Dear Mr Cornwell,

This past year has been a difficult one for many people- myself included. It has been a year of frustration, confusion and underlying fear. I am young man (24 years old) from Northern Ireland, recently married, who is just starting out in life. Quite recently I was rejected from the army (Royal Irish Reg.) due to a history of mild asthma and my police application which began in February has experienced delay upon delay due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation;- the future is uncertain for me and my spirit has been troubled.

However despite the year’s set backs, there has been a silver lining in that I have discovered the Last Kingdom (or Saxon Stories) novels. These stories have given me a place to escape my worries and have gripped me like no other book series has. I have just finished The Empty Throne and have ordered books nine and ten. Uhtred and his companions never cease to entertain me and for this I want to personally say thank you for you creative efforts and for the hours of joy I have experienced through your novels.

I hope you and your loved ones are well in these strange times and I look forward to reading the remaining books of the series.

Best wishes

Owen George Neely

Bushmills, Northern Ireland