Lauren Maxwell is a little bit different. She's biracial, she likes girls, she's moody, her sense of style is old fashioned (like, Victorian-era old) and she'd rather read a book than face the world. But the biggest difference about her is that she can see ghosts.
In her city, almost every ghost knows who she is, and they're almost always friendly---from the 1920's street busters to the 90's Riot Grrrls. So when a fellow classmate turns up dead, suspected of suicide, Lauren knows what to expect... until her ghost tells her that it was murder.
With the help of the classmate's ghost, her living best friend, and two dead boys who may or may not be crushing on each other, Lauren's ready to become a detective for real. But there's a big difference between planning and dreaming for it... and the dangers it can produce.
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.
***
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.