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Why Is Nothing Ever Simple?
- Narrated by: Zara Ramm
- Series: The Chronicles of St Mary's
- Length: 2 hrs and 19 mins
- Categories: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction
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I've done some stupid things in my time. I've been reckless. I've broken a few rules. But never before have I ruined so many lives or left such a trail of destruction behind me. As Max would be the first to admit, she's never been one for rules. They tend to happen to other people. But this time she's gone too far, and everyone is paying the price. Grounded until the end of time, how can she ever put things right?
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Jodi Taylor’s best-selling series The Chronicles of St. Mary is back with a bang…St. Mary’s has been rebuilt, and it’s business as usual for the history department. But first there’s the little matter of a 17th-century ghost that only Mr. Markham can see. Not to mention the minor inconvenience of being trapped in the Great Fire of London…and an unfortunately timed comfort break at Thermopylae, leaving the fate of the Western world hanging in the balance.
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Ms. Taylor Does it Again!
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Publisher's Summary
A special Chronicles of St Mary's Christmas short story that is sure to entertain. If you love Jasper Fforde or Ben Aaronovitch, you won't be able to resist Jodi Taylor.
It's Christmas at St Mary's and time for the traditional illicit jump. Except this one is perfectly legal. It's Major Guthrie's last jump. To the Battle of Bannockburn, no less.
An important moment in history for two nations - one that warrants everyone's full attention. But Max soon finds herself grappling with a near-lethal game of pooh sticks, another avian incursion and two turbulent teenagers intent on piloting their own illegal jump. And that's all before they even get near 14th-century Scotland.
For this is St Mary's, and nothing is ever simple.
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What listeners say about Why Is Nothing Ever Simple?
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Colonelswife
- 12-26-19
Wonderful !
Jodi Taylor NEVER disappoints !
Highly recommend “The Chronicles of St. Mary’s” my absolute favorite book series.
Frankly, you can’t go wrong with anything by Jodi Taylor !!
4 people found this helpful
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- mumsy
- 01-23-20
Jodi and Zara do it again!
A great story and a wonderful performance make for a really nice "Christmas gift". Thank you!
1 person found this helpful
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- Garden Womble
- 01-23-20
Loads of fun
As usual, another fun (short) romp with the Saint Mary's gang. I enjoy these short stories between the larger books. This was another of the traditional Christmas short stories that we expect now from Ms. Taylor, This one might have seemed a little less Christmas-focused than others I suppose, but it was a lovely installment. I particularly liked Pennyroyal and would love to see him and Amelia again.
1 person found this helpful
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- Richard S. Swol
- 01-02-20
A Christmas jump that is authorized...who knew?
Yes, an actual authorized Christmas time jump at St. Mary's. The occasion being the retirement of our old friend, Major Ian Guthrie. But, as the title states, nothing is ever simple, at least with St. Mary's involved.
In this short story, we have, (in no particular order), an attempted illicit jump to party with Stephen Hawking, a missing time jump crew, time traveling idiots who want to rewrite history, bounty hunters, and wearable cheese. Even more astounding is the fact that Max is, more often than not here, the voice of reason!
I really love these stories and wish that they came out more often.
If you have not, read the series from the beginning to get the most out of this story. You will thank your self for doing so.
I cannot recommend this more highly.
1 person found this helpful
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- av
- 01-14-21
St Mary's Fan
As always, the Christmas short story is loaded with history, heroes and villains. but more important, great endings. Good job Jodi Tslor and Zara Ramm. Hope we se Ian and Elspeth again.
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- Jennifer V.
- 09-06-20
Lovely Short Story
Probably my favorite St Mary’s short story so far - but then again I say that about all of the stories in this series
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- bebe
- 08-20-20
Meet Pennyroyal
Christmas story in which Maj Guthrie takes his final jump upon retirement. He wants to go to the battle between the Scottish and the British which was won by the Scottish. Of course things do not go as planned. Maxwell must follow them because they are late returning to St. Mary's. During this jump the St. Mary's team meet Lady Smallhope and her amazing butler, Pennyroyal. A fun little listen well narrated by Zara Ramm
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- Brian Phillips Ashley
- 05-26-20
Another St. Mary's HIT!
Love this whole series! Can't wait for "Plan for the Worst" to be on audile.
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- Dean S.
- 05-09-20
Always a joy
Another excellent short story!!!
The St. Mary's Chronicles have been bringing me joy for years during a long work commute and now I listen while working from home. Forever a fan.
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- janet
- 04-19-20
Why must these end?
Saddest part of her books...the end. I love every minute of them and hate when I have to leave and go back to reality.:)
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- C-Dweller
- 01-30-20
Another wonderful short including a teaser.
Great fun as always and leaving us with a tantalisng teaser regarding the true identity of one of our favourite characters. When will that be answered I wonder? 🙂
1 person found this helpful
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- Steph H
- 01-26-20
Great fun
I've been dipping in and out of this series for a while and feel I need to go back to the start for a refresher listen. Just love it.
1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 01-22-20
Perfect Christmas audible book
Well worth the wait for the latest Christmas short story... if only there was an Easter one as well!
1 person found this helpful
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- Gina L
- 01-10-20
Another 5 stars
Jodi and Zara can do no wrong. Yet another rollicking adventure from St Mary's Disaster Magnets.
1 person found this helpful
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- mrs c howe
- 12-29-19
fabulous as always
beautifully crafted stories with engaging characters and interesting storylines. a real treat. I love this series of books and eagerly await the next instalment.
1 person found this helpful
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- Gabrielle Harvey-Jones
- 12-27-19
A Christmas essential!
No Christmas would be complete without a St Mary’s Christmas short story and this one definitely doesn’t disappoints! Safe in the hands of the ‘dream team’ (Jodi Taylor and Zara Ramm) it leaves one with the perfect post Christmas feeling of possible delights to come!
1 person found this helpful
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- TK
- 01-10-21
Pleasure as always
Jodi Taylor at its best as always. Narration at its best as always. Fully recommended.
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- Jacky
- 01-05-21
Wonderful
Penny royal a royal plant, plantagenet. How clever. No spoilers from me, loved it.
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- JanBird&DebMeades
- 10-01-20
Enjoyable
Love these stories. Time travel always entertains and the research always meticulous. Can't get enough of this series.
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- fred jones
- 08-14-20
Superb short story
What a super a short story, a fitting tale for the departure of one of the original main characters and an introduction to some new ones I hope we will hear more from, perfect narration as always
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- Readalot
- 04-13-20
Well... Why Would it Be?
Nothing is meant to be simple where St Marys is concerned, so why would this Christmas be any different? It was a bit of a case of Greatest Hits, and good fun, as usual.