"In 1980, House Lawrence was a mysterious place, shrouded in secrecy. Hughes, the head of the house, ran LH Enterprise, a business that donated generously to those in need. But nobody knew where the money came from. People who tried to find out disappeared or stopped asking questions, as if warned by an unseen force. The Lawrences seemed untouchable, their influence vast and unyielding.
But in 1986, House Lawrence fell, and every member of the family died under strange and gruesome circumstances. Hughes' body was found at the top of the house, burned and shot multiple times. He was hanging from the roof, a ghastly sight that left the town shaken. People called the one who did it 'Shadow', a ghostly figure who seemed to appear out of nowhere, driven by a vengeful purpose. The Lawrences had ruined many lives with their dark secrets and twisted games, and now it seemed they had faced the consequences.
Rumors spread like wildfire: Shadow was a spirit of vengeance, born from the ashes of ruined lives. Others claimed it was a person, driven by a personal vendetta against the Lawrences. But one thing was certain - House Lawrence would never be the same again, and the truth behind its downfall would haunt the town forever."
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.