Dear Bernard

I’ve enjoyed your novels so much over the decades. I didn’t like history at school, but your way of mixing fact with excellent plots has always grabbed my attention. Although I’ve read most of what you’ve written, I particularly enjoyed Starbuck and the American Civil War, and hoped that you would continue your series. I know you would really like to complete it, but I’m only a couple of years younger than you. We all need to pass on the baton to someone younger at some stage. Would you consider taking on a co-writer for the series? The result can’t possibly be quite as good as your own work, but at least Starbuck might reach the end of the war!

Jon Rigby