Your Questions

Q

I recently read a posting in which you indicated that you had stopped writing the fourth Hookton book. I assume this means that you are discontinuing the series? When do you believe the Viking book you're working on now will be finished and released? Thanks for your time. Matthew Jacobs

Greetings! I know this probably has already been asked, but I can't find an answer on any of the forums, so here it goes: You said you stopped writing the 4th Thomas book. Does this mean the project is "dead" or are you planning to resume it some time later. Looking forward to your Viking book, love scandinavian culture! However, I would also love some more books about Thomas... I think it's one of your best characters ever! (being that Culwch was probably my fave hehehehe) Keep on writing, thus enriching all our lives. Thank you. André.

I have heard that you have stopped writing the fourth novel about Thomas of Hookton. Will this novel never be written or are you planning to write it in the future. Thanks. Michael Jones

Bernard, let me get this straight: You WERE writing a fourth Thomas of Hookton book (but not in the Grail series), then you decided NOT TO write it and are now working on a Viking story! I'm sure a lot of Thomas fans would want to know why. May I be so bold as to ask? Kevin Wakefield

A

I did stop writing the fourth Thomas of Hookton book because I feel his story has ended with Heretic - although it is possible that I may take it up again in the future. The Viking book, I hope, will be done and ready for publication in October.


Q

I read that you have given Nat Starbuck an extended vacation,and that some of the recommended reading about the Civil War is by the author Stephen W. Sears. Are his books fiction (Gates of Richmond and Landscape Turned Red.) I have enjoyed the Starbuck Chronicles and feel a closeness to Nat Starbuck. Thank you. Nancy Charls

A

The books by Stephen W. Sears listed on the Suggestions for Further Reading page of the Starbuck Chronicles are not fiction. I hope you'll enjoy reading them!


Q

Dear Sir, are you ever going to write a Sharpe's book that will tell what happened to Sharpe's daughter in Spain after the war ? thank you for your time T.D. Young I

A

Probably not - but, never say never!


Q

Re: The Nathanial Starbuck Chronicles Dear Mr. Cornwell, I have just concluded book four of the Nathanial Starbuck Chronicles. Please write additional volumes to augment this wonderful series. I feel that Nate and his friends are my friends and his enemies are mine as well. I was crushed that Lucifer died, but delighted that Nate avenged his death as he did. Certainly, you cannot permit Billy Blythe to escape unharmed. And do Sally and Nate marry after the War; do Sally and her father reconcile; do Nate and his father reconcile? We know what happened to the real actors but now we need to know (pardon me) the rest of the story. At the conclusion of your historical note to The Bloody Ground, you promised that Starbuck will march again. I certainly hope so. Many thanks for your contribution to a number of evenings of entertainment. Bill Broaddus

Mr. Cornwell...I became instantly enamored with your StarbuckChronicles, bought and read them all, and then passed them on to a kindred soul who also read all four without stopping (well, maybe a dime novel in between)...our question is regarding wether you have plans to write a 5th installment and if so when? We would anxiously await it...in the meantime, we've both decided to start the Sharpe series....thanks for all you do...Jack King

Hello Bernard, I have loved every book of yours that I have read. I hope that you will continue the Starbuck series. Do you have one in the "pipeline" now? I miss it!! Thanks and keep up the good work. Scott

Sir, I have ejoyed reading and rereading several of your books, especially the Starbuck Chronicles. I love history and live in Richmond (Chesterfield actually). I am curious to hear if you are planning to continue the saga? Respectfully Jeff Auxier

Dear Mr Cornwell, I feel that I cannot go on waiting forever to read the conclusion to the Starbuck Chronicles. I think that eight years is a bit long to wait. I am seventy-five now and I don't suppose I shall last out the time . What was the the point of saying that Starbuck will go on when he won't. You keep adding to Sharpe books when some of them don't really relate to his later life. I am so disappointed that I no longer buy your new Sharpe books. I have got everyone of your books, but I think I'll stop now because you don't finish what you start . Yours sincerely George Davies

I discovered your books browsing through Barnes and Nobles. Just read the Startbuck Chronicles and they were absolutely excellent. I have shared them with my father. We are both military veterans and my son is in the Army today. You somehow captured so much of a soldier's soul in this series. Nathan Starbuck could go on for as long as you would want and we would love to read his post war adventures too. Believe that Hollywood is missing the boat, all your books would translate into the most exciting of cinema. I will pray that you live and write well into you century mark. You are a genius! Thanks for the wonderful enjoyment that you are providing the world with your books! I am planning on buying and reading them all. Want to make sure that I own these for my personal library. I will read them again and again. David C. Wedner

g'day Bernard all the way from Sydney Australia. Trust you are keeping well. I have just re read the Starbuck series for the 3rd time. Taking the train to work every day helps in my reading. You gotta bring back Nate. you promised, your last lines in the Bloody Ground-"Starbuck will march again". but when I ask.......... take care, regards David

A

I am pleased that so many of you have enjoyed the Starbuck Chronicles. I hope to return to them someday, but I'm afraid I don't know right now exactly when that will be. I do appreciate your messages.


