Dear Bernard Cornwell, Sharpe’s Challenge was recently shown on the Australian public broadcaster (ABC). I was looking forward to it immensely, but have to say I was disappointed. I thought the characterisation of Sharpe and Harper were excellent, just as I imagined them. However, the plot such as it was, was just a lot of colour and movement, not a patch on your novels. I do realise that this is down to the producers, not to you, and that it must be difficult to combine three novels into one mini-series. However, it was interesting to see how they restructured the action and moved it to 1818. And what on earth was an Irish horse trader doing in India anyway? Nonetheless, I hope to find the other Sharpe programs. I don’t think they have been shown in Australia. Keep up the good work! Elizabeth Smith