Hello Mr. Cornwell.

I’ve recently binged the old Sharpe series on ITVx and it’s made me regret not seeing the show in my teenage years when it was first aired.  Of course, TV is usually just a diluted version of the novel it comes from but the series was quite the achievement.  So, just thought I’d send some fan mail to congratulate you on that (albeit rather belatedly – there’s something here about better late than never, I’m sure).

I’ll be sure to pick up Sharp’s Storm when it’s published in the autumn – now that I’m a fan.

As I write, I see on Wikipedia that you grew up in Thundersley – Funnily enough, I’m meeting an old friend there tonight – I escaped from Southend to London 20 years ago – and my father spent his teenage years in Thundersley, too (he’s about 5 years your junior).

I know that’s all rather irrelevant, but sometimes these synchronicities occur and you just want to share that feeling of connection.

So, please don’t feel the need to reply, I just thought I’d write to say, I love the stories you’ve crafted with Sharpe and that it’s been a joy to live in that world these past couple of weeks.

I wish you good health, wealth, and continued success; and hope you have the energy to share more of your prolific imagination with the world.

All the best,

David.