Dear Mr. Cornwell, I have written you four times previous to this each with impulsive pleasure. I love the Sharpe series. Every book I have picked up I have read within days. I have even stayed up til 1:30 in the morning reading and never even considered the time. It is undoubtedly the best book series I have ever read. and that is why I must ask you with as much critsism as I may receive from your other fans when you post this to please stop writing the series. I know it may seem shocking and harsh but it is true this last book in the series I’ve been reading(Sharpe’s Escape) has taken over a month to complete, and I have never taken that long to finish one of your books. I am afraid that due to the pleas for more from your other fans you are falling into a trap so many authors have fallen into. C.S. Foster for instance, the author of the Hornblower books had this happen to him. He was in such a hurry to finish the last few books that he was willing to sacrafice the quality of the series. And I will not stand by idly while you do the same. I implore you to please take a break from Sharpe and if possible from writing all together. Spend some time vacationing with your wife, not for research as you did with Sharpe’s adventures in India but for mental health, the Carribean maybe. I have just returned from a great little island half french half dutch called Saint Martin with wonderful sea life food and people. Come back to the series in a year or two with a fresh mind and flow of ideas so as to keep to the high standard of writing we have come to love and expect from you. I hope you realize I have written this letter out of concern not critisizm and I do love your writings. Sincerely a concerned fan, Ian Stratton P.S. I will be looking forward to hearing your reply and thank you for your time, please consider what I have said.