Q

Dear Mr Cornwell A huge thankyou for you enthralling books in the life of Richard Sharpe. I only started reading the books following the television series and I did not have an interest in the History of the Pernisula War until I read the books.I have always had an interest in the Legend of King Arthur and your books of this Myth have also been great reading. Again I thankyou for your work. Is there any time in history you have not written about and would like to? Richard Jarvis

A

Yes, several - but I don't like to reveal too much as I'm afraid someone else will jump in and do it before I get to it.


Q

As an avid reader of your books( with an odd 'Flashman' novel thrown in). May I pick your brains? I loved 'Gallows Thief', strong hero (Waterloo veteran of course!) and side kick (hard ex sergeant, of course!) Is there going to be an other? Also enjoyed 'Red Coat', one of the first I read of yours, did you ever intend to continue this character? More power to your elbow. Matt Rowe

I've been a devoted reader of your work for years and especially love the Sharpe series. I recently visited Ardsley House in London and felt as if I knew Wellington. But as much as I love Sharpe, will you continue the "Gallows Thief" as a series? I can see that one really taking off! John Collins

A

It's possible there will be a sequel to Gallows Thief- but no promises as to when. No plans to continue with Redcoat.


Q

When will Sharpe's War be available on DVD in the US? Frederick Marks

Mr. Cornwell, I am trying to obtain info about the UK History Channel's series on "Sharpe's War." Do you know if it is available in the US? Joy Fry

A

No word on that yet. Once we hear, I'll be sure to post the details to this website.


Q

Dear Bernard, Just read Sharpe's Waterloo and noticed a character in there called Dunnet who spent most of the war as a P.O.W. The book remarks how bad he looked. Apart from your work, I also enjoy reading true stories about prisons/human endurance, "papillon" being a prime example. In the French penal colonies the treatment of the prisoners was absolutely horrendous even in a relatively modern age of 1930's. This makes me think back to how Dunnet would have been treated as a POW in Sharpe's era. Do you know much about this? Where they were imprisoned, conditions etc. Anything you could let me know; further reading would be helpful. By the way, nearly done with Sharpe now. Which of your works do you recommend I should start on next? Many thanks, Paul.

A

As an officer Dunnet would have been treated well. He would almost certianly have been sent to Verdun and would have been free to live wherever he liked within the town limits, wear his uniform, carry a sword, and enjoy whatever amenities the town had to offer - so long, of course, as he gave his parole, which was a promise not to escape. The British officers in Verdun had a Literary and Philosophical Society among other things. French officers were usually placed in Edinburgh under very similar terms. So not bad, on the whole, but the uncommissioned ranks had a lousy time. French and American prisoners were put in the middle of Dartmoor and forced to build their own prison - Princetown - still there, of course, and others were kept on 'the hulks' decommissioned warships moored in rivers - damp, rat-infested, ghastly. So Dunnet was probably looking bad because he drank too much the night before. I don't know a book on the subject - I've just picked up stuff as I've gone along. A recommendation? The Winter King.


Q

For new novels why not base them during Marlborough's Campaigns? or perhaps doing singular novels concentrating on the BIG battles throughout history (e.g. Leipzig, New Orleans, Agincourt, Cannae, etc.)? Mark

A

I'll think on it - thanks for the suggestion - maybe one day?


Q

Dear Sir, I am a librarian and am frequently asked questions regarding authors pseudonymes. Recently the relationship between yourself and Susannah Kells has arisen. One reference book says that she is you as it were,and yet a recent work of fiction says that SK is your wife Judy. Could you please clear this up before serious money changes hands! As a supplementary my I ask if your wife is the author/actress Judy Cornwell? Thank you for your time, and keep the books coming, they are very popular in this part of Devon, Graham Keates.

I was wondering if you could clear up a few things in regards to all the books that you have written. I know of everything featured in this web site but what about the books under the name Susannah Kells, I can see you are releasing three of these, are there anymore coming? Are these books linked up to each other and did you write them with your wife. Also are there anymore books available apart from these? Sorry for all the questions but I am keen to read everything you have written. Kind regards Chris Pollock.

Dear Bernard, i have just read A Crowning Mercy, and it is without doubt one of your finest novels in my opinion. I wonder if you could tell me the names of the other books that you wrote under a pseudonym so I can quickly buy and read them before I have to start revising for my forthcoming exams. Thanks for many happy reading hours. Neil

A

My wife (a yoga teacher, not the actress) and I co-wrote the books published under the name Susannah Kells. There are three books - A Crowning Mercy, Fallen Angels and Coat of Arms (called The Aristocrats when it was published in the US). The books are not actually a series, although two of them contain characters from the same family.