Custard Rock reviewed Killing Time by Jodi Taylor (The Time Police, #5)
Time Police's Latest Challenge: An Engaging but Predictable Tale
4 stars
"Killing Time," the fifth book in Jodi Taylor's Time Police series, delivers the trademark lively dialogue, goofy predicaments, and sharp wit that fans have come to love. While the book has its well-executed moments, it didn’t fully hit the mark for me.
This instalment explores more of the secondary characters from the series, offering a fresh perspective but missing some of those impactful moments that typically bring laughter or tears. Notably, the absence of the criminal mastermind, who has been a central figure in previous books, leaves a void that this standalone story struggles to fill. Nearly all the characters involved are part of the Time Police, which narrows the narrative's scope and reduces some of the dynamic tension seen in earlier books.
The main plotline involving the train starts off intriguing but quickly loses momentum. It becomes predictable, and the most exciting elements are barely explored. The train just …
"Killing Time," the fifth book in Jodi Taylor's Time Police series, delivers the trademark lively dialogue, goofy predicaments, and sharp wit that fans have come to love. While the book has its well-executed moments, it didn’t fully hit the mark for me.
This instalment explores more of the secondary characters from the series, offering a fresh perspective but missing some of those impactful moments that typically bring laughter or tears. Notably, the absence of the criminal mastermind, who has been a central figure in previous books, leaves a void that this standalone story struggles to fill. Nearly all the characters involved are part of the Time Police, which narrows the narrative's scope and reduces some of the dynamic tension seen in earlier books.
The main plotline involving the train starts off intriguing but quickly loses momentum. It becomes predictable, and the most exciting elements are barely explored. The train just didn’t have enough to keep me hooked, feeling repetitive and lacking the punch needed to drive the story forward.
Despite these shortcomings, the book shines in its depiction of the original main characters and Hay’s briefings, which remain highlights. Their interactions and the humour infused in these scenes capture the essence of what makes the Time Police series enjoyable.
Overall, "Killing Time" offers a mix of familiar fun and new character explorations but falls short of delivering the emotional highs and gripping plot twists of its predecessors. For fans of the series, it’s a decent continuation, but it might not be the standout entry you were hoping for.