Jeffrey Archer's final Australian interview

Thank you very much, Claire.

This is big news, your last novel.

Did you know that when you started writing this book?

It was in my mind, but it wasn't as firm until I'd finished it.

Because when I finished it, I genuinely thought it was the best thing I'd ever done.

And I thought, I can't top this.

I'm 86 years old.

This is what the novel I want to go out on.

So no at the very beginning, yes when I'd finished it.

How does it feel to know that you won't write a novel again?

Well, I've got lots of other ideas for plays and for screenplays and for short stories.

So there's not a lack of work there.

It will just be the final novel.

And I guess it's a nice moment then, Geoffrey, to have a bit of a reflection on your career as a novelist.

When did you first have aspirations to write fiction?

Well, it's exactly 50 years now that I wrote Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less.

So I've had 50 years in the business.

And I well remember people saying to me, wow, it's getting tougher and tougher on young authors.

I've got to tell you, it's a lot tougher now.

I think I've had a lucky arc.

I think I've had 50 years where people are still reading novels and I wonder what the situation will be in 50 years' time.

So why is it, do you think, that readers have stuck with you and your work?

Well, it's a good question of which it's difficult to answer.

I think I'm a simple storyteller.

In fact, the first review out in the United States, which you may have read, said that this was the last Victorian novel.