Hear No Evil: Shortlisted for the CWA Historical Dagger 2023

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I loved the settings, particularly the incredibly atmospheric opening which really set the scene for the rest of the novel. At first, she wanted her to speak on the page using sign language – but, well, how was that even possible? 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. 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.

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. John Gordon Sinclair (2014 event) John Gordon Sinclair continues to put distance between himself and Gregory’s Girl, the film that made his name. It really made me think of how much has actually changed between then and now and whether there is more to be done.

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. 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. This is her story and the story of the man who recognized that deaf people deserved the same justice as anyone else and so made the court trial possible using ab early form of sign language.

Nevertheless, her evocations of 19th century Scottish life are very compelling, and readers will learn much about the history of the deaf, the emergence of sign language in Britain and the state of education for the deaf in the 19th century.

The blog there tells you what happened next, but as that would be too much of a spoiler, I won’t give the game away. A engrossing and rollicking fictional journey that should definitely appeal to anyone interested by some little known social issues never really previously tackled in English historical fiction. Prue Leith at the Edinburgh International Book Festival If The Great British Bake Off is your first encounter with Prue Leith, you’ve missed a great deal.