Renowned British novelist Jeffrey Archer departs at 86

London: British novelist and former Conservative politician Jeffrey Archer, whose bestselling career made him one of the world’s most widely read authors despite a dramatic political downfall, has died aged 86.

Archer died suddenly and peacefully at his home on Monday, October 5, according to his publisher HarperCollins. He reportedly died between writing sessions, having remained professionally active until the end of his life. Just a day earlier, he had appeared at a sold-out London event, where he signed books and discussed his final novel with broadcaster Gyles Brandreth.

His death comes just as Adam and Eve, the final novel of his five-decade literary career, is set to be released. Archer sold more than 300 million books worldwide, with his works reaching readers in 119 countries. His best-known titles include Kane & Abel, Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less and the Clifton Chronicles.

Born in London in 1940, Archer entered politics before establishing himself as a major novelist. He became a Conservative MP in 1969 and later served as deputy chairman of the party under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. He was subsequently made a life peer and entered the House of Lords.

His political career was badly damaged by a perjury case stemming from a libel action against the Daily Star. Convicted of perjury and perverting the course of justice in 2001, he was sentenced to four years in prison and served two before being released in 2003. He eventually returned to the House of Lords and retired from Parliament in 2024.

Archer leaves behind a literary legacy shaped by extraordinary commercial success and a life that repeatedly made headlines beyond the pages of his books.