This was such an enjoyable read. I loved the scene setting and the characters. The plot was interesting.
The ending wasn’t as good as I had hoped.

"It was as if the world had always been in sign language. I just hadn't learnt it."

What’s better than historical fiction? DIVERSE historical fiction!

As much as I make an effort to read diverse books, I can’t remember ever reading a book with a deaf protagonist. That is the main reason I requested Hear No Evil. It actually isn’t set in a period I’m particularly fond of reading about, but it had enough subject matter to hook me.

What happens when a person who is deaf and without speech, is accused of murder? What if this happens not in our time, or even in Helen Keller’s time, but 200 years ago - before sign language was standardised (sort of), and when deaf persons were often assumed to be unintelligent?

Hear No Evil is what happens - and it is based on a REAL landmark case in Scottish history. This book addresses religion, classism, poverty, abuse, justice, and of course, disability, in a way that has the reader in hot pursuit of the truth.

Often in historical fiction, characters will display uncharacteristically “woke” personalities - because that is what a modern reader hopes for, that our predecessors were not as bigoted as we’ve been taught. Author Sarah Smith does not step into this trap, and it is interesting to note the reader’s feelings - because as much as I want realism, I also felt distinct distaste at the narrow-mindedness of some characters (even the sweet Robert Kinniburgh). But if you’re not making your readers feel something, what are you doing with your words, anyways?

Speaking of realism, I used my iPad’s dictionary function so much while reading Hear No Evil - Scottish dialect of the 19th century was odd.

While I can’t comment on accuracy, Smith had a “sensitivity reader” go through the manuscript to advise on correct and appropriate descriptions of deaf culture, which I think is great, and should be done for more books.

Besides writing a good story, Smith is also a delightful wordsmith. Just listen to this description: "Every bit of sinew and muscle in operation, the slight flap of aged skin escaping from her tightly rolled sleeves."

Besides a conclusion that I found to be terribly rushed, I am a big fan of this book, and would recommend it to anyone interested in history, disability, and whodunnits.

Enjoyable slice of historical fiction,not just for the what happened/who did it questions,but to see how deaf people were treated in the past.
Interesting to read its based on a true story.

This is an interesting story, based on fact. Jean Campbell, a young deaf woman, was brought to the Edinburgh court for throwing her baby into the river - a number of witnesses were sure they saw just that. In the story, the court calls in Robert Kinniburgh, who runs a local deaf and dumb school, to interpret for her and help them judge if she is even fit to stand trial, as deafness was very much equated with frailty of mind in those times. The book makes for an interesting read, as we see how difficult life must have been (and still is) for those born into a world of silence, with no-one to help them communicate.

The story is told well, as gradually Robert tries first to get Jean to explain what really happened to her baby, and then to try to find the evidence to free her. The results unearth many unsavoury practices of the day, with prejudice and ignorance rife.

A good story, well written and entertaining to the end. Thank you to NetGalley and John Murray Press for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

*Many thanks to Sarah Smith, John Murray Press, and Netgalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
Quite interesting book dealing with early 19th century Edinborough and the ways in which underpriviledged and physically challenged people were treated and perceived. I found the historical background much more gripping than the story itself.

A young, deaf woman is witnessed throwing a child into the River Clyde from the Old Bridge in 1817 Glasgow. Based on a real case, this is a powerful piece of historical fiction from Sarah Smith and an interesting look into the 19th Century attitude to disability, and specifically deafness. The authorities are unable to communicate with their prisoner and as nothing is found at the river, Jean is taken to the Edinburgh Tolbooth in the hope of getting the truth. The High Court asks Robert Kinniburgh if he will communicate with their silent prisoner, to work out whether Jean is even fit for trial. Robert teaches at the Deaf & Dumb Institution and might be able to form a way of interpreting for the authorities. She only has two choices if a court finds her guilty, neither of which are desirable; death by hanging or imprisonment in an insane asylum. As Robert and Jean manage construct a simple way of communicating he starts to gains her trust, Jean starts to confides in her interpreter, imparting the truth. As Robert treads a fine line between interpreter and investigator, he becomes absolutely determined to clear her name before it is too late.

