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The Chronicles of St Mary's #7.5
The Great St Mary's Day Out
Also available in The Long and Short of It.
Everyone deserves to get away for a bit. Even the miscreants at St Mary's.
Astonishingly, Dr Bairstow has declared a holiday. Even more astonishingly - he's paying for it.
Needless to say, there are strings attached. They have to record the 1601 performance of Hamlet, with Shakespeare himself in the role of the Ghost.
It doesn't go well, of course.
Everyone deserves to get away for a bit. Even the miscreants at St Mary's.
Astonishingly, Dr Bairstow has declared a holiday. Even more astonishingly - he's paying for it.
Needless to say, there are strings attached. They have to record the 1601 performance of Hamlet, with Shakespeare himself in the role of the Ghost.
It doesn't go well, of course.
55 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 12, 2016
About the author
Jodi Taylor
76 books4,961 followersJodi Taylor is the internationally bestselling author of the Chronicles of St Mary's series, the story of a bunch of disaster prone individuals who investigate major historical events in contemporary time. Do NOT call it time travel! She is also the author of the Time Police series - a St Mary's spinoff and gateway into the world of an all-powerful, international organisation who are NOTHING like St Mary's. Except, when they are.
Alongside these, Jodi is known for her gripping supernatural thrillers featuring Elizabeth Cage together with the enchanting Frogmorton Farm series - a fairy story for adults.
Born in Bristol and now living in Gloucester (facts both cities vigorously deny), she spent many years with her head somewhere else, much to the dismay of family, teachers and employers, before finally deciding to put all that daydreaming to good use and write a novel. Over twenty books later, she still has no idea what she wants to do when she grows up.
Alongside these, Jodi is known for her gripping supernatural thrillers featuring Elizabeth Cage together with the enchanting Frogmorton Farm series - a fairy story for adults.
Born in Bristol and now living in Gloucester (facts both cities vigorously deny), she spent many years with her head somewhere else, much to the dismay of family, teachers and employers, before finally deciding to put all that daydreaming to good use and write a novel. Over twenty books later, she still has no idea what she wants to do when she grows up.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 204 reviews
August 15, 2016
Markham and Shakespeare.
Does there *really* need to be any more description? I mean, seriously, fans will already conjure to mind great stuffed bras and flaming bards, right? For everyone else unfamiliar with the great miscreants of Time, then just know that you're missing out on great hijinks and dire stares from the administration of History Department.
So does this mean that everyone will have a great time seeing the original plays with Shakespeare as the ghost?
Well, not Dr. Bairstow, and more's the pity. One ghost is already too much. *sigh*
Does there *really* need to be any more description? I mean, seriously, fans will already conjure to mind great stuffed bras and flaming bards, right? For everyone else unfamiliar with the great miscreants of Time, then just know that you're missing out on great hijinks and dire stares from the administration of History Department.
So does this mean that everyone will have a great time seeing the original plays with Shakespeare as the ghost?
Well, not Dr. Bairstow, and more's the pity. One ghost is already too much. *sigh*
March 5, 2018
*** 4 ***
This was so much fun! Maybe because there was no real danger to any of our beloved characters at any time, just some mischief in England during the time of William Shakespeare and his theater putting on his masterpiece "Hamlet", starring as the Ghost - the bard himself. St. Mary's takes this as a day outing, to have some fun and team building. Doctor B and all the usual suspects are there and we get what we have come to expect from all of these short stories - just enough of what makes us fans of the series to hold us over for the next book. Pure joy:):):)
This was so much fun! Maybe because there was no real danger to any of our beloved characters at any time, just some mischief in England during the time of William Shakespeare and his theater putting on his masterpiece "Hamlet", starring as the Ghost - the bard himself. St. Mary's takes this as a day outing, to have some fun and team building. Doctor B and all the usual suspects are there and we get what we have come to expect from all of these short stories - just enough of what makes us fans of the series to hold us over for the next book. Pure joy:):):)
September 30, 2017
Bwahahahaha!
Being a baby at St. Mary's must be cool - but also dangerous! Good thing his mother gave instructions right at the beginning of the story before the History Department and/or R&D could do somethingfunny dubious like using little Matthew to check if baby Moses could have actually been sent across water (a lake in this case) in a wicker basket. St. Mary's is so cute with Matthew, it's heartwarming! :D If Ronan's stunt in the last novel was good for anything, it's the fact that Leon, Max and the baby are now staying in St. Mary's "until the situation is resolved" (and yes, I'm picturing daddy Leon all overprotective and it's pretty cool).
