- Prolific British author Len Deighton, best known for his spy thrillers, has died at the age of 97.
- His debut novel, The Ipcress File, published in 1962, launched his career and was famously adapted into a 1965 film starring Michael Caine, and later an ITV series.
- Deighton's gritty and realistic portrayal of espionage offered a stark contrast to the glamorous James Bond series, influencing the spy genre alongside authors like John le Carré.
- His extensive bibliography includes the Bernard Samson series, World War II novels such as Bomber and SS-GB, and historical non-fiction.
- Beyond fiction, Deighton was also a food correspondent and author of several cookbooks, including Len Deighton’s Action Cook Book, credited with popularising French cuisine and encouraging men to cook.
IN FULL
Len Deighton death: Bestselling spy thriller author, who also taught men how to cook, dies aged 97
