Dear Mr Cornwell, I became a fan of your books aged 15 when my father was lent some of the Sharpe episodes on video. My father had previously read most of your books and I have since devoured the entire Sharpe series, followed with a brief period reading through Hornblower (I am now hooked on military historical fiction) and I am now mid-way through the Starbuck chronicles. I enjoy drawing some comparisons between the two series (Sharpe and Starbuck both reject their backgrounds, Sharpe and Harper have a similar relationship to Starbuck and Truslow – one that is not considered socially acceptable, and I see similarities to Rossendale and Washington Falcouner – allies that fall from favour with the hero and the reader.) I have a few questions. Firstly, with the introduction of Sharpe’s adventures in India, was it intended that Sharpe – who was originally said to be a sergeant when imprisoned in Seringapatam – become a private? Secondly, do you intend to complete the Starbuck Chronicles? (Having not read the Bloody Ground yet, I’m not sure what kind of ending there is, but I’m told that the characters are left open for another book.) Thirdly, having most ends tied up throughout the Sharpe novels, there is one character who fades from view – Captain Charles Morris. Sharpe swears vengeance on both him and Hakeswill for the flogging he receives in Sharpe’s Tiger, but aside from a mention of him becoming a major in Sharpe’s Company, he never seems to get what’s coming to him. Will Sharpe gain his revenge? Finally, has anyone suggested to you making a film from the Starbuck Chronicles? Being an Australian, I’m not sure what an American response to this would be, but I see it as a most vivid portrayal of the lifestyles and battles of the civil war. I would also like to say keep up the good work – there are few authors whose work I enjoy as much and I am waiting for the release of the next Sharpe novel with great anticipation. Matt Newham