Life, Death and Vanilla Slices cover art

Life, Death and Vanilla Slices

A page-turning family drama from the Sunday Times bestselling author

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 Months Free + £10 Audible voucher

£5.99/mo after 3 months. Cancel monthly.
Get this deal
Offer ends on 5 July 2026 at 11:59 BST.
More purchase options

Life, Death and Vanilla Slices

By: Jenny Eclair
Narrated by: Jenny Eclair
Get this deal

£5.99/mo after 3 months. Offer ends on 5 July 2026 at 11:59 BST. Cancel monthly.

Buy Now for £12.20

Buy Now for £12.20

Poor Jean Collins.

She stepped out into the road without looking and now lies broken in hospital. But what distracted her? And why was she carrying a box of vanilla slices, the cream cakes she only ever bought for special occasions? Jean's daughter Anne travels back up north to find out. But her mind is on her teenage sons in London - boys on the brink of becoming not very nice men. What damage could they do in just a few days? (Quite a lot, probably.)

Meanwhile there are secrets waiting for Anne and Jean, back at the old family home. Secrets that were buried a long time ago . . .

Jenny Eclair is celebrated for her unflinching black humour and brilliantly sharp observations. In her extraordinary new novel, she has also created a compelling and heart-breaking family drama that feels as rich and honest as real life.©2013 Jenny Eclair Dark Humour Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literature & Fiction Women's Fiction Funny Feel-Good Heartfelt Inspiring Tear-jerking Thought-Provoking Witty
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
All stars
Most relevant

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is one of the best stories I have listened too. Really well written and a joy to listen to.

Which character – as performed by Jenny Eclair – was your favourite?

At first I didn't like either of the two main characters much but as the story unfolded I grew to like them and then to admire them. By the end of the story I felt a strong emotional connection to them.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book made me laugh and a couple of times it rendered me motionless, I had to stop what I was doing and just listen. They were moments in the book that made me cry.

Any additional comments?

The book had absorbed me and transported me to another world. I really didn't want it to end.

Great story made me laugh and cry

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Jenny uses a razor to cut to the heart of the family featured in it and what's revealed is both uncomfortable and poignant in equal measure. Any daughter or mother will find a lot they recognise here I think. The characters are much more than two dimensional ; both good and bad and everything in between. I am glad I listened to it.

Poignant and truthful.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Please do not base your purchase or choice of listening to this book on any poor reviews. It is great!!

Sometimes we must remember that our parents had a past before they were parents and also hidden secrets whilst we are growing up. We are all only human.

Excellent

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This is a superbly told story that will keep you gripped.
I laughed and I cried as I went on a life long journey with each character.

Absolutely brilliant.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
An excellent book made all the better by the wonderful Jenny Eclair reading her own masterpiece. I've been a fan for over 2 decades but this is the first of her books tbat I've downloaded. Looking forward to another.

Poignant and riveting

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews