Booklog 51/2020: Jodi Taylor: A Symphony of Echoes - St Mary's #02

[jacey]

This is a reread and always a pleasure to return to St Mary's with Max and Co. For those of you who have never read one of Jodi Taylor's 'Chronicles of St Mary's' books about a bunch of disaster prone historians who investigate the highs and lows of history in contemporary time (don't call it time travel) then you're in for a treat. I've read the books and now I'm doing a re-read via the excellent audiobooks read beautifully by Zara Ramm. The narration includes subtle changes of accent, pace and rhythm without hamming it up too far. The stories lend themselves beautifully to this medium. This time Max is dealing with some personal trauma with Leon Farrell, and Mary Queen of Scots, as well as the despicable Clive Ronan. Full of dramatic tension, action and adventure, this is a great sequel to 'Just One Damn Thing After Another.'

Comments

[watervole]

I tried the series and read two or three, but it didn't grab me enough to go further. I think they skimmed through history too fast and I wanted to know more about the periods they visited.

[jacey]

Ah, I'm addicted. I'll order any upcoming Jodi Taylor as soon as it's announced. I'm not sure about skimming through too fast. It is fiction after all, and as far as I can tell very well researched. If you want to keep up the dramatic tension and pace of the story you have to pick and choose what information you use in order to keep things moving. If that means cutting out some of the imteresting details that don't propel the story forwards, then so be it. Also I guess if it encourages you to read non-fiction (or watch a documentary) to fill out the story, that's a win.