A smile was rare in Europe because of the Great War. A group called World Wonders tried to bring that smile back in a war-torn Europe. They picked spots where adults and children could watch entertainment for free. It worked; they donated their earnings towards reconstruction and rebuilding Europe from the war. They toured around France, Germany, Italy, Serbia & Bosnia. But one day, something terrible happened: the tent they were performing in caught fire. After hours of clearing out the debris, 'World Wonders' were nowhere to be found.
Hamid, a young boy living a harsh life in Mostar, Bosnia, stumbled across an abandoned carnival covered in ash. A big red tent was towering over the abandoned carnival. Curious, he entered the big red tent, and it was littered with trash, but across him was a room. He entered it and found an old poster belonging to the World Wonders.
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.