Read Jodi Taylor Time Police Books In Order : Every Fan MUST Know!

By Kathy | Last Updated on May 21, 2026

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In the vast and often unpredictable universe of time-travel fiction, few authors manage to blend chaos, humor, and history as seamlessly as Jodi Taylor. Known primarily for her Chronicles of St. Mary’s series, Taylor has carved out another mesmerizing corner of speculative fiction with her Time Police books. This series takes readers on a rollercoaster journey through time, combining elements of adventure, mystery, and dry wit, while challenging conventional notions of law enforcement across temporal boundaries. At its heart, the Time Police series explores not only the consequences of altering history but also the human-or sometimes hilariously inhuman-nature of those charged with policing it. For readers who crave narrative energy, unpredictability, and meticulous attention to historical detail, this series is an irresistible invitation to step into the past, present, and future in equal measure.

List Of Jodi Taylor Time Police Books In Order

More On Jodi Taylor Time Police Books In Chronological Order

1. Just One Damned Thing After Another (2013)

This is the book that kicks off the whole *Chronicles of St. Mary’s* series. It’s an absolute rollercoaster! The story follows Max Maxwell, a history researcher who gets roped into the Time Police, which, as you can imagine, leads to all sorts of wacky time-travel adventures. What makes it special? Well, you’ve got history, humor, and a whole bunch of time paradoxes with some seriously lovable characters. The time-jumping antics are wild, and Taylor makes you laugh out loud while also leaving you a bit breathless with the plot twists. Buckle up!

2. A Symphony of Echoes (2015)

Things heat up even more in this second installment. Max and the rest of St. Mary’s crew are knee-deep in history, and there’s no shortage of chaos. Taylor expands the world-building, introducing new characters and higher stakes. In this book, the tension between the time-travelers and those who want to control the timeline escalates. There’s a mix of historical accuracy, fictional hijinks, and serious heart. By the end of this book, you’ll be hooked. It’s fast-paced and full of surprises, but with that sweet, endearing humor that Taylor does so well.

3. A Second Chance (2016)

Time travel is never a straight line, and in *A Second Chance*, the stakes are even higher. Max is on a mission that involves not only saving the future but also dealing with some unfinished business in the past. It’s got plenty of those life-or-death situations where Max’s wit and determination are put to the test. Taylor mixes moments of heartbreak with all the quirky charm you’d expect, leaving you both emotional and utterly entertained. By the end, you’re going to want more, trust me.

4. The Long Way Home (2017)

This book is where Taylor really pulls on the emotional strings, and it hits hard. Max is back, but things are complicated. She’s dealing with some of the heaviest consequences of time travel, and this installment dives deep into character development. You’ll find yourself questioning the very nature of time, history, and how far you’d go to save people you love. There’s a sense of inevitable doom but also hope, and that balance makes this book one of the most emotional ones in the series.

5. No Time Like the Past (2019)

In this one, things are really starting to get complex. Max and her team are involved in a massive, intricate plot that not only spans time but also tests their loyalty, skills, and their understanding of history. There’s a lot of action, but Taylor also gives us deeper insights into the characters’ lives and motives. The thrill of watching these time-hopping historians trying to keep everything from falling apart is irresistible, and of course, there’s more of that snappy dialogue and humor.

6. The Time Police (2020)

This is where things take a big turn. The story zooms into the Time Police themselves, with new players and much more focus on how they operate, along with all the time-bending shenanigans we love. The plot gets darker, but there’s still that light-heartedness in the way Max and her companions approach these tough challenges. Taylor does a fantastic job of mixing the mystery, history, and action in a way that keeps the pages turning nonstop. There’s a deeper exploration of how time-travel can change everything – for better or worse.

7. And the Rest is History (2021)

This one takes you deeper into the past, where the lines between what’s right, what’s wrong, and what’s necessary start to blur. The team faces major dilemmas, and history isn’t as easily controlled as they might like. This book adds layers of intrigue, with more complex dynamics between the characters and their relationships with time itself. Max faces tough choices, and you can’t help but get wrapped up in her emotional journey. It’s a great follow-up, staying true to what made the series so addictive while keeping things fresh.

