The Truth Between The Lies: Second Harvest

When Kevin and Ashlee arrive on campus, they believe they’ve left the past behind. A new place. New routines. A chance at normal. But normal is an illusion... and someone is paying very close attention.

Small disruptions begin to surface: altered schedules, unfamiliar faces, systems that respond before questions are asked. Then the pressure escalates. Surveillance becomes proximity. Proximity becomes intimidation. And soon, escape is no longer an option.

Behind it all is Orchard... an unseen, coordinated force that doesn’t threaten outright. It studies. It adjusts. It corrects. And it always knows where the pressure will hurt the most.

As Ashlee discovers she can sense the hidden architecture of control... where decisions are shaped long before choices appear... she becomes something Orchard can’t easily predict. What begins as survival turns into resistance, forcing Kevin and Ashlee to decide whether they will remain manageable… or become visible.

The Truth Between the Lies: Second Harvest is a tense, intelligent psychological thriller about surveillance, manipulation, and the cost of being noticed in systems designed to erase individuality. Dark, atmospheric, and unnervingly plausible, this novel will stay with you long after the final page.

Perfect for readers who love slow-burn suspense, modern conspiracy thrillers, and stories where the real danger isn’t being hunted... but being understood.

Ken Smith is retired from a 40-year career as a partner, senior creative director, and chief brand strategist for a prominent national advertising agency. Ken has been married for 61 years and is the father of two grown children, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. He remains an avid storyteller.