Born in Ashford, Kent in 1938, Frederick Forsyth was a RAF pilot, a journalist, and a novelist known for his exciting stories of international intrigue.
Sadly, Forsyth passed away on June 9, 2025, at the age of 86.
From 1956 to 1958, Forsyth served as a pilot in Britain’s Royal Air Force, an experience from which he gathered inspiration for some of his novels. In 1961, he began working as a journalist for Reuters and later for the BBC.
Forsyth covered the attempted assassination of Charles de Gaulle, which would become the inspiration for his first novel, The Day of the Jackal. He also reported on, and worked as a spy during, the Nigerian Civil War.
Forsyth employed the inside knowledge he gathered in the military and as a journalist reporting on international affairs to create especially realistic and engaging thrillers.
Many of Forsyth’s novels have been adapted into films and he is a CWA Diamond Dagger Award winner. He has left an indelible mark on the thriller genre, and he will be greatly missed.
In honor of the late, great author, we have compiled this list of some of Frederick Forsyth's bestselling novels to be enjoyed in his honor.
The Day of the Jackal
Frederick Forsyth’s first ever novel, The Day of the Jackal, tells the story of The Jackal, a professional assassin hired by the OAS to kill one of the most protected men in the world: Charles de Gaulle, the president of France.
Directly inspired by his journalistic work, Forsyth expanded on the historic details of the plot with a thrilling tale of intrigue.
This book was adapted into the classic 1973 Fred Zinnemann film of the same name and a recent Peacock series starring Eddie Redmayne.
The Biafra Story
This is the non-fiction, journalistic account of the Nigerian Civil War, as seen on the ground by Forsyth. In this brave book, Forsyth exposed the extent of the British involvement in the conflict.
Written in Forsyth’s signature perceptive and bold style, this book is a compelling and harrowing story of the realities of war and the impact of foreign intervention.
Dogs of War: A Spy Thriller
Using his knowledge gathered from observing the civil war in Nigeria, this book tells the story of the fictional African country of Zangaro, a land rich in platinum ore.
In order to get access to the valuable mineral, a business tycoon is determined to topple the government of the nation and establish a friendlier puppet regime.
He hires mercenaries to get the job done, and soon a bloody battle of betrayal and revenge has begun.
The Phantom of Manhattan
Forsyth turns his attention to Gaston Leroux's timeless novel The Phantom of the Opera with this continuation of the original story.
Set in the evocative world of turn-of-the-century Manhattan, this unmatched work of historical fiction picks up over 20 years after the events of Leroux’s classic, but the saga continues, ripe with old loves and challenges.
The Veteran
This book contains five suspenseful stories of murder, justice, and revenge. From war-torn 16th century Siena to an international drug-smuggling mission to a scam in the opulent world of art, these stories each contain compelling action and plenty of nail-biting suspense.
The Shepherd
In this gripping story, an RAF pilot is heading home from West Germany in his fighter jet when the plane begins to fail and an incoming fog depletes any hope for survival.
As the pilot’s hopes dwindle, a second plane appears to shepherd him to a safe landing. As he follows the guide, the pilot soon finds himself engulfed in a mystery.
Featured photo: Wikipedia
