Dear Mr. Cornwell,

A few years ago my twin sister in law (we share a birthday) persuaded me to read your Arthurian trilogy and I followed that up with your Last Kingdom (11 volumes and counting) as well as Agincourt, 1356, and a couple of the Sharpe novels. So obviously a fan but it took Fools and Mortals to get me composing an email to you. What an unprecedented treat turning Shakespeare into an adventure. I’ve read only about half of the bard’s plays and you’ve motivated me to get cracking on the second half. Starting on Titus Andronicus now. I surely don’t expect a writer as prolific as yourself to have time for emails but if you were to respond, I’m most curious to learn how you developed your appreciation for Shakespeare.

~Shannon (a grateful reader)