Split Second (Split Second, 1) MP3 CD – MP3 Audio, August 30, 2016

Richard's first time travel novel is as full of unpredictable twists and turns as his other works. Everything that happens accurately follows the logic of the science that he lays out.Spoiler alert! I'm going to give away one twist in the plot that comes well into the story. but in fairness, I can't give my critique without revealing this plot twist. So if you don't want to see the spoiler, don't continue with the next paragraph!So it turns out that sending something back in time for only a split-second is only useful (in the story) as a duplicator and/or transporter. The process is compared to the Star Trek transporter and it states that when Captain Kirk is transported somewhere, his original body is DESTROYED and re-created in a new location. Most viewers of the show never saw it that way, but many scientists believe that if such a transporter were real, it would have to work that way. The split-second time machine in Richard's story transports a copy of the person inside the machine to a new location, but leaves the original behind. The villain in the story believes that the original person left behind must be instantly incinerated to prevent having two people exactly the same. And voila, it works just like the Star Trek transporter. He envisions transporting people just about anywhere -- to the corner grocery store, to the surface of a planet, or even to send a Seal Six team into Kim Jong Un's bedroom to steal his original body and leave a copy behind while he sleeps under sedative. The original is sent to secret interrogation, and the copy thinks he is still the real Kim Jung Un when he wakes and never knows that anything ever happened. Sounds great doesn't it. Just one problem ... how would the transported people get back? The Star Trek transporter works BOTH ways, but this split-second transporter does not. The guy transported could say "Beam me up, Scottie" all he wants, but it will never happen because he doesn't have a split-second machine there with him. Sure, it's possible that a smaller version of the spit-second machine could be crammed inside the original along with the people transported. They could use it to get back, but it would stay behind, and how could THAT be explained?However, in this novel the villain never gets a chance to try any of these things, so this one flaw in the logic never comes up. I love the story in all other respects. I'm looking forward to reading the next one in the series. If this mystery gets explained in that one, I'll return to edit this review and give it a full 5 stars.I did read the next book in the Split Second series, and as promised I have changed my review to 5 stars. Richards does satisfactorily explain how the time machine / transporter can be used by nesting the kettles (as they are now called to honor an Isaac Asimov time-travel novel ). In the new story they even launch mission to replace Kim Jong-Un much like the one I described above. 😊

Enjoyed the fabric of the adventure. Good plot and very good character development. Lots of twists and turns throughout that keep you guessing, not only as to where the story will lead you next, but also who can be trusted.Add the concept of time travel to all this, and you have a really good story. I like science that may be fiction but presented in a realistic, logical manner. It's believable. And the philosophic issues related to time travel are also woven in to the adventure.The author has written a work that most anyone who likes science fiction, a good mystery, or just the possibility of future technology would enjoy.I gave this a four star rating only because of my personal bias toward wanting more detail in the thoughts and emotions of the characters. Very enjoyable read.To be accurate, a 4.5 star would be closer to my overall review.

SPLIT SECONDEinstein once stated that time's only purpose was so that everything didn't happen at once. A discussion of such thought provoking ideas as this are a central element in the plot of this action thriller by Douglas Richards, the plots of whose books always involve an investigation of some leading edge scientific theory/discovery/hypothesis. The author writes what I think is best described as speculative scientific fiction, stories whose protagonists are involved in some seemingly inexplicable and often mind bending situations that build on and extend scientific concepts whose explication is gradually introduced into the story as it proceeds. Readers such as I, whom are always delighted to be informed as well as entertained by their thrillers, whether about science, spy tradecraft, politics, weaponry, history, psychology or any other interesting topic, should found this and Richard's other books hugely enjoyable. However, readers who want non-stop escapist action with simple plot lines and heroes with white hats and villains with black hats often seem to view Richard’s books as slow moving and the voluminous scientific information as a distraction, even though it always gradually woven into his stories as an integral element of the plot and in a manner which I find enlightening and thought provoking.This story opens with Jenna Morrison returning to San Diego to be reunited with her fiancé, the brilliant Nathan Wexler who informs her that he believes that he may have made a scientific breakthrough of Nobel Prize magnitude. Almost immediately, their reunion celebration is interrupted and so begins a terrifying series of events which will literally bewilder them at times, almost constantly place their lives in danger, and in fact cause them to question reality itself and learn that they can trust no one. In some ways, they are in a race against time without Jenna even having had time to learn the nature of Nathan’s discovery before they are separated by an horrific event. The storyline cannot be discussed in any detail without including spoilers, so I will not engage in further discussion in this review. Several other characters are integral to the story, and the skills of Aaron Blake easily rival those of many of the main characters in several of the best seller action/adventure thrillers. The conclusion of the story raises several interesting philosophical issues, but there is no in depth analysis of them although the idea of an idiocracy (yes, there is such a movie) and its potential implications play a central role in explaining the clash of ideas at the center of the story. I do want to emphasize that the narrative was enhanced by several very clever and well thought plot twists (in addition to the frequent surprises), most of which I did not anticipate.The author’s discussion notes at the conclusion are interesting and provide several references for investigating the central scientific concepts for any readers interested in further study.Highly recommended! Based on his recent novels, Douglas Richard's has recently emerged as one of my favorite thriller writers.

Well paced narrative, with an unpretentious action oriented style.Attractive characters.Multiple plot twists.Leaves you wanting more.Recommend for those who like decent Science Fiction with a Jason Bourne twist.

The main characters were so well written and hard to not root for from the start, I was hooked and couldn't put the book down. Another amazing page turner.

The book has no space flight or galaxy fight, still it is an excellent science fiction. The story actually emphasis on time travel, but only some microsecond. Time travel is well used subject for science fiction, still writer excellently open a completely new front and he perfectly attach time travel with dark energy of the universe. Most climatic part is this microsecond time travel can change the civilization and universe. Scientific explanation is little bit vague, that is why it is just remain as fiction. Writer use the existing location and existing architecture, so book become really interesting. Character development is amazing, every character is unique. But like many other book it has its own fault too. Some faults are 1. After initial excitement the story become just like typical American thriller. Same warmongering, same defense against terrorism, same arrogance. 2. The scientific explanation are not at all up to the mark. The writer start with physics and mathematical discovery, but lost with the development of story. 3. End is not at all final, so writer may thinking for sequel. Still it is a great book with mixture of science fiction and thriller. The book is fast, sot reading is really enjoying.

That's it. An outstanding plot, well written. The facts, characters and pace are on time and the story goes on in a way that you can't even dare to blink your eyes. To be honest one of the best and creative storytelling involving time travel. Highly recommend this book.

If you're into SciFi and time travel, then this is a book you can't leave out. The gripping story has so many twists and turns that you won't want to stop reading. It would make a stunning film too that gets your blood racing. Excellent read and I will be catching up on the author's other books as soon as possible. Definitely earns the 'Bestseller' title.