Dear Mr Cornwell, Congratulations and thankyou. I have just finished reading ‘A Crowning Mercy’ and I not only think it’s one of the best books you have written but is one of the best books I have ever read. I wasn’t going to read it when I saw it was classed as a ‘romantic novel’ but curiosity got the better of me, and I am glad it did. The ending, despite my efforts to try and figure it, was surprising, exiting and breath taking. I cannot wait to read ‘Fallen Angels’. Can I ask you a couple of questions please. How much input did your wife have into the book and how different do you think it would have been if you had written it by yourself? As a reader I felt anger and despair each time Campion was trapped or beaten and joy and pleasure when she was on top and seemed to be winning. Do you have the same feeling when you are writing a novel or are you too aware of the rest of the story that you don’t feel it like a reader? I am about to start ‘Fallen Angels’ but I have noticed it is set 160 years on from the first book, are the two novels connected? I doubt very much that we will see Sir Toby or Lady Campion ever again but once again thankyou for a brilliant novel. Barry Evans Kirk Sandall, Doncaster