Hello Mr Cornwell! I must admit that I have not written any fan mail since I was about 14 years of age (I am now 36). This message is a simple thank you. I love your work and own 40 of your books; I plan to read all of your work in time of course! There are other authors I admire but for one reason I prefer your work above others, I believe you have a great gift for creating characters. Your characters are so brilliantly realised and believable. When I am reading one of your stories I always feel that I am among friends even just a few pages in! Obviously I love Sharpe, but also Derfel and Uhtred. When I read, these men seem so real to me, like men I know. I have very, very rarely experienced this in the work of other writers. So I simply felt the need to thank you for all of your hard work, which I appreciate so much! Thank you for entertaining and educating me, for increasing my enjoyment of History and for the good company your stories provide! If you keep writing then I promise to keep reading! Respect and regards Richard Mallatratt (Brighton, East Sussex, UK)