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How in the world have you kept A Crowning Mercy a secret for so long? I was shocked to see it displayed at the local supermarket book section... mainly because I had never heard of it and have read so many of your works I thought I knew about them all. Anyway, I purchased the book, of course. I was not prepared for the immense pleasure I garnered from it, however. It is truly a rich jewel among works of historical (and yes, even romantic!) fiction. I simply COULD NOT put it down! What a delight to find a story placed in a period of time rarely focused upon. You are truly a writer of extreme talent. Now... I am confused about Susannah Kells... the name is YOUR pseudonym, correct? So WHO is JUDY Cornwell, as mentioned on the back cover of the American edition? Again, thanks for your hours of enjoyment. I'd love to see another book set in this time period. Cynthia Coan

Hi, I started reading your books when my brother lent me the Arthur series a few years ago and I couldn't put them down (was most disappointed when I had finished them even..lol)....since then I went on to the Grail Quest, Stonehenge and am now looking forward to reading THE LAST KINGDOM :-) can't wait till its release here in Oz ..thanks for many hours of indulging in what I like best. cheers, Jen

Mr. Cornwell, I just wanted to write and let you know how much I have enjoyed your "Arthur" series. I was first introduced to Sharpe via the Masterpiece Theater series during college and have truly enjoyed reading the 'Sharpe Series'. While in Iraq with the Marine Corps in 2003, I was able (through the kindness of care packages) to branch out into "Stonehenge" and the more recent Sharpe's in India. I've recently finished "Enemy of God" and I just had to write and thank you for such a wonderful series of books! Absolute page-turners, and I had to keep a hand over the lower page so I wouldn't skip ahead during some of the more tension filled spots. You can craft a villain so well that I completely despise them and I am so pleased when they "get what they deserve". After finishing the Arthur Books I plan on reading your other series as well (Grail Quest) and I'm particularly looking forward to reading some of the actual history books that you recommend. That would be my final point, is that your books have raised in me an interest for historical periods that I have previously ignored, such as the Napoleonic War and the Dark Ages. Again, not to gush out thanks, but having never written a fan letter before I just wanted to thank you for such an enjoyable series of books! Warm Regards, Grant Shottenkirk

Bernard, I noticed an inquiry for similarly satifying reading for the World War II genre. I must agree that W.E.B. Griffin is a great choice. In fact, your books and Griffin's are my favorite fictions. I have read both of you over and over. Thank you for the wonderful writing. Phil

Mr. Cornwell, I've just finished my second go-round on the Sharpe books. I completed my first as you did in the 80's and 90's avidly waiting for each new one. When you began writing about the "India" years, I started again and followed Sharpe all the way to Waterloo. I even read a book on the battle just prior to reading your book to understand "Sharpe's role" better. I compliment you on a great series. Perhaps I'll only wait 10 years to read them again next time. Now then, since I have all this free time on my hands, why don't you finish the Starbuck Chronicles? I avidly await the next. Thank you for an entertaining and educational time. Glenn Ross

I apologise if one of your readers has already brought this to everyone's attention but I've just discovered a great website about the subject of Sharpe's Tiger - the Seige of Seringapatam. Lots of information and pictures that add to the story told in your excellent book. See - www.nationalgalleries.org.uk. Philip Orbell

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have recently been made aware of your Sharpe series by a sailing friend, to whom I complained that there no more Foresters, Popes or O'Brien's to read. So now I am working my way through the series (eight down, 103 to go!) and enjoying them hugely. I ordered everything I could find, and several are still on their way from booksellers in the USA and Britain The dvds from the television series, which has not yet aired here, are also on their way from the States. It is the existence of videos and dvds which really prompted this letter (although I also want to thank you most warmly for creating Sharpe and his adventures for us, and teaching me more about the Napoleonic wars on land). You make a remark about the necessity of ensuring that videos are in the right format and dvds made for the right region. This is good advice, but there is a solution easier than restricting oneself to a single format or region. In Australia we stand culturally between Britain and the US (we have apartments and flats, lorries and trucks, lifts and elevators) so we tend to buy our videos, dvds and other items from both sides of the Atlantic. For this reason it is unusual for us to buy a video player which is not multi-format (usually PAL and NTSC although I have seen some which also play SECAM, the French format). Similarly, it makes sense to buy the region-free dvd players. Your warning, therefore, might be modified to include advice for those buying video or dvd players, or upgrading them, to consider looking for multi-format and region-free hardware. I apologise if I have been prolix. Sincerely, Kate

I would just like to take the opportunity to tell you how much I've enjoyed your books. Just finished reading Heretic--hope that is not the last we hear of Thomas of Hookton. If I have any complaint, it is that just when I think I read all the Sharpe's books, you release a new one. Now there are ones I've not read, but because jacket design changes, I forget which ones I've read. I suppose the only solution is to do what I did with Patrick O'brian's book...read them all in chronological order all over again. An enjoyable penance for forgetfulness. Ron Moore

Hi Bernard, Firstly, I wish to just say that I have just discovered your books, and I am totally hooked. I was lent a copy of Sharpe's Tiger, which sparked my love of your work. Subsequently, I have gone out and purchased nearly everyone of your books - All the Sharpe novels, (apart from Sharpe's Escape - getting that very soon), All 3 of the Grail quest books, the 4 Starbuck chronicles, and Stonehenge. I usually have this impulse to buy all the books of an author that I like, as I work away from home during the week, and this gives me great pleasure on an evening, disappearing into another time and place. So, this is just a short note just to let you know that you have got another great fan of your works, and, who knows, if you decide to come to Leeds, I will hopefully get to meet you, and even get some signed. All the best Stuart

Dear Mr Cornwell. Just as a first note - I am from Zimbabwe in Africa - then the rest will make sense! The name Bernard Cornwell first reached my eyes about 5 years ago when my mother picked me up a book from a second hand book shop (called Books Etc.), it was called Excalibur... I read that book twice in a row... not wanting the story to end... I was so engrossed in the lives of the characters, my mind would often wonder to think what I would do if I was Derfel or Arthur. Little did I know there were 2 books before that! Well, this was only found out 2 years later when they finally reached Zimbabwe (3rd world...), except it was only Enemy of God that crossed the border... how did the story start I asked myself... I didn't care I would read them all again just if I got my hands on the first... but it was another 3 years before I left Zimbabwe and arrived here in Toronto, Canada that I got The Winter King. The books are amazing, thank you. They really capture you and take you away. And now im really looking foreward to The Last Kingdom!! Thanks again Lawrence Alvarez, Toronto, Canada