Your Questions

Dear Bernard, The Sharpe series are excellent books and you may be intrigued by this: is it possible a sub-conscious association produced the hero's name? In the 'Battle' or 'Battle-Action' boys' comics from the 1970s there's a minor comic strip character from the 'Rifles' with a prominent scar on his face. There's also lots of brutal hand-to-hand fighting and a particularly gritty style to the stories. That's not the only co-incidence: the character's name is Sharp. There, you'll be happy to learn, the similarity ends, since the stories are very different. They're about an unpleasant World War Two coward: 'The Rat of the Rifles'. Even if there's no association, it's certainly interesting. http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/ComicInformationPages/BattlePages/BattleHomePage.asp>/a>. I'd be interested to learn if you read comics when you were younger! Regards, Dave

Hi, I'd just like to say I LOVE your Saxon Stories! I grew up as a SCA kid. I'm currently in College and there is no SCA here. Your books have been my outlet . I'm probably your biggest Saxon fan! Well I guess I'd like to get to my question. I've looked around and no one seems to know for sure if there will be a 4th book. If there is a fourth book, when will it come out? I tend to preorder them so they are cheaper, and I get them faster. (Cheaper is the main reason) I would also just like to say Thanks! I know you probably don't read all of these, but just thought to say thank you *grin*.
Chris

I love the Saxon stories! I just finished Lords of the North. Do you have a planned date for the release of the next book? June Johnson

I emailed you yesterday about the Saxon series, wanting to know how quickly you were planning on writing the books and how many there would be in the series, but I have since found your answers to previous questions on the same subject here on this website. You say the next book will be out in October this year (good!) and there will be at least 6 books in the series (excellent!) Now I don't want to spoil the enjoyment of others, but on the very first page of "The Last Kingdom", Uhtred, presumably writing as an old man, says of Bebbanburg: "I dream, and know that one day I will take back the land from those who stole it from me". Was this an inadvertent plot spoiler? Jenny

I know you're busy, so no need to respond to me. I am a fan of all things "Arthur" so I was psyched when I came across some fiction about him, that was/is well recieved. I just ordered all 3, and am happily thru half of The Winter King, its AWESOME !. I hope I enjoy it as much as Mary Stewerts books on Arthur, starting with 'The Crystal Cave" I wonder if you have read her, she is such a great writer. I am enjoying your book so much more than that garbage written by E.B.White. I am from Boston, and I am pleased to know you are on the Cape. I will be reading all your fiction, history is great isnt it ?
John Ford

hello general, I hope you are well. It's a while since I contacted you, been off line so to speak. I read Fury as soon as it appeared. A veritable tour de force, thank you for it. Do you remember our old friend Sgt Mitchel of the 40th foot? I was watching war with France and Sgt Mitchel pops up quoting from what I take it as his memoires. 1 sir, are they available for the public to read? and 2 could he have been a self publicist? His gravestone says he was a member of the Folorn Hope at Badajoz, so he must be named somewhere. I was just wondering, if you can help I'm grateful. regards, Jim Fenwick

Mr. Cornwell, I was wondering what bewitching creature was the inspiration for Olwen in the Arthur series? I had the strangest sense that she might have been the daughter of Derfel and Nimue. Olwen's age seemed to match up with the time when Derfel and Nimue were lovers and her temptations seemed to suggest the high sin of incest and the power it would contribute to a fatal curse on him if he accepted.
James Peacock

I've read all of the Sharpe series. Regrettably just put down 'Sharpe's Fury' and already feeling like my best friend died. When can I expect the next Sharpe installment? Hurry, please! Dorothy

Mr. Cornwell, I summer in Plymouth, MA at White Cliffs (just across the canal) and winter in Florida. Have you in your research encountered the term "quiet men" as an alternative to king's agents or watchers? Thank You, Jim Padian

Dear Bernard, The Sharpe series are excellent books and you may be intrigued by this: is it possible a sub-conscious association produced the hero's name? In the 'Battle' or 'Battle-Action' boys' comics from the 1970s there's a minor comic strip character from the 'Rifles' with a prominent scar on his face. There's also lots of brutal hand-to-hand fighting and a particularly gritty style to the stories. That's not the only co-incidence: the character's name is Sharp. There, you'll be happy to learn, the similarity ends, since the stories are very different. They're about an unpleasant World War Two coward: 'The Rat of the Rifles'. Even if there's no association, it's certainly interesting. http://www.comicsuk.co.uk/ComicInformationPages/BattlePages/BattleHomePage.asp>/a>. I'd be interested to learn if you read comics when you were younger! Regards, Dave

Mr. Cornwell Thank you for the books that you write. I am an Emergency Room Nurse in the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania area, USA. I have an approximate 40 minute drive to work daily nd found one of your Audiobooks to listen to on my way to work, first being Harlequin. I have enjoyed them very much. They relax me to and from work and actually let some of the stresses of my job go away before I get home to my family. I have listened to the Authur series, and just recieved "The Lords of the North" yesterday. I will relisten to the first 2 in the series prior to hearing this book. Right now I am on disc 14 of A Crowning Mercy, which is a great story. I have not yet listened to Starbucks or the Sharpe series, but hopefully get a chance to find them on cd. I am having trouble finding Stonehenge on cd but have found it on tape. I do not get much time to read for pleasure at home due to my family, and I am a student again (taking an American History class and some more nursing classes)so I listen to your words.Incidently the story of Durkus Slythe, "Lady Campion of Lazender" and her story fit right into the English imigration into the colonies as I am studying that now. Jamie Glover is my favorite narrator of your books, if you have any say over it please persuade him to do more of them in the future. I do have one question: Is Stonehenge on cd or just audiotape? I cannot find it locally here in the States. Again thank you for your books, and the fact that they are on recorded so that I can listen to them. It is a real joy for me. David Buchta RN Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA