Author Belinda Jones dies aged 56 after 'short but courageous' battle with cancer

Bestselling author Belinda Jones, also known as Molly James, has died after a "short but courageous" battle with cancer at the age of 56. Jones passed away on 1st December, "leaving a strong legacy of much-beloved, bestselling books behind her", an announcement from her publisher read.

Jones, originally from Tunbridge Wells, had a career in journalism before going on to write 14 "spectacularly escapist romcoms" and two travel memoirs. She also wrote two further novels, under the pen name Molly James, where she explored romcoms with a magical twist.

She travelled regularly for work, either as a journalist or when researching her next novel, before finally settling in Coronado, California. Her final book will be published by Quercus in April 2025 – a reissue of her previously self-published time-travel novel The Hotel Where We Met, the majority of which takes place in Coronado.

Emma Capron, editorial director of Quercus Fiction, said: "It has been my great honour to be Belinda’s publisher these past five years. I was a fan long before I became her editor and she lived up to every expectation. Belinda was a kind-hearted and warm individual, who brightened every room she walked into. I hope we can all take comfort in having that warmth reflected back to us by way of her incredible legacy. Her books will stay with me for life. Belinda, you will be sorely missed."

Author Holly Martin told The Bookseller: "I have been close friends with Belinda ever since I was involved with the Sunlounger anthology 11 years ago. She was a big part of my early publishing career as she was for many new writers. I had been on the verge of giving up writing after trying to get published for five years and when I won the Sunlounger New Talent competition, it was such a huge boost for me.

"Having someone like Belinda believe in me, a successful Sunday Times Bestseller, showed me that I could write, that I did have potential to be an author too. It meant I never gave up, until I got that deal. In fact, she wouldn’t let me, fighting for me at every turn. But it didn’t end there, she gave me so much advice in the early stages of my career and we stayed in touch ever since, becoming very good friends over the years."

She added: "She was a warm, kind, generous person who made everyone she spoke to feel like they were so important. She leaves behind a legacy of wonderful books that brought so much joy to so many people but also a legacy of her warmth and friendship. She will be missed by many."