Just One Damned Thing After Another

In Just One Damned Thing After Another Jodi Taylor tells the tale of St. Mary’s.  St. Mary is an academic institution whose mission is to “investigate major historical events in contemporary time.”  In other words its historians actually go back in time to witness the events they’ve been studying.  Sounds interesting enough but unfortunately the author couldn’t really decide what type of book she was writing so she’d start with one premise “history punishes those who change it --- quite violently” only to abandon it to move on to a “crazed ex-employee is seeking revenge and taking everyone down” plot but not without providing a paradox that her first pass at premise would have choked on.  She also makes similar 90 degree turns with characterization and style (notably moving abruptly from a “polite” sex happens off page book into a shockingly, raunchy let’s all read this explicit sex scene with no warning.)

All in all this is a book I wanted to like but in the end I couldn’t.  The author needed some help that her editor failed to give her.  If you’re seeking a good time travel book seek elsewhere.