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Unedited: A Psychological Thriller
When the truth is edited, who survives the final cut?
When a shocking murder inside a live television studio shatters the city’s most trusted newsroom, investigative journalist Arlene Mercer is thrust into the center of a scandal that refuses to stay contained.
The victim is powerful. The evidence is damning. And the prime suspect is her own husband.
As headlines ignite and public fury swells, Arlene does what she has always done—she digs. But the deeper she goes, the more the facts begin to shift. Evidence doesn’t just disappear. It evolves.
Timelines blur. Footage is altered. And the one man guiding her through the chaos—Detective David Baxter—may not be guiding her toward the truth at all.
The deeper Arlene digs, the clearer the truth this isn’t just a murder case. It’s a carefully engineered psychological trap.
Someone is shaping the narrative.
When a shocking murder inside a live television studio shatters the city’s most trusted newsroom, investigative journalist Arlene Mercer is thrust into the center of a scandal that refuses to stay contained.
The victim is powerful. The evidence is damning. And the prime suspect is her own husband.
As headlines ignite and public fury swells, Arlene does what she has always done—she digs. But the deeper she goes, the more the facts begin to shift. Evidence doesn’t just disappear. It evolves.
Timelines blur. Footage is altered. And the one man guiding her through the chaos—Detective David Baxter—may not be guiding her toward the truth at all.
The deeper Arlene digs, the clearer the truth this isn’t just a murder case. It’s a carefully engineered psychological trap.
Someone is shaping the narrative.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 9, 2026
About the author
Skyler Avalon
13 books8 followersSkyler 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 13, 2026
The novel opens dramatically as TV host Arlene interviews Lillian Crane, who is tragically killed immediately after leaving the station. Arlene discovers the body when checking on Lillian before her next segment, instantly transforming the host into a key witness whose life is fundamentally changed.
The story follows Arlene as she navigates intense pressure from someone attempting to control her testimony to protect a third party. Working alongside Elise, a mutual friend of Arlene and Lillian, they uncover a cache of documents Lillian had secretly compiled. This information successfully redirects the investigation away from the police's initial main suspect and toward the actual killer. The book concludes with a summary of the final revelations, detailing the true killer's identity and the ultimate resolution of events.
I highly recommend you add this to your TBR list, as it is not to be missed!
I received an ARC through "Booksprout" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
The story follows Arlene as she navigates intense pressure from someone attempting to control her testimony to protect a third party. Working alongside Elise, a mutual friend of Arlene and Lillian, they uncover a cache of documents Lillian had secretly compiled. This information successfully redirects the investigation away from the police's initial main suspect and toward the actual killer. The book concludes with a summary of the final revelations, detailing the true killer's identity and the ultimate resolution of events.
I highly recommend you add this to your TBR list, as it is not to be missed!
I received an ARC through "Booksprout" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
March 11, 2026
I received an ARC through "Booksprout" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This story begins with Arlene interviewing Lillian Crane at a TV station and when it finishes, on leaving Lillian is killed. Prior to Arlene's next segment, she goes to check on Lillian and discovers her body. She now becomes a witness and her whole life now changes.
Read along and discover the pressure that Arlene faces as someone tries to direct her responses in order to protect someone and how working with Elise, a friend of both Lillian and Arlene, they discover a cache of documents that Lillian had gathered and with that information wound up bringing attention to a different party than the current suspect that the police were trying to present as the killer. The end of the story summarizes the final results as to who was responsible and how it all worked out in the end.
This is definitely a book worth reading, don't miss out!
This story begins with Arlene interviewing Lillian Crane at a TV station and when it finishes, on leaving Lillian is killed. Prior to Arlene's next segment, she goes to check on Lillian and discovers her body. She now becomes a witness and her whole life now changes.
Read along and discover the pressure that Arlene faces as someone tries to direct her responses in order to protect someone and how working with Elise, a friend of both Lillian and Arlene, they discover a cache of documents that Lillian had gathered and with that information wound up bringing attention to a different party than the current suspect that the police were trying to present as the killer. The end of the story summarizes the final results as to who was responsible and how it all worked out in the end.
This is definitely a book worth reading, don't miss out!
March 16, 2026
Arlene is an investigative journalist and is suddenly thrown into a high profile murder case when the person she interviewed live was suddenly murdered within minutes after the interview.
This story is very well written. Lots of suspense and twists that keep you guessing. I enjoyed the characters.
You don't know who to trust. Secrets are revealed throughout the story. And the villain is a total surprise.
And good lord the cliffhanger at the end sent chills down my spine.
Skylar has written another gripping thriller that is definitely a must read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This story is very well written. Lots of suspense and twists that keep you guessing. I enjoyed the characters.
You don't know who to trust. Secrets are revealed throughout the story. And the villain is a total surprise.
And good lord the cliffhanger at the end sent chills down my spine.
Skylar has written another gripping thriller that is definitely a must read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 15, 2026
Arlene Mercer finds herself reporting a high-profile murder, and the man at the center of the investigation is her husband.
Inside the newsroom there is leaks, altered footage, and political pressure, Arlene uncovers the evidence is being altered and who is doing it is the question. Is detective David Baxter here to help or make it worse.
Psychological dramas about obsession, manipulation, and betrayal.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Inside the newsroom there is leaks, altered footage, and political pressure, Arlene uncovers the evidence is being altered and who is doing it is the question. Is detective David Baxter here to help or make it worse.
Psychological dramas about obsession, manipulation, and betrayal.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 13, 2026
Unedited: A Psychological Thriller, my first read from author Skyler Avalon. I enjoyed the outstanding suspense story-line with its intricately woven twists and turns. If you like Norma (N.L.) Hinkens you might enjoy Skyler Avalon. I was given a complementary Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily reading & reviewing it. I look forward to reading more from this author with Blackstone Lodge: A Psychological Thriller already on my TBR list. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
May 20, 2026
When you trust to much, you don't ask questions.
Arlene is a witness to a murder and everyone wants here contained, but there is someone feeding her information making her doubt everything she knows.
Arlene follows clues left by the dead, to a secret so big she has nothing left but to draw out the one to whom its about.
In the end she finds there is more then she wanted.
Arlene is a witness to a murder and everyone wants here contained, but there is someone feeding her information making her doubt everything she knows.
Arlene follows clues left by the dead, to a secret so big she has nothing left but to draw out the one to whom its about.
In the end she finds there is more then she wanted.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews