"We are heartbroken"
Author Dame Hilary Mantel has sadly passed away at the age of 70.
The writer was best known for her books Wolf Hall and The Mirror & the Light.
Her publisher's 4th Estate Books announced her death on Twitter this morning.
They tweeted: "We are heartbroken at the death of our beloved author, Dame Hilary Mantel.
https://twitter.com/4thEstateBooks/status/1573254617990938626
"Our thoughts are with her friends and family, especially her husband, Gerald."
"This is a devastating loss and we can only be grateful she left us with such a magnificent body of work."
According to
MailOnline, Mantel passed away "suddenly but peacefully" at her home.
She was also surrounded by her loved ones.
Charlie Redmayne of HarperCollins paid tribute to the award-winning author.
He told
The Bookseller, "This is terrible, tragic news."
"We are filled with sorrow for Hilary’s family and friends, especially her devoted husband Gerald."
"We are so proud that Fourth Estate and HarperCollins were Hilary’s publishers, and for such a peerless body of work.
"A writer to the core, Hilary was one of the greatest of her generation."
Mantel has been remembered as a "fearless novelist".
Redmayne added, "We will all miss Hilary’s company, her wisdom, her humour.
"We will treasure her incredible literary legacy."
"She will be read as long as people are still reading.”
