Mystique Noir Scribbler · Novel November 2026
Dillon Largo: A Widow's Reckoning
A Novel November 2026 writing update: a gritty adult dystopian Western mystery where frontier justice, detective noir, and the ruins of the old world collide.
They murdered her husband. Now they've made the mistake of coming for his widow.
From My Writing Desk
Novel November has me back in the saddle with Dillon Largo, a Territory Ranger who has never been particularly good at staying out of trouble. This is a new manuscript, A Widow’s Reckoning, set among the reclaimed farmland, ruined industrial settlements, and uncertain frontier laws of the Pacific Northwest Territory. I’m bringing together the grit and irreverence of an adult Western, the slow-building suspicion of detective noir, and a dystopian world where old roads and new railroads are changing the landscape.
Rather than post the entire first draft, I’m opening up my writing journal so readers can follow the progress, meet the characters, and see selected glimpses behind the story. These are working pages, and there is still plenty of trail ahead before the manuscript becomes a finished novel.
The Writing Trail
Official tracker: ProWritingAid's Novel November challenge. Figures below are manually updated from the author's dashboard. Last updated: November 2, 2026.
Current draft: Chapter Five underway. This is a working manuscript: scenes, chapter order, and story details may change during revision.
Milestones Earned
These are the five badges I have earned so far in the ProWritingAid Novel November challenge. The badges below are styled labels; my actual badge screenshot can be included beneath them.
Next word-count milestone: 15,000 words. Earned badges and progress will be updated as the manuscript grows.
About the Novel
LARGO
RECKONING
The Story
In the fractured Pacific Northwest Territory, civilization survives among the ruins of the old world. Farms and settlements have reclaimed abandoned industrial lands, Territory Rangers walk a difficult line between law and violence, and the promise of a new railroad threatens to redraw more than the map.
Dillon Largo, a weathered Ranger with twin cavalry revolvers and a troublesome reputation, encounters Amara Blackthorne outside his office in New Marysville. Her husband, Harrison Solomon, has been missing for days. The local deputies have dismissed her concerns, but Dillon recognizes the woman beneath the respectable dress: a notorious former fugitive he once spent years pursuing.
As old accusations resurface and questions about Harrison's land dealings begin to mount, Dillon discovers that Amara knows more about his own past than he ever suspected. Their search leads north through the Territory toward Solomon's Ranch and Farm—where new danger threatens what remains of the life Amara built with her husband.
Part Western mystery, part dystopian frontier noir, A Widow's Reckoning explores justice and vengeance, the cost of a reputation, and what happens when yesterday's enemies must trust one another.
The People of the Territory
Dillon Largo
Five feet nine, broad-shouldered, with long dark hair streaked silver and gray, a thick mustache, weathered boots, and twin .38-caliber cavalry revolvers. An experienced outlaw-hunter with an irreverent tongue, a practiced eye for trouble, and a habit of making promises life won't let him keep. Years ago, he was tasked with finding Amara Blackthorne. Now he's helping her.
Amara Blackthorne
Reddish-orange curls, green-hazel eyes, and a dangerous confidence that can turn into unnerving composure without warning. Amara is quick with a hand cannon and quicker with an insult. She insists that the charges against her were manufactured for bounty money. Beneath her formidable reputation is a woman determined to learn what happened to the husband she loves.
Harrison Solomon
A hardworking, stalwart rancher who gave Amara a place to belong after years spent on the run. Shortly before disappearing, Harrison became troubled by a matter involving his land. What he discovered—and where he went—remain unanswered questions at the heart of the investigation.
“Angel”
Blonde, blue-eyed, warm, playful, and outspoken, with a Southern drawl and a lively sense of humor. She and Dillon share an intimate connection. He promises to return to her, but his decision to help Amara threatens to complicate yet another promise. Her real name has not yet been revealed.
Marebelle & Blackbear
Marebelle's gruff humor and sharp observations make her one of the few people who can embarrass Dillon without trying. Blackbear, her imposing husband, runs the kitchen. Both carry scars from earlier Gadianton violence, giving their café roots in the Territory's difficult history.
The County Deputies
Three newly arrived deputies whose indifference to Harrison's disappearance draws Dillon's anger. Haskins is dismissive and overbearing; Rusk is thin, watchful, and fond of his hunting knife; Voss appears perpetually exhausted. Their connection, if any, to the railroad dispute remains an open question.
Also in the developing story: Jebidiah and Daniel, whose reported involvement with railroad business may become relevant as Dillon follows the trail. Character details are subject to revision.
From the Writing Desk
Behind the scenes: What begins as a missing-husband investigation brings Dillon face-to-face with a woman whose wanted posters he remembers better than her face. A railroad, a dispute over land, and a burning homestead are making the mystery deeper with every chapter.
Coming to the journal: selected manuscript excerpts, newly earned writing badges, character spotlights, and updates on the path from rough draft to finished novel. Full chapters and major twists will be held back for the finished book.
To follow new updates, use the follow.it subscription form on this blog. Find future posts under the Dillon Largo Writing Journal label. I’ll share fresh word counts, earned badges, and occasional excerpts in new dated posts rather than quietly replacing this November 2 milestone.
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