Christmas Present: The Chronicles of St. Mary’s
£0.99
Price: £0.99
(as of Nov 27, 2025 03:49:00 UTC – Details)
A Chronicles of St Mary’s 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 Eve at St Mary’s
And all through the house
Nothing is stirring…
Except for Max, Peterson and Markham, sneaking out at midnight for an assignment that is very definitely off the books.
It’s ten years ago tonight that Senior Historians Bashford and Grey went missing in 12th century Jerusalem. So how did they end up in AD60 Roman Colchester?
Max has a theory. Peterson has a plan. Markham has bacon sandwiches. Colchester has Boudicca and her bloodthirsty Iceni hordes.
And then there’s the giant pig … the enraged, giant pig…
Customers say
Customers thoroughly enjoy this St Mary’s short story, describing it as a fantastic adventure with a terrific plot and well-written narrative. They appreciate the humor, with one customer noting it’s time travel with a sense of humor, and find it informative, with one review highlighting its believable approach to history. Customers love the author, and one mentions it captures the most important part of the Christmas season. The book’s length receives mixed reactions, with several customers noting it’s short.
Janet Calderwood –
Fantastic! Only wish it were longer!
Another rip-roaring adventure into History for the staff of St Mary’s. Exciting, informative and funny! On to the next one.
Tina J. –
Another wonderful St Mary’s short story – a “must-read”.
I couldn’t wait any longer, although I had promised myself this as a “Christmas Present”, but I gave in and read it this afternoon.It is another wonderful story about St Mary’s and with Max as usual as the main character. Jodi Taylor’s use of the English language is phenomenal. She makes us laugh and cry almost in the same paragraph.I do hope that all the people who read this have also read the entire St Mary’s Chronicles books – if not – all I can say is “DO”, they are utterly brilliant.
derek –
A Christmas cracker
Short and sweet but packed with page turning dialogue, funny and bitter sweet. Fancy meeting a iceni legend in the flesh so to speak
malc davies –
A Christmas to cry for.
Third short by Jodi Taylor read today. Still a few to go. If they are as good as the first three my day is sorted. That’s a daft last sentence. They are Jodi Taylor short stories they are bound to be good.This one is set at Christmas just like the one just read but a totally different scenario.There is always great humour in Jodi’s books and this is no different. However this one is something special it’s a Christmas story, well obtaining a Christmas present, that may require your use of a handkerchief before you finish it.It beautifully shows the compassionate side of Max and her small team as Max aims to make this a very special day for two colleagues. No more info just read the book.Please keep these shorts coming they bring back great memories of the St Mary’s main series.
Nicola Gregory –
This bodes incredibly well for future installments in the Chronicles.
When I read the first Chronicle I absolutely adored the “indestructible” Markham. Here, involving himself with Max and Petersen in a rescue effort based in Boudicea’s Colchester (a tale involving a large pig – hence the cover illustration), Markham shows further depths and real strength of character, and I fell in love with him all over again.But interestingly, this short story has very little to do with Markham, or Max or indeed the vast majority of the unique individuals that make up St. Marys – focusing instead on peripherals. And, I hope, this will form essential reading to close any potential gaps between Vol. 4 and (please let there be one) Vol. 5.These have become must-have purchases for me – should Ms Taylor ever decide to retire writing the full Chronicles, I hope she will still provide a short story or two – I need my St. Mary’s fix!
Jenn –
Loved It. Someone pass me a hanky…
Frankly I don’t think it is possible for Jodi Taylor to write a bad story. I am madly in love with the whole cast of St Mary’s. Even the characters you don’t meet very often get fleshed roundly out and shown in a way that makes you empathise with them and read avidly about their ups and downs. That’s what makes this ‘Christmas Present’ such a touching story. I’m all for sentimentality and love winning though. Especially at Christmas…
Mrs Ferret –
A cracker for Christmas
This works as a standalone but if you haven’t read the whole series then you don’t know what you’re missing.In a nutshell this storyline is about Max (our heroine) feeling that tonight could well be Ian Guthrie’s last. It’s 10 years since his love, Elspeth Grey went on a mission that she didn’t return from – Clive Ronan (the baddie) intercepted her to steal the pod she was travelling in & abandoned her in a different time. So (to cut a short story short -does that make sense? No, that’s because I’m talking about St Mary’s where sense has very little meaning) Max, Markham & Peterson set off to bring back the best Christmas present Guthrie will ever have.I know that History should go balistic, this is most definitely against the rules but hey ho – it’s Christmas, it’s a story but most of all it’s St Mary’s so just make a cup of tea (St Mary addicts will understand the relevance), sit back & enjoy another romp through history.Another cracker from Ms Taylor!
Mrs. J. C. Nice –
Another great St Mary’s story
I loved this short story which helped fill the gap until the next full length novel in the series. These stories just get better and better and are a highly recommended read. This concerns Max and her companions travellng to Boudicca’s attack on the Romans occupying Colchester to rescue two historians who have been lost in time for 10 years, who may or may not be there.
Joanna Taylor –
Loved this story as with all the St Mary’s novels and really recommend it to anyone . Bring on the next book !
Pamela –
All the usual suspects romp through this short story from Jodi Taylor. I can’t get enough of the adventures of the St. Mary’s crew of disarming historians.
R L W –
This is a delightful story Which left mewith a smile on my face and in my heart. I love how Jodi uses her words and wit to Draw the reader in and make usDevelop a relationship With each of her characters. I feel like I know these people.Thank you, Jodi.
Susan –
Just read another good book. Made me smile, with a little happy tear at the end. Loved it loads .
Michael Eaton –
As a Yank, some of the word usage, events, and locations are unfamiliar to me, but thanks to installed dictionaries and Wikipedia, I got along just fine and read a wonderful, humorous, very British, and touching Christmas story that I would recommend to anyone. (Is that sentence long enough?) I thank sincerely the employees of St. Mary’s and the (well-hidden) University of Thirsk for an hour of action, humor, suspense and good-feeling. May Jodi Taylor live long and prosper.I shall from now on, when Christmas comes around, think of very large pigs, burning buildings, blood, and long-delayed reunions. I also think a pig ornament for the tree would be very appropriate. Please read this story — and listen to it as well. The audio version is spot-on and adds greatly to the general enjoyment. (And I also learned what a “plinth” is.)Read this story and get the audio version too. It costs next to nothing, but is worth much more.