Listen free for 30 days
-
The Thing About Clare
- Narrated by: Karen Cass
- Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Listen with a free trial
Buy Now for £23.09
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Reluctantly Home
- By: Imogen Clark
- Narrated by: Karen Cass
- Length: 8 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Pip Appleby seems to have it all, with her prestigious job as a human rights lawyer and her enviable London home. But then a tragic accident stops her life in its tracks, and in an instant everything changes. Retreating to her family’s rural farm and the humble origins she has been trying to hide, Pip is haunted by what she has done. When she discovers the diary of actress Evelyn Mountcastle in a box of old books, Pip revels in the opportunity to lose herself in someone else’s life rather than focus on the disaster that is her own. But soon she sees parallels....
-
-
Enjoyed every minute
- By Mrs. W. Mulhearn on 20-05-21
-
Where the Story Starts
- By: Imogen Clark
- Narrated by: Elizabeth Knowelden
- Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As single mother Leah struggles to get her children ready one morning, the doorbell rings. Standing on the doorstep of their terraced house in Whitley Bay is a well-dressed stranger, Clio, who feels an emotional tie to the house that she can’t explain.
-
-
Where the story starts
- By pistachio on 16-07-19
-
Impossible To Forget
- By: Imogen Clark
- Narrated by: Bronwen Price
- Length: 11 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Just turned eighteen, Romany is on the cusp of taking her first steps into adulthood when tragedy strikes, and she finds herself suddenly alone without her mother, Angie, the only parent she has ever known. In her final letter, Angie has charged her four closest friends with guiding Romany through her last year of school—but is there an ulterior motive to her unusual dying wish? Each of the four guardians possesses an outlook on life that Angie wants to give her daughter as a legacy.
-
-
Another gem from Imogen
- By eGJ on 29-04-22
-
The Last Piece
- By: Imogen Clark
- Narrated by: Laura Kirman
- Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The chaotic but happy equilibrium of the Nightingale family is thrown into disarray when Cecily - whose children can't remember her ever being remotely spontaneous - disappears to a Greek island with no warning or explanation. Her reasons for doing something so out of character are a total mystery to her three daughters, high-powered executive Felicity, unfulfilled GP Julia and organised mother-of-five Lily.
-
-
A very "nice" story
- By Isolde on 03-03-21
-
Postcards from a Stranger
- By: Imogen Clark
- Narrated by: Henrietta Meire
- Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Cara stumbles across a stash of old postcards in the attic, their contents make her question everything she thought she knew. The story she pieces together is confusing and unsettling, and appears to have been patched over with lies. But who can tell her the truth? With her father sinking into Alzheimer’s and her brother reluctant to help, it seems Cara will never find the answers to her questions. One thing is clear, though: someone knows more than they’re letting on.
-
-
Spoilt by the reader
- By jken on 13-09-18
-
The Meet Cute Method
- By: Portia MacIntosh
- Narrated by: Karen Cass
- Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Frankie doesn't believe in true love. As relationships expert at popular magazine Stylife, she has learnt that dating disasters are far more common than happy-ever-afters. So when she is tasked to find out if meet cutes can work in real life, she is up for the challenge—but whether it's being a damsel in distress with a flat tyre or spilling coffee over a stranger, she isn't convinced this can really lead to love. But little does Frankie know that the ultimate meet-cute opportunity is just around the corner.
-
-
Another great story from Portia MacIntosh
- By Lou Lou on 01-06-22
-
Reluctantly Home
- By: Imogen Clark
- Narrated by: Karen Cass
- Length: 8 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Pip Appleby seems to have it all, with her prestigious job as a human rights lawyer and her enviable London home. But then a tragic accident stops her life in its tracks, and in an instant everything changes. Retreating to her family’s rural farm and the humble origins she has been trying to hide, Pip is haunted by what she has done. When she discovers the diary of actress Evelyn Mountcastle in a box of old books, Pip revels in the opportunity to lose herself in someone else’s life rather than focus on the disaster that is her own. But soon she sees parallels....
-
-
Enjoyed every minute
- By Mrs. W. Mulhearn on 20-05-21
-
Where the Story Starts
- By: Imogen Clark
- Narrated by: Elizabeth Knowelden
- Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As single mother Leah struggles to get her children ready one morning, the doorbell rings. Standing on the doorstep of their terraced house in Whitley Bay is a well-dressed stranger, Clio, who feels an emotional tie to the house that she can’t explain.
-
-
Where the story starts
- By pistachio on 16-07-19
-
Impossible To Forget
- By: Imogen Clark
- Narrated by: Bronwen Price
- Length: 11 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Just turned eighteen, Romany is on the cusp of taking her first steps into adulthood when tragedy strikes, and she finds herself suddenly alone without her mother, Angie, the only parent she has ever known. In her final letter, Angie has charged her four closest friends with guiding Romany through her last year of school—but is there an ulterior motive to her unusual dying wish? Each of the four guardians possesses an outlook on life that Angie wants to give her daughter as a legacy.
