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The Rachael O'Brien Chronicles #4
Toad in the Hole
Rachael O'Brien is bound for England. Accompanied by her eccentric grandmother, Dad’s assistant, Edmond, and her very good-looking, gay friend Travis, she thinks that distancing herself from the southern men she's developed an appetite for, and the trauma she left in the swamp, is the emotional breather she needs. But for Rachael, nothing is ever simple and an oyster brooch with a scandalous past leads her into trouble.
Discovering that she has been followed across the Atlantic by a mysterious agent, surviving British culinary challenges becomes the least of her worries. After hotel rooms are ransacked, and Edmond is detained by Scotland Yard, her grandmother sends her down the River Thames in a narrowboat.
With thugs in pursuit, Rachael's expedition crashes along the banks of English canals as she journey’s to unearth the stunning secrets embedded within the golden brooch in Paisley Ray's TOAD IN THE HOLE.
Discovering that she has been followed across the Atlantic by a mysterious agent, surviving British culinary challenges becomes the least of her worries. After hotel rooms are ransacked, and Edmond is detained by Scotland Yard, her grandmother sends her down the River Thames in a narrowboat.
With thugs in pursuit, Rachael's expedition crashes along the banks of English canals as she journey’s to unearth the stunning secrets embedded within the golden brooch in Paisley Ray's TOAD IN THE HOLE.
205 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 19, 2013
69 people are currently reading
311 people want to read
About the author
Paisley Ray
12 books195 followersThe Rachael O'Brien Chronicles are not your typical fiction. A young woman's plan for an art history degree turns into an outrageous series of misadventures in this laugh-out-loud romp about a girl who enrolls in a southern college during the height of the crazy era that was the 1980's. This collection crosses genres of chick lit, mystery, romance, humor, and action with the possibility of a corpse or two.
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You can visit Paisley Ray at:
Website: http://www.paisleyray.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heypaisleyray
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/heypaisleyray
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/heypaisleyray
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 29, 2015
I have become a Rachel O'Brien groupie! Another reviewer,in her mid 30s, was concerned she could not relate to a college aged heroine. Well, I got my B.S. in 1969, and, although I too wasn't sure I would enjoy it, I am loving this series!
This installment took place during the summer between Rachel's sophomore and junior years in a small college in North Carolina. Her grandmother, born in England, asked Rachel to go with her for 6 weeks to visit her home in Yorkshire. Also invited were Rachel's friend Travis and Edmond, Rachel's father's assistant in his art restoration business. Rachel takes the oyster/amethyst brooch with her,and, as in the last book,this gift from her grandmother becomes the centerpiece of an adventure involving an abdicated King, a trip down the Thames in a canal boat, a Civil War reenactment, the Turk Ahmed who wants the brooch, and a lot of fun. I really do laugh out loud reading these stories and can't wait for the next adventure.
Note to self: I think one of the attractions in this series is the setting in the 1980s so there are no cell phones or other such instant connections between people or instant access to information as we have today.
This installment took place during the summer between Rachel's sophomore and junior years in a small college in North Carolina. Her grandmother, born in England, asked Rachel to go with her for 6 weeks to visit her home in Yorkshire. Also invited were Rachel's friend Travis and Edmond, Rachel's father's assistant in his art restoration business. Rachel takes the oyster/amethyst brooch with her,and, as in the last book,this gift from her grandmother becomes the centerpiece of an adventure involving an abdicated King, a trip down the Thames in a canal boat, a Civil War reenactment, the Turk Ahmed who wants the brooch, and a lot of fun. I really do laugh out loud reading these stories and can't wait for the next adventure.
Note to self: I think one of the attractions in this series is the setting in the 1980s so there are no cell phones or other such instant connections between people or instant access to information as we have today.
May 1, 2014
I loved the other books. This one was too disjointed and lacked the humor found in the other books. I missed her dorm mates.
January 30, 2014
This is the fourth of the Rachael O'Brien books that I've read and I await the beginning of her Junior year with bated breath. Will she get the broach back? Will she find her who defended her against Billy Ray? Who will she ultimately end up having a friendship with? And will she and her friends actually rent from Sheila?
I liked this book as much as the others. So many reminders of my days from college kept coming back as I read the series so far, and knowing that the technology was the same in her books as in my college years, makes it much more relatable.
I liked this book as much as the others. So many reminders of my days from college kept coming back as I read the series so far, and knowing that the technology was the same in her books as in my college years, makes it much more relatable.
December 3, 2017
It wasn'ta great read but it was entertaining. It wasn't up to my usual expectations for a mystery book and I was sorely disappointed with the ending. Much of it was well written but at the end the author sort of dropped you head long without much of a satisfying ending. It was like "Okay, mystery solved and I am tired of writing". I don't know if I was supposed give it my own ending or if it was simply done.
It's not a bad read and I wouldn't not recommend it for those who like mystery but for the older crowd it's up to you.
It's not a bad read and I wouldn't not recommend it for those who like mystery but for the older crowd it's up to you.
December 21, 2018
What an adventure!
Rachel has a weird talent for jumping from the frying pan and into the fire. Going to the UK for the summer was sure to be the trip of a lifetime, and opportunity to get to know the grandmother she didn't even know she had until a year ago. But, in true Rachel style, vacations are anything but restful. Her journey made me laugh, get anxious, find hope, and made me appreciate my much less eventful collegiate days.
I have read the first several books in this series, and they are so good that I will read the rest.
Rachel has a weird talent for jumping from the frying pan and into the fire. Going to the UK for the summer was sure to be the trip of a lifetime, and opportunity to get to know the grandmother she didn't even know she had until a year ago. But, in true Rachel style, vacations are anything but restful. Her journey made me laugh, get anxious, find hope, and made me appreciate my much less eventful collegiate days.
I have read the first several books in this series, and they are so good that I will read the rest.
June 4, 2019
The Rachael O'Brien series is my guilty pleasure collection, the books I go to when I need to chill out. This book is of no exception, an easy going adventure that I can get stuck into and yet take with a pinch of salt. I guess this is why I didn't mind the not entirely accurate descriptions and stereotypes that appeared in London & the UK. Normally this would irritate me, however, I think they actually endeared me to the book even more. Although you could read this as a stand alone book, I would highly recommend that the previous books are read first.
December 27, 2016
Bugger
I love keeping up with Rachel O'Brien and her crazy band of misfit friends and family in these books! This one was a little different - a little harder to get into the story. I missed her girlfriends and college shenanigans - some of the loops in England were just too hard to follow! I'll still get to the next edition eventually. I just need a little break from the English country!
I love keeping up with Rachel O'Brien and her crazy band of misfit friends and family in these books! This one was a little different - a little harder to get into the story. I missed her girlfriends and college shenanigans - some of the loops in England were just too hard to follow! I'll still get to the next edition eventually. I just need a little break from the English country!
June 18, 2017
Still enjoying the series, but parts of this book seemed forced, like the author was trying to hard to keep it light. Story line was interesting, if a tad unbelievable. I wouldn't travel with that grandmother ever again. And why would her dad let her go to England with that nonchalant but job?
May 13, 2017
Loved it
Great series so far. Can't wait to read more. I love the characters and their interaction with one another. Funny
Great series so far. Can't wait to read more. I love the characters and their interaction with one another. Funny
May 22, 2017
Didn't like this one. boring and not funny.
April 25, 2019
Not my favorite out of the series but a solid 3 stars.
March 24, 2017
A good read
An enjoyable book. As with her other books in this series, this book is entertaining. I enjoyed the history lessons and descriptions of the landscape.
An enjoyable book. As with her other books in this series, this book is entertaining. I enjoyed the history lessons and descriptions of the landscape.
January 14, 2015
Pet Peeve: Characters or people who refuse to ask questions
Rachel O'Brien ends up in London with her granny, an employee of her dad's company and her friend she wants to have benefits with but whom is assumed (presumed, actually?? ) gay.
She is a college sophomore who won't smoke in front of granny, who owns a mysterious brooch but is afraid to speak to granny about it. Who is miffed that granny doesn't want to sight see with her and who keeps walking into trouble. Further she is frightened that her father will find out there is trouble and fly over to get her.
