Beth loves books. In fact, there is a whole third floor dedicated to books in her old-style house. Said house has servants, all the food imaginable, and seemingly no escape for Beth. To feel like she has left the house, each day, once her father leaves the house, Beth goes upstairs to read. She has access to over four thousand books in the library, but she isn't allowed to touch one of them. This book has been read successfully by only one person: her father. Everyone else who reads it seems to have died peacefully, or at least, that is what the evidence on their body shows. People inside of the house when the death happened hear the screams of the book's victims before their mortal bodies perish.
As her relationship with her father gets worse and worse, Beth is drawn to the book more and more. She eventually starts to read it, until there is no way to stop...
A criminal mastermind makes a bold move against a wealthy client to put himself in a position to retire in comfort. He has no idea what he's up against when a young widow, desperate to make ends meet, sets her eyes on earning the bounty set on his head.
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Newly widowed housewife Melody Scott needs to earn some major cash, fast. When her bright and busy children learn that a priceless ruby bracelet has been stolen and a six-figure reward is being offered, they convince her to try to do what the police, museum security, and the best private investigators have failed to do. Working against them is a notorious thief who has met people from around the world, but who has never once encountered a woman like Melody Scott. When the sweet innocence of the Scott family clashes against criminal forces more dangerous than they ever imagined, Melody is all too aware that a mom's got to do what a mom's got to do to protect her family.
The Widow, Melody Scott is a 2021 Watty Award Winner!
Content Warning: This story does contain depictions of stalking behavior.