The author of popular novel The Eiger Sanction has died, the AP has reported.

Rodney Whitaker, who was 74, died on December 14 of chonic obstructive pulmonary disease. His agent, Michael Carlisle, did not disclose the exact location of his burial, in keeping with his family's wishes.

The writer's best known work was The Eiger Sanction, a spy story later made into a film starring Clint Eastwood. He also wrote a number of other novels, both under his own name and under pseudonyms. Carlisle said that Whitaker also left a large amount of unpublished material to be published after his death.

Whitaker is survived by wife Diane Brandon, as well as daughters Alexandra and Tomasin and sons Lance and Christian.