What Is The Correct Reading Order For Jodi Taylor’S Time Police Series?

Reading Jodi Taylor's Time Police novels and novellas has me tangled; is there a chronological story order versus release date? I'd love a definitive list.
2026-07-25 12:50:02
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4 Answers

CozyPages
CozyPages
Book Clue Finder Student
I see the Time Police series as a great entry point for people who might find St Mary's a bit too... unhinged at first. St Mary's is glorious chaos, but the Time Police has a more structured, almost buddy-cop feel that can be easier to latch onto. The reading order should serve the reader's taste.

If you like procedurals and team dynamics, start with 'Doing Time'. If you love historical mishaps, academic satire, and glorious disaster magnets, start at the very beginning with St Mary's. There's no one correct order, just different on-ramps to the same wonderful, time-torn universe.
2026-07-26 09:19:40
20
NinaMason
NinaMason
Book Guide HR Specialist
I'm a mood reader. Sometimes I want the cozy, chaotic historian vibe of St Mary's. Sometimes I want the more tense, procedural feel of the Time Police. I keep both series on my Kindle and jump between them based on what I'm in the mood for. I've accidentally read some out of order, but I've never felt lost or ruined anything.

These books are comfort reads for me; the joy is in the characters and the writing, not in perfectly preserving plot reveals. So my advice is to not treat it like a syllabus. Pick up the book whose description appeals to you that day. The connections will weave themselves together in your mind eventually.
2026-07-26 18:18:37
11
RenWest
RenWest
Plot Detective Engineer
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.
2026-07-30 05:14:11
7
KylieLong
KylieLong
Plot Detective Pharmacist
I've read everything, and my suggested 'essential hybrid' order is: 1) First two St Mary's books. 2) 'Doing Time'. 3) Continue St Mary's up to book 8. 4) 'Hard Time'. 5) St Mary's book 9. 6) 'Saving Time' and 'Time's Arrow' after finishing the rest of St Mary's. This way, you get the foundational world-building, then the spin-off as a refreshing parallel track, and you sync up the timelines for the bigger crossover events later on. It balances context with variety.
2026-07-31 09:09:30
11
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Related Questions

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.

Does Jodi Taylor recommend a specific order for reading Time Police?

7 Answers2026-07-25 13:31:05
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
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