Am enjoying Gallows Thief but wanted to call to your attention the following: You describe the highwayman mounting his horse by putting his right foot in the stirrup and them swinging his leg over. This would have him facing the rear end of the horse. One always mounts on the left or near side and the left foot goes in the stirrup so that the right leg swings over. The other thing is that after the mail coach arrives at an inn, you have the hot and sweaty horses who have been travelling full tilt, led away to be watered. That is a serious “no-no”. One never waters a hot horse until he has been walked, sometimes blanketed, and cooled down. Yes, I have owned horses for over 30 years. Helen Holman

Hi Bernard, I have just read my first book written by you, Gallows Thief couldn’t put it down – my wife is reading it now while I search the net for your other books. One minor criticism , being born and raised at Shooters Hill, if you are going to Kent from London Blackheath is before Shooters Hill not after it. The hill to the heath is Blackheath Hill. having watched Sharpe series on TV , glad to see the 60th rifles in one episode, I am now searching for the books on the internet. thanks for brilliant writing. John