![epa08495250 (FILE) - Spanish author Carlos Ruiz Zafon attends a reading at the 'lit.Cologne' international literary festival in Cologne, Germany, 16 March 2017 (reissued 19 June 2020). Zafon passed away at the age of 55 in Los Angeles, USA, after a long struggle against cancer, according to a press release by the publisher Planeta, which worked extensively with the Spanish writer over two decades of prolific partnership. The author of bestsellers such as 'The Shadow of the Wind' (2001) and 'The Labyrinth of Spirits' (2016) had been a resident of LA since 1993. Born in Barcelona in 1964, Zafon got by as a publicist and screenwriter before earning literary fame and critical acclaim for 'The Shadow of the Wind,' a Gothic-style mystery page-turner that has sold dozens of millions of copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling fiction books ever. EPA/SASCHA STEINBACH *** Local Caption *** 53392837](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VRGWWXQORI6ECL4UAA26HSECPE.jpg?smart=true&auth=a9842c40a90455435a30b17dcb1ef97ee0519bc6b60578c1eab8e4dcd36b2d5f&width=400&height=225)
Spanish author Carlos Ruiz Zafon died in his Los Angeles home on Friday aged 55. EPA
Spanish author Carlos Ruiz Zafon died in his Los Angeles home on Friday aged 55. EPA
Carlos Ruiz Zafon: Spanish author of 'The Shadow of the Wind' has died aged 55
The bestselling novelist had reportedly been suffering from cancer for two years