-
-
Another gem from Imogen
- By eGJ on 29-04-22
-
The Last Piece
- By: Imogen Clark
- Narrated by: Laura Kirman
- Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The chaotic but happy equilibrium of the Nightingale family is thrown into disarray when Cecily - whose children can't remember her ever being remotely spontaneous - disappears to a Greek island with no warning or explanation. Her reasons for doing something so out of character are a total mystery to her three daughters, high-powered executive Felicity, unfulfilled GP Julia and organised mother-of-five Lily.
-
-
A very "nice" story
- By Isolde on 03-03-21
-
Postcards from a Stranger
- By: Imogen Clark
- Narrated by: Henrietta Meire
- Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Cara stumbles across a stash of old postcards in the attic, their contents make her question everything she thought she knew. The story she pieces together is confusing and unsettling, and appears to have been patched over with lies. But who can tell her the truth? With her father sinking into Alzheimer’s and her brother reluctant to help, it seems Cara will never find the answers to her questions. One thing is clear, though: someone knows more than they’re letting on.
-
-
Spoilt by the reader
- By jken on 13-09-18
-
The Meet Cute Method
- By: Portia MacIntosh
- Narrated by: Karen Cass
- Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Frankie doesn't believe in true love. As relationships expert at popular magazine Stylife, she has learnt that dating disasters are far more common than happy-ever-afters. So when she is tasked to find out if meet cutes can work in real life, she is up for the challenge—but whether it's being a damsel in distress with a flat tyre or spilling coffee over a stranger, she isn't convinced this can really lead to love. But little does Frankie know that the ultimate meet-cute opportunity is just around the corner.
-
-
Another great story from Portia MacIntosh
- By Lou Lou on 01-06-22
-
Waiting to Begin
- By: Amanda Prowse
- Narrated by: Amanda Prowse
- Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
1984. Bessie is a confident sixteen-year-old girl with the world at her feet, dreaming of what life will bring and what she’ll bring to this life. Then everything comes crashing down. Her bright and trusting smile is lost, banished by shame - and a secret she’ll carry with her for the rest of her life. 2021. The last thirty-seven years have not been easy for Bess. At fifty-three she is visibly weary, and her marriage to Mario is in tatters. Watching her son in newlywed bliss - the hope, the trust, the joy - Bess knows it is time to face her own demons.
-
-
Definitely not a thriller
- By I'm all ears on 11-06-21
-
The Summer Fair
- By: Heidi Swain
- Narrated by: Karen Cass
- Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Beth loves her job working in a care home, looking after its elderly residents, but she doesn’t love the cramped and dirty house-share she currently lives in. So, when she gets the opportunity to move to Nightingale Square, sharing a house with the lovely Eli, she jumps at the chance. The community at Nightingale Square welcomes Beth with open arms, and when she needs help to organise a fundraiser for the care home they rally round. Then she discovers The Arches, a local creative arts centre, has closed and the venture to replace it needs their help, too.
-
-
Brilliant!!!
- By Shell Barrett on 14-05-22
-
What Eden Did Next
- By: Sheila O'Flanagan
- Narrated by: Aoife McMahon
- Length: 11 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Five years after the death of her firefighter husband, Eden knows better than anyone that life can change in an instant. Now, instead of the future she had planned with Andy, she has Lila—the daughter he never got the chance to meet. And instead of Andy, she has his family. Then Eden meets someone. Someone she knew before Andy, before Lila, before the tragedy. Someone who reminds her of how she used to be. But Andy's mother has other plans. And Eden is facing an impossible choice. One that could tear a family apart.
-
-
I loved this story
- By kindle on 26-05-22
-
The Keeper of Stories
- By: Sally Page
- Narrated by: Jessica Whittaker
- Length: 10 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
She can’t recall what started her collection. Maybe it was in a fragment of conversation overheard as she cleaned a sink? Before long (as she dusted a sitting room or defrosted a fridge), she noticed people were telling her their stories. Perhaps they always had done, but now it is different, now the stories are reaching out to her and she gathers them to her. When Janice starts cleaning for Mrs B - a shrewd and tricksy woman in her 90s - she meets someone who wants to hear her story. But Janice is clear: she is the keeper of stories, she doesn’t have a story to tell.
-
-
*Endearing*
- By Jaye22 on 01-05-22
-
An Ordinary Life
- By: Amanda Prowse
- Narrated by: Amanda Prowse
- Length: 12 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Christmas Eve, 2019. Ninety-four-year-old Molly lies in her hospital bed. A stroke and a fall may have broken her body - but her mind is alive with memories. London, 1940s. Molly is a bright young woman, determined to help the war effort and keep her head up despite it all. Life becomes brighter when she meets and falls in love with a man who makes her forget everything with one dance. But then war forces her to make an unforgettable sacrifice.
