He signed hundreds of books just a day before his death. What was Jeffrey Archer’s final novel?

British bestselling author Jeffrey Archer met fans and signed hundreds of books at a sold-out London event just a day before his death, with his final novel due to be published the following day.

Archer, who died peacefully at his home aged 86 on Monday, had been due to see the release of Adam & Eve on Tuesday, October 6. He had long described the book as his final novel.

His publisher HarperCollins said Archer attended the event on Sunday, October 4, where he met readers and signed hundreds of copies.

The author had spoken about Adam & Eve shortly before his death, telling PEOPLE that he believed it was the best book he had written, although he admitted he was “very nervous” about its release.

“When I finished, I said to my publisher, I think it’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” Archer said. “But, doesn’t every author think the last book they wrote is the best thing they’ve ever done?”

The novel marks the end of a writing career spanning five decades and more than 300 million books sold worldwide.

Archer's debut novel, Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less, was published in 1976. He went on to become one of Britain's most commercially successful authors, best known for Kane and Abel and the Clifton Chronicles series.

Kane and Abel is now published in 119 countries and 47 languages. Archer spent 14 years and five months on the Sunday Times bestseller lists and more than five years on the New York Times bestseller lists.

HarperCollins UK chief executive and Archer's editor, Kate Elton, described him as a “master storyteller and an editor’s dream”, saying his work had brought joy to generations of readers.

Archer is survived by his wife, Dame Mary Archer, their two sons, two granddaughters and three grandsons. The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary earlier this year.

The family has asked for privacy and encouraged fans to remember how much Archer was loved and how proud they were of him.