Six friends-Nina, Emma, Cleo, Mateo, Enzo, and Kai-embark on a school project about a long-forgotten island famous for its lost treasure. Driven by curiosity and a desire to make their project stand out, they take things further and decide to visit the island. However, an unexpected turn of events leads them to an entirely different island, one that doesn't even appear on any map. This mysterious island seems to be hidden from the world.
As the group explores, they begin to realize something is deeply wrong. The island shouldn't even exist. The photos and history they've studied don't match the reality before them, and they soon get the unsettling feeling that they're not alone. When they try to leave, the island prevents their escape, trapping them there. Now, they must face whatever secrets the island holds.
The deeper they dig into the island's strange occurrences, the more they uncover-symbols, old artifacts, and cryptic messages hinting that the treasure wasn't on the famous island at all. It's here, on this uncharted island that shouldn't even be real. As they piece together the island's history, they find themselves drawn into a mystery far greater than they ever expected.
Amid the danger and suspense, each of the friends begins to grow closer, and subtle romances develop. Nina and Mateo bond over their shared sense of adventure, Ivy and Kai find comfort in each other's quiet strength, and Cleo and Enzo's easy connection blossoms into something more. But the focus remains on surviving the island's mysteries and uncovering the truth about the treasure.
As the group faces terrifying challenges, they must confront the island's mysterious forces, testing their bonds and pushing their courage to the limit. They must figure out how to escape before it's too late, all while unraveling the island's dark secret.
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.