Blackstone Lodge: A Psychological Thriller

by Skyler Avalon

At Blackstone Lodge, everyone has a story. And a secret they'd kill to keep.

When a world-famous novelist is found murdered, a blizzard traps a handful of writers inside the isolated Blackstone Lodge.

Suspicion falls on the reclusive groundskeeper, an ex-con with no alibi. The only person who can clear his name is his estranged sister, Leah. But the deeper she digs, the more she realizes her brother isn't the only one with a past to hide.

The victim wasn't just a writer; she was a collector of sins. And the killer is using her secrets to turn the guests into characters in a deadly new story. A story where every clue is a lie and every ally is a potential suspect.

In a house of professional liars, can you spot the truth before you become the next victim?

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2025

About the author

Skyler Avalon has been crafting stories since middle school, where short fiction and scribbled mysteries first filled her notebooks. Today, she writes what she loves most—psychological thrillers that twist and turn, alongside the occasional cozy mystery for when she’s in the mood for something a little lighter.

She lives in central Virginia with her spouse of 26 years and their two twelve-year-old cats, who are convinced they run the household. When she isn’t plotting her next suspenseful tale, Skyler enjoys curling up with a good mystery, exploring small-town bookstores, and sipping strong coffee while daydreaming about her characters’ next secrets.

With every story, Skyler hopes to deliver heart-pounding suspense, unforgettable characters, and just enough mystery to keep readers guessing late into the night.

Reviews

[Kellyanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The opulent and isolated Blackstone Lodge, nestled deep within a snow-choked wilderness, holds a dark secret within its grand walls. Each guest, it seems, arrived carrying their own burden of the past, their own carefully constructed façade. But when the world-renowned novelist, Eleanor Vance, is found brutally murdered, the fragile peace shatters. A relentless blizzard descends, trapping a diverse group of esteemed writers inside the Lodge, cutting them off from the outside world and transforming the luxurious retreat into a claustrophobic cage of suspicion.

All eyes immediately turn to Elias Thorne, the reclusive groundskeeper, a man whose troubled past as an ex-convict makes him an easy target. He has no alibi, no one to vouch for his whereabouts during the time of the murder. His only hope lies with his estranged sister, Leah Thorne, a tenacious and sharp-witted investigative journalist. Drawn to the Lodge by the news of her brother's predicament, Leah arrives determined to clear his name. However, as she delves deeper into the investigation, interviewing the remaining guests and meticulously piecing together the events leading up to the murder, a disturbing truth begins to emerge.

Leah soon realizes that her brother is not the only one harbouring a shadowy past. Eleanor Vance, the victim, was not merely a celebrated wordsmith; she was a cunning and ruthless collector of secrets, meticulously documenting the hidden transgressions and vulnerabilities of those around her. It becomes horrifyingly clear that the killer is using Eleanor's ill-gotten knowledge to turn the Lodge's inhabitants into unwitting characters in a terrifying new narrative – a deadly mystery where every planted clue is a calculated deception, and every seemingly trustworthy ally could be the very person holding the murder weapon.

In this macabre game of cat and mouse, the line between reality and fiction blurs. Surrounded by professional storytellers, masters of disguise and manipulation, Leah finds herself in a race against time. The stakes are chillingly high: can she discern the truth from the elaborate tapestry of lies before she herself becomes the next victim in the killer's chillingly original, and utterly fatal, masterpiece? The snow continues to fall, silently burying the Lodge in its icy embrace, as the killer orchestrates their deadly drama, waiting for the perfect moment to strike again.

Filled with unexpected twists and turns, this thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat. A must-read for fans of the genre.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic, thrilling, murder mystery that keeps you guessing. A group of writers have come to stay at Blackstone Lodge. But when the groundskeeper, Elias Thorne, who keeps a low profile since he is an ex-con and wants to keep his job, finds Elias Thorne, a famous novelist murdered, he becomes the first suspect. Although Elias is estranged from his sister, Leah Thorne, she goes to the Inn to investigate and clear her brother from biased accusations and find a real murderer. As she investigates, she finds out secrets that were supposed to be buried except it looks like the victim was keeping secrets about the other writers that seemed like blackmail. Is that true. Is the murderer keeping a secret that shouldn't see the light of day? As Leah continues to probe, she can be putting herself in danger. This is a fast paced read that keeps you totally engaged from beginning to end through all the twists and turns and red-herrings. If you like a really good thrilling mystery, this is the book for you. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Katherine Cannone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a gripping read! The setting of Blackstone Lodge during a blizzard instantly pulled me in — the isolation adds so much suspense. Eleanor’s murder shocked me, and from that moment I was hooked, trying to piece together the truth alongside Leah. I loved how the story kept me questioning every character, and just when I thought I had it figured out, another twist threw me off. The relationship between Elias and Leah gave the mystery real heart, and the ticking-clock element had me flying through the pages. If you enjoy locked-room mysteries with plenty of secrets and sharp turns, this one’s a must-read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Soscha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read, well-developed and plotted. Something that threw me a little is the story wasn’t set in any time period. There was enough to make you think it was contemporary but you can’t really do that without realizing contemporary is also set in a time, and if it’s now you’d have to allow for everyone and their dog Mabel having cellphones and internet access. If that isn’t part of the time in your story you need to tell it and explain it.

Minor complaint; I’d still recommend it.

[Melba · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a spellbinding read. The twists & turns kept me glued to the story. I think others will enjoy this too; especially, those who like drama & thrillers.

I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.

[Ashley Farrar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pulls you in from the beginning. So many twists and turns. You find yourself trying to solve the mystery right alongside the detective. It's a quick and easy read, but it will keep you entertained the whole time. Grab your copy today!

[Anne Pyles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my! Fast, scary, twists upon twists! This is a must-read thriller.

[Emmy McCabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things are not what they look like when Vincent is seen standing over the dead body of Clarise Harper, a well known writer. This is the beginning of a great mystery that is set up as a revenge plot.

[Lauren Bass · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was so repetitive, like word for word whole sections. And chapter to chapter the placement of characters made no sense.

[Sharon S · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new thriller by Skyler Avalon.
Vincent wants to live a quiet, unanimous life, but never seems to be able to remain behind the scenes. He finds Clarise’s body in the snow when he’s out checking the generator.
Someone is controlling the story as if this were a sinister play with an evil puppet master pulling all the strings.
Who among the guests is the puppet master?
*I received this as an ARC reader and am leaving my unbiased review.