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Alex Hayes #5
The Silent Gavel
Justice has a sound. This time, it’s silence. When Deputy Attorney General Eleanor Vance dies in an apparent suicide, DOJ prosecutor Alex Hayes is left holding fragments of a conspiracy—evidence of a covert network placing corrupt judges on the federal bench. Vance had hinted at a link to Alex’s own mother, then vanished before revealing the truth.
The deeper Alex digs, the more contradictions she finds. Some files paint Vance as a whistleblower. Others as an architect of the scheme. Sealed records, secret payoffs, and a single white queen chess piece point to a dangerous double life.
To expose the truth, Alex must untangle Vance’s role in the conspiracy before the same silent gavel that ended her career—and her life—comes down on Alex.
The deeper Alex digs, the more contradictions she finds. Some files paint Vance as a whistleblower. Others as an architect of the scheme. Sealed records, secret payoffs, and a single white queen chess piece point to a dangerous double life.
To expose the truth, Alex must untangle Vance’s role in the conspiracy before the same silent gavel that ended her career—and her life—comes down on Alex.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 13, 2026
1144 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
L.T. Ryan
166 books1,487 followersL.T. RYAN is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author. The new age of publishing offered L.T. the opportunity to blend his passions for creating, marketing, and technology to reach audiences with his popular Jack Noble series.
Living in central Virginia with his wife, the youngest of his three daughters, and their three dogs, L.T. enjoys staring out his window at the trees and mountains while he should be writing, as well as reading, hiking, running, and playing with gadgets. See what he's up to at ltryan.com.
BOOKS IN THE JACK NOBLE SERIES
The Recruit (prequel short story)
The First Deception (prequel)
Noble Beginnings
A Deadly Distance
Thin Line
Noble Intentions
When Dead in Greece
Noble Retribution
Noble Betrayal
Never Go Home
Noble Judgment
Never Cry Mercy
Deadline
End Game
BOOKS IN THE BEAR LOGAN SERIES
Ripple Effect
Blowback
Takedown
Deep State (coming January, 2020)
BOOKS IN THE CLARISSA ABBOT SERIES
Beyond Betrayal
BOOKS IN THE MITCH TANNER SERIES
The Depths of Darkness
Into the Darkness
Deliver Us From Darkness (coming soon)
Social Media Links
Facebook (L.T. Ryan): facebook.com/LTRyanAuthor
Facebook (Jack Noble Page): facebook.com/JackNobleBooks/
Twitter: twitter.com/LTRyanWrites
Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/6151659.L_T...
Contact L.T. Ryan at contact@ltryan.com
About the Author
L.T. RYAN is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author. The new age of publishing offered L.T. the opportunity to blend his passions for creating, marketing, and technology to reach audiences with his popular Jack Noble series.
Living in central Virginia with his wife, the youngest of his three daughters, and their three dogs, L.T. enjoys staring out his window at the trees and mountains while he should be writing, as well as reading, hiking, running, and playing with gadgets. See what he's up to at ltryan.com.
Social Media Links
Facebook (L.T. Ryan): facebook.com/LTRyanAuthor
Facebook (Jack Noble Page): facebook.com/JackNobleBooks/
Twitter: twitter.com/LTRyanWrites
Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/6151659.L_T...
Contact L.T. Ryan at contact@ltryan.com
Living in central Virginia with his wife, the youngest of his three daughters, and their three dogs, L.T. enjoys staring out his window at the trees and mountains while he should be writing, as well as reading, hiking, running, and playing with gadgets. See what he's up to at ltryan.com.
BOOKS IN THE JACK NOBLE SERIES
The Recruit (prequel short story)
The First Deception (prequel)
Noble Beginnings
A Deadly Distance
Thin Line
Noble Intentions
When Dead in Greece
Noble Retribution
Noble Betrayal
Never Go Home
Noble Judgment
Never Cry Mercy
Deadline
End Game
BOOKS IN THE BEAR LOGAN SERIES
Ripple Effect
Blowback
Takedown
Deep State (coming January, 2020)
BOOKS IN THE CLARISSA ABBOT SERIES
Beyond Betrayal
BOOKS IN THE MITCH TANNER SERIES
The Depths of Darkness
Into the Darkness
Deliver Us From Darkness (coming soon)
Social Media Links
Facebook (L.T. Ryan): facebook.com/LTRyanAuthor
Facebook (Jack Noble Page): facebook.com/JackNobleBooks/
Twitter: twitter.com/LTRyanWrites
Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/6151659.L_T...
Contact L.T. Ryan at contact@ltryan.com
About the Author
L.T. RYAN is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author. The new age of publishing offered L.T. the opportunity to blend his passions for creating, marketing, and technology to reach audiences with his popular Jack Noble series.
Living in central Virginia with his wife, the youngest of his three daughters, and their three dogs, L.T. enjoys staring out his window at the trees and mountains while he should be writing, as well as reading, hiking, running, and playing with gadgets. See what he's up to at ltryan.com.
Social Media Links
Facebook (L.T. Ryan): facebook.com/LTRyanAuthor
Facebook (Jack Noble Page): facebook.com/JackNobleBooks/
Twitter: twitter.com/LTRyanWrites
Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/6151659.L_T...
Contact L.T. Ryan at contact@ltryan.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 19, 2026
Intriguing court room drama
The Silent Gavel follows compelling court room drama and intern connected story lines weaving the past with the present. It is certainly Enteartaning enough to want to read the sequel. LT Ryan does not disappoint the readers of his many novels. Also offers insight to the complexity of the court room and ferreting out the rules of compliance the court demands.
