Matter Held in Abeyance: A Psychological Thriller Exploring Power, Silence, and Moral Complicity
United States – January 22, 2026 – Author Alicia Rice announces the release of her latest psychological thriller, Matter Held in Abeyance, now available on Amazon in paperback and ebook formats. Blending crime, mystery, and psychological suspense, the novel delivers a haunting exploration of power, inaction, and the quiet decisions that irrevocably alter lives.

Matter Held in Abeyance follows a tense narrative in which ambition operates in the shadows and responsibility is often deferred rather than denied. As alliances form and fractures widen, the story examines how proximity to wrongdoing can be as consequential as committing the act itself. Through layered characters and a slow-burning sense of dread, the novel asks a chilling question: when harm unfolds, who truly bears responsibility—the one who strikes the blow, or the one who allows it?
Known for her incisive reflections on leadership, ethics, and human behavior, Rice-Haynes brings a sharp psychological lens to this work. The novel resonates with readers who appreciate morally complex stories where silence, restraint, and calculated distance are weapons of their own.
“This book is about what happens when people convince themselves that not acting is the same as not choosing,” said Rice. “It challenges the comfort we find in plausible restraint—and the cost of it.”
Early readers have praised Matter Held in Abeyance for its atmospheric tension, intellectual depth, and unsettling realism. The novel is ideal for fans of psychological thrillers that linger long after the final page.
Book Details
- Title: Matter Held in Abeyance
- Author: Alicia Rice-Haynes
- Genre: Psychological Thriller / Crime / Mystery
- Formats: Paperback and Ebook
- eBook Price: $2.99
- Paperback Price: $9.99
- Availability: Amazon
About the Author
Alicia Rice is an author and leadership professional whose writing often explores power, accountability, and the human cost of silence. Her work spans fiction and nonfiction, with a focus on psychological depth and ethical complexity.
Media & Review Inquiries
For review copies, interviews, or speaking engagements, please contact:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.aliciariceauthor.com/
Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/aliciariceauthor/
Media Contact
Company Name: Alicia Rice – Author
Contact Person: Alicia Rice-Haynes
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Website: https://www.aliciariceauthor.com/


