That is precisely the story Sarah Smith tells in her debut novel Hear No Evil, which is partly based on the real-life case of Jean Campbell, a Glaswegian who in 1817 was the first deaf woman tried in a Scottish court, accused of throwing her three-year-old child into the Clyde from the Saltmarket Bridge. 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. The book really shines a light on the difficulties of communication for the deaf community before there was a formalised sign language. This is a delightfully written novel that takes the reader into the alleys and vennels of Glasgow and Edinburg in the early 19th century. Founder of Leith’s School of Food and Wine, restaurateur, journalist, novelist and now TV judge – she is one of the nation’s most respected foodies.

Glasgow is expertly brought to life in this accomplished novel which takes as its base material the case of Jean Campbell, a young Deaf woman accused of murdering her baby. Set in 1817 Glasgow, and based on the real-life case of Jean Campbell, a young deaf woman, accused of infanticide. Sarah Smith has given us an extremely important, thought provoking piece of work that will really help to change the way people think about the deaf community; making us think about our own privileges and the importance of language and communication. Shortlisted for Saltire Society Publisher of the Year, 2016 National Galleries of Scotland Publishing is an established fine art and photography publisher. A striking and stylish literary page-turner that breathes life into the past, illuminating a fascinating corner of history by revealing its lost voices and contemporary resonance.

I also enjoyed the descriptions of 1817 Edinburgh and Glasgow: following in Jean’s footsteps, you feel as if you are moving through a fully-realised historical world.

I found out so much about deafness and speech, ways of communicating and the birth of sign language. Jean only has two choices if a court finds her guilty, neither of which are desirable; death by hanging or imprisonment in an insane asylum.This is definitely one of those special books that I will keep on my shelves to go back to and reread. Born in a time when it was near on impossible to communicate with the majority of society, Jean stands trial for the murder of her baby boy. A time when even women who could speak, hear and communicate freely we’re not allowed to have a voice. 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.

The novel centres around the potential injustice faced by a poor deaf woman and the man who supports her in the fight against that.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. As he goes about trying to establish what really happened to Campbell in Glasgow, Smith seems to be painting him more and more as a person completely rooted in his times. The book was just packed with detail and writing that took you to the busy, dirty streets of early 19th century Edinburgh and Glasgow.

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. 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? Read more about the condition New: A new, unread, unused book in perfect condition with no missing or damaged pages. 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.

I loved the way the signs were described by the author, really helping the reader to envision and feel part of the story. Those with power, like the trial judge Lord Succoth, are hostile to the poor, condemn them for their poverty and denigrate their morals. Imagine being unable to stand up for yourself and to rely on a complete stranger to communicate on your behalf. Based on a landmark case in Scottish legal history Hear No Evil is a richly atmospheric exploration of nineteenth-century Edinburgh and Glasgow at a time when progress was only on the horizon. It takes the bare bones of what is known about the real life 19th century case of a young deaf women, Jean Campbell, who was accused of the murder of her child and knits them together into an engrossing story.