Stephen Marlowe, author of 'The Death and Life of Miguel de Cervantes', has died following a prolonged illness.  He was 79.

In the 1996 novel, Marlowe had Cervantes, himself, serve as narrator.  Library Journal wrote of the book:  "Working in the Spanish tradition of the picaresque novel, Marlowe follows Cervantes from urchin to schoolmaster to soldier to man of letters who encounters the two great contemporaries who were his equal: Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe."

Stephen Marlowe wrote more than 50 novels, primarily pulp and science fiction.  His most famous character, private detective Chester Drum, made his debut in 1955's The Second Longest Night, according to the Associated Press.  Marlowe was the recipient of France's Prix Gutenberg du Livre (1988).  He also was honored with a Life Achievement Award from the Private Eye Writers of America in 1997.

He is survived by his wife, Ann, and two daughters, the AP reported.