The Silent Gavel follows compelling court room drama and intern connected story lines weaving the past with the present. It is certainly Enteartaning enough to want to read the sequel. LT Ryan does not disappoint the readers of his many novels. Also offers insight to the complexity of the court room and ferreting out the rules of compliance the court demands.
March 3, 2026
I was so glad to see Alex FINALLY get support both from her professional (Helen) and personal (James) contacts. The continuing theme of everyone in her orbit (except her dad) doubting her, calling her paranoid and accusing her of chasing ghosts was wearing thin, especially after she was proven right again and again. Nice twist with James at the end. The plot sets up nicely for the next book in the series, which I look forward to reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2026
A page Turner:
I have rated the first book of this series ( The Silent Gavel) a five star. Interesting characters, the plot is really good. Not knowing who's who ?? Who killed her mother and why ??. The plot keeps building very exciting read. The chess pieces what they represent I can go on and on, but you have to read it and judge for yourself.
I have rated the first book of this series ( The Silent Gavel) a five star. Interesting characters, the plot is really good. Not knowing who's who ?? Who killed her mother and why ??. The plot keeps building very exciting read. The chess pieces what they represent I can go on and on, but you have to read it and judge for yourself.
February 19, 2026
Oh Wow
I came to bed early with the intention of reading for a bit, and could NOT stop until I finished the book!
The answers Alex is searching for are getting closer! How she can handle all the stress and twists is beyond comprehension.
Chase and Ryan have written an amazing legal mystery…one that grabs and won’t let go.
I came to bed early with the intention of reading for a bit, and could NOT stop until I finished the book!
The answers Alex is searching for are getting closer! How she can handle all the stress and twists is beyond comprehension.
Chase and Ryan have written an amazing legal mystery…one that grabs and won’t let go.
March 1, 2026
Never a dull book
This man can write. This story.like all the others he's written are captivating.. The cast of characters and the details in the story, made.this book hard to put down, so I didnt. No gory scenarios or missing children, just a well written story that.builds upon itself page after page..looking forward to the continuation of.the suspense.
This man can write. This story.like all the others he's written are captivating.. The cast of characters and the details in the story, made.this book hard to put down, so I didnt. No gory scenarios or missing children, just a well written story that.builds upon itself page after page..looking forward to the continuation of.the suspense.
January 23, 2026
CC1
This was the best Alex Hayes book yet. She got the answer she needed about her mom murder and how the conspiracy worked. Unfortunately it's not over. And she found out James wasn't who he said he was. So she has slot to think about. 10 stars plus !!!! Thanks, Carl Clause
This was the best Alex Hayes book yet. She got the answer she needed about her mom murder and how the conspiracy worked. Unfortunately it's not over. And she found out James wasn't who he said he was. So she has slot to think about. 10 stars plus !!!! Thanks, Carl Clause
January 28, 2026
Alex Hayes is a brilliant prosecution attorney and a dangerous adversary!
Still haunted by her mother's disappearance 20+ years ago she still continues to work the clues and evidence she left behind!
Still haunted by her mother's disappearance 20+ years ago she still continues to work the clues and evidence she left behind!
January 29, 2026
Wow!
The whole time I was reading this book, I kept wondering if it was based on facts that actually happened. I'd like to believe that there was some element of truth in this story and good people were fighting the fight against corruption in the real world.
The whole time I was reading this book, I kept wondering if it was based on facts that actually happened. I'd like to believe that there was some element of truth in this story and good people were fighting the fight against corruption in the real world.
February 4, 2026
The Silent Gavel
Full of intrigue. Corruption at the highest level of the government. L.T. Ryan has done it again. I immediately punched the next book in the series. Now all I have to do is wait until July.
Full of intrigue. Corruption at the highest level of the government. L.T. Ryan has done it again. I immediately punched the next book in the series. Now all I have to do is wait until July.
January 15, 2026
Excellent
Oh, wow, what a story. This is a great series and I can hardly wait for the next installment! Absolutely riveting!
Oh, wow, what a story. This is a great series and I can hardly wait for the next installment! Absolutely riveting!
January 19, 2026
Keeps you thinking.who to truth.
I like the story. Never guess James was FBI.
Now just have to wait to see what happens.
Hard part.
I like the story. Never guess James was FBI.
Now just have to wait to see what happens.
Hard part.
January 22, 2026
A great legal thriller that you had trouble putting down. Enjoy I did.
January 30, 2026
Revelations
Alex delves deep into conspiracy and corruption. Where will the investigation take her and her friends? Excellent action thriller that will delight the reader.
Alex delves deep into conspiracy and corruption. Where will the investigation take her and her friends? Excellent action thriller that will delight the reader.
February 17, 2026
recommended
Great read; keep you involved from the first page to the end. One of the better novels I’ve read recently
Great read; keep you involved from the first page to the end. One of the better novels I’ve read recently
February 18, 2026
Good twist but the next book should be the last
March 11, 2026
Good characters. Continues from the previous story just new location. Keeps you guessing whom to trust and who is on the dark side.
March 21, 2026
The Silent Gavel
I enjoyed this story but there heaps of loose ends at the finish, it was a little frustrating. I suspect everything will be revealed in the next book.
I enjoyed this story but there heaps of loose ends at the finish, it was a little frustrating. I suspect everything will be revealed in the next book.
March 8, 2026
I have read every book in this series and have not been disappointed. This activity was ongoing from beginning to end and this book was hard to put down. LT Ryan definitely keeps you on your toes with very unexpected situations. Very hard to tell who is being honest and who has potential self-fulfilling motives. Good read...can't wait for the next one. But as with all good series, it may be time to bring this to an end...we shall see!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews