Split Decision By: Andrew Harding

Split Decision

 By: Andrew Harding
(Book 1 of the Hybrid Series) 

As you may, or may not already know, I ready the book “Wet Daddy" first, which is book one to this series titled: “The Hybrid Series.” That book was book 4 of the series, and now here I am reading book one, obviously out of order. Therefore, if that gives you a heads up about these books, and if they are capable of being read as a stand-alone, I think it can be done. However, if you do that, as I have done, maybe an after thought might be to re-read them afterwards in order, if you feel you need to.

I want to start off as I always do, by stating that I truly find the cover of ‘Split Decision’ appealing to the eye. It makes a call to you to open it, and claim it as your own, and desire to read it, one of those eerie kinds of books that give you the concern to want to know what’s in store for you.

Then I want to tell you, as always, Mr. Harding did not fail my desires with this book. As usual, I had to keep turning the pages, and keep reading until the book was done. This man truly knows how to keep you drawn in, and not wanting to put a book down. And the way I picture his books, as I think anyone would agree with me, his writings would make the most thrilling movies of all time! I can honestly see this as an excellent, on the edge of your seat kind of movie, that I think people would enjoy. That is why, once again, I give another one of Mr. Harding’s books five stars. The writing, the story lines, the characters are just truly irresistible!

The character of Alli, (Alison Grey) is helping Harvey Burgess hunt down a deranged killer. Although, their meeting was by accident, the two are now working together to find and rid the world of this insanity before it is too late. While in the process of doing so, Alli’s own psychic abilities start to awaken. Alli hadn’t planned for this, nor had she even wanted it. But the thing is, what she see’s and feels, are all too shocking, and even revealing.

This man is murdering while at large, trying to erase his own memories of his childhood, by actually thinking that killing others will resolve his own issues.

This book is written for adults, purely not intended for children. There is adult content throughout this book. So, read with caution. If you yourself do not like this kind of read, then this book is not for you. Please be advised.

Again, as I stated, this book is a definite five star read. I found it to be very realistic. I am a Criminal Justice Major, and I love horror and gore, and this book truly was my cup of tea. I loved every page and will proudly go onto my next book written by Mr. Harding! I hope you will check out his work too!

My questions for Mr. Harding:

1. What made you write this book and how long did it take you?

Just before I finished Parity, Bk3 in The Spirit Trilogy, my sister said I should write a book with more grit to it. She was surprised when she read Split Decision, Bk1 in The Hybrid Series, saying she didn’t think I’d go that far and well done for crossing a hurdle of boundaries. It took three weeks to lay down the first draft.


2. Do you have any photos or descriptions of the characters?

No, I don’t really describe my characters, letting the reader picture them in their own mind.

As they’re fictional characters I don’t have photos, although I do see them in my head like a film as I write.


3. What motivates you to write?

It has to be the joy of being pain free for a few hours at a stretch. When my mind is focused on something beyond my first round of meds, they work faster, transporting me to the world I’m writing in, and not locked into the extra little treat MS has thrown at me. For the last two months I haven’t been able to take a step, or lift either hand above my shoulders, without severe pain down my left side and that’s after two rounds of steroids. I probably caused it, doing something in the garden 6 months ago, which of course I’ve forgotten about, so it’s pointless trying to work out what the hell it was. It’ll slowly settle down and move onto something else, as that’s the nature of the beast I’ve dealt with for the past twenty years. So, writing is my drug of preference that takes the edge off for me – works better than weed any day of my week!

4. Did you ever plan on becoming a writer when you were younger?

I had little chance when I was younger. I was just ten when I sat the 11+ exam (my August birthday, sitting in the middle of the school summer break denoted as much), a stipulation then in the UK for every pupil in the land, to see who could gain entrance to higher education.

I was made aware much later, the man who’d sat with us as our invigilator for that exam, read my finished English paper, while we started on the Maths.  He’d told my Head Master, if I didn’t get in, it wouldn’t be because of my English, it was brilliant. I’m going back to 1960 here, and if I planned on anything it was to get out alive from very dysfunctional parents. Writing a book’s crossed my mind throughout my life, but earning a crust always took preference as my order book was always full, months in advance.  

5. What are your hobbies?

Painting, drawing, craftwork and making things with my hands. Gardening and growing most of what I eat gives me a good diet with as little added chemicals as possible, essential for anyone living with MS. I’m just fortunate to have a large garden, but after doing something that started all this pain, I’ll get someone in to help with any heavy work in the summer. I’m not chancing this route again...


6. What all education have you had?

Nothing special like a university education; offered to our older sibling, and because they declined it like the plague, the rest of us were written off.

Stored in my bedroom, when I was growing up, was an old Singer treadle sewing machine. Any time I couldn’t go out, I played with it and got it working again. When I finished school, and knowing I could work a sewing machine, I bought a large bag of scrap leather and suede. I hired an industrial sewing machine, on a similar treadle base, cutting down on noise in my attic flat, and over next few days I turned that bag of scrap into a wearable garment that sold the next day.

