Your Questions

Hello Dear Bernard, thanks so much for your wonderful books, the stories are brill and I love the historic details: Today I learned where the phrase to 'toe the line' came from! I am currently reading Fallen Angels and am sure I've come across the name "Skavadale" before - was it mentioned in Gallows Thief? (I came on your website to try to find out.) I am really enjoying your books and plan to go through them all, though I'm a slow reader. Well done for giving us such brill entertainment; it helps me through when things get tough in life ..... I'm a working mum/wife and we have illness in the house. I look forward every day to 'rest-time' when I can escape away with your lovely books. Thanks! from Sally Channon (Sal).

Hi Bernard, Just thought I'd drop you a line to thank you for writing such excellent books. As an archaeologist and a keen student of history, I've enjoyed your range of novels greatly. I currently just finishing the 'The Last Kingdom' and was wondering if the 'Battle of Benfleet' AD 894 will make an appearence? I live just down the road from Benfleet in Essex, in Hadleigh, so it would nice to have a mention... I've noticed you were spent some time in Essex, and have spotted in the Arthur and Saxon novels your references to the county and that has just added my enjoyment of your work. Best Wishes, Jamie

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am re-reading Sharpe's Devil again (I re-read all of your books in a never-ending circle) and noticed that Sharpe and Harper were mentioned to have visited Paris after the battle of Waterloo. As a lazy amateur historian, I rely on you to educate me on nineteenth century European and North American history in the context of your fictional novels and was wondering if you might consider taking us, the readers who follow you avidly, to Paris after Napoleon's final defeat. I understand that the Duke of Wellington was posted there for a short period of time and, although I am sure that you are constantly barraged with requests and suggestions, I wonder if this might provide a suitable platform to fill a portion of the five years between Sharpe's Waterloo and Sharpes Devil? I have never been to Paris and will probably never have the opportunity to go, but cannot think of a better period of time or more interesting setting for our two heroes to get into another gutter fight, even if the guilding is somewhat tarnished after Napoleon's exile to St. Helena. Thank you for your consideration and for taking the time to read this long-winded E-mail from another devoted fan of your enjoyable and informative books. Sincerely, Paul Higgins Bowmanville, Ont.

Sir, in the last few years I have become a huge fan of your stories. I am currently working my through the Sharpe's series, up to Siege. I have also read the Scoundrel and the Starbuck Chronicles, which leads me to my question. I know it has been a while since you released the 4th book in the Starbuck Chronicles, but do you plan to finish this series? It just seemed that you left the story hanging. I really enjoyed this series, the first I read of your books, before my father got me hooked on the Sharpe's stories. Anyway, was just curious if there was going to be anymore in teh Starbuck series. Thanks V/R Eric Buechler SSG, US Army

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I was wondering why you haven't written a Starbuck book in ten years? I was hoping for a little more satisfying ending than them being discontinued. By the way I can't wait for the new Uhtred book. Your fan, Alex Harn

I have just read "Gallows Thief" and found it a fantastic read, with great characters. Are we going to hear any more about Rider Sandman?
J R Tyas

Hello and first of all thank you for a very entertaining read of the Grail Quest. I have often wondered about a historical fiction book written from the perspective of someone 'less than a prince or princess', or less than officer rank - although to have a hero one must have a character with some heroic qualities to regale others about - otherwise there's not much of a story I suppose. This series is about as close as I've seen to having a 'grunt' as a hero. I will confess to some disappointment as I finished Heretic last evening. I doubt this was your fault - more likely it was the fault of your publisher. Let me tell you a brief story: I was given three books last Fall - 'Heretic', 'Vagabond' and 'Harlequin' and at the same time the giver, my son, said that there was a fourth book called 'The Archer' that was the first of the series and so I put the books on the shelf and... living in a country where books written in English are not the norm... I dutifully waited until Christmas when the book - 'The Archer' was sent to me for a Christmas present. Reading the books in sequence I was becoming aware that 'Harlequin' must be an addendum to the Grail Quest series and as you have already surmised I was disappointed that the opening words were strangely familiar. I have been caught this way before and am always incensed when a publisher renames a book, breaks a book into two or three for republication or dramatically changes a cover. As you know, a reader will often forget a title but rarely the appearance of a book and all too frequently a book in a new cover, particularly from a prolific writer, may appear like an entirely new story while gazing at a myriad of books on a store shelf. I shall be particularly careful of Harper/Collins in the future. Have you considered any stories about the ancient Irish Celts and Niall of the Nine Hostages and Tara? I only ask because legend has it that he is an ancestor of mine... Thanks again, Don

Hello Mr. Cornwell, I've read all of your novels and enjoyed them immensely. Thank you for your efforts. In the early Sharpe stories there is a Scotsman with one eye whose name I can't recall at this moment. The Scotsman was a friend of Richard's and they fought many battles together. Richard loses this friend over a woman. The Scotsman leaves the scene and heads to North America. My question is whatever happened to him? He was a wonderful character as I recall. He would be worthy of a story wouldn't he? Thanks for your time Bernard. Regards, Garry

Hi Bernard firstly, Love your books.Two questions :Do you have any plans in the near future to visit Ireland for any book signings? I read that you lived in Ireland for a while wereabouts? Keep up the great work. Brian Connolly

Loving your Saxon stories. Takes a bit to maintain my interest - I am a person who starts many more books than I finish. Congratulations. When is the third book available in Australia? September 2006? Roger Morris

We (my husband and I) are fascinated by the amount of research that must go into your books. Do you hire researchers? Do you do all the research yourself? Your memory must be incredible. Thanks so much--we learn LOTS of history from your books. Deborah Lincoln