'Plum Island' author Nelson DeMille dead at 81 after oesophageal cancer battle

Best-selling suspense author Nelson DeMille has died aged 81.

DeMille, known for writing Plum Island and The Charm School, died from stage-four esophageal cancer, his family said. The author's book The General's Daughter was turned into a film starring John Travolta, and released in 1999.

DeMille's family wrote in a statement: "Nelson fought a valiant nine-month battle with esophageal cancer. True to form, he faced this ordeal with courage, grace, and good humor. We are grieving, but also celebrating his wonderful life and his lasting legacy as a father, friend, and storyteller."

The author, who also wrote under the pen names Jack Cannon, Kurt Ladner, Ellen Kay and Brad Matthews, died in Mineola, New York, on Tuesday night. Seventeen of DeMille's 23 novels were bestsellers. His work spanned more than four decades.

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The first novel he wrote, By the Rivers of Babylon, was published in 1978. The last one he published was Blood Lines in 2023. DeMille, though, was diagnosed with cancer in 2023 and died of this.

His death follows that of his wife Sandra in 2018, also of cancer. DeMille, born in New York City on August 23, 1943,, leaves behind his three children; Lauren, Alex and James.

Speaking to Newsday, Alex said: "I have lots of fond memories sitting around the dining room table, the Christmas tree, or in the kitchen having coffee or wine, he was just a wonderful host. He got joy out of being around people."

DeMille went on to study at Hofstra University for three years before joining the army. He went to Officer Candidate School and became a Lieutenant from 1966 to 1969. He earned an Air Medal, Bronze Star, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and Combat Infantry Badge for his service in the Vietnam War. After leaving the army, DeMille went back to Hofstra to get his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History.

The film of The General's Daughter also starred Madeleine Stowe and James Cromwell, and was a box office success. It concerned the mysterious death of the daughter of a prominent Army general in New York.