From that first small scale venture, and after a few years of hard work, I was the proprietor of 5 leather shops, in and around Bournemouth, manufacturing and making to measure anything customers wanted to wear as well as supplying a few department stores. That’s how I knew the lay of the land, writing The Spirit Trilogy, although the council that run things down there now have really trashed the centre of the town. My sister and I returned a few years back and I truly wish I hadn’t.
When the bottom dropped out of the leather market, in the mid 70’s, I turned my hand to upholstery overnight, using the same methods they’ve used for centuries, not staples and foam, like today.

7. What are you working on now?

I’ve copied this from my last interview, Deneale, as I’m no further along with any of it. Hopefully, over the next couple of weeks, this pain will dwindle and I can concentrate properly again.

I’m nearing the end of ‘Oedema’, the sequel to the Spirit Trilogy. I always felt the story was unfinished and the characters have been screaming to be heard since it was published. I’m writing it to shut them up, once and for all – I hope!

The Dint Finder, Bk1 Vault, is my first dystopian thriller and will be published very soon. I’ve also written the first chapter of a new detective book ‘Cain’. Is he insane? Who the hell knows? Not me, yet.

8. What is your favorite thing about being a writer?

Apart from everything I mention in question 3, there is so much more. Not only the fact I can spin a yarn with conviction that people enjoy reading, but I’ve learned a great deal about the writing craft itself. The most important thing for me is bringing characters to life on the page with words that show every flaw, passion, sadness and most of all what makes them tick. No, they’re not all human but that makes no difference to me – they all have their odd little quirks. Their differing skilled assets blend perfectly in each team, foreseeing pitfalls on their mission to catching the worst criminals imaginable. That tonnage of research I apply to every book, I find fascinating – never begrudged.


9. Have you yourself met any other authors?

No, only on social media and have had more help than I thought possible from other authors.

10. Have you ever met any of your fans?

Yes, the ones who live locally.

11. Who is your favorite writer of all time?

Steven King, although I have a very strange choice in reading matter. The weirder the better, for me.

12. Please share with us your social media and book links:

I have 2 accounts on Twitter: @AndrewHarding4 and @HybridSeries

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrew.harding.5059

My UK author page on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Andrew-Harding/e/B0097OEGD2/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

My USA author page on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Andrew-Harding/e/B0097OEGD2/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Smashwords : https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/474231

My Website: http://www.ahardingbooks.co.uk/

13. Anything you’d like to add: Thank you so much for reading Split Decision and giving me this opportunity of a review and interview, Deneale. It’s much appreciated.

Split Decision by Andrew Harding
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As you may, or may not already know, I ready the book “Wet Daddy’ first, which is book one to this series titled: “The Hybrid Series.” That book was book 4 of the series, and now here I am reading book one, obviously out of order. Therefore, if that gives you a heads up about these books, and if they are capable of being read as a stand-alone, I think it can be done. However, if you do that, as I have done, maybe an after thought might be to re-read them afterwards in order, if you feel you need to.

I want to start off as I always do, by stating that I truly find the cover of ‘Split Decision’ appealing to the eye. It makes a call to you to open it, and claim it as your own, and desire to read it, one of those eerie kinds of books that give you the concern to want to know what’s in store for you.

Then I want to tell you, as always, Mr. Harding did not fail my desires with this book. As usual, I had to keep turning the pages, and keep reading until the book was done. This man truly knows how to keep you drawn in, and not wanting to put a book down. And the way I picture his books, as I think anyone would agree with me, his writings would make the most thrilling movies of all time! I can honestly see this as an excellent, on the edge of your seat kind of movie, that I think people would enjoy. That is why, once again, I give another one of Mr. Harding’s books five stars. The writing, the story lines, the characters are just truly irresistible!

The character of Alli, (Alison Grey) is helping Harvey Burgess hunt down a deranged killer. Although, their meeting was by accident, the two are now working together to find and rid the world of this insanity before it is too late. While in the process of doing so, Alli’s own psychic abilities start to awaken. Alli hadn’t planned for this, nor had she even wanted it. But the thing is, what she see’s and feels, are all too shocking, and even revealing.

This man is murdering while at large, trying to erase his own memories of his childhood, by actually thinking that killing others will resolve his own issues.

This book is written for adults, purely not intended for children. There is adult content throughout this book. So, read with caution. If you yourself do not like this kind of read, then this book is not for you. Please be advised.

Again, as I stated, this book is a definite five star read. I found it to be very realistic. I am a Criminal Justice Major, and I love horror and gore, and this book truly was my cup of tea. I loved every page and will proudly go onto my next book written by Mr. Harding! I hope you will check out his work too!

View all my reviews