My Name is Markham

I love Jodi Taylor and pretty much pre-order everything the woman writes before I even read the fly leaf. I love Markham, his surprises, his wit, his “taken for granted” literary and historical education, his mysterious relationship, his hidden past… but I didn’t really see much of the familiar Markham here. This story could’ve been just as easily called, “My Name is Peterson” or even Guthrie.

Worse, his lines were repetitive and annoying. When he was talking with King Alfred and trying to be encouraging, he repeats “Don’t give up. Never give up. It gets better, it always does,” so many times I was getting annoyed. Then we go off into the only anecdote that says anything at all about Markham’s back story (while Max translates the whole spiel?!?!) but which is vague all the same, and then we end on the exact same phrasing, “What I’m trying to say is, don’t give up. Never give up. You shouldn’t give up. Never. Remember that. Because I did. I told myself it would, And it did. So, it will get better. It always does.” (And did he just give Alfred a clue to how the Danes would be helpful in resolving his issue? Does Alfred even know what police are? Where’s History?)

WHAT?!?!

If that had been the only example…but it wasn’t. How many kids is 3 out of 12? Is it 25%? Are we sure? Let’s count again. Yup. 25%.
And on and on.

Seriously. Markham isn’t repetitive. He isn’t dense. He isn’t flat. He may not get a word in edge-wise when Max narrates, but when he does, he makes them COUNT.

And Jodi Taylor NEVER writes as tho he is anything else. So, what happened here? Ghost writer? Surely not!

Doesn’t change how I feel about this author or this series, but considering the elevated price, for a short, no less, I’m pretty disappointed.

I dont like short stories as a rule BUT was glad this one was short. Markham is a bit of a off kilter Security Team guy. his role is to protect the historians who usually are a bit weird. Well, to be honest everyone at St. Marys is a bit odd so they all fit in like a jigsaw puzzle with a few pieces jammed into fit. this story takes Max and Peterson and Markham off to 9th AD to verify if King Alfred actually did burn the cakes. Turns out that Christmas time is very rainy in the village where the King is hiding. And, in fact due to a accident caused by a dog escaping and other dogs chasing it, the big communal fire is doused. This is a big problem for the villagers since they use that fire to heat, to see, and to cook with. Now it is raining and cold and the cakes or the bread is sitting around the doused fire. What to do? The interlopers from the 21st Century are not to interfere with the locals at any cost BUT in this case Markham feels that it is partly his fault and he doesnt want to leave them to starve or freeze. So, he gets a flame thrower and distracts them while he uses a flare to restart the fire. Meanwhile, the holiday party for the kids is underway back at St. Marys and the travelers must hustle back to participate. The story is funny and sweet and totally unnecessary but even Dr. Bairstow gets to take Markham down a bit. If you are a fan, you will want to read it. If you are not a fan, I doubt if youd care. It doesnt detract from the bigger books in any way;

This short story is very different from anything else in the Chronicles of St. Mary’s series specifically for what is says on the tin: The narrator of this story is security officer Markham rather than historian Max. Now, this isn’t the first time this has happened (see “The Very First Damned Thing”, narrated by none other than the esteemed Dr. Bairstow). But while a glimpse into the history of St. Mary’s was a special trip into legend, Markham’s story is very much in the present.

I’m not sure that it worked for me. As much as I love the character of Markham, and as much as I laughed out loud at viewing a trip back in time through the perspective of security rather than an historian (especially as it focused much more realistically on what the characters viscerally experience rather than through the filtered awe of “Does this match what I believe to be true?”), the author has set up so many questions about the character of Markham that I was disappointed when a key one wasn’t answered. We were in the guy’s head, and I’m still not satisfied.

That being said, I still love the character of Markham, I would still love more adventures from his perspective, and I’m still laughing about the reindeer.

I’m a huge fan of Jodi Taylor. The St Mary’s books, in particular, are conceptually innovative and ripping good yarns with solid, compelling and evolving characters (Her other series are enjoyable too – but quite different).

I like the writing plan which has emerged consisting of major novels, once or twice a year plus two short stories each year for the (Northern) summer holidays and for Christmas. I was lucky (I think) to come to this series after a few books had been written, so I was able to binge read (and then listen – Zara Ramm has produced an absolutely compelling performance and she’ll always be “Max” for me, whether I’m listening or reading) to the first four novels and associated short stories in the series.

Mrkham is not the best of the short stories, sadly, and I can only give it 4 stars – but, hey, 4 stars would still be pretty damn good in anyone’s book, don’t you think? Jodi is donating the income from this book to a very good cause, too … maybe I should have gone with th e 5 stars… no, be precise.

Well worth a read – but if you are new to the series, start at the beginning and read the series in order. Not absolutely essential, but definitely recommended.

A rare treat! A refreshing change. A St Mary’s tale told by a different disaster magnet! (not that I don’t love Max, I do!) The only other short story to have a different ‘narrator’ is the prequel ‘The Very First Damned Thing’ – so that puts Mr Markham level pegging with Dr Bairstow! Should he be pleased or worried?

We join the disaster magnets as they prepare for their first-ever Christmas party, however, there’s just the small matter of a jump to 9th century England to do first. The gang meet Alfred the Great (before he was Great) and witnessed the ‘Burning of the Cakes.’ Much hilarity ensues.

I love Markham’s take on things and have a new found respect for the security section. I’d happily read another instalment from his point of view.

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