dear Bernard, I am writing to you for two reasons really. The first is to thank you for giving me so much pleasure from reading your fantastic work especially Sharpe who has got me through some tough times just by escaping to his world. The second reason for writing is a plea, I’ve read your comments on Starbuck but I’m still going to say, please please please please please please please please please please please bring him back, I’ve just about worn out my copies of the original by re-reading so please bring him back. Thanks for listening, keep up the good work, forever your fan. Steve