The Ipcress File spy author dies aged 97 after prolific career

WorldFood
17 Mar 2026 • 8:04 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • 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.

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