The novel’s basis in Scottish legal history means that Smith has researched her period deeply, wanting to tell her tale sensitively and with respect for these real-life characters. It is a perfect mix of fact, atmospheric setting, strong characters and an understanding of what life was like for someone with a disability in the early 19th Century. Kinniburgh has the difficult task of unravelling Jean's story, immersing himself in the legal machinery of the Edinburgh court, and retracing Jean’s life up till that moment on the bridge. He is a teacher, not a lawyer, so he really has his work cut out. He is our eyes and ears in the story, following Jean’s life in the poverty stricken slums of Glasgow, experiencing her difficulties and finding out what happened in the final days before she came to be alone on the Old Bridge with her baby. He is a very humane main character, full of intelligence and compassion for others. Yet it us Jean Campbell who really made her way into my head and heart.

Obviously, the real Jean Campbell isn’t well known, but it felt like Smith really got under the skin of this girl. The details of her existence is brought vividly to life and Smith shows us that she was strong and full of dignity despite being so disenfranchised. Jean has gone through traumatic experiences, badly used by unscrupulous people only too happy to take advantage. Campbell's deafness is central pillar of this book, it’s the reason for her poverty, the ordeals she has been subjected to and possibly the court case itself. How far were police officers influenced by her inability to speak. Just as there are now, there were prejudices and assumptions made about the Deaf community at the time, and we get some insight into how sign language evolved when it becomes the key by which Kinniburgh begins to earn Jean's trust and unlock her story. I love that this story is reaching so many people through this novel.

I loved the settings, particularly the incredibly atmospheric opening which really set the scene for the rest of the novel. Smith’s period locations took me on a journey through time across two beautiful Scottish cities. The most vivid being Edinburgh's dank and grimy Tolbooth prison which evoked claustrophobia for me. Equally vivid are Kinniburgh’s visits to the filthy poverty of Jean’s Glasgow home. I think that lovers of historical fiction will really enjoy this but I’d like to see it read by a wider audience, considering it’s message is sadly still relevant. We cannot judge fellow human beings until we have understood what has brought them to that point. We also need to make more effort to communicate with those who have a disability. It seems that we can revere them as Paralympians or military heroes, but many don’t pass the time of day with real people with disabilities in their daily life. Smith highlights this by taking us to an earlier time where, for some who were silenced, their disability could mean paying a very high price. Jean could see this discrepancy and the way she was underestimated every day of her life.

'She was aware of much more than people gave her credit for. Always had been...Not once did any hearing person treat her like she was the same as them.'

In Glasgow in 1817 a young woman Jean Campbell is accused of throwing a baby off a bridge. Jean is deaf and unable to communicate until Robert arrives. As Robert tries to understand Jean through her communications and investigations he becomes more determined to help her.

The story is based on a true crime and it explores the attitudes towards deafness at the time. It was a really interesting novel and I would recommend for fans of historical crime fiction.

I was really interested in this book - I have a hearing impairment myself and am learning BSL so it was nice to recognise some familiar signs.
It tells the story of Jean Campbell - a deaf woman who appears to have thrown her baby over a bridge into the River Clyde. Jean ends up in prison in Edinburgh and when it becomes clear she cannot hear Robert Kinnisburgh who runs a local 'deaf and dumb' school is asked to support with finding out Jean's story. I loved Robert and how well he advocated for the deaf community especially as the story is set in 1817!
The story flowed well and I didn't guess the ending before we got there which is always great.
A really interesting read.

Ok so I'm going to put it out there and say that I'm Scottish but ashamedly haven't read a lot of Scottish books but this year I'm wanting to change that and have started with this (not to mention a perfect choice for my Around the World Challenge); what a book I chose to change things.

This is historical fiction (although at the end found out it is based on a real case) about a deaf woman that has been charged with the murder of a baby and resulting in the subsequent case and trial.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book for numerous reasons; it was really refreshing to read a book based not only in the country I am from but also reading names and places that I am so very familiar with. It also really made me so happy to read a book written largely in the Scottish vernacular.

I mostly liked all of the characters apart from the obvious villains of the piece and I could vividly imagine both them and their surroundings; I particularly felt so much for poor Jean and I am away to search more on her case and her life and I can't wait to see what other books the author comes out with and hope each one will be as enjoyable as this.

