2019 science fiction anthology collecting stories mostly in the
Chronicles of St Mary's series (time travel).
As before, these can stand alone, though they each have a bare
introduction so that the thoroughly new to the series shouldn't be too
confused. (They're St Mary's. They observe history via time travel.)
"Christmas Past" has the traditional illicit Christmas jump, this time
to give a feast to a couple of Victorian chimney-climbing boys. (See
And the Rest Is History for why.) It's a bit cosy and feel-good, but
as a coda to that book it's welcome.
"The Battersea Barricades" tells the story of the oppression and
revolution that led to the setting of the St Mary's books. For me it's
a little disappointing to have it filled in; compared with the events
of my imagination, constructed from passing references, it can't help
but seem trite. (Not to mention optimistic.)
Mrs Enderby gathered her dignity around her. ‘As I have already
explained -- a pub fell on me.'
Mrs Shaw muttered something. I caught only the words ‘usually the
other way around'.
"The Steam Pump Jump" has Markham leading a jump to view the first
demonstration of a steam pump to drain mines (pre Savery). Of course
there's more to be done than mere observation.
"And Now For Something Completely Different" has the Time Police
trying to find a reason why St Mary's shouldn't have jumped to view
the first Mars landing. I mean, a time machine is of its nature also a
space machine…
"When Did You Last See Your Father?" combines, somewhat awkwardly, St
Mary's shenanigans with a serious and dramatic introduction to Max's
father.
"Dessicated Water" is a short piece with an obvious punch-line, but
the scene-setting makes it enjoyable.
"Markham and the Anal Probing" features the sort of casual abuse which to me
drops St Mary's out of "fun chaotic workplace" into "you're just
waving your bits to prove who's bigger" territory—but clearly I'm not
intended to feel that way. Hey ho.
"Little Donkey" is a sequel to Taylor's separate novel Nothing Girl
(and now it's a series)… which I'm now quite tempted to read, so
there's that.
A very uneven bunch, but Taylor's writing carries me over the rough
spots.