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Sophie Kinsella, the English author whose charming, witty novels—most famously the Shopaholic series—sold over 50 million copies globally, has died. She passed away on Wednesday at the age of 55, after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer in 2022.
The news was shared via her official Instagram account. The post confirmed her peaceful passing, stating her final days were "filled with her true loves: family and music and warmth and Christmas and joy."
Kinsella, whose real name was Madeleine Sophie Wickham, became a global phenomenon with her signature blend of humor and heart. Her most enduring creation was the Shopaholic series, which followed the endearing financial journalist Becky Bloomwood.
The first two novels in the eight-book series were adapted into the 2009 romantic comedy film Confessions of a Shopaholic, starring Isla Fisher. Her 2003 novel, Can You Keep a Secret?, was also adapted for the big screen in 2019.
She began her publishing career under her birth name, Madeleine Sophie Wickham, publishing her first book, The Tennis Party, at 24. She penned six novels as Wickham and an additional 18 books under her pseudonym, Sophie Kinsella.
Despite her illness, which the family post said she bore "with unimaginable courage," Kinsella continued to write. Her 2024 book, What Does It Feel Like?, reflected on her experience with cancer.
Her family's announcement highlighted her deep gratitude:
"Despite her illness... Sophie counted herself truly blessed—to have such a wonderful family and friends, and to have had the extraordinary success of her writing career. She took nothing for granted and was forever grateful for the love she received.”
Kinsella is survived by her husband, Henry Wickham, and their five children.
Let's take a look through Kinsella's catalog as we celebrate her life and artistic accomplishments.
Confessions of a Shopaholic
Becky Bloomwood lives a glamorous life in London, complete with socialite friends and a closet full of must-haves, but the fabulous façade is barely holding together thanks to her maxed-out credit cards and mounting, utterly unreadable bank letters.
Her soul-crushing job writing for Successful Savings is the only thing keeping her afloat, yet her only consolation for the mounting stress is, ironically, buying just one more little thing.
When an urgent story finally captures her attention, Becky's front-page success catalyzes a hilariously chaotic chain of events that will force her to face her debt and transform her life—and love life—forever.
40 Love
Envy and social climbing take center court when Patrick Chance and his wife host an exclusive weekend tennis party at their country estate, gathering four couples whose personal lives are anything but calm.
Beneath the surface of sunny elegance, deep secrets and personal crises unravel, proving that in this comedy of manners skewering the nouveau riche, the only thing certain is that the game has nothing to do with tennis.
Cocktails for Three
London's swankiest bar is the monthly meeting spot for Maggie, Roxanne, and Candice—three savvy colleagues at a glossy fashion magazine—where they trade gossip and drinks, but never the full truth.
As they navigate their high-achieving careers and personal dramas—from secret married lovers to the crushing realities of new motherhood—each woman harbors a secret that threatens to shatter her carefully constructed life.
An extraordinary chance encounter at the bar sets off a chaotic chain of events, ensuring their deepest confessions are about to be spectacularly revealed.
Swimming Pool Sunday
When Louise and the entire village gather at the Delaney estate for a charity pool day, the shimmering May sunshine masks bubbling marital tension and secret romantic dreams.
The perfect day is suddenly destroyed by a shocking accident, triggering a torrent of recriminations that divides the community and forces Louise to confront her new lover, her ex-husband, and the crumbling foundations of her friendships.
As the villagers take sides, the legal repercussions threaten to change everyone's lives forever in this story of guilt, loyalty, and unexpected connection.
The Gatecrasher
Beautiful, chic, and utterly irresistible, Fleur Daxeny has perfected the art of crashing upscale funerals to find her next wealthy conquest, until she sets her sights on the handsome widower Richard Favour. Fleur swoops into his family estate like a designer-clad tornado, leaving chaos and excitement in her wake, but her true gold-digger intentions are soon questioned by Richard's suspicious children.
Just as Fleur contemplates trading her Harvey Nichols wardrobe for true love, a long-buried secret from her past emerges, forcing her to race against time to prove her heart is real before her Prada pumps carry her away forever.
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons
