Mr. Cornwell,

When I was in junior high in the mid 90s, we passed around a copy of the Winter King.  Of my band of cutthroats, I was the last to read your book, and I selfishly horded it away from my other friends.  Every few years I receive threats from the original owner, demanding I return his first edition copy.  It will remain on my bookshelf until the life leaves my veins.  I suspect, long after I’ve grown fat and contented in my domestic fortress, he will come for what is rightfully his…

Your book impacted my future career.  I earned a degree in History, and a masters in Political Science, and currently profess the lessons I began to learn from your historical fiction.

That said, I did have a question to ask of you.  Having enjoyed the first three seasons of The Last Kingdom, and awaiting the release of the fourth, I have become interested in the character Finan for obvious reasons.  My family name was Finan before my father changed it in the 1970s based on the rumor our name was anglicized from “O’Finan” during our emigration from Ireland.  Is there any additional background on the character, or the motivation for naming him as you did?  I am curious what research you did, if any, in deriving Finan’s name as you did.

Thank you for your work!

Sincerely,

Sean O’Finan