Does Jodi Taylor Recommend A Specific Order For Reading Time Police?

Just bought the first Time Police novel, but the 'St Mary's' timeline is tricky. Hoping for a spoiler-free reading order from fans of this sci-fi comedy series.
2026-07-25 13:31:05
127
Share
ABO Personality Quiz
Take a quick quiz to find out whether you‘re Alpha, Beta, or Omega.
Scent
Personality
Ideal Love Pattern
Secret Desire
Your Dark Side
Start Test

7 Answers

KindReads
KindReads
Longtime Reader Worker
I borrowed 'Doing Time' from a friend who never mentioned St. Mary's. I read it, loved it, and only later discovered it was a spin-off. I then read all of St. Mary's and had a blast spotting the connections. It was like a fun prequel series. So, my lived experience says starting with Time Police worked just fine. It was a cool way to do it, actually—seeing the 'future' of the world first, then learning its past.
2026-07-26 02:11:10
4
ReadMood
ReadMood
Expert Electrician
For a practical, minimal-effort order: Read 'Just One Damned Thing After Another' (St. Mary's #1). If you like it, continue with St. Mary's up to at least book 8. Then read the Time Police trilogy. After that, you can continue with the newer St. Mary's books and short story collections in any order, as they run somewhat parallel. This avoids the major spoilers and gives you the foundation. It's the middle-ground approach that most casual fans seem to settle on after much debate.
2026-07-26 09:24:25
11
FinleySky
FinleySky
Responder Electrician
It's fascinating how this mirrors other expanded universe fandoms. The 'correct' order becomes a point of community bonding and debate. In that spirit, I'll add my two cents: start with St. Mary's. The Time Police are introduced as faceless antagonists, and seeing them humanized in their own series is a fantastic narrative journey. Going the other way robs you of that 'Oh, these are the guys from those earlier books!' realization, which is a lot of fun.
2026-07-26 19:35:09
9
JasonChat
JasonChat
Responder Driver
This is such a fandom debate! Purists will tell you you must read all of St. Mary's first. I think that's overkill. Try the first St. Mary's book, 'Just One Damned Thing After Another.' If you adore the humor and chaos, keep going. If it's not quite your tempo, skip ahead to 'Doing Time,' which has a tighter, more procedural feel. The two series have different flavors—one is workplace comedy meets history, the other is buddy cop drama with time travel. You're not ruining anything by choosing the flavor you prefer first.
2026-07-27 17:45:54
11
MayaRed
MayaRed
Frequent Answerer Translator
The only thing I'd truly avoid is reading the short story 'The Great St Mary's Day Out' (the story, not the whole collection) before finishing the first few St. Mary's novels. It has spoilers for early character relationships. Beyond that, it's open season. Mix and match based on what's available at your library. The joy is in the journey, not in checking boxes in the 'correct' sequence.
2026-07-29 08:25:13
3
View All Answers
Scan code to download App

Related Books

Related Questions

What is the correct reading order for Jodi Taylor’s Time Police series?

4 Answers2026-07-25 12:50:02
The short story collections are key if you want the full picture. 'The Long and Short of It' and 'What Could Possibly Go Wrong?' contain many of the bridging stories. Publishers really should include a recommended reading order in the front of each book; it would save new readers so much confusion. Until they do, we have to rely on fan knowledge. My advice is to get those two collections and slot the stories in as per the author's website list. It's extra effort, but the short stories are often hilarious and heartfelt, adding depth to both series. They're not throwaways.

What is the chronological order of Jodi Taylor’s Time Police series?

7 Answers2026-07-25 01:06:15
For a series about time travel, it's pretty important to experience it in the right order. Don't be a time criminal. Read 'Doing Time', then 'Lies, Damned Lies, and History', then 'The Good, the Bad, and the History'. The Time Police would approve.

What is the complete Jodi Taylor book order for Time Police?

7 Answers2026-07-25 22:50:48
The juxtaposition is genius. St. Mary's historians observe; the Time Police intervene. One series is about preserving history by witnessing it, the other is about preserving history by controlling it. The conflict between these philosophies is the heart of the universe. So, the 'complete' order is philosophical. Read a few St. Mary's books, then jump to 'Doing Time' to see the other side. It enriches both. Reading them isolated means you only get half the argument.

How many Time Police books has Jodi Taylor published so far?

5 Answers2026-07-25 09:39:28
Three novels, but an expansive feeling world. Taylor packs so much detail, humor, and character into each one. You finish feeling like you've consumed more than three books' worth of story. It's a testament to her efficient, engaging writing style. No filler, just brilliant storytelling.

Is there a recommended order to read all Jodi Taylor series together?

2 Answers2026-07-25 18:48:34
The integrated orders are great, but they often have you pausing a novel's climax to read a short story about a minor character's tea-making habits. It kills momentum. For page-turning pleasure, just mainline the novels. The short stories are perfect palate cleansers between big books.

Where does the first Time Police book fit in Jodi Taylor’s universe?

4 Answers2026-07-25 11:45:02
Don't overthink it! Jodi Taylor's books are about chaos, not neat timelines. Jump into 'Doing Time' whenever you want a change of pace. The humor is sharper, more satire-of-bureaucracy, and the new trio has fantastic chemistry. You can always loop back. The author does a good job of filling in necessary backstory without massive info-dumps. If a reference flies over your head, just note it and keep going; the plot itself is self-contained about their first chaotic case.

How does the Jodi Taylor book order link St Mary’s and Time Police?

4 Answers2026-07-25 08:10:08
Matthew's journey is the spine. Read St Mary's 1-10 to get his parents' epic love story and his weird childhood. Then jump to Time Police 1. Seeing this kid we watched grow up in the background of St Mary's now as a trainee, dealing with his famous parents' legacy, is incredibly satisfying. His perspective links the two series more than any plot event.

Is there a recommended Jodi Taylor book order including all series?

4 Answers2026-07-25 16:21:24
I love that this question pops up every few months. It means new people are discovering Jodi Taylor! The community always rallies with helpful lists and gentle guidance. It's one of the nicest fandoms because we all remember that initial confusion and subsequent obsession. Welcome, new reader! Grab 'Just One Damned Thing After Another' and clear your schedule.

How do the Time Police books connect to Jodi Taylor’s St Mary’s novels?

3 Answers2026-07-25 07:39:58
I love how the connection isn't static. It evolves. Early on, the Time Police are almost boogeymen to the St Mary's crew—the impersonal enforcers. But as the spin-off develops, we see the individuals within the organization, their struggles, and their own brand of loyalty. Characters from St Mary's pop in not just for fan service, but because their ongoing lives intersect with Time Police operations. It makes the universe feel lived-in and continuous. An event in a late St Mary's book might be the direct catalyst for a Time Police plotline a few books later.

How do I read Jodi Taylor books in order of publication?

5 Answers2026-07-25 14:32:23
What's the worst that could happen if you read out of order? You'll be spoiled for some plot twists. Big deal. In a series where the history is the backdrop and the characters are the foreground, spoilers aren't the end of the world. Sometimes knowing a fate makes the journey there more poignant. Don't let perfect order be the enemy of good fun.

Related Searches

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status