*Thanks to NetGalley, John Murray Press and Sarah Smith for the copy of this book. All views are my own.*

I really, really enjoyed reading this book. I also have some issues with it. Honestly, it’s complicated.

I sometimes struggle a little with historical fiction which is often so riveting, well written and interesting but so many aspects are made up and I end up struggling to separate fact from fiction. As a result, I don’t really read this genre often. However, I saw this and had to read it when I realised it focuses on a deaf character and features BSL (I’m deaf but not native signer, although I started learning BSL later in life).

The book focuses on Jean Campbell, a deaf woman from the Hebrides accused of throwing her baby in a river in Glasgow and it’s set in 1817. This lady was a real person and the court case is also real, but from what I managed to find out after reading the book not all that much is known about her so I am assuming there’s a lot of fiction in this.

The book is told from several perspective, but the main character is not Jean, but a man named Robert, who is a teacher of Deaf from Edinburgh and who is tasked with interpreting for Jean. This proves difficult as Jean is illiterate (hence they cannot use finger spelling to bridge communication gaps) and their signs vary slightly. Robert uses signs more closely aligned with BSL, Jean has no formal education and would be using more dialect (and/or home signs). Just for context: British Sign Language was not recognised as a language until 2003, nearly 200 years later and certainly not something that was particularly accessible to many d/Deaf people at that time. Especially so as Jean does not come from a Deaf family, so she had little actual exposure to sign language until she was an adult and moved to Glasgow, where she found a Deaf community.

The story unfolds at a fairly slow pace as we slowly learn more and more about Jean’s life, often through her recounting her story and Robert travelling to meet people she shared her life with, sometimes through swapping to the perspectives of the people involved in Jean’s story or Jean herself. I don’t really want to get into the details of the story at this stage as I actually think it’s best enjoyed going into it blind and spoiler-free – which is why I also made sure not to google Jean Campbell until I had finished the book.
I love the prevalence of sign language. The author often describes handshapes and signs which is something I find to be very rare in stories that feature deaf people. I thought this was well done. I also loved that throughout the book we meet different people with different “theories” on deafness. Our protagonist Robert is undoubtedly the closest ally in this book, he has quite a good understanding & appreciation of as well as respect for Deaf culture and BSL. His view of the deaf experience seems the most realistic. We also get a character who very much represents the “giftedly disabled” stance, which is extremely weird to me, but I know it existed and still exists. This character believes that Jean – and other deaf people – would somehow have heightened senses or be more “aware”. Finally, we also meet some characters that will equate deafness with not being of sound mind (and the commonly used term back in the day was “deaf and dumb”, this is repeatedly used in the book by all characters, by the way).

Despite all the positives, this unfortunately quintessentially remains a story of a hearing man speaking for a deaf woman. Robert is essential to the court case and he takes it on himself to make decisions regarding what is happening. It is very rare that we switch to Jean’s perspective at all – in fact, most of the time we get the perspectives of the various hearing men that she encounters throughout her life, some of which are nicer and more respectful and understanding than others. The is another deaf character in the book – David, the vicar’s son, a kind and intelligent man, but we do not get his perspective on things, unfortunately. Then again, the author of this book is a hearing woman and I probably would have disliked it a lot she had written a book focussing solely on a d/Deaf perspective. That might have been worse. I know that this book was sent to a sensitivity reader. The author published a blog post on the process on her website in case you are interested. I massively appreciate the author’s efforts to get this sorted, thank you for that. I did not feel that deafness and sign language were misrepresented in this book. However, as much as I loved reading a story that features deafness and BSL, I’m holding out for more actual representation of deaf experiences and perspectives. That felt like a missed opportunity as both Jean and also David are interesting characters. That was the last bit that was missing, so this is a high (!) four stars rather than five stars.

Last but not least I should add: This book is beautifully written and for me paced just right. Sarah Smith is an excellent writer!

A truly remarkable story told in a creative way. The fact that it is based on a true story makes it all the more interesting.

