Frederick Forsyth, the acclaimed author celebrated for his gripping political thrillers, has passed away at the age of 86, according to a statement from his publisher.
“We mourn the passing of one of the world’s greatest thriller writers,” said Jonathan Lloyd in tribute.
Forsyth, whose writing career spanned decades, authored over 25 novels and achieved worldwide sales exceeding 75 million copies. Among his most notable works are The Odessa File and The Dogs of War, both of which contributed to his status as a master of the genre.
READ ALSO: Why family buried Mike Ejeagha within 24 hours after death
Publisher Bill Scott-Kerr praised Forsyth’s enduring impact: “Still read by millions across the world, Freddie’s thrillers define the genre and are still the benchmark to which contemporary writers aspire. He leaves behind a peerless legacy which will continue to excite and entertain for years to come.”
Born in Ashford, Kent in 1938, Forsyth initially served as a pilot in the Royal Air Force before pursuing journalism. He worked as a foreign correspondent for both Reuters and the BBC. In 2015, he revealed that he had spent more than two decades working covertly for MI6, the UK’s foreign intelligence service—a revelation that added intrigue to the already dramatic nature of his novels.
His journalistic background and experiences abroad often served as inspiration for the intricate and realistic plots in his books.
Forsyth rose to prominence with his debut novel, The Day Of The Jackal, published in 1971 during a period of personal hardship. Reflecting on that time, he once remarked: “[I was] skint, in debt, no flat, no car, no nothing and I just thought, ‘How do I get myself out of this hole?’ And I came up with probably the zaniest solution – write a novel.”
The story, set in 1963, follows a British assassin hired to kill French President Charles de Gaulle. It captivated readers with its meticulous detail and suspense, quickly becoming a classic. The novel was adapted into a 1973 film featuring Edward Fox and later reimagined as a television drama starring Eddie Redmayne.
Forsyth died on Monday following a brief illness, his representatives confirmed.
“Only a few weeks ago I sat with him as we watched a new and moving documentary of his life – In My Own Words, to be released later this year on BBC One – and was reminded of an extraordinary life, well lived,” Lloyd shared.
“After serving as one of the youngest ever RAF pilots, he turned to journalism, using his gift for languages in German, French and Russian to become a foreign correspondent in Biafra.”
“Appalled at what he saw and using his experience during a stint as a Secret service agent, he wrote his first and perhaps most famous novel, The Day Of The Jackal, and instantly became a global bestselling author.”
Scott-Kerr, who worked closely with Forsyth, spoke warmly of their collaboration: “The flow of brilliant plots and ideas aside, he was the most professional writer an editor could hope for,” he said.
“His journalistic background brought a rigour and a metronomic efficiency to his working practice and his nose for and understanding of a great story kept his novels both thrillingly contemporary and fresh. It was a joy and an education to watch him at work.”
Following the success of The Day Of The Jackal, Forsyth published The Odessa File in 1972, which was adapted into a film starring Jon Voight. His 1984 bestseller The Fourth Protocol also received the cinematic treatment, with Michael Caine and Pierce Brosnan in leading roles.
Despite his advanced years, Forsyth remained active in the literary world. A sequel titled Revenge of Odessa, co-written with fellow thriller novelist Tony Kent, is set to be released this August.
Throughout his remarkable life, Forsyth fused his real-world adventures with compelling storytelling, crafting narratives that thrilled generations of readers and influenced countless writers. His legacy as a pioneer in the modern thriller genre remains unshakable.
