The Ballad of Smallhope and Pennyroyal By Jodi TaylorSynopsis: “From the globally bestselling author of the Chronicles of St Mary’s series, a not-so-ladylike aristocrat meets the world’s most unlikely butler, and together they bring a whole new meaning to partners-in-crime… 
Meet Lady Amelia Smallhope, for whom there is no problem that can’t be solved by a drink and a think. And Pennyroyal, for whom there is no problem. Ever. Everyone’s favourite time-travelling bounty hunters. Sorry – ‘recovery agents’. No bad guy they can’t handle. No expense account too flexible. No rule they cannot break. As long as they’re together, the world is their oyster. And they’ll always have each other, right? Fasten your seatbelts. The timeline doesn’t know what’s about to hit it.”

My Review

This was superb!

It’s the origin story of Lady Amelia Smallhope and her ‘butler’ Pennyroyal, who occasionally turn up in The Time Police series and The Chronicles of St. Mary’s both by Jodi Taylor. 

This basically tells the story of how they met, and ended up becoming bounty hunters, sorry recovery agents for the Time Police and doing other jobs for the highest bidder. They’re great characters, and the story is full of Jodi Taylor’s signature wit and very clever timey wimey plots. 

Zara Ramm’s narration was perfect as expected.

Highly recommended if you’re looking for a series full of adventure, fun and time travel, but be warned you should really read the St. Mary’s books and the Time Police series first, as they’re all connected and there are definitely spoilers!

Book 20 of 20 Books of Summer 2025