Glasgow 1817 and a young deaf woman is seen to throw a baby from a bridge. Committed to Edinburgh for trial Jean is alone and unable to communicate until Robert arrives. He is able to sign and, as Jean's sad story is told, he is determined to get justice for her.
There is a lot to like about this book. It is based on a true story, albeit embellished a lot by the author, and shines a light on Glasgow during the industrial revolution and also the treatment of deaf people at that time. I did find the writing overblown at times, bringing in a sexual element that is pure fiction, but the tale is strong.

'She was aware of much more than people gave her credit for. Always had been...Not once did any hearing person treat her like she was the same as them.'

In Hear No Evil, Sarah Smith conveys a thrilling story - based on real events - with great sensitivity and skill. It is a story that needed to be told to a wider audience.

The novel sets out its stall early, in the deeply atmospheric opening chapters. One of Smith's great gifts is the evocation of convincing period locations, making our journey into Edinburgh's grim Tolbooth prison in the year 1817 a rich and claustrophobic experience. Robert Kinniburgh is a compassionate and humane main character, but it is with Jean Campbell - a young, Deaf woman accused of throwing her child into the river Clyde - that the reader's heart will come to linger.

Little is known of the real Jean Campbell, but Smith colours in the details of her life with utter conviction, showing us a hardy, dignified soul who has undergone a terrible experience at the hands of others only too ready to take advantage of her. Campbell's deafness is the axis upon which the book turns, enabling Smith to show us both the prejudices and assumptions made about the Deaf community at the time, and insights into the fascinating evolution of signed language - the key by which Kinniburgh begins to earn Jean's trust and unlock her story.

The book wears its painstaking research lightly, making for an engrossing and brisk read. As Kinniburgh unravels Jean's story, his journeys through the legal machinery of Edinburgh's courts contrast with vivid visits to the filth and deprivations of Glasgow where he retraces Jean's footsteps on the ground, experiencing something of her life and learning how she came to be alone on the Old Bridge in the fog, holding her baby.

A treat for lovers of historical fiction, the book will have a wide appeal to all readers - a good thing when the message at its core is so important and relevant to our own times.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

In 1817 Glasgow, Jean Campbell-a young deaf woman-is accused of infanticide. As she is unable to communicate with the authorities, Robert Kinniburgh, a teacher at the Edinburgh Deaf & Dumb Institute is enlisted to interpret Jean's story. Can he get to the truth and save her from the death penalty?

This was an interesting read, however it unfortunately failed to consistently hold my attention, the pacing was just a little too slow and seemed at odds with the urgency of the matter at hand.
I found the subject matter explored interesting and Smith really took the time to examine the details. Our cast of characters were compelling for the most part. Although I do think I would have liked to have had more from Jean's perspective, being such a central character to the story (though I can see why it may have been intentional to reflect how difficult it would have been for her to share her perspective at all). As for the character we primarily follow through the narrative-Robert Kinniburgh-I struggled to get a firm grasp on his character, he was regularly outshone by the supporting cast of characters.
The ending was simultaneously a bit lacking and a bit drawn-out. Lacking in its closure for Jean as she exits the narrative almost as an aside, and drawn out in the attention paid to minor characters that seem to hold little relevance to the final outcome.

While a unique and interesting concept this book just fell a bit short in its execution for me.

Thank you NetGalley and John Murray Press for my e-arc of this title, received in exchange for an honest review.

In the burgeoning industrial city of Glasgow in 1817 Jean Campbell - a young, Deaf woman - is witnessed throwing a child into the River Clyde from the Old Bridge.
No evidence is yielded from the river. Unable to communicate with their silent prisoner, the authorities move Jean to the decaying Edinburgh Tolbooth in order to prise the story from her. This is definitely one of those special books that I will keep on my shelves to go back to and reread.

What a debut from Sarah Smith! The writing talent coming out of Scotland at the moment is immense and Smith is right up there with the best.

Based on a real case, and featuring some real characters from history, "Hear No Evil" is a fictionalised account of the trial of Jean Campbell at the High Court in Edinburgh in 1817 - a time when women were under the guardianship of either their fathers or husbands. Smith writes beautifully and has clearly researched her subject extensively, displaying great attention to detail.

