Dear Bernard,

I do hope you and your family is well, and have enjoyed a good start to the year!

I am writing to you to express my gratitude to you. I am a 21 year old boy, living in Rayleigh, Essex near where i believe you grew up (believe you grew up in Thundersley, Essex) and I really struggled to get into reading.

That was until my dad recommended I read the Sharp series – in which I have read Sharpe’s Tiger, and just started Sharpe’s Triumph. I have also read The Last Kingdom, and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I have now bought the next few books in the sharpe series, and have ordered the next few books in the Last Kingdom series.

So I am writing to just say thank you, and also say that I love your writing – not that you need my approval anyways! i just thought I’d let you know that you have made a huge impact on me, as reading your books have given me huge enjoyment!

I do appreciate you are busy so I may not receive a response but I hope this message finds you well.

Kindest regards

Max Martin