Listen to Mother by LJ Smith
published by Blossom Spring Publishing
on 16 January 2025
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Zooloo’s Book Tours – Book Tour Schedule (24 – 28 February)
The Author
Laura Jane Smith began writing seriously in 2019 when she took early retirement after a 34-year career in education. She lives in Perthshire in Scotland, where she enjoys gardening, walking, theatre and going to the cinema, as well as cycling and cross-stitching.
Her interest in writing came not just from her own reading but also from the process of teaching others about reading, writing and understanding the written word.
The ideas for her first novel came from her experiences in education and travelling in Europe, as well as her enjoyment of a well-told psychological thriller. She focuses on human behaviour and individual motivation when faced with life-changing events and difficult decisions.
Relationships are at the heart of the novels. The decisions made by the characters and the relationships they develop drive the plot. The inspiration for this first novel, Listen to Mother, came initially from a trip to Florence in 2011. However, the main inspiration was a desire for others to experience the world from the viewpoint of someone with highfunctioning autism whose struggles with the reality of life result in his joining a world in the shadows.
LJ Smith can be found on X @LJSWriter
My review
A Captivating and Immersive Psychological Thriller
Listen to Mother by LJ Smith took me by surprise in the best possible way. It’s unlike the typical psychological thrillers I read, yet I found myself completely engrossed. Rather than a fast-paced, hectic style, this is a calm, slow-burn psychological thriller—but the measured pace works perfectly for the Italian setting, enhancing the immersive atmosphere and sense of place.
Set in Northern Italy, mainly Florence, the novel transports readers straight into its evocative locations. Despite the storm outside my window here in Scotland, I felt as though I was walking through the streets of Florence, surrounded by its stunning architecture and rich history. The writing held my attention from the very first page, making it a book I never wanted to put down.
The story follows Lesley Hamilton, who has left her home in Scotland to spend some time in Florence finishing the book she has always wanted to write. As she settles into her new life, she comes across a dead body—but rather than reporting it, she walks past, stopping only to pick up a mobile phone from the scene. Unbeknownst to her, she is being watched by Paolo Bianchi, the assassin responsible for the killing. The phone is his, dropped in the chaos, and when he sees Lesley later discard it into the Arno, he is left wondering what she knows, how she will react, and who she might talk to. With the story unfolding through multiple points of view, we see how each thread gradually weaves together, even as the investigators remain in the dark for much of the novel.
The characters were incredibly well-drawn, each feeling authentic and multi-dimensional. Whether innocent or criminal, their fates carried weight, and I felt genuine sadness when certain characters were killed – even when I saw it coming – because the author had made them so compelling.
On a personal level, the slower pace was something I truly appreciated. I was on high-dose medication while reading and found myself continually falling asleep, despite my desire to keep going. Thankfully, I was able to read a good chunk each time, and I welcomed the measured, immersive storytelling, which suited my state of mind perfectly. It was a book I could sink into, without feeling overwhelmed by a breakneck pace.
This is a gripping and atmospheric thriller that lingers in the mind long after the final page. LJ Smith has crafted a novel that blends psychological depth, crime, and a strong sense of place beautifully. If you love psychological thrillers with immersive writing and layered characters, this is one to add to your list. Highly recommended!
The tour, hosted by Zooloo’s Book Tours, runs from 24-28 February, and I am enjoying the thoughts of other bloggers on this tour!
#LJSmith #ListenToMother #BlossomSpringPublishing #ZooloosBookTours #VirtualBookTour #psychologicalthriller #BookReview
All views expressed are my own. This review, or parts of it, may also be shared on my social media channels and various book platforms. Links are accurate at the time of publication.
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