-
-
Don't knock it
- By Claire on 15-11-21
-
The Deadline
- The Friessens: A New Beginning
- By: Lorhainne Eckhart
- Narrated by: Valerie Gilbert
- Length: 5 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In The Deadline, Andy Friessen has packed up everything and moved his family two states away to Montana to protect his wife Laura, his newborn babies, and his stepson Gabriel from the threats of his mother. What Andy doesn't know is that they'll soon face a new threat, one he never saw coming. Gabriel is sick, and a trip to the doctor confirms Laura and Andy's worst nightmare: Without a lifesaving transplant, their son won't survive.
-
-
Great Read
- By Ashley Hedden on 22-05-22
-
The Marriage Mender
- By: Linda Green
- Narrated by: Sarah Durham
- Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Alison is a marriage mender. Her job is to help couples who fear they have reached the end of the road. So when her husband's ex, Lydia, arrives on the doorstep demanding to see her son, Alison thinks she can handle it. But what Alison doesn't realise is that Lydia is the one person who has the ability to destroy their happy family. And sometimes the cracks run too deep to ever be repaired.
-
-
Gimme more
- By Hayley Ward on 03-08-21
-
The Word Game
- A Novel
- By: Steena Holmes
- Narrated by: Kristin Watson Heintz
- Length: 5 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For overprotective parent Alyson Ward, any time her daughter, Lyla, is out of sight is reason to panic. So it's a big step for her when she lets Lyla attend a sleepover at her cousin's house. Comforted by the knowledge that her sister, Tricia, is the chaperone, Alyson does the one thing she never thought possible: she lets go and trusts that her daughter will be safe.
-
Poppy Day
- By: Amanda Prowse
- Narrated by: Amanda Prowse
- Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ever since hairdresser Poppy Day married her childhood sweetheart, Mart, she's been deliriously happy. Now Mart is fighting in Afghanistan, and Poppy is counting the days until he returns. It takes one knock at the door to rip Poppy's world apart. Mart has been taken hostage, and it's too dangerous for the army to rescue him. Poppy is determined to bring him home herself. But her journey will lead her to a heartbreaking dilemma. What price will she pay to save the man she loves?
-
-
So glad to have another audible by Amanda Prowse.
- By Amazon Customer on 19-05-21
-
Spring Tides at the Starfish Café
- By: Jessica Redland
- Narrated by: Lucy Brownhill, Polly Edsell
- Length: 11 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As winter turns to spring, Hollie—owner of The Starfish Café—is feeling content as she settles into her new life with her loving boyfriend, Jake, and their adorable dog Pickle. But when an unwelcome visitor threatens the future of her café, Hollie must stay strong to protect her family's legacy.
-
-
Brilliant!
- By LJ Knox on 06-04-22
-
When He Returns
- A Coming-of-Age Western Romance
- By: Amelia Smarts
- Narrated by: Matthew Keyes
- Length: 3 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Proud and independent, 13-year-old orphan Wade Hunter doesn't want a family. But when the town marshal catches him stealing, Wade's given only two choices: Spend time in jail or become the marshal's ward. Sadie Shaw, the marshal's eldest daughter, doesn't want another sibling. She has enough brothers and sisters, and she's dismayed when her kindhearted pa brings home another lost child. It doesn't help that this one is surly and arrogant. Worse, he thinks that because he's older, he's under no obligation to mind her household rules.
-
-
Excellent!
- By Sara B on 03-12-19
-
Anna
- By: Amanda Prowse
- Narrated by: Amanda Prowse
- Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Anna Cole grew up poor, but her mother's love made her feel rich every day. Then her mother died, and Anna was sent to a care home. As a teenager, Anna vowed that one day she would have children of her own and create the happy, noisy family life she always craved. Then, one day, Anna meets Theo Montgomery in a lift. Theo has kind eyes but a sad past. His family were rich, but his childhood was full of neglect. Theo can't imagine bringing a child into this cruel world, but he does want a soul mate. Someone to love him unconditionally; someone with whom he can share his family's wealth.
-
-
I wanted to like it but....
- By andrea mciver on 22-09-21
Summary
A dying wish. A devastating secret. Should the truth really stay buried?
The four Bliss siblings have a loving but complicated bond, but when their mother, Dorothy, dies seemingly without a will, this relationship is put to the test. As the mourning siblings try to make sense of the situation, one of them is caught with a secret: before she died, Dorothy entrusted her favourite daughter with her will and a letter - and told her to destroy them both.
