I hope you won’t be embarrassed by having an octogenarian fan, who incidentally was a fan of the real Richard Sharp 60 years ago! I have just read “Sharpe’s Assassin” – delighted he’s back!

I have also finished “War Lord” but the Epilogue was a bit previous (the appropriate northern expression). Æthelstan died in 939 just two or three years after the Battle of Brunanburgh. Olaf Guthfrithson returned to Eoferwic (York) as King of Northumbria and then conquered 5 boroughs of Mercia. After Olaf’s death in 941 Æthelstan’s brother and successor Edmund took back the 5 boroughs, then in 944 Northumbia, thus becoming the second King of Englaland.

And how did Olaf die? At the hand of Uhtred? And how did Edmund succeed? Impossible without the active assistance of Uhtred, but which Uhtred? Is Uhtred Ragnorson either too old or dead? Or is his son Uhtred Uhtredson the new Lord of Bebbanburgh? He was the “I” in the Prologue of “The Empty Throne” and been prominent in subsequent events?

I am sure that you already have these idea so I am not suggesting but requesting you make them your next priority. I was always disappointed that George Macdonald Fraser died before he had completed The Flashman Papers. You are younger than and I’m sure will outlive me, but I would be equally disappointed you had not completed the Saxon series before I die.

Richard Faber