Guwahati, Oct. 6 -- British author and former Conservative politician Jeffrey Archer, whose bestselling novels sold more than 300 million copies worldwide, has died at the age of 86, his publisher HarperCollins said.

Archer died "suddenly and peacefully" at his home on Monday, reportedly while working between writing sessions. His editor, Kate Elton, described him as a "master storyteller" and praised him as an exceptional writer to work with.

Archer was scheduled to appear at the Cheltenham Literary Festival this week to discuss Adam and Eve, which he had described as his final novel after five decades as a writer. The book was due to be published on Tuesday.

The author had reportedly attended a book-signing event in London on Sunday....