Dear Bernard,

Firstly, a point of information. In all the chronological lists of the Sharpe series, Sharpe’s Havoc is listed as after Sharpe’s Eagle, which surely cannot be right. Havoc is Spring ’09 and Eagle is July ’09. Plus, Rifleman Pendleton was alive in Havoc and died at Talavera, (“only seventeen and so many pockets left to pick”).

I also noticed a previous correspondent wondering why Sharpe never met any Polish Lancers. I noted your reply, but if you recall, Sharpe, or rather Major Kearsey, did meet Polish Lancers in Sharpe’s Gold. Admittedly Sharpe didn’t face them in the open field, but he certainly met them in the dead of night in the Spanish village.

The Flame Bearer, you will be pleased to note, was the top hard back seller in the UK as of a week ago, but what I find curious is that I have not seen one newspaper review of the book in the British papers. I wonder why that should be?

Keep up your wonderful work, Sir, and I look forwarded eagerly to your next offering. Much as I’ve loved Uhtred, I do hope it’s a Sharpe.

Regards

John Hill