dear Mr Cornwell,when I first asked you for a clue as to the identity of Sharpe’s father little did I realise the interest it would cause amongst your readers. You have since given out other hints and clues which I have followed closely and formed my opinions of the type of man we are looking for. I did once write to you saying I would not mention the subject again, I’m sorry but I feel compelled to. You recently said that the character in question has yet to be introduced. From this clue I take it that this character is still in your imagination and does not appear in the works of another author. By the way, I’ve read both C. S. Forrester and G.MacDonald Fraser’s complete works looking for a clue. So your readers are trying to guess the name of someone who is still inside your head? A worthless rogue on the edges of society; someone who would fraternise with a cat lane whore; possibly a pirate or smuggler; not a historical character, and the irony? Could Richard Sharpe and harry Flashman possibly have the same grandfather?

Andrew Mathison