This, like the other novellas, was a cute story with our favourite chaos team.
Dr. Bairstow is treating all of St. Mary's (all who are interested anyway) to see the performance of Hamlet at the original Globe Theatre in 1601, which means we get a lot of London history and the characters get to see William Shakespeare since he plays the Ghost. Even the boss himself, Mrs. Enderby from Wardrobe and Mrs. Mack from Catering are going.
As usual, things don't go quite as smoothly as planned but since this is a short story, it's not THAT bad. I was just sad that Max and Leon have agreed to never go on the same assignment so in case anything bad happens baby Matthew won't be an orphan - seeing them together would have been sweet (like them running from the Time Police together a few books back). On the other hand, considering what went wrong this time, it might have been great for Leon to have an excuse to stay at home. ;P
It has to be noted that even the list of people at the beginning of each book (and novellas too) is funny as hell and should not be overlooked even if you know who is who. Funny just like Mr. Markham, who apparently is a Shakespeare-enthusiast. He is a bag full of surprises.
Moreover, yes, I'm a Shakespeare fan and although Hamlet isn't my favourite (I quite agree with Mr. Markham that A Midsummer Night's Dream is highly underrated), it is indeed one of Shakespeare's best plays.
Hamlet is such an important piece, language-wise. Shakespeare in general shaped our language(s) but most of the lines/words we use until this very day (although some have been slightly changed over time) spring from this very play. It is extremely interesting, which is why we had an entire month of classes dedicated to this when I studied languages.
True to the subject, this short story also refers to several words and their origins (like "box office") and the history of some nursery rhymes - this was especially cool!
In short: this trip was glorious! :D
For now, it is Goodbye to St. Mary's *holds back tears* but fortunately only until the next novella is released around Christmas and another full-length novel is published in July 2017. Seriously, I'm such a huge fangirl of this world by now, even I'm slightly worried. ;P
Being a baby at St. Mary's must be cool - but also dangerous! Good thing his mother gave instructions right at the beginning of the story before the History Department and/or R&D could do something
This, like the other novellas, was a cute story with our favourite chaos team.
Dr. Bairstow is treating all of St. Mary's (all who are interested anyway) to see the performance of Hamlet at the original Globe Theatre in 1601, which means we get a lot of London history and the characters get to see William Shakespeare since he plays the Ghost. Even the boss himself, Mrs. Enderby from Wardrobe and Mrs. Mack from Catering are going.
As usual, things don't go quite as smoothly as planned but since this is a short story, it's not THAT bad. I was just sad that Max and Leon have agreed to never go on the same assignment so in case anything bad happens baby Matthew won't be an orphan - seeing them together would have been sweet (like them running from the Time Police together a few books back). On the other hand, considering what went wrong this time, it might have been great for Leon to have an excuse to stay at home. ;P
It has to be noted that even the list of people at the beginning of each book (and novellas too) is funny as hell and should not be overlooked even if you know who is who. Funny just like Mr. Markham, who apparently is a Shakespeare-enthusiast. He is a bag full of surprises.
Moreover, yes, I'm a Shakespeare fan and although Hamlet isn't my favourite (I quite agree with Mr. Markham that A Midsummer Night's Dream is highly underrated), it is indeed one of Shakespeare's best plays.
This above all: To thine own self be true.
Hell is empty and all the devils are here.
Hamlet is such an important piece, language-wise. Shakespeare in general shaped our language(s) but most of the lines/words we use until this very day (although some have been slightly changed over time) spring from this very play. It is extremely interesting, which is why we had an entire month of classes dedicated to this when I studied languages.
True to the subject, this short story also refers to several words and their origins (like "box office") and the history of some nursery rhymes - this was especially cool!
In short: this trip was glorious! :D
For now, it is Goodbye to St. Mary's *holds back tears* but fortunately only until the next novella is released around Christmas and another full-length novel is published in July 2017. Seriously, I'm such a huge fangirl of this world by now, even I'm slightly worried. ;P
August 22, 2016
This little appetiser of the 'exploits' of St Mary's historians takes us to The Globe Theatre to witness one of Shakespeare's plays, where the Bard is said to have played a role. This is supposed to be a day out for the staff with nothing more difficult than to record the performance. Of course, it is anything but :0)
I really enjoyed this short story, not just to meet Taylor's motley crew once more, but because of the destination. I've had the opportunity to go several times to the 'new' Globe Theatre, which was built to be a replica of the old one, and it is breath-taking!
June 20, 2019
Anyone who loves The Chronicles of St. Mary's should not only read the mainly numbered tomes, but also these inbetween blow-bys. They are full of Jodi T's usual side-by, circuitous hilarity!
