Brian Jacques, the author of the Redwall series and others, passed away after emergency surgery on February 5th.

CBC news article.

His books were definitely favourites amoung my collection, in fact I've read Mossflower and Castaways of the Flying Dutchman so many times they are almost falling apart. I was very sad to hear that once I buy the most recent book, and the one to be published later this year, I will no longer be able to eagerly look for the next addition to my Redwall corner.