The emotional scenes between Cost and his daughter were the hardest to write. They hit close to home, and I wanted to get the balance of honesty and depth just right.

Carlo J. Emanuele – 22 November 2025

The Back Flap

Milwaukee. Mafia. Family. Redemption.

Costantino “Cost” Caduto Jr. thought he’d escaped his family’s criminal legacy. But when his grandfather Tiger, the man who held it all together, suddenly dies, Cost is dragged back into a city simmering with tension, betrayal, and unfinished business.

Now, standing at the crossroads of who he was and who he might become, Cost must confront everything he left behind:

A family fractured by power, grief, and long-held secrets

A dangerous power vacuum that threatens to pull everyone under

The one person he’s always tried to keep safe, his daughter, now watching his every move

Set against the backdrop of Milwaukee’s underworld, The Sins We Inherit is a gripping tale of legacy, loyalty, and the price of silence. As old allegiances unravel and new threats emerge, Cost must decide whether walking away was ever truly an option, or if some bloodlines run too deep to outrun.

About the book

What is the book about?

The Sins We Inherit is a gritty family drama wrapped in the world of organized crime. It follows Costantino “Cost” Caduto Jr., who grew up in Milwaukee’s underworld but fought to escape it. After building a successful career and life, personal losses pull him back into the shadows he tried to leave behind. At its heart, it’s a story about family, redemption, and the struggle between who we were and who we want to be.

When did you start writing the book?

I started in the middle of a really difficult season of my life—during heartbreak and anxiety. What began as journaling slowly grew into chapters, and eventually into the story that became The Sins We Inherit.

How long did it take you to write it?

It took me about two years to get the draft finished, and another stretch of time revising and shaping it into its final form.

Where did you get the idea from?

The spark came from my own experiences—trying to make sense of pain, loss, and identity. Layered on top of that, I grew up in Milwaukee and have always been fascinated by its culture, its grit, and its hidden histories. Someone once told me “write what you know,” and that’s exactly what I did.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

The emotional scenes between Cost and his daughter were the hardest to write. They hit close to home, and I wanted to get the balance of honesty and depth just right.

What came easily?

The dialogue and family dynamics flowed naturally. Coming from a big, tight-knit Italian family myself, those voices and rhythms felt second nature.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

They’re fictional, but inspired by real people and experiences. Some are composites, some are imagined, but they all carry traits and truths I’ve observed.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

Yes. I’ve always admired Dennis Lehane (Mystic River), Mario Puzo (The Godfather), and Alexandre Dumas (The Count of Monte Cristo). They influenced me with their ability to blend crime, morality, and character depth into compelling stories.

Do you have a target reader?

Anyone who loves gritty family sagas with emotional weight—fans of Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, or A Bronx Tale will find something here. But more than that, I hope readers who’ve struggled with family, redemption, or personal transformation connect with it. I’ve outlined the story as a trilogy, so the world will expand and deepen with each book. And my ultimate vision is for the series to be adapted into prestige television—something layered, character-driven, and cinematic.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I usually start with journaling—writing out emotions and memories—and then shape that into scenes. I write in focused bursts rather than long daily marathons.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

Yes, I outline, but loosely. I’ll sketch chapter headings and key beats, but I let the characters surprise me along the way.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

Both. I try not to get bogged down in perfection early, but I’ll do light editing while drafting. The heavy lifting happens after I’ve got the whole story down.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Yes. I built my own imprint, Verde Entertainment, and partnered with experienced editors and designers. It was important to me that the book reached the same professional standard as anything coming out of a big press.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Yes. I actually built a Sins We Inherit playlist on Amazon Music, and it’s an eclectic mix of my favorites—everything from Sam Cooke and Teddy Swims to Frank Sinatra and Tupac. It sets the tone for my writing: soulful, gritty, nostalgic, and modern all at once. The music almost becomes a soundtrack for the world I’m building. That’s important because I’ve outlined this as a trilogy, and I think of it cinematically from the start. My dream is to see it translated into prestige television—something layered, character-driven, and as much about family and identity as it is about crime and power. The playlist helps me stay in that mindset, like I’m scoring scenes for the screen even as I write them.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Briefly, but I decided early on to take control of the process.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

It was a mix of necessity and desire. I wanted full ownership of the story, the creative decisions, and the timeline. Building Verde Entertainment let me make this happen.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

Yes—working with a professional designer was one of the best decisions I made. A strong cover is essential for a debut.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I definitely have a plan. My background in business and marketing helped. I’ve invested in social media, TikTok, billboards, podcasts, and award submissions. I’m data-driven but also open to trying creative, unexpected approaches.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Treat your book like both an art and a business. Invest in editing, design, and marketing. Don’t be afraid to bet on yourself, but also be patient—it’s a long game.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew up on the south side of Milwaukee in a tight-knit Italian American family.

Where do you live now?

Still Milwaukee—I’m proud of my city and wanted it to be a character in my book.

What would you like readers to know about you?

That this book came from a place of healing and transformation. Writing was my way of working through heartbreak, and I hope readers find pieces of themselves in the story.

What are you working on now?

I’m developing Book 2 of the series, The Sins We Inherit 2: The Cost, which expands the world into new threats and deeper family struggles. I’ve mapped out the full trilogy and I’m also working on positioning the series for adaptation into prestige television, where I think it can truly come alive.

End of interview:

For more from Carlo J. Emanuele visit his website.

Get your copy of The Sins We Inherit from Amazon US or Amazon UK.