Your Questions

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I just wanted to let you know how much I thoroughly enjoy your books. I'm an active duty U.S. Marine and by chance happened to pick up Sharpe's Gold while I was deployed to the Middle East during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2003. From the moment I read the first word, I was hooked. I took it with me when we pushed up to Baghdad but couldn't get my hands on any of your other books until I got back to the states several months later. Since then I've read all but Sharpe's Fury. I've actually read most of your books except Gallows Thief and Stonehenge. Many of them took up quite a bit of room when I deployed to Iraq for the second time in 2004-2005. Your talent as a story teller allowed me an opportuniy to leave behind, if only for a short while, some of the challenges I faced while deployed away from my family and the safety of my home. Because of your work, I've decided to use some of your writing advice and write a story of my own using some of my experiences in the middle east. We'll see how that works out. Again, I'd like to express my sincere gratitude for all your work. With deepest respect and admiration, Chago Z Gunnery Sgt U.S. Marine Corps

I have just finished "The Bloody Ground". At the end you leave the fate of Billy Blythe up in the air indicating that he will be taken care of in a subsequent books. However, there are no subsequent books. Why did you not write any more or at least make sure Blythe was taken care of? I have read about 30 of your books and it is not like you to leave things unresolved like this. I am just interested in whether you intended to write another book at the time you finished this one and destroy Mr. Blythe and for some reason did not. Tom Walker

Hi Bernard, I am just writing to tell you how much I love your books! Especially the Saxon Stories but I loved Derfel in the Arthur Books too!!! I am on a mission now to read your Starbucks Chronicles and Sharpe Books. But I can't wait for the next Saxon Storie to come out! Please hurry... :) Well, you've got me hooked! I just think that it is a shame that your books have not been translated into German. I am german and live in Australia. I so wish my Dad could get hooked too but his english is not good enough to understand a novel. Is there no demand on the german market? Have you got any influence with things like this? Anyhow, you don't have to answer my mail. I understand you are a very busy person and I prefer you writing the next Saxon Book than answering my mail. I only wanted to tell you how I love your books and your style! Have a great Christmas and a busy new year :) Regards, Koko

Dear Bernard First may I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Now for the questions, I know from previuos responses that you have used a great number of sources for your Sharpe series, however, can you tell me if you number Richard Holmes amoungst them and, if you, have read his books Redcoats and Sahib, what you think of them and whether you have actually met Richard and what he thinks of your books?

Have you ever considered writing a factual book based around the Sharpe era? Best wishes Steven

Mr. Cornwell, I was wondering what types of shields the celtic people would have used around the 5th century? Like the Warlord chronicles, what type of shield would Arthur and them have used? Would it have been small and round, or a large oval shaped shield, or rectangular like the romans? John

Dear Mr. Cornwell, My name is Louis Sulek, I'm 25 years old, Canadian, and presently finishing up a degree in education in Cairns Australia. I have discovered a love for historical fiction thanks to your books. Dick and Dervel (my favorites) are pretty much a part of my subconscious; in times of indecision I find myself asking what I would do if I were them! I just wanted to pass along that I dearly love your books and am a big fan. Naturally, I have a request to go along with the flattery. I am seriously considering a trip to Europe sometime around May, once my studies are finished. Naturally, I'd like to do the Sharpe tour, perhaps starting in Flanders or Britain, but I'm flexible of course.. You've suggested many books and publications for the extra keen in your forwards and historical notes and I have noted all of these, but I wanted to ask if you would recommend any specific books/sources above all others? I am viewing this adventure as a historical pilgrimmage of sorts, so what should be my bible? I hope all is well with you and yours. Thanks in advance! Best regards, Louis Sulek

SIR COULD YOU PLEASE CONSIDER FOLLOWING THE HERETIC WITH A BOOK ABOUT JEANNETE AND THOMAS FINDING THEY COULD LIVE TOGETHER. AND SHE PERHAPS MIGHT MARRY HIM TO PREVENT BEING FORCEDTO TO TAKE AN ASSIGNED HUSBAND WHO WOULD TAKE OVER HER RESOURES.
Charles Segler

Bernard, I have read the majority of your books and have enjoyed every single one!... But the Grail quest is my favorite series of all time.. Could you please put me out of my misery and write another book with Thomas as the main character, reading has never been the same since the day I put down Heretic. Liam

Dear Mr.Cornwell.I'm from Brasil. I don't speak english very well but I love all your books. I read THE ARTHUR BOOKS, THE GRAIL QUEST and five first books of SHARPE in portuguese and the other in english.

QUESTION 1) Do you plan write other book about Thomas of Hookton?

QUESTION 2)When was Derfel Cadarn dead?

QUESTION 3) The Sharpe's adventures will have a finish? Please answer my questions and sorry for grammatical errors. Fernando Martinelli from Brazil.

sitting on-call all night in x-ray so this might be a silly question.on inside cover of Sharpe's Fury says first french eagle was taken at Barrosa,then in the novel says Sharpe and Harper took eagle already to get uniform badge.is this just me getting senile? thanks Chris. p.s. massive fan just doing my head in.

Dear Bernard In regards to the Sharpe series and future works although its trickey with the time line in regards to Sharpe's Regiment happening at the same time, could there ever be a chance of Sharpe being at the battles of Roncvalles/Maya and the twin fights at Souaren??? A survivor of those fights did remark post war that although Waterloo gets all the attention the struggles in the pyrennes were just as brutal.

And one thing I am always curious about is why depsite losing before at Courunna/Oporto and ALbuera and only caring about himself to the detriment of everyother french commander and campaign in Spain (not that he cared whether they won or lost) did Napoleon keeping using Soult as his main commander in the south than to say Davout.

I know its a what if but who do you think would have won between the Iron Marshall and the Iron Duke and did they ever meet???

And finally Sharpe has pretty much fought all the French commanders in Spain except one Suchet any chance he could be sent on one of the east coast expidetions against him ??? Anyway I wish you merry Christmas and a happy new year Geraint btw a good website worth visiting is www.napoleon-series.org on the Napoleonic wars (including war of 1812) and one of the decent discussion forums out there on the subjects if your interested.
Geraint