Bestselling author Jeffrey Archer has died at the age of 86. The novelist and prominent British politician passed away at his home. Archer, who sold over 300 million copies of his books, was a friend of Princess Diana and a former member of Parliament.
Known for novels such as Kane and Abel (1979), The Prodigal Daughter (1982) and Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less (1976), among several others, Archer leaves behind a vast literary legacy. He died before the release of his final novel, Adam & Eve, which is scheduled to be published on October 13.
HarperCollins announced his death on Monday, saying he died suddenly and peacefully at home. In 2014, the writer had revealed that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The exact cause of his death has not been disclosed.
“It is with great sadness that HarperCollins announces that bestselling author Jeffrey Archer, Lord Archer of Weston-Super-Mare, died suddenly and peacefully at home today, aged 86, between writing sessions,” the publisher said in a statement, as per PEOPLE.
A storyteller who kept readers hooked
Through his fiction, Archer held readers around the world with plots full of unexpected twists and unforgettable characters. Over a career spanning five decades, he wrote novels on themes ranging from betrayal and murder mysteries to family drama and politics, though he was most widely loved for his fiction.
A day before his death, Archer met fans and signed hundreds of books at a sold-out event in London.
Tributes from friends and fans
News of his death has shocked fans and followers across the world, and friends and readers expressed their grief soon after it broke.
Gyles Brandreth shared that he and Archer had spent a wonderful day together the previous day. One user wrote, “I can’t believe that Jeffrey Archer – who was always so alive – is suddenly dead. We had a wonderful day together yesterday – as anyone who was there will tell you, he was in brilliant form on stage yesterday celebrating the publication of his 50th and final best-selling novel.”
Another user wrote, “My favourite author is no more! Got introduced to him by our English teacher in high school who narrated a short story written by him. Later in college read almost all the books written by him. Not too much masala like Sidney Sheldon. Quite gripping stories. #JeffreyArcher” Archer is survived by his wife, Dame Mary Archer, and their two sons.
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