Hi Mr Cornwell, I have just discovered your books and simply cannot put one down until finished. I have just read The Last kingdom and The Pale Horseman, however was disappointed to find the first chapter of The Lords of the North at the back of the book encouraging me to go out and buy the hardback. Is this a capatalist move? Hardbacks are more expensive than paperback (I assume the paperback will not be out for a while)?

Also I have a query, Is the plot more important than the time in which the historical novel is written? In-terms of the characters do you think about them first and then come up with the time and place? PS: will let you off the hardback issue. Amanda Pursglove