Information about the Book
Title: I Saw What He Did
Author: Kemi Estephane
Publisher: Clink Street Publishing
Ren Shephard is at a comfortable crossroads.
Enjoying the temporary freedom of her recent redundancy, her life revolves around her cherished friendships, sporadic communication with her unconventional parents and occasionally bailing her errant sister out of trouble.
However, when she signs up for an online writing course, she meets a group of people who will impact her in unimainable, unexpected and tragic ways.
When a gruesome murder takes place during one of the lessons, Ren becomes embroiled in a dangerous and terrifying sequence of events.
With the police stonewalling and Ren overtaken by a desperate urge to find the truth – and justice for the victim – she uncovers some shocking and mystifying evidence that sends her world spiralling out of control, whilst simultaneously placing her life in jeopardy.
EXCERPT
How it ends
I adjusted my eyes to the darkness beneath. The musty smell of long-forgotten furniture that had dampened and dried many times rose to meet me, causing my nose to twitch. A furtive glance behind me: no one. I could still hear the muffled, exasperated voices. I had seconds, a minute maximum, before they came looking for me where they’d left me.
I leaned forward, pushing the door further open, relying on the dim light from the hallway. Now I could make out the distorted heap blending in with the darkness below. It had to be him. Was he alive? I had to help him. But which battle should I tackle first?
Thoughts scrambled and with a rising panic setting in, I knew my best option was to get out and call for help. I have to move. Now! The front door. About fifteen metres ahead of me. With one final glance below and whispered words, ‘hang in there’, I took a step towards my only escape route. That was when I heard it: a sharp, uneven inhalation of breath. I turned round. On his face: hatred. irritation. The hint of an apology?
His move was swift: there was nothing I could have done to deflect it or protect myself. I felt myself being yanked towards him. Acute pain, as something heavy and cumbersome was smashed against my head. A shove sent me somersaulting backwards. A broken head, a broken body, falling and flailing into the abyss, saying goodbye forever to the life I had not yet fully lived.
Author Information
I graduated with a BA (Hons) in Writing; made it into my local newspaper, then spent the next couple of decades with my head buried in suspense fiction, absorbed in the work of others! In real life, I have been a College Lecturer for many years, alongside roles with various examination boards: marking, moderating, assessing and undertaking a host of other interesting duties.
During lockdown, I spent a reasonable amount of time in a virtual classroom: teaching, training, taking part in meetings…and the list goes on. With that in mind, I chose to base my novel around the world of virtual learning – where something deviant occurs online, and at the same time, throw a bit of family drama into the mix.
My debut novel (a.k.a My Lockdown Project) was written whilst navigating my teenage sons through online schooling; stopping my maverick husband from DIY-ing the house to death, and trying to negotiate a balance between comfort eating and regular 8km walks….I made it to 12km on one occasion! Needless to say, my hobbies are: reading, snacking, walking – and I simply adore my huge, raucous family!
