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 their sights on destroying 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 Andrew McBride’s journal, Matt is drawn into the life of this true patriot who, despite his acts of courage, was terribly misunderstood by his contemporaries. The stories of Matt and Andrew are deftly woven together to an astonishing climax.

You can learn more about Gordon on our Gordon Ryan page, or you may visit Gordon's web site at www.gordonryan.com.
Click here to read chapter 1.

Review by Rachel Ann Nunes:

"Fabulous! Gordon Ryan is a master storyteller whose imagination is matched only by his attention to detail. This fascinating story of Matthew Sterling and his sixth-great grandfather Andrew McBride genuinely entertains, yet at the same time addresses very important issues. Does choosing the right thing always lead to success and happiness? And if not, should we still choose the high road? A Question of Consequence is a must-read book for everyone."

—Rachel Ann Nunes
Best-selling author of the Ariana series and Daughter of a King

Review by Jeff Needle of the Association for Mormon Letters:

Title: A Question of Consequence
Author: Gordon Ryan
Publisher: Mapletree Publishing
Year Published: 2004
Number of Pages: 346
Binding: Quality Paperback
ISBN: 0-9728071-3-6
Price: $13.95

Reviewed by Jeffrey Needle

"Do what is right. Let the consequences follow." Easier said than done?

Matt Sterling is a young attorney, serving as assistant city manager for the small town of Snowy Ridge, Utah. When his grandmother dies, she specifies that Matt should travel to her east coast home and supervise the demolition of their family's ancestral home. As the building is being razed, he discovers a small cache of documents that date back to the American Revolution. These documents would change Matt's life forever.

Part of his grandmother's legacy demanded that a large amount of money be given to BYU's Molecular Genealogy program. There he meets Kasia Somerset, and falls in love with the beautiful young British doctoral candidate.

But back in Snowy Ridge, there is trouble afoot. A new mayor has been elected, and she has promised to clean up the city and root out corruption, a prospect that sends a chill through Matt's superiors and some of his co-workers. The bulk of this book deals with the attempted professional and personal destruction of a fine young lawyer, Matt Sterling.

I found this book remarkable in several ways:

First, it holds nothing back in its depiction of the human condition, and the extent to which even Latter-day Saints will go to achieve their less-than-honest aims. There are observations about Utah Mormonism that really hit hard. Black and white hats no longer sufficed. Denominational affiliation did not guarantee honesty.

Second, it does a masterful job of weaving three storylines in a way that even the casual reader can follow with little difficulty.

And, finally, it introduces truly multi-dimensional characters. The people come across as real folks, just like us, some better and some worse. And this realism is reflected in the unfolding scenarios that surround each character.

A Question of Consequence is something of a morality tale. While it incorporates Church teachings about faith and the Atonement, it also recognizes that we "see through a glass, darkly," subject to the highs and lows that accompany real life.

This was a terrific read. I enjoyed every page of it. Once again, author Gordon Ryan has given us a thoughtful, entertaining, and ultimately satisfying work of fiction. I recommend this book without reservation."

—Jeff Needle, Association for Mormon Letters
April 28, 2004
jeff.needle@general.com

October 2004 Small Press Bookwatch by Midwest Book Review:

"Matthew Sterling is a recent Brigham Young University law school graduate and the assistant city manager of Snowy Ridge, Utah, a small community in the Wasatch Front. Julia Wells is the newly elected mayor of this predominantly Mormon community. Upon entering the duties of their respective offices, Matt comes to find himself entangled in a web of City Hall corruption. Should Matt "go along to get along" or should he put his reputation, and perhaps his life, on the line? Matt's own tangled life is reflected in a similar situation of an ancestor of his, a Revolutionary War hero, when he discovers the personal journal of Major Andrew McBride. The stories of Matt and Andrew are woven together into an impressive and memorable climax. A Question of Consequence is as thoughtfully reflective as it is engagingly entertaining reading and documents Gordon Ryan as a writer of skill and originality."