Split Second (Split Second, Book 1)

From New York Times bestselling author Douglas E. Richards, comes SPLIT SECOND, a science fiction thriller with a stunningly unique take on time travel, where traveling fractions of a second back in time can change the fate of humanity.

"Richards is an extraordinary writer!"--Dean Koontz

"Richards is a worthy successor to Michael Crichton." --SF Book.com

"Will keep you turning the pages all night long." --Douglas Preston

A stunningly original twist on time travel from the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, Douglas E. Richards!

What if you found a way to send something back in time? But not weeks, days, or even minutes back. What if you could only send something back a fraction of a second? Would this be of any use? You wouldn't have nearly enough time to right a wrong, change an event, or win a lottery.

Nathan Wexler is a brilliant physicist who thinks he's found a way to send matter a split second back into the past. But before he can even confirm his findings, he and his wife-to-be, Jenna Morrison, find themselves in a battle for their very lives. Because while time travel to an instant earlier seems useless, Jenna comes to learn that no capability in history has ever been more profound or far-reaching.

Now, as Jenna fights to defeat the powerful forces arrayed against her, nothing less than the fate of humanity hangs in the balance . . .

SPLIT SECOND is a roller-coaster ride of a thriller, one that will have readers pondering the nature of time, and of reality, long after they've read the last page.

Michael Crichton's Timeline meets Peter Cline's The Fold !

For fans of Michael Crichton, Tom Clancy, Lee Child, Douglas Preston, Blake Crouch (Dark Matter, Recursion), Gillian McAllister (Wrong Place, Wrong Time), Nick Jones (The Joseph Bridgeman series), A.G. Riddle (Lost in Time, Quantum Radio), Patrick Lee (the Travis Chase series), Jack Finney (Time and Again, From Time to Time), The Man Who Saw Seconds (Alexander Boldizar), Lightning (Dean Koontz), The Fold (Peter Clines), and The Third Rule of Time Travel (Philip Fracassi).

Author: Douglas E. Richards
Publisher: Aethon: Vault
Published: 04/14/2026
Pages: 384
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.15lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.30w x 1.40d
ISBN: 9781638493211


Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 12/26/2025 pg. 1

About the Author
Douglas E. Richards is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of science fiction thrillers that have sold more than three million copies (see list below). Richards has been celebrated for his gripping, thought-provoking works that blend cutting-edge scientific concepts with heart-pounding narratives.

Richards burst onto the literary scene with his debut novel, WIRED, published in 2010. The novel garnered widespread acclaim for its ingenious combination of scientific speculation and thrilling storytelling. This success set the stage for a series of bestselling novels, each marked by meticulous research, riveting plots, and characters that resonate with readers.

Known for his ability to translate complex scientific concepts into accessible and engaging narratives, Richards has become a go-to author for readers seeking an intellectually stimulating and adrenaline-fueled reading experience. His works delve deeply into the ethical dilemmas posed by scientific breakthroughs and the potential impact of technology on society.

A former Director of Biotechnology Licensing at Bristol Myers Squibb and a former biotechnology executive, Richards earned a BS in microbiology from the Ohio State University, a master's degree in genetic engineering from the University of Wisconsin--where he engineered mutant viruses now named after him--and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

The author has two grown children and lives in San Diego, California, with his wife and dog.

Richards loves hearing from readers, and always replies, so feel free to write to him at douglaserichards1 at gmail dot com, and address him as "Doug". You can also Friend Richards on Facebook at Douglas E. Richards Author, or visit his website, where you can sign up to be notified of new releases.