For Courtney Valance, high school was a breeze. Beautiful, talented, and popular, she was the envy of her classmates and the prized girlfriend of Belknap Country Day’s most eligible bachelor, Ted Parker. But that was before Ted’s best friend, Hugh, was found dead. Before Courtney went missing. Before the clothes she was last seen in washed up on the banks of the Souhegan River.
Now everyone believes Courtney is dead, too—and her eligible bachelor is the number one murder suspect. Before the day of Ted’s trial, Courtney’s sister Anna receives a mysterious package with a note in Courtney’s handwriting. Does that mean Courtney could still be alive?
One thing is clear: Courtney’s picturesque life was not what it seemed.
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.