Andover Takes Centre Stage in Local Author’s Latest Crime Thriller

An Andover-born author has put his home town at the centre of a race to prevent a potentially deadly attack in the latest instalment of his crime thriller series.

Ian Borrett, who grew up in the Salisbury Road area of Andover and spent much of his working life in the town, has published Deadly Secrets, the third novel in his Jake Stone Investigations series.

The book sees private investigator Jake Stone drawn into a highly secretive investigation involving the security services, a suspected Russian sleeper agent and the threat of another Novichok attack.

While the story takes readers across Hampshire, it is Andover that provides the backdrop for the novel’s climax, with familiar locations including the railway station, High Street, Rooksbury Lakes and Gallaghers Copse all featuring.

For Ian, who has recently turned 63 and now lives in Micheldever, bringing the action to the town was particularly significant.

He said: “The stories are very Hampshire-based and Andover was featured briefly in the second book, so when I needed a location for this one it was ideal. I know it well, it’s close to Salisbury and Porton Down. Locals will be able to identify with the locations.”

Ian’s connections with Andover stretch back to his childhood. He attended Balksbury and later John Hanson School when it was based in Weyhill Road, before beginning his working life at Midland Bank in the High Street.

His memories of the town include nights at the former Country Bumpkin and even selling programmes for Andover FC at the Walled Meadow as a youngster.

After joining TSB Trust Company in 1986, Ian relocated to South Wales two years later before returning to the area in 1995. He subsequently worked at Charlton Place and Keens House for Lloyds until being made redundant in March this year.

Despite having thought about writing a novel for years, it was an unlikely source of inspiration that finally led him to put pen to paper.

Ian had a vivid dream which he believed could provide the opening to a crime novel. After telling a colleague about it at work the following day, she encouraged him to write it down before he forgot it.

The idea gradually developed and, in 2021, Ian took a three-month sabbatical from work to concentrate on writing. After completing an online course with an author, he eventually self-published his first novel in 2022.

His central character, private investigator Jake Stone, was deliberately created to be different from some of the familiar stereotypes of fictional detectives.

Ian explained that many fictional private investigators struggle with alcohol, relationships or their own personal demons, whereas he wanted Jake to initially be someone who was “in quite a good place”.

That soon changes.

During the first novel, Jake discovers that he was adopted as a young child, has a sister he never knew existed who wants him dead and that his biological father is a criminal who has spent years on the run in Europe.

As the series develops, Jake increasingly finds himself working alongside the secret services while putting himself in considerable danger. Running alongside the crime story is his developing relationship with Milly, a local radio presenter.

The latest novel, Deadly Secrets, takes inspiration from the 2018 Salisbury Novichok attack but creates an entirely fictional “what if?” scenario around it.

Jake is approached by a highly secretive offshoot of MI5 and MI6 to help investigate Billy Milburn, a Winchester deli owner suspected of being a Russian sleeper agent.

The fictional premise explores the possibility that not all of the Novichok involved in the original Salisbury incident was recovered and that some has remained hidden, ready to be used again.

As the plot unfolds, a race begins to prevent another attack – with events ultimately heading towards Andover.

Hampshire itself has become an important part of Ian’s writing. Jake Stone is based in the fictional town of Lymford, which Ian says is recognisable as being inspired by Lymington without being an exact recreation.

The New Forest, Winchester, Test Valley, Hampshire’s cities and its coastline have all provided inspiration, while Salisbury has also featured prominently.

Ian said characters in the novels are also often influenced by people he knows.

Self-publishing three novels has, however, taught him that finishing the manuscript is only part of the job.

He said: “The journey of writing is longer than you think. Everyone has a different approach and I tend to think out a basic outline of a plot and then let it develop as I write.”

After discovering how difficult securing a literary agent could be, Ian opted for self-publishing, giving him greater control over his work but also leaving him responsible for its promotion.

He added: “The downside is if you want to make money you have to promote heavily through social media and Amazon ads and hope it catches on.

“For me, I see it more as a hobby rather than something that will make my millions. I retain my sanity then!”

Whether Deadly Secrets will be the final outing for Jake Stone remains to be seen.

Ian says there will “probably” be another book, although he first needs to find the right plot. Hampshire is expected to continue playing a significant role, while the editor who assesses each of his completed manuscripts believes there is another Jake Stone story to tell.

For Ian, however, there is something particularly satisfying about seeing the town where he grew up become such an important part of his latest novel.

He said: “My first couple of books have been read by people I worked with who are local, and so it’s a thrill to think this one ends specifically around Andover as I’m not sure of another one that does that.

“I think it will hold the interest and puts a spotlight on the town.”

You can get the book from Amazon.