Dear Mr Cornwell,

I have read your books for many years, right from your earliest sailing novels. The Uhtred series has enthralled me but her is the nub. I have just read The Flame Bearer and in this book you have exasperated me. You are a sailor and therefore should know that in the North Sea the flood tide flows south and the Ebb flows north.

I’m sure I am not the first to write to you pointing this out. I think, without being pedantic, that simple inaccuracies such should be avoided if possible.

Anyway, keep up the good work and thank you for the many hours of pleasure you have given me.

Kind regards

Andy