Frederick Forsyth, 'Day of the Jackal' author, dies aged 86

Frederick Forsyth, the British author of The Day of the Jackal and other bestselling thrillers, has died after a brief illness, his literary agent said Monday. He was 86.

Jonathan Lloyd, his agent, said Forsyth died at home early Monday surrounded by his family.

"We mourn the passing of one of the world's greatest thriller writers," Lloyd said.

Forsyth published more than 25 novels, also including The Odessa File and The Dogs of War, and sold 75 million books around the world, he said. 

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