Of course it was Anna their mother turned to for this mission. Miriam, the eldest, is far too sensible; Sebastian, the baby, too sensitive; and Clare, the middle child, has always been too rebellious to rely on, and long ago cut herself out of her siblings’ lives.
But what Anna finds in the documents could change everything. Do the other siblings not deserve to know what it is about them that their mother was so desperate to hide? And if it is revealed, will the Bliss family ever be the same again?
More from the same
What listeners say about The Thing About Clare
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Alana Beatonn
- 11-12-18
An engaging and well crafted story of family life
I really enjoyed listening to this audio book. The story is centred around the Bliss family and the four siblings each of whom have their own demons and issues and how family dynamics affect their lives. Nature versus nurture, perceived parental favourites, the strength of the family bond and split loyalties are all explored around the central plot point of a secret that could potentially blow the family apart. It was really nicely dealt with and wrapped up in satisfying ending. I really enjoyed the first book, Postcards From a Stranger, by this author as well and look forward to the next one. The narration was spot on and captured the different character voices really well.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- eGJ
- 28-04-22
Another gem from lmogen
An absorbing tale of family relationships that keeps you hooked until the very last page. Narrated well which helps the story flow.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kindle Customer
- 20-08-19
A little slow
The narrator was good but I found the story lacking. The characters were one dimensional and bar Clare they remained so throughout the book.
Shame as it had the promise of an intriguing story.
-
Overall
- movie buff
- 12-08-19
missed out lots of chapters
couldnt get into this book read the first 15 chapters and nothing much happened skipped a few chapters and still not much i the way of a storyline shame as i loved the previous book i had read by Imogen clark
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Lu
- 07-01-19
Lacking something
I hate to be negative about this book because it is not bad. It just didn't have anything original to say and the themes of family dynamics, identity, belonging, loneliness etc weren't observed or explored in much depth at all. The characters were ok, but again, underdeveloped and I found myself not really invested in any of them. I did finish this book and it was not awful and did engage me a little. I just didn't get much from it and will forget it very quickly. I think the sign of a good book is the desire to share it, recommend it, talk about it with someone else. I have no such desire in the case of this book unfortunately.
-
Overall

- Debra Fein
- 09-01-19
Family Ties
Four sibs growing up in England. When mother dies there's a big secret revealed. The book reveals how finding out of the secret shakes things up. It's a good read, though I enjoyed 's Clark's other novel, Postcards from a Stranger more.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Kimberly R. Erdman
- 21-04-21
Not as enjoyable
I wasn’t fond of the storyline in this book and I had a lot of trouble with the bad language. I realize that it was basically the one character but goodness, I don’t think she knew any other kind of language and it detracted from the story for me. I’m hesitant to read anymore from this author.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Kindle Customer
- 10-09-20
made it halfway through
This book was just too depressing I had to give it up, chap.25. terribly disappointed
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Kindle Customer
- 16-12-19
The Thing About Clare
The audio was very well done on this year of an English family through the lives of their four children. It was well.written and the characters were very believable. I will read this author again.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Diane M. Santiago
- 17-06-22
Listen to it and I almost didn’t finish don’t read
It was just ok! Family troubles, family hierarchy, blah blah blah. No real substance as far as I was concerned. If it takes anyone 50 years to figure out they screwed up - that is waaaay too long
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Jamie Lynn
- 22-04-22
Insert meh face
Talk about family drama. That’s all this book as about. There were no redeeming qualities for any of the characters. Everyone was unhappy and complained non stop. “Woe is me” is not my favorite genre. I didn’t hate it but it’s not something I’d recommend to my friends or book clubs. I like IC as an author, but this wasn’t my cup of tea.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- JessB
- 21-07-21
Give it a chance!
Getting the characters straight was a little hard in the beginning, as there are so many, but once you have that down, the story is a breeze! It's basically the unfolding of the life of an entire family, and what happens when their mother dies supposedly without having left a will, BUT to one trusted child the knowledge was imparted the location of the will and it was asked she get rid of it. Each character had a distinctly different and well-defined personality, and their reactions to certain situations seemed authentic for them. I found it very involving, and liked the ending very much (no spoilers!) It seemed like a realistic way to tie things up.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Stinky44
- 05-07-21
The Thing About Clare
Turns out that I did not care about Clare. Book was a HUGE letdown. Sorry I wasted my time listening to it. I do not recommend it. If it had been a physical book, I would have thrown it across the room.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Debbie S.
- 01-06-21
A good story
I found the story to be engaging and intriguing. I became absorbed with the characters, thanks to both the descriptive writing and the excellent narration. I was satisfied with the conclusion , but sad to end my time with this family.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- DeRoseBreathe
- 19-07-20
I really like this author!
What a great story of siblings and a wonderful mother and not too bad father and the poor 2nd daughter, it’s always the 2nd child. The forgotten one. It’s sad.
Great ending for her.