Just One Damned Thing After Another

The Chronicles of St Mary's, Book 1

By: Jodi Taylor

Narrated by: Zara Ramm

Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

The first book in the best-selling Chronicles of St Mary's series which follows a group of tea-soaked disaster magnets as they hurtle their way around History. If you love Jasper Fforde or Ben Aaronovitch, you won't be able to resist Jodi Taylor.

Time Travel meets History in this explosive bestselling adventure series.

'So tell me, Dr Maxwell, if the whole of History lay before you...where would you go? What would you like to witness?'

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....

©2013 Jodi Taylor (P)2014 Audible Studios

A female thriller for all listeners

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, maybe not for everyone, but certainly fans of scifi/thrillers with a serious comedic spin. Taylor writes in an almost stream of concious manner, and Zara Ramm brings authenticity and wonderful humour to the narration.
There is just enough adult themes to temper the humour, and although it does require a bit of a stretched belief model, I do recommend it.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Max ( our hero ) is difficult not to cheer for, and engages us all the way. The bad guys are not very well crafted, at least in this first book of what I hope is a long series.

What about Zara Ramm’s performance did you like?

Everything. She sparkles. Humour, drama, authenticity, and consistency. What's not to like?

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I am not creative enough to get this one nailed.

Any additional comments?

This is the first of what promises to be a classic series of funny/serious/scifi time travel thrillers, in classic British style. There is a slight "chick lit" aspect to the offering, but it is highly enjoyable for everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and have downloaded the sequel already. Highly recommended.

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.