This mystery involves Edward VIII and the crown jewels and the Duchess of Windsor and a lovely travelogue of the London area.
One thing I did appreciate was that the author acknowledged her anachronisms in the back of the book.
It was okay.
Rachel O'Brien ends up in London with her granny, an employee of her dad's company and her friend she wants to have benefits with but whom is assumed (presumed, actually?? ) gay.
She is a college sophomore who won't smoke in front of granny, who owns a mysterious brooch but is afraid to speak to granny about it. Who is miffed that granny doesn't want to sight see with her and who keeps walking into trouble. Further she is frightened that her father will find out there is trouble and fly over to get her.
This mystery involves Edward VIII and the crown jewels and the Duchess of Windsor and a lovely travelogue of the London area.
One thing I did appreciate was that the author acknowledged her anachronisms in the back of the book.
It was okay.
March 8, 2015
It would seem I am destined to like the books when Rachel is in school and dislike the ones that take place during summer break. While this one had a bit of action that was from time to time entertaining there were 3 aspects that I just couldn't get behind: 1) what kind of grandmother would get her granddaughter mixed up in stuff like this? 2) enough with mooning over Travis already. He's gay!!!!! 3) I also didn't like how they made Ahmed out to be all evil. Ok he didn't go about it the right way but Britain has a long history of stealing treasures from other countries and contrary to what the characters in the book felt, they SHOULD be returning them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2013
This is the fourth book of Paisley Ray that I've read (or should say now reading). When you want a light fun read, you should reach for one of her books. This is a series and the fourth. I bought them for my Kindle. This coming year I hope to read at least 150 books. This year I think I'll make 170 books but next summer I want to do more crafts so I might not get quite as many books read. Another favorite of mine is Diana Galbadon's Scottish series.
October 27, 2015
A delightful story about a young woman who goes to visit her Grandmother in England, then on an adventure throughout the countryside and London. She not only loses sight of her Grandma, but is chased by a crazy Turk who steals something precious from her. If you want to read something exciting, this is the book I suggest... but Rachel's adventure is far from over!
January 10, 2017
Toad in the Hole is the fourth of the Rachael O’Brien Chronicles. As with all the previous books, Rachael’s antics and experiences are hilarious and fun to read. I highly recommend this book to all Rachael O’Brien fans and anyone who wants a relaxing read. All of the Rachael O’Brien Chronicles can be read as standalone books (but it’s totally worth reading them all).
April 1, 2014
Another great book
I had been looking forward to reading the next adventure for Rachel O'Brien and I wasn't disappointed. I enjoyed the change of scenery with her UK vacation. I loved getting to know Travis and GG better. Great job. Can't wait for the next.
I had been looking forward to reading the next adventure for Rachel O'Brien and I wasn't disappointed. I enjoyed the change of scenery with her UK vacation. I loved getting to know Travis and GG better. Great job. Can't wait for the next.
August 13, 2015
I like the Rachael O'Brien series and enjoyed this one as well. Hard to believe that trouble seems to follow Rachael everywhere she goes but somehow some way it stays with her like her shadow does. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Read
May 10, 2015From the blurb, I was expecting to be able to read this as a 'one-off' but it was pretty clear after a few pages that I really needed to have read the earlier books to make much sense of the characters and events.
There were also unnecessary 'research-info-dumps' which grated.
Not rating.
There were also unnecessary 'research-info-dumps' which grated.
Not rating.
July 5, 2014
Rachel is back at it but this time in England. Creative story line and more unique characters. I am waiting to see what her Junior year has in store.
February 8, 2015
I enjoyed the descriptions of the countryside and the canals, but I fear I'm too old to connect with the main character as I might have when I was closer to her age.
March 20, 2015
A convoluted tale of intrigue...
that centers around a gift from a king to a divorced American, his lover. Interesting insights into life in Britain.
that centers around a gift from a king to a divorced American, his lover. Interesting insights into life in Britain.
May 18, 2016
Another good book in the Rachael O'Brien series. Really enjoy the writer's voice!
August 1, 2016
This was my least favorite of the series as it narrows the characters down to just 4 people. It moves the story along though.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews