A QUESTION OF CONSEQUENCE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

By Gordon Ryan                                                                           
CONTACT: David Hall
$13.95 Softcover  352 pages
303-791-9024
ISBN 0-9728071-3-6, LCCN 2003017245
dave@mapletreepublishing.com

Distributed by: Biblio Distribution, Inc.  800-462-6420

Ryan’s Political Novel Is Provocative

It’s not surprising that Booklist has given A Question of Consequence a starred review and designated it as a book that is “outstanding in its genre.” In this new novel, author Gordon Ryan tackles the subjects of politics and religion in a careful yet thought-provoking manner.

Matthew Sterling is a man on the way up. As assistant city manager in the Wasatch Front community of Snowy Ridge, Utah, the 21st century looks promising for this recent Brigham Young University law school graduate. But trouble looms.

Julia Wells is the new mayor of this predominantly Latter-day Saint community. As she assumes her mayoral duties, she realizes things there are not as they seem. Julia—a Lutheran—suspects corruption in City Hall.

Matt soon finds himself caught in the middle of the ensuing investigation. Initially, he has a naïve faith that everyone at City Hall wants to get the facts out. But he soon learns that those in power will become vicious when they feel threatened, and he is faced with a critical choice. Should he look the other way to protect himself and his job? Or should he risk losing his reputation and his career to make sure the truth is revealed? And will the woman in his life trust him, or will she believe the supposedly good saints who have set out to destroy his credibility?

As Matt’s own life begins to unravel, he is struck by the similarity of his experiences to those of his ancestor, a Revolutionary War hero. After discovering Major Andrew McBride’s journal, Matt is drawn into the life of this true patriot who, despite his acts of courage, was terribly misjudged by his contemporaries. The stories of Matt and Andrew are deftly woven together to an astonishing climax.

The book, scheduled for release August 15, 2004, is thought-provoking in several ways. Is doing the right thing always the right thing to do? Does choosing the high road lead to success and happiness? And although the author is Mormon, the book’s unlikely heroes give us an interesting perspective on what makes someone a “good” person.

Gordon Ryan’s other works include:

Dangerous Legacy (novel, Deseret Book, 1994)

Destiny (novel, Deseret Book, 1996)

Conflict (novel, Deseret Book, 1998)

Heritage (novel, Deseret Book, 1999)

Threads of Honor (non-fiction, Mapletree, 2004)

State of Rebellion (novel, to be released later next year by Mapletree)