Plot of the novel
A Stolen Truth -
A report voiced loud and clear
Rosa is a little girl born into a distressing family.
Her biological father, "The Individual," is a man who makes her and her family live in fear: before doing it to his children, it was his wife, Filippa, Rosa's mother, that he dragged to hell along with him, in the Sicily of the sixties, still culturally challenged.
Rosa grows up in an environment of anxiety and danger, given the daily violence with which she lives. As she grows up, however, Rosa tries to do her best and soon enough reveals her rebellious character. Over the years, she attempts to build a life in Sicily, a place that she will later abandon but to which she will always be connected. It is only as an adult that Rosa will manage to get really close to her mother, Filippa, and to learn about her story.
Hence, there comes the day when Rosa's mother tells her not only about the Individual and how she ended up being married to such a despicable man, but also about a pregnancy that didn't end well. The name of the child supposed to be dead was Rosa Antonina. However, as Rosa, who bears the same name as her deceased sister, investigates what happened, she discovers that her sister is alive, and something terribly wrong is behind her disappearance.
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.