A review by julesg
The Ballad of Smallhope and Pennyroyal by Jodi Taylor

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

Smallhope and Pennyroyal make their first appearance in The Chronicles of St Mary's universe at the Battle of Bannockburn. The team of bounty hunters, Recovery Agents, soon turned up in further St Mary's adventures as well as in the Time Police novels. Fans hoped for a short story about the team, how they met and started their business together. In true Jodi Taylor fashion we didn't get a short story, nor a novella, we got a whole novel about how Lady Amelia Smallhope met Pennyroyal. We learn how Pennyroyal got Smallhope addicted to margaritas, how they first forged a friendship and then their business together and see a lot of the duo outside of St Mary's and TPHQ. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the novel when it was published in 2024. I have read the book and listened to the audiobook, narrated by Zara Ramm, several times since, and am hoping we get to see more of the duo in future stories.