Big Lies by Stephen Wayne follows Thomas Jeffries, who confirms the approach of a large asteroid and brings his data to federal leaders, only to be taken by force into a hidden organization run by thirteen ruling families. They plan to use the asteroid announcement as the public reason for a worldwide move that has been arranged in secret. Jeffries is fitted with a tracker, separated from normal authorities, and moved through controlled sites where spacecraft, recruitment systems, and information channels are organized. Ordered to supply calculations and inspect possible destinations for interstellar arks, he begins to look for ways to disrupt their plan from within. Assigned to work with Dr Cho Woo-jin, who oversees major technology programs, Jeffries uses restricted access to study the relocation effort and search for openings he can use.

Big Lies by Stephen Wayne delivers a striking jolt with secret councils, engineered news cycles, and ruthless planning that feels startlingly concrete as Jeffries moves through labs, academies, and shadow networks built to manage every public assumption. What sets the book apart is how well it shows the machinations of a conspiracy that goes leaps and bounds beyond the usual scripted leaders serving up selective education, and medical programs designed to shape entire populations that are eerily Lebensborn-esque but on a grander scale. The meetings with Morrison, Blackwood, Fuller, and Woo-jin stand out for their blunt portrayal of power systems built on surveillance, diversionary media storms, and curated scientific release schedules. By the time Jeffries confronts the ark program and the frantic final gathering, we are elbow-deep in a bold, fully realized design.

Big Lies by Stephen Wayne is a science fiction novel filled with political dystopia. The story unfolds in the USA, where Tom Jeffries is the lead astronomer of the Sky Watcher project. Using a unique detection method to reliably detect near-Earth objects that pose a direct threat to Earth, three days previously, Sky Watcher detected a massive asteroid on a collision course with Earth. With only eleven months left before the asteroid’s civilization-ending impact, Tom reports the news to the U.S. President and finds himself elevated to the higher echelons of power and appointed to choose the planet where the most privileged humans would escape to create a new world. But what Tom discovers in his new role is more world-shaking than the asteroid.

What a fascinating story! Stephen Wayne impressed me with a bold take on the reality we live in and the role of the media and government in society. The fast-moving and suspenseful storyline made reading Big Lies a breeze. The controversial, thought-provoking, and grotesque portrayal of the educational system premised on chauvinistic elitism, corrupt political puppetry, blindfolding societal segregation, and even the treacherous consumerism underlying pharmaceutical products, medical services, and the tax system kept me turning the pages. I also found myself marveling at the philosophical undercurrents of media and politics. But most of all, I liked the breathtaking climax and the ending that left me wishing for more – any chance for a sequel? I highly recommend this immersive novel to science fiction, political thriller, and dystopian fans.

Big Lies is a dystopian thriller by Stephen Wayne. Thomas Jeffries, an astronomer, gets the shock of his life when he unexpectedly discovers a large asteroid on a collision course with Earth, something even NASA didn't detect. Soon, he is on his way to the White House, where he learns even more shocking secrets. The president isn't who Thomas thought he was. Additionally, the entire government is controlled by a cabal of thirteen powerful bloodlines, who manipulate the masses with the help of the other "worthy." Now, Thomas is their messenger, who must find them a destination where they can go after they leave Earth and the rest of its inhabitants to their fate. However, things don't go according to plan, as Thomas is hatching his own scheme.

Stephen Wayne's social commentary in this novel is spot-on. The plot draws parallels to the real-world political scenario in the United States, with a narrative set against the backdrop of a looming apocalypse. Big Lies reminded me of the Hollywood movie Don't Look Up. Like the movie, the premise presents an impending global catastrophe that most of the general populace isn't aware of. The dark humor brings some levity to a captivating story that has a lot to say. I found the characters very compelling, especially the protagonist, Thomas. Until the very last few pages, you don't really know what Thomas' endgame is. Still, you find yourself rooting for him from the get-go, as he is surrounded by morally gray characters you don't want to see win. Overall, it's a fantastic book for thriller aficionados.

Big Lies by Stephen Wayne follows Thomas Jeffries (Tom), an astronomer whose new detection system, Sky Watcher, identifies a massive asteroid heading toward Earth. When the object slips into a solar blind zone and becomes impossible to confirm, Tom brings his findings to government leaders. Instead of a normal response, he’s pulled into a hidden power network that operates far above elected officials. He learns that powerful families control the world, while presidents, news outlets, and even major social trends are set up to keep the public from suspecting that anything is wrong. Tom discovers how media stories are manufactured, how social systems reinforce obedience, and how knowledge itself is filtered to protect the elite. As he moves deeper inside this world, one question hangs over everything: will he ever find a way to tell the truth?

Big Lies by Stephen Wayne blends political thriller, dystopian, and conspiracy fiction in a way that feels exciting and unexpected. The writing is engaging, and the world-building is centered on secret power structures, surveillance, and fabricated media culture. I found the book’s approach interesting because it ties together modern fears—fake news, elite influence, digital manipulation—and pushes them to their extreme. Tom’s development is shaped less by emotion and more by what he learns and how it forces him to view society differently. The setting shifts between government offices, high-security enclaves, and media control centers, creating a sharp, controlled atmosphere. Readers who enjoy conspiracy theories, political corruption motifs, or behind-the-scenes world-building will find this book compelling. If you love stories where the truth is dangerous and knowledge is both a gift and a trap, this is the ideal book for you.