Jeffrey Archer: A collection of interviews and book reviews

Jeffrey Archer, the best-selling author and British politician, passed away “suddenly and peacefully at his home,” on October 5, 2026, according to a statement by his publisher HarperCollins. He was 86.HarperCollins’ U.K. CEO and Mr Archer’s editor, Kate Elton, said in a ⁠statement: “We’re all devastated to have ⁠lost a writer who has brought joy to ‌generations of readers - and a true friend.” The writer was due to appear at the Cheltenham Literary Festival this week to discuss “Adam and Eve”, which he described as his final novel after 50 years of storytelling. It is due to be published on Tuesday (October 6, 2026).Mr Archer, who was jailed for lying in a high-profile libel case, led a life as colourful as the characters in his novels, which sold over 300 million copies, according to his website. The author was known for pacy thrillers like his 1976 debut “Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less” and 1979’s “Kane & Abel”, which he followed up with “The Prodigal Daughter” in 1982.Scandal-ridden political lifeDespite his literary legacy, Jeffrey Archer’s political life was rife with scandal. In 1987, Mr Archer sued the Daily Star tabloid newspaper for saying he had paid a woman for sex, winning £500,000 in damages. In 1999, the case resurfaced after he was selected as the Conservative candidate to become London’s first elected mayor. A former friend accused him of lying, and Mr Archer was eventually charged with perjury and sentenced to four years of imprisonment. He served two years. But none of this dented his image as a literary icon. His books were sold in 119 countries and spent a total of five and a half years on New York Times bestseller lists.The Hindu has followed Mr Archer’s oeuvre extensively over the years, featuring interviews and reviews of his books. The author made multiple trips to Chennai over the years to promote his various books.(With inputs from Reuters) Published - October 06, 2026 12:37 pm IST