Science & religion intersect. Manipulation & deceit thrive. Hypocrisy reigns.
An overdue natural phenomenon. A cyber virus. Is this the second coming of Christ? Or is it a cruel hoax preying on a world desperate for a saviour?
Father Brian Abernathy, a disgraced priest banished to a small country town in Australia, is infatuated with a solar scientist who is trying to predict the unpredictable.
On the opposite side of the world, two bored former hackers are inspired to release a cyber virus professing the return of Jesus Christ.
Two prophecies: one fake, one imminent. When heavens explode, who are you going to believe: the priest, the pimp, the pope, or the scientist?
Or perhaps an act from God himself?
Mostly set in Tasmania but with protagonists in Los Angeles and Europe, The Prophecy Hoax is a fast-paced psychological thriller from debut author Peter Edward.
Title note: This novel was first released by the same author under the title of The Second Coming. To avoid confusion with other titles with the same name, it was re-released as The Prophecy Hoax in late 2026. The physical book size was also slightly increased, and some errors were fixed.
New edition available now through Amazon. https://amzn.asia/d/0aO1l4fa
Books by Peter Edward
The Prophecy Hoax is available as a Paperback and eBook.
Contemporary fiction novel. Psychological thriller. Emotionally driven characters become embroiled in a cyber scam that collides with an overdue cosmic event. Fast paced, multi-POV storytelling.
Meet the author
Peter Edward is a former advertising copywriter, creative director, brand strategist, commercial film director, festival director, problem solver, mentor, curator, facilitator and closet architect. The Second Coming is his first fiction novel. Peter’s heritage is Polish, both parents having arrived in Australia as post-war displaced persons. He lives off-grid in the high country of Tasmania in what he describes as a writer’s paradise. Peter’s interests include all things creative; all things outdoor, sustainable, and delicious; world affairs; and above all, family. Peter writes short stories and poetry and is currently working on his next novel.
‘Hi, I’m Peter Edward.
In my previous advertising career I used to ask a question to both clients and colleagues: what do you want to be when you grow up? When I retired (the first time) I asked myself the same question. My answer was succinct: I wanted to be an author.
My love of writing and creativity started at an early age. As a child I loved to draw and write stories in my head. It eventually became my career, albeit in a commercial capacity. The inspiration for becoming a literary writer came when I attended a writing course run by advertising contemporary Bryce Courtney. He was also a ‘late starter’ in literary writing. He was well into his fifties when he wrote his first novel The Power of One. I remember at that writing course he implored us to make a start, then and there. He also espoused that ‘character is plot’. It stuck and not long after I had the bones of a screenplay in my head. I called it The Second Coming (I later changed the title to The Prophecy Hoax). It went through various drafts and edits and then life and career got in the way. It sat untouched in a bottom drawer for twenty years. When I made my epiphany on my third-age career, I vowed to revisit the screenplay and turn it into a novel. I’m glad I did, as it is a much better novel than it was a screenplay. Age has improved my writing. More worldly perspectives have improved the character development and story narrative.
The Prophecy Hoax was initially inspired by the fear and apprehension surrounding the Millenium Bug, or Y2K. I thought, what if there was a cyber bug or virus released not out of malice but simply just for fun. And what if that virus tapped into society’s yearning for a saviour. And what if natural phenomena (some long overdue) gave validation to the virus.
Recent world events have played into the storyline and remind us of how easily people can be manipulated. How reliant we have become on electronic communication. Whether beliefs can be believed.
The Prophecy Hoax is part thriller, part psychological drama, part suspense and part love story. The characters are laid bare, exposing all their human faults and frailties, along with their ambitions. They will make you angry, make you cry, make you laugh, and perhaps make you question your own beliefs. I do hope you get some reading pleasure from The Prophecy Hoax.’
Contact
Peter likes to hear from readers so please feel free to make contact or leave a message.