This one checks out the Globe Theatre and whether Shakespeare was burned when the ghost of Hamlet's father showed up for a performance. . . . literally!
This one checks out the Globe Theatre and whether Shakespeare was burned when the ghost of Hamlet's father showed up for a performance. . . . literally!
September 17, 2017
For the initiates, the best $2 you can spend to get yourself through to the next novel's release date in *sob*wail* APRIL 2018 *wail*sob*
For the uninitiated, start with Just One Damned Thing After Another. I recommend the series for its heady mix of history, comedy, and dark, painful tragedy. Author Taylor is a past mistress at setting you up for a long, hard fall.
I can't tell if I'm helping or hurting her sales. Well, anyway, you're grown men and women. Decide for yourselves if you want to spend your eyeblinks on this kind of deep and immersive emotional experience. Fans will purse pitying lips at you if you decide to walk on by.
For the uninitiated, start with Just One Damned Thing After Another. I recommend the series for its heady mix of history, comedy, and dark, painful tragedy. Author Taylor is a past mistress at setting you up for a long, hard fall.
I can't tell if I'm helping or hurting her sales. Well, anyway, you're grown men and women. Decide for yourselves if you want to spend your eyeblinks on this kind of deep and immersive emotional experience. Fans will purse pitying lips at you if you decide to walk on by.
January 1, 2019
I love the St. Mary's books & novellas. So, so fun and this one was no exception.
February 17, 2017
Brilliant fun, as always! What I love about this short is that I read it at the right time in the series as it's set after the end of book 7 which is the most recently released novel and so it really added to the series for me. The audio version is, as ever, brilliantly acted, and the story itself is bonkers and witty which is just what I've come to crave and expect from this series.
In this story we follow Max and quite a few members of St Mary's as they pop back through time to go and see an authentic Shakespearean play with Shakespeare acting the part of the Ghost. Of course, being St Marys, EVERYTHING goes wrong and Mr. Shakespeare comes away from the encounter somewhat worse for wear, but the adventure is thrilling and the story exciting :) 4*s
In this story we follow Max and quite a few members of St Mary's as they pop back through time to go and see an authentic Shakespearean play with Shakespeare acting the part of the Ghost. Of course, being St Marys, EVERYTHING goes wrong and Mr. Shakespeare comes away from the encounter somewhat worse for wear, but the adventure is thrilling and the story exciting :) 4*s
October 21, 2017
Brilliant. Dr Bairstow organises a day out for staff to see Hamlet at the Globe with Shakespeare playing the part of the ghost.....until he is knocked out by Markham (Shakespeare I mean). And that's the least catastrophic development.
July 11, 2020
This was fun, seeing people out and about who are usually confined to St Mary's was fab and I really love the new recruits. I am looking forward to getting to know them even more as the series goes on.
December 16, 2022
Shakespeare! The globe! Okie dokey! Bloody fantastic!
March 14, 2018
Once upon a time, in another time-travel book, I had the pleasure of "meeting" Shakespeare so I was looking forward to seeing him play a part in one of his many masterpieces. And I wasn't the only one as the majority of St Mary's was going on a team building exercise St Mary's style. As you can guess things didn't go according to plan. Actually I'd be more surprised if for a change things proceed smoothly and without a hitch. That would be one hell of a twist! Anyway, this little adventure was hilarious, something I've come to expect from Max and her fellow historians. A light, fun, relaxing read in-between the regular books.
July 26, 2022
Another fun short with all the regular laughs, though a bit forgettable afterwards. Whenever Sykes talks to Max, I'm reminded of the saying that grandchildren are folks' revenge on their children. Getting to see Dr. Bairstow on a trip was a fun change, and the shenanigans are always entertaining. I liked how it wrapped up in the end.
February 18, 2017
Possibly my favorite short story in this series this far. I love Shakespeare and reading some Hamlet lines made me enjoy the story even more.
The author managed to include nearly everyone from St. Mary's - big bonus to an otherwise hilarious story. I hope there is more like this to come.
The author managed to include nearly everyone from St. Mary's - big bonus to an otherwise hilarious story. I hope there is more like this to come.
January 1, 2017
Not recommended for anyone who hasn't read at least one of the The Chronicles of St Mary's books but otherwise highly recommended.
Imagine what would happen if 15 of the miscreants, deviants and mildly insane staff of St Mary's go to Elizabethan London to watch William Shakespeare's Hamlet at the Globe theatre. Yes, it goes even worse. Basically, 13 out of 15 people get involved in brawls, almost get shipped to the New World and/or nearly kill William Shakespeare.
