Herbert Edwin Harris was a freelance writer who is known primarily for his mystery and detective stories, though he also wrote in other genres, as well as humor, articles, and interviews. His first novel, Who Kill to Live, was published in 1962. He went on to write two novels based on the 1970s TV series Hawaii Five-O. His work was published in newspapers and magazines, often under a house pseudonym such as Frank Bury, Michael Moore, Peter Friday, Harris de Vere and Jerry Regan. He wrote thousands of short stories and articles, and held the Guinness World Record as the most prolific short story writer in the U.K.

Harris attended Clapham College. He began his writing career as a Fleet Street journalist and publicity man. During World War II, he served as a press officer for the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes. After the war, he worked for the Harrogate International Toy Fair.

Harris was a member of the Crime Writers' Association, and served as its chairman from 1969-1970. He founded the CWA's publication, Red Herrings, from 1956-1965, and edited the CWA's annual anthology.