In the dry, arid desert of central Nevada sits a very ordinary, uneventful town. Once a mining boom of the past, Arcadia, NV looks more like a ghost town now. Sad, dilapidated store fronts hide an even more decayed array of faded and forgotten homes. Built and owned by prominent miners, businessmen and entrepreneurs alike, these homes now hide secrets that run generations deep. Because, behind the sleepy, innocent facade of peaceful little towns, serpents hide. After all, nothing attracts a serpent like a forgotten paradise.
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.