Dear Mr Cornwell, Sharpe is an addiction in this family across three generations – my father put me on to them, and my 11 year old son is a big fan of the films, and will graduate to the novels soon. I also liked the Grail quest series a lot, and thought the 18th century thief taker novel especially fine as well. My son wonders whether, as you seek new adventures and horizons for Sharpe and Harper, you had considered sending them to the US to take part in the Battle of New Orleans? The Rifles were there, and if you haven’t visited the site at Chamarette (sp?), you certainly should. A particularly interesting action, and it would be interesting to see how Sharpe dealt with a defeat to British arms (which I suppose Copenhagen was in one sense, but not in another). I know authors hate comparisons (I’m an historian), but have you read Allan Mallinson’s stuff? I think his first Hervey novel, with Waterloo as the centre piece, was particularly good, not least because the light cavalry in an unusual perspective from which to view the battle. Thanks for your time. (Dr) Jeffrey Grey Professor of History Australian Defence Force Academy