In the early pre-colonial years, in the then known Ile-Ife empire, a king had ruled and he was known as the Alaafin, the chosen one of the gods, he was the pride and joy of the people, that is, until he goes against the customs and traditions of the kingdom and takes the laws of the people into his own hands, he will then be asked to commit suicide.
So what happens when the Alaafin is presented with the empty calabash but he doesn't want to die, he doesn't want to give up his throne, when the most loyal of men are asked to turn their backs on the very people who raised them and the ways of the people are turning out to be not what they seem?.
Delve deep into the history of the Nigerian-Yoruba culture, where there wasn't just slave trade and colonisation, where the very leader of the land turns his back on his own people because of jealousy, greed, lust and power.
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.