Jeffrey Archer, bestselling author of 300 million books, dies aged 86

British author and politician Jeffrey Archer passed away at the age of 86, his publisher HarperCollins confirmed. The bestselling author, whose novels have sold over 300 million copies globally, died peacefully at his residence on Monday. Kate Elton, HarperCollins UK's chief executive and Archer's editor, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of a "master storyteller and an editor's dream."

Archer is renowned for his novels, including "Kane and Abel" (1979) and his 1976 debut "Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less." His works have been published in 119 countries, with a combined five-and-a-half years on The New York Times bestseller list. His final novel, "Adam and Eve," is slated for publication on Tuesday, a day after his demise.

Archer had been scheduled to discuss his latest book at the Cheltenham Literature Festival this weekend. He was well-known in the UAE, having participated in the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature in Dubai and the Sharjah International Book Fair. Archer's political career began in 1969 when he became a Conservative MP. He served as deputy chairman of the Conservative Party under Margaret Thatcher, but his tenure was marred by scandal.

In 2001, he was convicted of perjury and perverting the course of justice after lying during a libel case against the Daily Star, serving two years of a four-year sentence. Following his release, Archer continued his writing career, releasing novels, short stories, and "A Prison Diary," a memoir of his prison experience. He made a final public appearance just a day before his death, engaging with hundreds of readers at a sold-out event at London's Leicester Square Theatre. Archer leaves behind his wife Mary and their two sons.