Background On Jodi Taylor Time Police Books

Jodi Taylor’s Time Police series is a thrilling departure from traditional historical fiction. The concept revolves around a specialized law enforcement unit tasked with monitoring temporal disruptions, investigating time crimes, and preventing catastrophic alterations to history. Unlike conventional police procedurals, these stories are set against a backdrop that spans centuries and continents, allowing Taylor to explore a dazzling range of historical events, from the mundane to the monumental, all through the lens of speculative time manipulation.

What distinguishes the Time Police series is Taylor’s signature writing style: sharp humor, fast-paced plotting, and a keen eye for character dynamics. The books are populated with memorable characters-each flawed, witty, and remarkably human despite dealing with extraordinary circumstances. Taylor’s research is evident, yet the series never feels bogged down by historical exposition; instead, it uses history as a vibrant playground, where missteps, blunders, and unintended consequences drive both tension and comedy. For longtime fans of her work, the Time Police series offers a familiar yet refreshingly different experience, showing Taylor’s versatility and imaginative scope as a storyteller.

Reading Order Explained

The Time Police series, like many contemporary fantasy and sci-fi franchises, can benefit from a thoughtful reading order, particularly for new readers. While each book contains self-contained adventures, recurring characters, ongoing plot threads, and evolving relationships make reading the series chronologically a richer experience.

The recommended reading order generally follows publication sequence, as Taylor often builds character development and overarching storylines across books. Starting with the first book ensures that readers experience key introductions, initial world-building, and the establishment of the temporal laws that govern the Time Police universe. Deviating from the order may not entirely ruin comprehension, but it can lead to missed character growth, subtle foreshadowing, and the gradual escalation of stakes that make the series so compelling.

For readers seeking a deeper dive, some fans suggest cross-referencing character-centric subplots to enhance understanding of recurring events or minor historical arcs. In essence, while Taylor’s writing style allows for episodic enjoyment, following the reading order provides maximum immersion and emotional payoff.

What I Like About The Series?

The Time Police books shine for several reasons, each interwoven to create a unique reading experience:

1. Inventive Plotting: Taylor has an uncanny ability to craft narratives that twist and turn unpredictably. The combination of time-travel logic with police procedural structure results in stories that are at once suspenseful and exhilarating. Readers are never quite sure whether a mission will succeed-or hilariously fail-because time itself is as much an antagonist as any villain.
2. Character Depth: The protagonists of the Time Police series are compelling, flawed, and unforgettable. From seasoned officers with hidden traumas to rookies struggling to grasp the absurdities of temporal law, Taylor balances humor with emotional resonance. Their relationships, rivalries, and personal growth provide a grounding human element amidst the temporal chaos.
3. Humor and Wit: Taylor’s writing sparkles with dry, sometimes dark humor. The dialogue crackles with sharp banter, and her narrative voice can shift seamlessly between tension and comedy. This tonal agility makes the books as entertaining as they are thought-provoking.
4. Historical Creativity: One of the most appealing aspects of the series is how history is portrayed as fluid and interactive. Events we take for granted can be altered-or catastrophically misunderstood-by the characters, offering both educational tidbits and imaginative speculation about “what could have been”.

Should You Read Jodi Taylor Time Police Books In Order?

Yes, reading the Time Police books in order is strongly recommended. While each installment can technically stand alone as a time-travel adventure, reading them sequentially enhances understanding of complex character arcs, the evolution of temporal law enforcement, and ongoing plotlines that span multiple books. Characters make recurring appearances, often with subtle references to past exploits that reward readers who have followed their journeys from the beginning.

Furthermore, Taylor occasionally plants foreshadowing or long-term narrative threads that only pay off in later books. Skipping around may result in confusion or missed nuances, diminishing the overall impact. In short, while episodic enjoyment is possible, the full brilliance and intricate layering of Taylor’s Time Police universe is best experienced chronologically.