Hear No Evil cover art

Hear No Evil

Longlisted for the CWA Historical Dagger

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Hear No Evil

By: Sarah Smith
Narrated by: Helen McAlpine
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About this listen

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. The High Court calls in Robert Kinniburgh, a talented teacher from the Deaf & Dumb Institution, in the hope that he will interpret for them and determine if Jean is fit for trial. If found guilty she faces one of two fates: death by hanging or incarceration in an insane asylum.

Through a process of trial and error, Robert and Jean manage to find a rudimentary way of communicating with each other. As Robert gains her trust, Jean confides in him, and Robert begins to uncover the truth, moving uneasily from interpreter to investigator, determined to clear her name before it is too late.

Based on a landmark case in Scottish legal history Hear No Evil is a richly atmospheric exploration of 19th-century Edinburgh and Glasgow at a time when progress was only on the horizon. A time that for some who were silenced could mean paying the greatest price.

©2022 Sarah Smith (P)2022 Hodder & Stoughton Limited Historical Fiction

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Critic reviews

"Beautifully written and a real page turner - a wonderful insight into the early quest to understand and give a voice to people who cannot hear." (Elisabeth Gifford)

"A fascinating exploration of deafness and human value amid the sights, sounds of smells of 1817 urban Scotland." (Sally Magnusson)

"A striking and stylish literary page-turner that breathes life into the past." (Zoë Strachan)
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I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. A fascinating story on so many levels and written in a beautiful style. Narrator is also excellent.

Fascinating Page Turner

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I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful book it was warm and kind, not what I would have expected on a murder story set in nineteenth century Scotland.
The issues of poverty, deafness, justice and the position of women in society are explored - this makes the book sound very worthy which wouldn’t do it justice. This is a captivating book, delightfully written with a cracking story,
I loved the narration too, perfectly pitched

Beautiful

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The historic city settings were immersing. Together with an intriguing tale full of believable characters to keep you listening. Fab wee book.

Format of diary visits unfolded the plot well.

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This was not only an intriguing story the detail of Regency Scotland was really brought to life.

Fantastic Scottish historical fiction

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I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audiobook (a new experience for me!)

Sarah Smith has created a richly detailed novel with a compelling story that keeps you interested right up to the end, as good historical fiction should. A fantastic debut - I look forward to more from her.

I also enjoyed the reading of the story itself - Helen McAlpine did a great job of bringing it to life, with distinct voices and consistency.

Richly detailed novel

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An interesting story, full of fascinating historical facts, great narration. I really enjoyed this book.

Refreshingly different

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The book Hear No Evil is a very good book.

It is a colourful drama based on a true story about a deaf woman in 1817.

Robert Kinninburgh, who is a hearing man, works as a teacher in a school for the deaf, and he volunteers to be an interpreter for Jean Campbell, a deaf woman who is accused of murder. I really admire Robert for his work with deaf people.

This story is sad, it made me laugh, and is an adventure. It has lots of good information about language and communication.

10/10, I would definitely recommend this book. I feel well represented as a deaf person, and I am happy that stories about deaf people are being told well.

A very good book

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At first I thought it was going to be hard going but not for very long. I found the story to be intriguing given it’s set in 1800s, it was interesting to me how even back then sign language was known, used and remains relatable today. I enjoyed the story, found myself immersed in what was going to happen next? It was also well told! The narration was great, each character came alive to me. I really enjoyed this book.

Intriguing tale

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