Mr Cornwell,

I must acknowledge you as a very gifted writer, and one of my favourites as a teenager. I admit that can’t justly blame you for making me aware of the existence of swearing and casual sex through the Sharpe books, but more importantly Colonel Swnyard’s conversion in Battle Flag was practically the first account of the born again experience in a secular novel that I ever read. I’ve always remembered his character arc as an example of difficult personal change, though I had to hear a lot more about God before, by His grace, I thankfully gave my life to Him.

I believe you’ve given the similarity of the Starbuck chronicles to the Sharpe books as a reason for their discontinuation. The serious examination of serious religion in Starbuck, however, is a large element of difference, and something I would encourage you to continue exploring in further books, though I’m sure you get emails like this about continuing the Starbuck chronicles all the time.

In connection with the last two Starbuck adventures, is a character from a completely different series called ‘Billy Jukes’ associated with any of your own cast? This is a rather embarassing idea of mine, but something I’ve always been curious about.

God bless,

Duncan Atkinson