Lessons in Silence
Some monsters hide in the dark.
Others stand at the front of the classroom.
Charlotte Jones is the teacher every parent trusts-the one with the warm smile, steady voice, and a classroom that feels like a safe haven. But behind the red apples and bulletin boards, she hides a truth too heavy to speak. As a child, Charlotte was failed by every adult who should have protected her. Now, she has become the protector she once needed-no matter what it costs.
By day, she shapes young minds in a small Texas town. By night, she hunts the predators who slip through the cracks of the law, delivering her own brand of justice from the shadows.
When a quiet, withdrawn girl named Jamie transfers into her class, Charlotte sees the signs instantly-bruises hidden beneath long sleeves, eyes that avoid contact, and a silence that screams of secrets. It's like looking into her own childhood. But when she tries to intervene, she finds herself facing the same wall of denial, excuses, and bureaucracy that once left her defenseless.
Determined not to let history repeat itself, Charlotte makes a vow: she will protect Jamie at any cost. But saving her means crossing every moral line Charlotte swore she'd never breach-and confronting the darkest parts of herself in the process.
As her double life begins to unravel, Charlotte must decide how far she's willing to go to save one child from the fate she endured. Because in the end, some lessons aren't taught in classrooms... they're written in blood.
Lessons in Silence is a gripping and emotionally charged psychological thriller that will keep you turning pages late into the night. Perfect for fans of The Silent Patient, Pretty Girls, and Sharp Objects, it's a story of survival, vengeance, and the blurred line between hero and monster.
About the AuthorWoodruff, Amanda: - Amanda Woodruff is an acclaimed multi-genre author from the deep piney woods of East Texas, whose stories are as rooted in faith as they are in folklore. Known for weaving unforgettable tales where love, danger, and hope collide, Amanda writes across genres-paranormal romance, psychological thrillers, historical witchcraft sagas, enchanting children's adventures, and faith-based inspiration.Growing up in a small town where ghost lights, old legends, and whispered stories blended seamlessly with Sunday sermons and family prayer, Amanda found that faith and storytelling were inseparable. This deep well of belief and tradition shapes every book she writes-whether through the soul-deep prophecy of The Hollow Crown Trilogy, the whimsical wonder of The Adventures of Magnolia Sage, the faith-driven message of The Turn Around, or the dark intensity of her already released thrillers Lessons in Silence and Silent Creek.Her works remind readers that even in the darkest moments, light can break through, hope can be restored, and love-divine and human-can heal the deepest wounds. With highly anticipated new releases on the horizon, including Witches of Cinder Pact: Herbs & Hexes (Spring 2026) and the Warriors of the Hollow Crown series (2026), Amanda continues to inspire, encourage, and captivate audiences across genres.Recognized for her ability to blend the supernatural with the spiritual, Amanda Woodruff has established herself as not just a storyteller, but a voice of encouragement-reminding readers that it is never too late for redemption, and God's light can always find you, even in the shadows.
Ballew, Jamie: - Falling in love with Beauty and the Beast's Belle from such a young age shaped Jamie into the book-loving, far-off-place dreamer, magic believer she is today. Her heart has always belonged to stories-those whispered between pages, hidden in dusty libraries, or etched into the stars. Now, as a newly minted editor, Jamie steps boldly into her own tale: one filled with enchanted manuscripts, brave new authors, and the thrilling quest to help others bring their stories to life.She travels the literary lands with a satchel full of highlighters, a wand disguised as a red pen, and a heart that beats in poetic rhythm. Her companions? Wandering metaphors, noble Oxford commas, and the occasional dragon guarding a plot twist too powerful to tame. With each manuscript, Jamie casts gentle spells of clarity, banishes the goblins of grammatical chaos, and helps authors discover the magic they've been carrying all along.