Four and a half stars, because not enough Leon and too short and not enough biting sarcasm but otherwise just like Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way.
Imagine what would happen if 15 of the miscreants, deviants and mildly insane staff of St Mary's go to Elizabethan London to watch William Shakespeare's Hamlet at the Globe theatre. Yes, it goes even worse. Basically, 13 out of 15 people get involved in brawls, almost get shipped to the New World and/or nearly kill William Shakespeare.
Four and a half stars, because not enough Leon and too short and not enough biting sarcasm but otherwise just like Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way.
January 6, 2018
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Time travel and Shakespeare, this was just so much fun!
My initial review sums it up quite well, but you might one to start with the first book in the series. I would like to say that it will all make more sense this way, but it being St. Mary's, I can't really say that.
I did however think it was a shame only so few of them got to see the play.
Time travel and Shakespeare, this was just so much fun!
My initial review sums it up quite well, but you might one to start with the first book in the series. I would like to say that it will all make more sense this way, but it being St. Mary's, I can't really say that.
I did however think it was a shame only so few of them got to see the play.
March 31, 2023
A company outing to London in 1601 to see Shakespeare's Hamlet at the Globe.
Markham and Shakespeare? It'll all go smoothly, as always.
Markham and Shakespeare? It'll all go smoothly, as always.
February 5, 2023
Comme toujours dès que l'équipe de St Mary part en mission, ça part en sucette, pour le plus grand plaisirs des lecteurices. Alors imaginez avec TOUTE l'équipe sur le terrain ! Aucun animal d'impliqué cette fois en revanche.
January 12, 2021
I really like this series. It combines hilarity with some serious moments. This is just a snippet of the fun and no serious moment in sight.
December 15, 2021
I love a good adventure with St Mary's! A short read, but wonderful as always.
January 27, 2023
Humorous short story. Loved It.
November 9, 2021
Baby handling rules plus Markham and Shakespeare
August 2, 2016
I can't get enough of St. Mary's. Even a lovely short story like this one is enough to feed my addiction. The group travels to London and the Avon Theatre to see the big man himself. Not everything goes to plan. Shocking. The way these time travelers deal with the crises of their making and crises that they just happen upon is entertaining as hell. I so wish that I worked at St. Mary's. Even to just make their bacon butties.
August 16, 2016
Prior to discovering this series, I was never overly fond of short stories. In fact, I tended to avoid them (honestly, I still do). However, this entire series is so much fun that I've had to gobble up the short stories, like this one, too. If you haven't given this series a shot, you're missing out. Fun, fun, FUN! I've listened to the audio editions, narrated by Zara Ramm. She delivers the first person narrative of Max beautifully.
July 17, 2019
Someone really needs to partner up with Jodi Taylor and do graphic novels of this series. I think the history + humor + excitement + blood/gore would really do well in that format. (With the caveat, of course, that the artist/s style complemented Taylor's.)
Can be read as part of anthology "The Long and Short of It"
Can be read as part of anthology "The Long and Short of It"
August 14, 2016
A fun romp through time in the way only St. Mary's can do it.
October 2, 2016
This is a particularly fun St. Mary's short story- perfect for fans of the series. It's always a delight to visit with Max and the whole gang and witness the craziness that is life at St. Mary's.
June 29, 2023
I never tire of the seemingly endless spots of trouble the crew of St. Mary’s must cleverly extricate themselves from on the regular.
May 16, 2022
3.5 stars
Nothing like a field trip to the theatre. The gang heads to 1601 to see the original performance of Hamlet, and like always, things go wrong.
I really enjoyed Markham’s role in this story. He’s becoming quite the wild card of every scene. However, I wish we could have seen some more perspective of Dr. Barstow’s group in their riot, and even a bit more of the third group trying to keep Professor Rapson from accidentally stowing away to the New World. There seemed to be a lot going on, but we couldn’t see all of it because Max stayed put and did her job for once. Still a good story and worth the read.
But the biggest question is… Is Markham married or not?!?!
TL;DR
5.0 —One of the best I've ever read. Will be burned into my brain. Couldn't care less about weaknesses (if any). Would recommend to everyone and their mother.
4.5 —Loved this read. Will remember it fondly. Few weaknesses. Would recommend to anyone.
4.0 —Enjoyed this read. Will remember it fondly. Minor weaknesses. Would recommend to fans of the genre.
▌3.5 —Somewhat enjoyed this read. Might be memorable. Notable weaknesses. Would recommend to fans of the genre.
