I think Jodi Taylor is a genius and as I’ve read everything she’s published, so it will come as no surprise that I was delighted with this new Time Police Novel. The major problem with it, of course, is that it isn’t several million words long. Can’t Jodi write any faster than two books a year?! The whole story takes place in one day and we follow different groups as they get up to different things, before most of the threads join together, with a few left dangling for the next in the series. This time we learn a bit more about Jane’s back story and who her parents are and what they were like, we learn a bit more about Mikey and how talented she truly is, but this novel did not move the plot very much further in terms of apprehending the main villain or solving some of the issues the last novel ended with. It is a pity there wasn’t more of a ‘catch up’ feel to it in the beginning as it’s a year since I read the last book in the series and can’t quite remember all the aspects that were solved last time. It would just be helpful. But there is still some absolutely marvellous stuff here. A mole in the time police; Henry Plimpton, the harmless seeming grandad-type who’s actually a super baddie intent on destroying pretty much everything; Matthew ending up in a remote and terrifying place and of course, a cameo by Max, a brief one of Peterson and Leon, all make this a rip-roaring and exciting read. As always with Jodi Taylor there is laugh out loud humour that means you disturb the person lying next to you as you frantically read till past midnight. The sheer number and spread of her characters make this a fascinating book, and we’ve got to know them so well over the last few years that sometimes it might feel as though she has bitten off a bit more than she should (not can) chew! Whilst I love Max, who doesn’t? we could probably have had less on her and more on Team Weird. I’m probably slightly too invested in the lives of these imaginary people. I desperately wanted more of Callen as he’s just such an interesting and sneaky character! And what of Grint and Jane? Will they never get there? If you are a fan of St Mary’s and The Time Police, you’ll love this book; it has everything you want: adventure, time travel, humour, adventure, a touch of romance, excitement and adventure. You won’t want to miss it. And if you’re not a fan of Jodi Taylor’s yet, what’s wrong with you? I was given a free copy of this ebook to review. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publish. It was an honour and a privilege.

Aanndd this series just keeps getting better, even though I'm not sure I can truly explain it coherently (although it all made sense when I was reading it, honest guv). I really don't suggest you start the series here as there are so many characters whose back-stories are laid out in the previous books, although you could probably get away without reading the St Mary's series beforehand (although why wouldn't you? They're awesome!). The Time Police appear to be riding a tide of popularity, they are tipped to win a parliamentary vote to award them more funding and everything is looking rosy. Then a trip to arrest a minor criminal selling plastic skulls to gullible peasants blows up in their faces, unravelling unknown facts about Jane's family and the death of her parents. The secrets break up Team Weird (or Team 236 to give them their official designation, just when they were starting to get things right. Luke is threatening to leave the Time Police if he can't get reassigned, Matthew has gone to St Mary's, and Jane is hiding in her quarters arguing with Bolshie Jane. With illegal trips to 1940s America to meet with Nikolai Tesla, a jump to a secret location which turns out to be way scarier than it first appears, and a brilliant comedic scene with Luke and his father goading their enemies this is Jodi Taylor gold, also I didn't miss the hidden nuggets she just tossed in like throwaway lines (of course I can't remember a single one at 3:36 am when I'm writing this because I've just flown halfway round the world and can't sleep). Anyway, loved it, loved it, loved it. Can't wait for the first Time Police Christmas novella - Christmas dinner may be a bit late at our house this year.