Ashley Holloway is 17 years old and is just moving into Spinewood, a small town in colorado completely wrapped in woods with the population of only 4,587, with her father Dan and younger sister Josie, at first Ashley believes that Spinewood is a normal town, that it is just incredibly small. But what she doesn't realize is what goes on every 17 years.
Spinewood has a mayor, Mayor Gabriel Conrad. The Conrad family is the most wealthy family in town, seeing as they are the original founders, or as so people thought. But they have a dirty secret. When the first man to ever live of the Conrad family, Dean Conrad founded the small town of Spinewood, he was only 17 years old, and as people moved into town he grew angry because people would use money. Even though he would make money, it wasn't enough for him. He became psychotic, and used the woods to his advantage as he would take the lives of other teens, he would be careful with who he killed and how he killed. He made it easier to help police lock up someone innocent so he would get money for it, and this went on for generations. Every 17th birthday of the first born son in the Conrad family, The Spinewood Massacre would begin, that first born son would follow the tradition and be sure to never get caught. The Conrad family has had this going for years, each time, an innocent person is put behind bars.
Hayley, Ashley's new best friend warns Ashley about the town's previous massacres, but not until after Ashley already meets spinewoods soon to be killer, Justice Conrad. When Justice meets Ashley he finds her interesting and yearns to know more about her, he also becomes protective of her even though they had only just met. The same day they met is the same day the first victim loses their life, Mikey Jackson, Mikey calls Ashley a slutty bitch because of the fact that she is from LA, Justice doesn't like it so after school he follows Mikey into the woods and proceeds to take his life.
Starting the massacre.
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.