• The Long and the Short of It

  • The Chronicles of St. Mary's
  • By: Jodi Taylor
  • Narrated by: Zara Ramm
  • Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (771 ratings)

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The Long and the Short of It  By  cover art

The Long and the Short of It

By: Jodi Taylor
Narrated by: Zara Ramm
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Publisher's summary

Follow the disaster magnets of St Mary's as they hurtle around history! The ninth book in The Chronicles of St Mary's Series collects the best-selling short stories in audio for the first time.

'When a Child Is Born': a jump back to 1066 to witness the coronation of William the Conqueror goes slightly astray.

'Roman Holiday': Max and her team become spectacularly involved with Julius Caesar, Cleopatra and a basket of confused asps.

'Christmas Present': an attempt to rescue lost historians involving an enraged pig and Boudicca herself.

'The Very First Damned Thing': discover the truth about the very beginning of St Mary's.

'Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings': a gun left behind in ancient Egypt and a race against time to prevent a catastrophe.

'The Great St Mary's Day Out': hooray! It's a happy holiday. For everyone except Max, the only one with her mind on the job.

'My Name Is Markham': Alfred, the cakes and Mr Markham. The Great British Bake Off it's not!

And a bonus a new and previously unpublished short story - 'A Perfect Storm'.

©2017 Jodi Taylor (P)2017 Audible, Ltd

Critic reviews

"Taylor has written a madcap and very funny hodgepodge of a novel whose pacing and humour is reminiscent of a Simon Pegg Edgar Wright film." ( Booklist)

Featured Article: The 25 Best Time Travel Listens to Take You on an Unforgettable Journey


Time travel is one of science fiction's most popular subgenres. Fans are drawn to its infinite possibilities, offering a glimpse into past cultures, societies, and pivotal events while exploring big what if? questions. What if you knew what would happen next in your life? What if you could go back and change history? What if you did change history? With this guide, you're sure to find an exciting audiobook to transport you to the perfect place in another time.

What listeners say about The Long and the Short of It

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Yes people it's a collection of shorts

Yes there is only one new short story. Yes you can buy it standalone for less if you are patient. However, I wanted all the shorts together so this book satisfies my needs. All the shorts together and one new story.
The new one wasn't my favourite ever but it was still enjoyable.

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24 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • KD
  • 06-10-17

Loved It! Jodi's Intros were great!

I loved the new story and fell in love with the previously released stories all over again. Jodi Taylor is my favorite author and she's never let me down.
ps: read the description, this is a compilation of stories, with intros by the author a new story at the end.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Can’t get enough of St Mary’s

This is a collection of most of the short stories from the series “THE CHRONICLES OF ST.MARY’S” by Jodi Taylor A lot of great humor, wonderful well developed characters, clever plot twists, murder, mystery, mayhem. And a little romance too but nothing gooey.
Actually anything by JT Is wonderful. The Time Police series, Elizabeth Cage Series, FrogMorton Farm, Bachelor Establishment.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Jodi Taylor Rules!

This compilation of Jodi's short stories in the world of 'The Chronicles of St. Mary's' is wonderful! Some people have complained because they 'didn't know' it was a compilation and not a brand new story (a new short story is included at the end), but this information was everywhere, and it is so unfair to dock such a talented and funny author because these people didn't read. Jodi Taylor deserves nothing less than 5 stars, as does the wonderful reading by Zara Ramm.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great stories! Great fun!

I had listened to most of the other stories before this, except for two and, of course, the last story. The others were good but the last story was great! I laughed my butt off. Only wish I could really laugh my butt off (sigh). Great audio all around!

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • MJ
  • 11-29-17

Compilation of Short Stories- great purchase!

If you could sum up The Long and the Short of It in three words, what would they be?

Love Her (Jodi Taylor) Writing. She makes you laugh and she makes you cry. This book is a compilation of her short stories, not what I would call Book 9 of The Chronicles of St. Mary's. Short Stories included: When a Child is Born; Roman Holiday; Christmas Present; Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings; The Very First Damned Thing; The Great St. Mary's Day Out*; My Name is Markham*; A Perfect Storm. This is a great deal because several of these you can purchase separately,* and could cost as much as this one.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Max - quitting is not in her repertoire

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

Just the St. Mary's series - she does a fabulous job

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A Collection Of All The St Mary's Novellas

What did you love best about The Long and the Short of It?

That the novella's are fairly self contained and without a lot of distracting side plotlines. They get right to the point with all of their action and humor.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Long and the Short of It?

I think that the Great St. Mary's Day Out, while having the least impact on the greater storyline, is absolutely hilarious and, in my opinion, the best of the bunch.

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

Max with her inherent snarky-ness.

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

Spend a little time with the disaster magnets of St. Mary's between missions.

Any additional comments?

All great additions to the greater storyline. Most are fairly specific in where they place in the greater storyline. All very worthy additions, but even better if you know where they fit in.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I just love this series!

This book is a collection of short stories, including a prequel, which can only be appreciated after reading the preceding books 1-8 of the Chronicles of St. Marys. Each story is a gem. So excited for the next installment of the Chronicles due out in the Spring.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A bunch of short stories that fill in the gaps

I absolutely adore the St. Mary's Chronicles! And Zara Ramm brings the characters to life! This book is a compilation of short stories that (sort of) fill in between the major books.

The author being a history buff, has kept all her St. Mary's stories close to the historical happenings, even with the “investigate major historical events in contemporary time" (aka time travel).

I look forward to hearing more of her St. Mary's stories!

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

most of this book was the funniest thing ever.

This has got to be the best series ever. This book alone had me laughing until tears fell. The characters in this series are the most wonderful, funny, and interesting I have ever met. How Zara Ramm read this book with a natural voice is astonishing to me. She does the narration better than any other narrator I have ever listened too. I can hardly wait for the next book.

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1 person found this helpful