Overview

Hear No Evil is set in Scotland, 1817. Jean Campbell, a young deaf woman, is accused of throwing a child into the River Clyde. Unable to communicate, she faces hanging or an asylum. Robert Kinniburgh, a teacher from the Deaf & Dumb Institution, tries to bridge their worlds and uncover what truly happened.

Writing & Voice

We found Smith’s writing evocative and grounded in historical detail. Her prose balances the fear and confusion of Jean’s trial with the slow development of communication between her and Robert. The voice brings early nineteenth-century Glasgow and Edinburgh vividly to life.

Content & Perspective

The narrative shifts between courtroom tension, efforts to communicate and deeper insight into Jean’s experience of deafness. Robert’s attempts at sign and gesture deepen their understanding, and the truth of the river incident unfolds with care and complexity.

Themes

Hear No Evil explores justice, communication, prejudice and agency. The story probes how deafness was misunderstood in the legal system, and how connection and empathy can reshape a trial’s outcome.

What Worked

• Rich historical setting rooted in Scottish legal history.
• Strong character dynamics between Jean and Robert.
• Insightful exploration of communication and prejudice.

Minor Quibbles

• The pacing can slow as communication develops.
• Some historical detail may feel dense for casual readers.

Final Thoughts

Compassionate and quietly powerful, Hear No Evil moved us with its focus on justice and communication, showing how prejudice and silence can decide a life.

Rating: ★★★★ / 5