Dear Mr Cornwell. I enjoy your books immeasurably and having read recent Questions posed by other fans on the subject of Sharpe’s father I thought I would throw in my two pence worth. It is a stab in the dark but could it be the Duke of Wellington himself? Having read the series several times the relationship between Arthur and Richard is rather like that of a strict disciplinarian father making his son work for his affection and the son ever eager to please and literally fight for his father’s respect and attention. Thanks for the great books and I look forward to finding out the answer one day! kind Regards, Tom Haslett

in regards to your riddle about Sharpe’s father, I believe there are 3 possible answers: Wellesley, Hakeswill, Mr. B Cornwell. Ian Flint