"Snow Falling on Cedars" is a novel by David Guterson set in the 1950s on a small island in Washington State. The story revolves around a murder trial involving a Japanese-American fisherman, Kabuo Miyamoto, accused of killing a local white man, Carl Heine. The narrative explores themes of love, prejudice, and the impact of World War II on the community. The novel delves into the complex relationships between the characters, including Ishmael Chambers, a newspaper reporter and former lover of Kabuo's wife, Hatsue. As the trial unfolds, the story reveals deep-seated racial tensions and the struggle for justice in a divided society.