Picture a British storyteller who turned time travel into a tea-soaked, disaster-prone adventure—meet Jodi Taylor! Born in Bristol, this internationally bestselling author has charmed readers with her Chronicles of St. Mary’s series, blending historical fiction with witty sci-fi. Fueled by chocolate and a knack for chaos, Taylor’s tales follow historians who don’t just study the past—they leap into it, often with hilarious consequences.
With a devoted fanbase and a knack for making history feel alive, Jodi Taylor has carved a unique niche in contemporary literature. Her stories are a whirlwind of humor, heart, and historical accuracy, earning her comparisons to Terry Pratchett and Doctor Who. Ready to explore her world? Let’s dive in!
The Making of Jodi Taylor
Jodi Taylor hails from Bristol, England, where her love for storytelling took root. After moving to Yorkshire with her then-husband, she spent nearly two decades working for North Yorkshire County Council, including as a library facilities manager. But her heart was always elsewhere, daydreaming of stories that would eventually spill onto the page. A self-described witty and ‘incredibly beautiful’ writer (her tongue-in-cheek words!), Taylor’s lifelong dream was to write, inspired by the styles and character depth of authors she studied. Her big break came when she self-published her debut novel, Just One Damned Thing After Another, on download sites, catching the eye of Accent Press.
Jodi Taylor’s Unforgettable Stories
Taylor’s flagship series, The Chronicles of St. Mary’s, is a rollicking ride through time, following the historians of St. Mary’s Institute of Historical Research. Led by Dr. Madeleine ‘Max’ Maxwell, these ‘disaster magnets’ investigate historical events in real-time, from the Trojan War to Victorian London. Just One Damned Thing After Another (2013), the series opener, hit the USA Today Best-Selling Books list and earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly, which called it a ‘carnival ride.’ Its blend of meticulous historical detail, sharp humor, and chaotic adventures hooked readers instantly.
Other standout works include A Symphony of Echoes (2013), where Max’s team tackles Jack the Ripper and dodo rescues, and The Ballad of Smallhope and Pennyroyal (2024), a standalone time-travel caper praised for its quirky partners-in-crime. Taylor’s Time Police spin-off series adds a stricter, yet equally chaotic, layer to her universe. Her style—fast-paced, witty, and emotionally resonant—weaves historical accuracy with speculative twists, making history accessible and wildly fun. Short story collections like Long Story Short (2019) and The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (2023) offer bite-sized doses of her signature mayhem.
Beyond St. Mary’s, Taylor explores supernatural thrillers (Elizabeth Cage series) and whimsical tales (Frogmorton Farm series), showcasing her versatility. Her ability to balance humor with heartbreak, like in scenes of loss or historical tragedy, keeps readers coming back for more.
Why Jodi Taylor Matters
Jodi Taylor’s impact lies in her ability to make history feel urgent and alive. Her books have sparked curiosity in readers who never cared for history, inspiring them to research eras like Tudor England or ancient Egypt. Fans adore her for creating a world where history fights back, and her characters—flawed, funny, and fiercely loyal—feel like friends. The first fan convention, Jodiworld, held in Coventry in 2023, celebrated her growing influence, with Taylor and Jasper Fforde as guests. Her work’s blend of humor, heart, and historical insight has earned her a loyal following and cemented her as a queen of time-travel fiction.
- Born: Bristol, England
- Key Works: Chronicles of St. Mary’s, Time Police, The Ballad of Smallhope and Pennyroyal
- Fun Fact: Taylor researches by eating sausages for ‘verisimilitude’!
Grab Just One Damned Thing After Another and dive into Jodi Taylor’s chaotic, history-hopping world—you won’t look at the past the same way again!