United Kingdom, March 17 -- Spy thriller writer Len Deighton has died aged 97.

The influential bestselling author, whose debut 1962 novel The Ipcress File was adapted into a film of the same name three years later staring Sir Michael Caine, passed away over the weekend.

His literary agent Tim Bates confirmed to the BBC that Deighton died on Sunday (15.03.26), but no cause of death has been given.

He added to The Independent newspaper: "Len was a Titan.

"He was not only one of the greatest spy and thriller writers of the 20th century but also one of our greatest writers in any genre."

As well as serving in the Royal Air Force, Deighton studied art, and spent time working as a pastry chef, flight attendant and waiter.

He eventually fo...