Archaeology, devious plots, and the odd tender moments after heart stopping battles between good and evil.

Delightful!

If you could sum up Just One Damned Thing After Another in three words, what would they be?

Terrific funny time traveling story

What other book might you compare Just One Damned Thing After Another to and why?

Time and Again

Any additional comments?

I love love this series and Jodi Taylor. Her premise of a time travelling think tank is original, and the character development thorough and well done.

Funny!

What made the experience of listening to Just One Damned Thing After Another the most enjoyable?

The wry wit of the author shines through in this very enjoyable novel. The story is fun; the narrator brings it to life. A wonderful romp through time.

Highly recommended

What did you love best about Just One Damned Thing After Another?

This book (and the three that follow it so far) are engaging fiction with unexpected plot twists and humour throughout. I learned quite a bit about British history. If you like historical fiction, science fiction, British literature, you will not be disappointed. Zara Ramm does a fantastic job of narrarration. I have thouroughly enjoyed the first 4 audiobooks, and understand that a fifth is in the works.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Just One Damned Thing After Another?

There are so many episodes of simultaneous humour and disaster, but perhaps it's the scene where Max narrowly escapes being crushed by a falling wall in the dark ages, and is simultaneously peed on by her time traveling companion.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed and cried at various times throughout the book.

Fun

Fun and easy read.

Started out kind of slow and felt like a recounting of a series of missions at the beginning. But everything got tidied up nicely in the end with a good overall storyline.