Spy Writer Tom Clancy, Author Of 'The Hunt For Red October,' Dies Aged 66

Tom Clancy, the best-selling American spy fiction author, has passed away in a Baltimore hospital aged 66. The Maryland-born writer became famous for his detailed tales of espionage and thrilling adventures created through gripping military storyline. His 17th and last novel will be published post-humously, with Commander Authority due out in December.

"Tom Clancy was an extraordinary author with a gift for creating detailed, engrossing fictional stories that captivated audiences around the world," said video games company Ubisoft, via Facebook. As well as being a talented author, Clancy was also closely associated with the world of video gaming, founding Red Storm Entertainment in 1990 which was then purchased by Ubisoft.

The company developed games based on Clancy's ideas and popular titles Splinter Cell, Ghost Recon and Rainbow Six were developed. Ubisoft added, "We are humbled by the opportunity to carry on part of his legacy through our properties that bear his name."

Clancy's typically detailed tales of espionage came under caution when, in a 2003 interview, CNN presenter Wolf Blitzer suggested Clancy's precise accounts of the US military techniques were giving away secrets to terrorists. Clancy replied with "I never got any fan mail from Osama bin Laden, and I don't really know how many books I sold in Afghanistan. You have to talk to the marketing people about that. But I'm not really concerned about it."

"To publish a Tom Clancy book was a thrill every time," praised Ivan Held, president of Penguin imprint G P Putnam's Sons.

Clancy is survived by his wife Alexandra.