Mr. Big
Mr. Big is the
shocking true story of a murder investigation in Newfoundland and Labrador that
forever changed the face of the Canadian justice system. Recently we spoke with
co-author Colleen Lewis about the work.
What inspired you to
write Mr. Big?
I spent several years at the start of my career in
print media - I've always been drawn toward the idea of writing a novel at
some point in my career. When I began covering the trial in 2007, it wasn't
long before I realized there was much more to the story than could be covered
in a two minute story each night. Then my next source of inspiration came in
2013. Jennifer (who had supported her husband throughout the trial) called me
with a request for a television interview. She had been going door-to-door with
a petition to make sure her ex-husband didn't return to Gander, and she was
also afraid of him. At this point, there was a possibility he could be out on
bail. When I entered her apartment, I was surrounded by pictures of the girls.
The woman who had stood by her husband's side throughout the trial was telling
a very different story. She was turning her life around and fighting back. But
with a small child of my own and a busy schedule, the book would have to wait. I
was once again inspired and motivated in August 2014. Nelson Hart was released
from prison after the Crown decided not to proceed with a second trial. The
confession obtained through the Mr. Big sting operation was determined to be
unreliable. As I stood outside the courthouse, I looked around at the faces in
the media. I was the only one who had been there from the beginning, everyone
else had retired or moved on, and I felt someone owed it to those two little
girls to tell the entire story. I knew it was time to start writing.
What were the
challenges?
One of the biggest challenges I faced was how to
tell this story. I didn't want to explain it in the same manner I had reported
the details each night for the news. Right away I decided to strip away the
legal components, and the details of the trial. I wanted a book that could be
enjoyed by all levels of readers, and the best way to do that was to put it
into a non-fiction story. Of course, I learned right away this wouldn't be
easy. It required a huge amount of research and cooperation from Jennifer, even
though I had covered the trial and various aspects of the story many times.
What are the rewards?
I
have listened to the details of this story many times over the past 10 years.
But once the book had been completely written, I realized I had given a voice
to Karen and Krista. The memory of those two little girls wouldn't be lost. I
now realize just how important they are to the people of this province. Many
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians remember where they were on August 4, 2002,
and people here still wonder what happened. I also found satisfaction in being able to tell
a story in its entirety. There's something very freeing about writing a book as
a journalist. It allowed me to include all the details that normally get passed
by for the sake of time.
What did you learn
during the process?
I think we have a long way to go as a society in
recognizing and stopping spousal abuse. Before writing Mr. Big, I
believed we had developed an understanding of these situations. Writing this
has convinced me otherwise. There's a need for action. Recently, a local
business woman in this province has been speaking out and calling for mandatory
reporting of domestic abuse. She claims the victims are not strong enough to
take action themselves, and the book clearly illustrates her point. In the
province of Newfoundland and Labrador there are far too many children who are
living in circumstances similar to the one described in this book.
How did you feel when
the book was completed?
Once the story had been completed, I realized how
important it was the story of Karen and Krista Hart, along with the Mr. Big
sting operation, be told. I was amazed by the amount of details that took place
in the years leading up to and following the deaths of Karen and Krista
What has the response
been like so far from those that have read it?
It's been mixed. There are people who've written
me to say they regret the years of being cold to Jennifer. They regret the
years they blamed her for what happened to Karen and Krista. For many, the book
has explained her mental state during this period and an understanding has
developed. For others, it's been difficult to understand why a woman would stay
with her husband through all the events, including the deaths of the children.
But overall, the response is what I had hoped for in that people have generally
enjoyed the read, and developed a better understanding of what happened.
What are your thoughts
on the state of Newfoundland literature today?
I think that's one of the reasons I chose Flanker
Press. They've been a key player in promoting local authors here in the past
twenty years, and there's certainly a strong appetite for local history and
non-fiction around here. As a journalist, I would strongly encourage my
colleagues in the media to expand on some of the stories we cover every day.
For me it's been a rewarding experience.
What's next on your creative agenda?
Right
now a priority for Jennifer and myself is in securing a way to help children
who find themselves in similar circumstances. It's important to both of us,
that what happened to the girls may very well help someone else. As for myself,
I had never imagined myself as a true crime writer, but it may be a natural
fit. Before my daughter was born six years ago, I was seriously contemplating
going back to school to study law. I've covered several high profile cases now,
and I admit I've enjoyed learning the intricacies of criminal law. So seeing my
two loves come together may mean another crime-related book could very well be
in my future.
