Dear Mr Cornwell,

I would like to start by thanking you for the wonderful times I have had reading your books. I am fourteen years old and an enthusiastic amateur historian and have a passion for historical novels. Your Sharpe books have opened my eyes to various aspects of not only conflicts in the early 19th century but also the system of classes and prejudice at that time.

I am sorry to say that I missed a chance to meet you last summer at Bicester book shop as I, like Sharpe, was unfortunately was away doing my duty, at the annual Royal Marines Cadet camp. However during the camp I was reading Sharpe’s Triumph, I must thank you again for writing this book because it helped me to build a (very) rough bridge with one of the scariest Colour Sergeants in the company, a who it turns out is a big Sharpe fan!

I have just finished Sharpe’s Company at the time of writing and am eager for more. However, what I have often wondered about is Sharpe’s past. You frequently mention Flanders where Sharpe saw his first action as a young private and often regrets the fact that he lost his ramrod. I can relate to this as I have made many a mistake during my basic training and my first time in a rifle troop at cadets, but I have learnt from them and make sure I do not do them again, just as Sharpe always checks his ramrod is not in the barrel when he fires!

Also, you mention that Sharpe had to join the Army because of a murder he committed and was recruited by the famous Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill, who is currently running away from Badajoz after murdering Captain Knowles (why did Knowles have to die!)

In short, what are the secrets of Sharpe’s past? Who did he murder and why? I have to admit that I am slightly scared of the outcome as I know Sharpe now as a slightly unorthodox but very dutiful officer and it would be unnerving to find out he had once slit someone’s throat just for their purse, or maybe that would make sense?

Thank you again,

Marine Cadet Conrad Whitcroft White,

Nothamptonshire