Andrew Harding delivers a seductive and compelling tale in his novel The Hybrid Series: Split Decision. After what appears to be an innocent meeting with Harvey Burgess, Alison Grey (Alli) is awoken to her own existence and the reality that awaits her. While aiding Harvey in his own detective work, her own psychic skills are brought to the fore, as they hunt for a deranged serial killer. The brutality of the murders display a merciless mind of the man at large, and one who will stop at nothing to relinquish the memories of a disturbed childhood that has ensured his quest for depravity. This book contains descriptions of scenes of an explicit sexual nature which are suitable for adults only. The contents are not suitable for readers under the age of eighteen years of age.
Traveling the world and hunting out antiques has given Andrew Harding a broad insight into the unravelling of the human mind. His fascination with the paranormal, supernatural and also crime has inspired him to cross boundaries and write this series of books. The people who have crossed his path have covered such a broad spectrum that he's realized that anything is possible, and that there are no barriers to the depravity that could be hidden beneath the surface.
What appears to be a fortuitous meeting with Harvey Burgess, Alison Grey (Alli) begins a relationship with him that will not only open the door to her emotions, but will unravel the very being of her own existence. As Harvey’s seemingly innocent approach in her life becomes even clearer, she aids him in his own detective work to track down a deranged and merciless serial killer, a man that shows little remorse as he continues his quest for brutality. Andrew Harding delivers a compelling and seductive tale in his novel ‘The Hybrid Series: Split Decision’, engrossing the mind with a world of eroticism and the hunt for a man that will stop at nothing to avenge his own demons that have haunted him throughout his childhood… and along with Alli’s psychic ability to track the killer down, lead to a compelling climax.
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!
Alli is a quiet, almost fragile, author suffering from blackouts and a trauma from her childhood that makes it hard for her to relate to people, including her boyfriend. On the day her boyfriend's accidental death, she meets Harvey, a police detective that seems to understand just what she is—a hybrid.
Alli, like Harvey, was attacked by a vampire as a child, but not turned, leaving her in a quasi-state with some of the vampires gifts, and Alli is quickly fearing just what she's doing during her blackouts—feeding on people. As she deals with the death of her boyfriend and the exploration of her powers, she finds a new life and someone who understands everything she is experiencing, like seeing the dead.
Drawn by their similar abilities, Alli and Harvey fall in love as she comes out of her shell, supported by the patient Harvey. As a serial killer strikes their town in England, Harvey enlists Alli's unique gifts to help the police track down the monster killing and dismembering children and their families. And looming over Alli's newfound life is the dread that she'll learn just what she does during her blackouts and it will take away her newfound happiness.
Split Decision is a slow burn. It spends a lot of time introducing you to the world, maybe a little too much time, before it really gets into the meat of the story, but the characters of Alli and Harvey are so sweet together that it pulls you through the setup. The writings great, though it is quite heavy on the British slang, so be prepared to Google. I had never heard the term 'off license' before and was utterly baffled by the sentence until a looked it up. Since the story is told in first person from almost entirely by Alli, that only helps to get into the character's head.
Now for the sex. It's hot, graphic, S&M sex. Alli and Harvey aren't fully human, and they make full use of that in the kinky sex that get into. Rubber play, body modifications, extended bondage sessions, and lots of vibrators, dildos, and butt plugs. Alli and Harvey take a very loving delight in taking each other to the edge of sex.
The book deals with a group of people, known as Hybrids, who have been bitten by vampires in the past but not fully turned. As a result they develop certain powers, not ageing, mind reading, the ability to see ghosts, etc.
The book carries two main themes, the work the main characters (Alison and Harvey) do for the police murder department, and their private lives, which involve a heavy dose of BDSM sex. As the book starts Alison is unaware of her powers and the reason for them, although she is aware she sees dead people and can talk to them. After the accidental death of her boyfriend she is taken under the wing of Harvey & his elderly friend Jenny (also a hybrid, but one who ages). With their assistance she starts to explore a new and different life, and her new powers.
I rated this as a 4* for 2 main reasons. I enjoyed the police / murder / thriller element of the book, but I felt that once the extent of the powers that Alison possesses were revealed it became a trifle predictable in the way the criminals were caught and interviewed, leading to confession and conviction. Nevertheless, this element of the plot moves quickly and cleanly, and springs some enjoyable surprises. There is an element of violence and the macabre, but this is not overdone.
The second reason for marking the book 4* was the extent to which, especially towards the end of the book, the BDSM started to take over the storyline. It felt to me as if the book couldn't decide whether it was a thriller or an erotica novel. As the hybrid protagonists cannot feel pain, the BDSM is extreme, and this book should certainly not be read by the faint of heart. The author takes the BDSM element of the story into extreme and unusual pathways. However, towards the end I felt it almost started to become stale, there are only so many permutations of rubber, leather, ropes, chains and hoists that can be employed.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book a lot, and hunted out the sequel.