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I Saw What I Saw follows a sharp crime reporter who finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery that the police don’t want to solve. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
First, my wife is Nigerian and we have two boys together. I was really impacted by the call for criminal justice reform in America, especially after the tragic death of George Floyd. I wanted to say something about this injustice without being preachy. I really feel like books should be fun to read, so I wanted to craft a tale that talked about a tough issue but injected a lot of over-the-top humor. Second, I am a journalist by trade that wrote creatively in High School and College. I needed to write creatively again and tap into that part of who I am again.
Sheila Sammartino is an interesting and well developed character. What were some driving ideals behind her character’s development?
As I noted, I am a journalist, so I gave her my profession. I wanted to write about something I really know about. In terms of her character development and traits, I wanted her to be likeable and relatable and still have quirks. I hope the reader will leave the book both rooting for and laughing with Sheila. I wanted to create a group of unique people that you long to follow and see what mayhem they are getting themselves into next.
The mystery at the heart of this novel was intriguing. Did you plan it beforehand or did the mystery develop organically while writing?
Both actually. I had the murder clearly defined in my head and I knew who the murderer was going to be and how Sheila was going to figure it out in the end. Going into writing the book I had a sense of who the other suspects would be and who the supporting characters would be, but elements of the journey evolved organically as I fleshed out the full story. It was a truly creative process that I really enjoyed.
This is book one in A Harmony Neighborhood Cozy Mystery series. What can readers expect in book two?
The reader can expect a lot more romance and humor. The romance between Reggie and Sheila is just getting started and there are a lot more twists and turns to come. The reader can also expect more social commentary combined with the comic hijinks. These characters are going to grow and evolve in fun ways that hopefully keep the reader engaged and wondering what happens next.
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The small town of Harmony’s number one Internet sensation is crime reporter turned blogger, Sheila Sammartino. Inquisitive, self-conscious and often clumsy in an oddly endearing way, everything is going great for Sheila until she stumbles into a murder mystery, and not as a reporter!
She witnesses a newcomer to the neighborhood, Arthur Jones, murdered in the alley next to Harry’s Bagel Shop. The police are quick to call it a mugging gone wrong, but Sheila saw what she saw. With the help of her outspoken former college roommate and her classically handsome new next-door neighbor, this trio take it upon themselves to get all the answers the police refuse to look for. Who was Arthur Jones after all? And who would want to kill him?
I Saw What I Saw
Sheila is inquisitive, thorough and curious. So when an unfortunate event happens right under her nose in the peaceful town of Harmony, you bet she’s going to get to the bottom of it. With her crime reporting history, a group of handy friends and her sharp instincts, Sheila is on the case. But when the case begins to turn into a complex maze, uncertainty sets in and the crime is turning into a situation where the more you look, the less you see. Sheila realizes she needs all her tricks, and that of her team, to stay on top of their leads and find answers.
I saw what I saw by Tony Garritano is a riveting mystery story following an enthusiastic former crime reporter, Sheila, who witnesses a murder. This novel can be categorized as a cozy mystery I suppose, but only because the protagonist is so likable and the atmosphere is not as severe as you would expect from a gritty crime drama. The mystery is still relentlessly intriguing and the story is suspenseful because of it.
With the protagonists history in the field of uncovering truths, she is burdened with the sense of duty to uncover the truth behind the murder. This dogged determination is endearing and makes for very engaging reading as the pieces come together. But for a case that has been swept under the carpet, Sheila has to take the case on herself – not without the help of her trusted deli patrons, cul de sac neighbours, her best friend and mother. This motley collection of characters, once again, serves to lighten the story and provides some interesting people to get to know.
Author Tony Garritano made what could have been a gruesome and triggering story into a light-hearted, brief and jovial one. Never have I been so chipper while reading about a murder. His simple way of describing the day to day activities, scenes, characters, and experiences lures you into a story that seems simple up front, but as the mystery continues to grow the easy storytelling ensures readers are never more than a step behind.
I saw what I saw is a thrilling murder mystery that thrives on the back of its captivating protagonist and the fascinating riddle at the center of the story. Fans of young adult crime fiction stories will find this story interesting to follow as every step and every turn connects to the next unfolding event.
Pages: 206 | ASIN: B09LMN3PKZ
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