Psychologist-Turned-Novelist, Jane Hudson brings “In the Name of Mother” to South African Readers

Cape Town psychologist and author Jane Hudson will be rolling out the launch of her debut novel, In the Name of Mother, going countrywide from the beginning of 2026.

Published by UK based Olympia Publishers late last year (2025), In the Name of Mother is a gripping story of identity, family and the haunting power of the past. The narrative spans four continents – although it is firmly grounded in the author’s beloved home city of Cape Town, and the colourful Bo Kaap neighbourhood which features on the book’s cover.

Hudson’s own career has spanned everything from an economics degree and stint in the corporate world, to becoming an entrepreneur and ‘accidently’ launching her own company. Later there was a highly successful spell in property management. During her forties, she did a career about turn, completed a master’s degree in psychology and for the past 26 years, has been a busy practicing psychologist.

Her writing journey began after Christmas 2023 when her husband gifted her a year’s subscription to the home of online courses, BBC Maestro.

“I jumped in and started listening to tutorials by five well known authors. I could have looked at cooking. I could have done painting, but I chose writing and what was probably about 30 hours of tuition. I was listening away even when I was chopping onions for dinner. I scribbled down notes, and I re-listened to sections, and I did some of the exercises that they recommended,” she smiles.

Her colourful career has also been woven into the narrative that began to unfold in 2024. She wrote between five and nine most mornings and lots more over the weekends. Within just four months, the first draft was complete.

Hudson wished to feature a couple of interesting characters that brought to life some of the issues that she has explored as a psychologist. What emerged in her complex main character was a conglomerate of the mood and personality disorders that she has encountered over the years. She describes mixed- race Kali Kahn as a very strong personality with bipolar tendencies. A wild child who is no stranger to trouble, Kali is an intelligent woman keen to unravel the intricacies of life through psychotherapy. She named herself after the Hindu goddess Kali – a goddess of time, transformation, death & destruction. Yet another side of this goddess is the Divine Mother. Kali represents the paradox of life and death.

The flip side is closer to home with the creation of psychologist Nick who deals with his own challenges as well as professional ethical constraints and the chemistry that hovers between him and his patient.

A central issue of the book is a homicide, involving both medical and legal drama.

Hudson added additional characters, specifically an older woman with severe anxiety issues who is befriended by an enigmatic Frenchwoman. She describes the end result as the story of three protagonists and their connectedness, which emerges in the confidence of the consulting room. How this plays out and the tantalizing twists and turns is, of course, for the reader to unravel.

“I didn't really set out with a great intention of writing a book, but quite quickly I realized I had one here. Sometimes I've surprised myself, and some of the scenes wrote themselves. I found myself thinking, wow, girl (not me, but my character), how did you turn that around? I think that that also keeps it interesting. So, I've surprised myself from the creativity side. Whatever I do, I'm not a quitter. I love giving of my best and, even though I'm 76, I still believe there are all sorts of things to do,” she adds.

Hudson has just signed the contract for a second novel – this one set predominantly in Antarctica. It’s a sequel and also features Nick the psychologist. Sam, one of the minor characters from book one has been elevated to main protagonist. Whilst the editing process is underway, she is already well into her third book!