San Piedro Island is a small island north of Puget Sound. The island is full of strawberry farmlands, ocean view cottages, and cedar woods. Amity Harbor, the only town on the island, is made up of a small community consisting of farmers, fisherman, and occasionally tourists. Because the town is so small, everyone knows everyone. Neighborhood children roam the streets together, ladies sit on front porches and gossip together, townspeople stop each other on the street to say hello and make small talk. Amity Harbor is the picture perfect town, making it hard to believe that a murder took place.
In 1954 Carl Heine, a local fisherman, is found drowned with evidence of foul play. Carl Heine was a quiet man who kept to himself. Carl was not the type
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Years before the trial, Kabuo Miyamoto’s wife, Hatsue, had a love affair with Ishmael Chambers, the local reporter. Hatsue and Ishmael were neighbors and fell in love when they were only children. The two lovers had to keep their relationship a secret. Ishmael was from a white family and Hatsue was from a Japanese family, who strongly believed that white and Japanese cultures could not mix. Hatsue and Ishmael would meet in the cedar woods so that they could be together and not face disapproval from society. However, Hatsue felt guilty for going against her family 's beliefs and viewed her love for Ishmael as evil. Hatsue cut all ties with Ishmael, leaving him brokenhearted. After fighting in World War II and having various romantic relationships, Ishmael still loved Hatsue. Even at the trial, Hatsue and Ishmael had feelings for each other. However, the prejudice beliefs of society made Hatsue and Ishmael feel guilty about their love for each …show more content…
When Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japan, San Piedro exiled it’s Japanese residents from the island. The townspeople did nothings as innocent people were sent away from their homes. Any belongings that were of Japanese culture were taken away. Fathers, mothers, and children were separated and sent to different camps. Because of the attack on Pearl Harbor, many people believed that the Japanese residents on San Piedro were spies. Japanese residents were treated as enemies even though they had nothing to do with the attack on Pearl Harbor. Amity Harbor residents who stood up for the Japanese were threatened and