America, a nation reborn. UN-employment is at one percent, crime at an all time low. All because once a year, all crime is legal. Once a year. for twelve hours the Annual Purge, during these twelve hours any and all crime is legal. Burglary, murder, rape, all of these and more are completely legal to do. This day was created to have everyone and any one release any type of hate, revenge, or violence that the people of the nation has held in for the past year. My name is Austin Jennings, and this is my sixteenth year in the Purge. But this year is different, you see it is the twenty fifth Annual Purge were instead of having a set starting time, we are randomly warned minutes before the Purge began.
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.
***
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.