UK author and politician Jeffrey Archer dies aged 86

British author and politician Jeffrey Archer has passed away at the age of 86, according to HarperCollins, his publisher. Archer, famous for his best-selling novels and high-profile political career, died on Monday. Throughout his life, Archer sold over 300 million copies of his works worldwide, with his debut thriller Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less published in 1976 and Kane & Abel following shortly after. His final novel, Adam and Eve, was scheduled for release this month.

Before his literary career took off, Archer served as a lawmaker and rose to become a senior party official under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the mid-1980s. However, his career took a dramatic turn in 2001 when he was convicted of perjury and perverting the course of justice, resulting in a four-year prison sentence. Kate Elton, HarperCollins UK CEO and Archer's editor, expressed deep sorrow over his passing, describing him as a writer who has brought joy to generations of readers and a true friend.