Hi Bernard. Just re read ‘The Last Kingdom’ and the advanced reader edition of ‘The Pale Horseman’. I can’t help but compare these novels to the Arthurian trilogy. Derfel and Uhtred are so similar in outlook and background. Both were born to one race and brought up by another. Both have allegiances to one side and yet can appreciate and love the other. Both believe that “Fate is inexorable”. Both love peace yet also love the thrill of battle and excel at fighting… I won’t give anything away because I know the second book has not been published , but I can assure your many readers ‘The Pale Horseman’ is superb – an enthralling and outstanding read. I have read it twice in a month and found it a non-stop white knuckle ride through medieval life. Readers will not be disappointed, the writing is vivid, as ever, evoking images in the mind and actually putting the reader into the thick of the times. You can smell the fear, joy, frustration… Well done! Andrew Moore