Ian Burford

Author's page

Hi, I’m a new author and the creator of the Andrew Harrison series.

After leaving the Army and spending many years working in the technical sector, I finally decided to put pen to paper. The result is my first book, RED217.

I live on Portland with my wife, Susan, and our two dogs. I am currently deep in the writing process for the next book in the series, Reactivated, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

RED217

RED217 A Deadly Secret. A Race Against Time. A Weapon That Cannot Be Stopped. In the war-torn streets of Gaza, aid convoy driver Mike Bennett stumbles upon a terrifying anomaly: 144 stolen water bottles, 140 deaths from a haemorrhagic illness that claims lives with ruthless efficiency.

When Mike teams up with private security contractor Andrew “Harry” Harrison and brilliant immunologist Myah Willis to investigate, they uncover a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of power. The trio discovers “RED217,” a genetically engineered bioweapon designed to target specific DNA markers, turning a harmless virus into a lethal executioner. Orchestrated by the shadowy Michael Letbourne, the project is a “murder-for-hire” service for governments and corporations seeking to erase opposition without a trace.

From the ruins of Rafah to the corridors of Whitehall, the team is hunted by professional assassins as they race to expose the truth. With a new, massive deployment planned for the United States, Harry must navigate a web of betrayal and violence to stop a genocide before it begins. But in a world where water can kill and trust is a luxury, how far will Harry go to ensure justice is served?.

"Just when I thought I had it figured out, the ground shifted. Smart, sharp, and absolutely electric writing. A masterclass in storytelling."

Marcus Thorne

Seattle, USA

"A rare gem that actually lives up to the hype. The characters are so real they feel like people you know, and the ending will stay with you long after you close the book."

Priya Patel

Croydon, UK

"The plot twist didn’t just turn the story upside down—it shattered it. I pride myself on guessing endings, but this one blindsided me completely. Absolute genius."

Elena Weber

Birmingham, UK

MY WORK

Behind the Book: The Origins of Red217

The spark for Red217 ignited at the intersection of two very different worlds: the terrifying potential of genetic modification and the harrowing realities of the conflicts in Syria and Gaza. I wanted to explore what happens when cutting-edge science meets the desperation of modern warfare.

What began as a way to fill newfound free time quickly evolved into an obsession; once the characters took shape, I couldn’t stop writing. Now, I am discovering that the first draft was just the starting line. As I navigate the complexities of editing and publishing, I’m excited to share this journey with you.

Novel

Available Soon

Collected Stories

My Current Project

MY BOOKS

After RED217 I felt that Harry had more of a story to be told and so I started to work on Reactivated.

Andrew Harrison thought he was done with the shadows. He was wrong.

Reactivated by the Accord to investigate a series of impossible assassinations, Harry uncovers a terrifying truth: a rogue conspiracy is turning innocent people into weapons using the mind-altering drug Sereleyne.

From the streets of Berlin to the high-rises of Los Angeles, the hunt is on. But when the trail leads to the very top of British Intelligence, the hunter becomes the hunted. With a “Mandatory Kill” order on his head and democracy on the brink, Harry must expose the Founders Trust before he is silenced for good.