3.0 —Somewhat enjoyed this read. Not very memorable. Notable weaknesses. Would recommend to people who like similar books.
2.5 —Neutral or Underwhelming read. Not very memorable. Significant weaknesses. Would recommend to people who like similar books.
2.0 —Underwhelming or unenjoyable read. Not very memorable or memorable for the wrong reasons. Significant weaknesses. Might recommend to people who like similar books.
1.5 —Unenjoyable read. Not very memorable or memorable for bad reasons. Major weaknesses. Probably wouldn't recommend.
1.0 —I wish I never wasted minutes of my life on this trash. I would go out of my way to convince others not to read it.
Nothing like a field trip to the theatre. The gang heads to 1601 to see the original performance of Hamlet, and like always, things go wrong.
I really enjoyed Markham’s role in this story. He’s becoming quite the wild card of every scene. However, I wish we could have seen some more perspective of Dr. Barstow’s group in their riot, and even a bit more of the third group trying to keep Professor Rapson from accidentally stowing away to the New World. There seemed to be a lot going on, but we couldn’t see all of it because Max stayed put and did her job for once. Still a good story and worth the read.
But the biggest question is… Is Markham married or not?!?!
TL;DR
5.0 —One of the best I've ever read. Will be burned into my brain. Couldn't care less about weaknesses (if any). Would recommend to everyone and their mother.
4.5 —Loved this read. Will remember it fondly. Few weaknesses. Would recommend to anyone.
4.0 —Enjoyed this read. Will remember it fondly. Minor weaknesses. Would recommend to fans of the genre.
▌3.5 —Somewhat enjoyed this read. Might be memorable. Notable weaknesses. Would recommend to fans of the genre.
3.0 —Somewhat enjoyed this read. Not very memorable. Notable weaknesses. Would recommend to people who like similar books.
2.5 —Neutral or Underwhelming read. Not very memorable. Significant weaknesses. Would recommend to people who like similar books.
2.0 —Underwhelming or unenjoyable read. Not very memorable or memorable for the wrong reasons. Significant weaknesses. Might recommend to people who like similar books.
1.5 —Unenjoyable read. Not very memorable or memorable for bad reasons. Major weaknesses. Probably wouldn't recommend.
1.0 —I wish I never wasted minutes of my life on this trash. I would go out of my way to convince others not to read it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2023
This was absolutely wonderful!
1601. London. The Globe Theatre. Shakespeare's Hamlet.
St. Mary's go on a trip, organised by Dr Bairstow, to watch Hamlet, and record it, and any images of the great man himself, for posterity.
Unfortunately, this is St. Mary's, so things were bound to go wrong, and so they did!
This was absolutely hilarious, and having Mr Markham save the day made it even funnier!
Max, normally considered the ringleader of any shennanigens, ends up being the only serious one there - such a funny turnup for the books!
I really, really enjoyed this story, especially as Shakespeare was my go-to read growing up!
I think one of the things I loved most about this one - apart from Shakespeare, of course - was how Jodi managed to sprinkle so many small historical facts among the hilarious antics of the St. Mary's crew!
A totally wonderful story!!!
Right, so I'd best get on, as time is flying by, once more, so I'm off to choose the next book of the series, Book 7.6: My Name is Markham!
This is yet another of the short stories, so I'm going to leave it until I wake up again, to read - I want to be fully compos mentis, when reading about this lively lad! Lol
So, I'll catch you on the flip side, and tell you what I think about it, later!
1601. London. The Globe Theatre. Shakespeare's Hamlet.
St. Mary's go on a trip, organised by Dr Bairstow, to watch Hamlet, and record it, and any images of the great man himself, for posterity.
Unfortunately, this is St. Mary's, so things were bound to go wrong, and so they did!
This was absolutely hilarious, and having Mr Markham save the day made it even funnier!
Max, normally considered the ringleader of any shennanigens, ends up being the only serious one there - such a funny turnup for the books!
I really, really enjoyed this story, especially as Shakespeare was my go-to read growing up!
I think one of the things I loved most about this one - apart from Shakespeare, of course - was how Jodi managed to sprinkle so many small historical facts among the hilarious antics of the St. Mary's crew!
A totally wonderful story!!!
Right, so I'd best get on, as time is flying by, once more, so I'm off to choose the next book of the series, Book 7.6: My Name is Markham!
This is yet another of the short stories, so I'm going to leave it until I wake up again, to read - I want to be fully compos mentis, when reading about this lively lad! Lol
So, I'll catch you on the flip side, and tell you what I think about it, later!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 204 reviews