Through the inclusion of sign language, and discussion around the provisions for deaf people at the time, I gained a valuable insight into the deaf community. I was also fascinated to learn about Robert Kinniburgh and the Deaf and Dumb School in Edinburgh. I found the process of development, and standardisation, of sign language extremely interesting, as well as the links between signing and etymology.

I enjoyed the author's use of some Scots words and phrases, some of which I haven't heard in years. Smith's vividly painted locations really brought the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh to life. I could almost smell the animal carcasses on King St! The author also illustrates, with sensitivity, the effects of privation and exclusion.

Jean Campbell's case is intriguing, the cast of supporting characters diverse and well-drawn. Smith's compassion for Jean really comes through. "Hear No Evil" is a book about preconceptions and prejudices, and ultimately about justice. I found it an incredibly engaging, moving novel and I expect it will be a huge hit!

Historical novels are by far my favourite genre of literature and mix in a little mystery and I'm a happy reader. I have seen Hear No Evil described by another reviewer as gentle despite it's themes of infanticide, poverty, violence and prejudice and I agree entirely. The story itself is based on the true story of Jean Campbell who was accused of murdering her own child, the original story involved a child of five (I believe) where in the novel the child is an infant. The poverty element of the novel is dealt with respect and I believe portrayed realistically, we see the way life was in an ever growing city during the Industrial Revolution, how people were reliant on charity for the basics and how desperation will make people do anything. For me, however, the most interesting element of the novel was when it was dealing with Jean's deafness and the prejudices deaf people faced and to some extent still do today. Overall a well written and obviously incredibly well researched novel that leaves me wanting to read more of Sarah's work.

In light of the recent appearance of Rose Ayling- Ellis on 'Strictly Come Dancing' and her raising awareness of the need for more acceptance for both deaf people and the use of BSL (British Sign Language) this novel is both timely and fascinating.
Based in Edinburgh we meet Robert Kinniburgh (a real person) who ran the city's Deaf and Dumb Institution in Victorian Scotland. He is tasked to help Jean Campbell (also a real person) when she is in jail on a charge of murdering her baby by throwing it off a local bridge. Jean is deaf and although she was treated in many cases as a freak and mad, the development of signed languages meant Kinniburgh's status allowed his involvement to give the case a defence against her potential hanging verdict.
The case is built up upon the developing trust between Jean and Robert in the decaying Tolbooth Jail although the gaoler is a friendly soul who seems keen to try and humanise Jean's incarceration. Most of the first part of the book is conjecture but written well as a fictional tale.
Events from the trial are of course more based in real recordings of statements and as the story unravels we are all with Kinniburgh in his ardent investigation to get to the real truth behind Jean's life.
Evocative of the lower classes struggling against the rich and powerful whose say - could in a moment not only ruin but kill.
Eagerly anticipating discovering more about this story and thankful for the author for her research and ability to bring something we perhaps still hope will have more widespread use - only to discover BSL was recognised in 2003 by the UK Government.
This novel and brave advocates like Rose will do much to change further attitudes I hope.

A riveting and well written historical fiction based on a real case. It's a great depiction of the life of poor in Glasgow during the XIX century.
It's a bit slow at the beginning but it takes heed after some chapters and kept me reading.
Even if it deals with very serious topis like infanticide it's a not a heavy or dark novel.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Hear No Evil by Sarah Smith is loosely based on the real life trial of Jean Campbell, a young deaf woman accused of throwing her child into a river in 1817 Glasgow. In order to prove that she was fit to be tried in court, she was moved to Edinburgh where Robert Kinniburgh, the founder of a school for the deaf is hired to try to communicate with her and allow her to tell her story. With a lot of trial and error they manage to communicate via a combination of signing and lip reading , and the story she tells is truly harrowing. So disturbed was Robert by this story that he begins to investigate , in an attempt to prove Jean's innocence.
This book gripped me completely, so much so that I read it in a single sitting, desperately wanting to see Jean vindicated. I was also fascinated by the descriptions of the Deaf experience, there were some truly thought provoking passages that gave me a small amount of understanding of how difficult it could be to be unable to communicate effectively with the rest of the world. Jean is a very sympathetic character, and the book is written with a lot of heart, there is a real emotional connection to the characters and the story being told.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.