As an avid reader and fan of time-travel narratives, I was excited to dive into Hard Time, the second book in Jodi Taylor’s Time Police series. I had thoroughly enjoyed the first installment, Doing Time, and I was eager to see how Team Weird—consisting of Luke, Jane, and Matthew—would tackle their next adventure. The book’s promise of fast-paced action and memorable characters definitely caught my attention, and I couldn’t resist the urge to pick it up.
From the outset, Taylor’s flair for humor and character development shines through. The reader is thrust into a world where temporal tourism is on the rise—an illegal and perilous venture that sets the stage for all sorts of chaos. The plot revolves around the Time Police and their need for replacements amidst a looming crisis, leading to the unorthodox enlistment of our young officers who may not seem fit for the task at hand.
One of the highlights of this book is the character development. Readers get a real sense of Luke, Jane, and Matthew’s personalities and quirks as they navigate their roles within a formidable organization that often feels like a bunch of misfits. As mentioned by reviewers like Jeff Carruthers and Constant Reader, the humor is excellent and the pacing is relentless, propelling the story forward in a way that kept me turning the pages. I found myself laughing out loud multiple times, especially at the intricacies of Team Weird’s interactions and their unconventional methods.
However, even amidst the excitement, some drawbacks became clear. While the humor is present, it doesn’t quite reach the same poignant heights as seen in Taylor’s earlier Chronicles of St. Mary’s series. This sentiment was echoed by a few readers who felt that while Hard Time had its funny moments, it didn’t evoke laughter to the point of tears the way the St. Mary’s series did. Additionally, the story contains some noticeable plot holes that had me scratching my head. For instance, there were moments where characters had crucial information but failed to act on it, which left me feeling a bit let down at crucial junctures in the narrative.
In terms of structure, the book does an admirable job maintaining a brisk pace, but this sometimes results in hurried plotlines that could use a bit more clarity. Some readers, like Koren55, pointed out instances where key revelations were left dangling, undermining the usual meticulous tying-up of loose ends that Taylor is known for.
Despite these flaws, Hard Time remains an enjoyable read that is highly entertaining and immersive. Taylor balances dangerous scenarios with clever banter among Team Weird, bringing kindness, bravery, and loyalty to the forefront without slipping into sappiness. As a British novel, it certainly has that distinct charm reminiscent of other contemporary works in the genre, catering to fans of lighthearted time-travel adventures akin to those in Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club or Jasper Fforde’s zany escapades.
Overall, I would wholeheartedly recommend Hard Time to those who have already dipped their toes into the Time Police universe and are eager for more. It’s a delightful continuation of what Taylor began with Doing Time, offering an engaging narrative peppered with surprises and heartfelt moments. However, I would advise new readers to start from the beginning to fully grasp the characters and their evolution.
In conclusion, while Hard Time didn’t quite achieve the same level of humor as its predecessors in the Chronicles, it was nonetheless a delight to read, filled with moments that made me smile. I would rate it a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars and eagerly await the continuation of Team Weird’s escapades in future installments.