Your Questions

Hey Mr. Cornwell I'd like to say how wonderful I think your Sharpe series is. Obviously some books are better then others but all are consistently fantastic. I loved the Sharpe television series when I was a kid too. I was just wondering who your own favourite author is? Also if you got stuck on a desert island with just one book, what book would that be? Did you ever think Sharpe would have so much success? I myself now live in the States and I saw you on a news program a few days back (regarding the QE2) and you was referred to as "one of Britain's best authors", did you ever think you would be thought of so highly when starting out? Steve Jones

Dear Mr Cornwell, Sharpe is an addiction in this family across three generations - my father put me on to them, and my 11 year old son is a big fan of the films, and will graduate to the novels soon. I also liked the Grail quest series a lot, and thought the 18th century thief taker novel especially fine as well. My son wonders whether, as you seek new adventures and horizons for Sharpe and Harper, you had considered sending them to the US to take part in the Battle of New Orleans? The Rifles were there, and if you haven't visited the site at Chamarette (sp?), you certainly should. A particularly interesting action, and it would be interesting to see how Sharpe dealt with a defeat to British arms (which I suppose Copenhagen was in one sense, but not in another). I know authors hate comparisons (I'm an historian), but have you read Allan Mallinson's stuff? I think his first Hervey novel, with Waterloo as the centre piece, was particularly good, not least because the light cavalry in an unusual perspective from which to view the battle. Thanks for your time. (Dr) Jeffrey Grey Professor of History Australian Defence Force Academy

My husband and I listen to your audio books (we have also read most of your wonderful books). PLEASE! David Case the best ; but who is the phlegmy voice on one or two of the other Sharpe novels? Can't abide the voice. Unable to listen to the tape! Do you have a say so? J. F. Holmes

First edition hardback copies of Sharpes Sword are way beyond my budget. The high prices are usually blamed on a low print run (500). I wondered why the run was so small? Yours Andrew McLaren

Hello. Thanks for the Sharpe series - they've displaced Hornblower as my favourite "rereading in the loo 'till I get pins and needles" books. I'm looking forward to "Escape", (I prefer paperbacks, so it may be a while). Like many others, I'd love to see a sequel (or even a prequel, perhaps) to Gallows Thief. I've got it on tape, which is excellent - a TV adaptation would be marvellous, as long as Carlton weren't involved. I've only seen positive reaction to the series, but I'm not impressed so far, having just bought the DVD set and watched Sharpe's Eagle. I noticed you don't watch TV (nor do I, on the whole - the DVDs were an excuse to be more sociable, as I tend to hide upstairs when the telly is on!), but have you seen the Carlton stuff, and what do you think (I guess you may have to be circumspect if you didn't like them)? Thanks again. Graham Nicholls

Hello, Mr. Cornwell, We met a couple of times at the Sharpe convention. I have never joined a fan club in my teens because I thought no one was really worth such adoration. Well things have changed since I was made to read a Sharpe book. I am addicted! I have always written stories starting with children's tales and gone on to older audiences (I wrote for my children) but I have never had the courage or conviction to get them published. However, my question: How do you keep track of all your "players'" characters and idiosynchrasies? Do you keep a journal? (I have tried this and still made mistakes three books later). Do your proof readers pick up any mistakes? And has it happen you had to rewrite parts of your books because of it? Keep writing, PLEASE! Your insights are fantastic. Thank you for your books and your time! Susanne Young-Hotz

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have been a great fan of yours since seeing the Sharpe TV series, which lead me onto the books, although when I read them I can't help but picture Sean Bean, not a dark haired, scarred Londoner. I have read all your books, except the Starbucks, which I hope to read soon. My favourite are the Warlord trilogy. My first question is about the Arthur film that is to be released later this year, which has been billed as a more 'factual' version than previous renditions. Is this based in anyway on your books? My second question is about the grail quest. Hookton is described as south of dorchester, which currently, is the town of weymouth. Although Hookton was destroyed, at the end of Heretic, thomas returns there at the time the black death is in europe. Historically, the black death was first in england 1348, melcombe regis, a borough of weymouth. Are you implying that Thomas was responsable for the black death in england. Am also looking forward to the new sharpe, will there be anymore? Rgds, Paul Childs

Dear Mr Cornwell, First let me thank you for all the pleasure that reading your books has given me. I find your notes at the back very interesting. (The last, Gallows Thief, I read in NZ and passed it on to a Kiwi friend fascinated by English history!) I was interested in your notes in this book, about the almost carnival atmosphere at a public hanging. My late mother left me a collection of lace bobbins; the shaft of one is decorated with the name 'W Worsley hung 1868'. She found that he was William Worsley but I haven't found out anything more about him. Do you know whether commemorative bobbins like this one would have been made to peddle at hangings? Or might this have been an occasional thing, for relatives of the victim perhaps? I'd be interested to hear what you might know - many thanks, Juliet Lewis

Dear Mr. Cornwell, please could you tell me the inspiration for the name "Sharpe" in your marvellous novels. Many thanks, Sue Winch

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a long-time fan of your work (esp. the Sharpe series-alas , I have no valuable 1st editions as I am too frugal-alright cheap to buy hardcovers). I was gratified to see a new 'Sharpe' is on the horizon. I just finished "Gallows Thief". It was a great read and Rider Sandman looks like a character with great potential. How was it received and do you plan on continuing Sandman's adventures? Thanks from a historical junkie Michael Ruskey