Your Questions

Hi I'm Canadian, A friend, who has passed away, read your Sharpe series. I saw this Omnibus, the first 2 books by Richard Howard, and am interested in reading more, but there seems to be a mystery as to who he is. Are you he? I don't really need to know, human curiosity. Since I retired from a steel plant here in Hamilton, My curiosity about the world has seemed to have grown. Stewart Ross Mason

Hi. I seem to remember reading about a possible addition to the Thomas of Hookton stories...is this something you're working on?? Fingers crossed...Thanks! Colin

Dear Mr. Cornwell Just a quick question. Why did Hogan have to die! He was such a jolly character, it did make a good ending. Sarah.

Dear Mr Cornwell Have you considered applying your wonderful talents to the Roman or Norman conquests? I live in hope as I have read the Warlord books until they fell apart and am now on Uhtred's story - this whole period is so rich. Yours, Nigel McCarren

Dear Bernard, first allow me to wish you a very merry christmas and a happy new year. Second in regards to your Sharpe novels in Sharpe's Eagle it's mentioned that Simmerson is actually a cousin of Banastre Tarleton. Have you ever considered having Sharpe meet him, different war I know but both are quite a pair of characters?? And In Lawrence James book on Wellington it does mention that after Busacco he went from an opponent of the war and Wellington and became quite complimentary of both instead. Besides what did he do to deserve having Simmerson as a cousin?? The next question slightly leads on from the last but have you ever thought of writing about Tarleton and the American Revolution? The Patriot was an awful film and I think your books could more than set the record straight. And finally if you are looking for some good books to read over xmas I can recommend John Saddler's Border Fury on the Border wars between Scotland and England and David Miller's military biography on, Richard the Lionheart the Mighty Crusader. He paints an interesting argument that it was Richard who first invented the thin red line and a strange friendship that prospered between him and his foe Saladin. all the best Tony

I am on the second reading of your "Sharpe" series, but as I was comencing "Sharpe's Battle" I found a blank space with LTC Lawford and Lieutnant Cornelius Slingsby. I know that Slingsby was a drunk, but I could not decided what happened to him and where did LTC Lawford go. Later I know he lost an arm and went back to England, but where did he go here? Is there a time between the two books? There must be. Henry Boschen

I am an avid non-fiction history writer, so I was pleasantly surprised when I stumbled upon Kenneth Robert some years back. I have read all of his works. Because of him I picked up your Sharpe books. I was wondering if you've read and enjoyed Robert's stories of the American Revolution. In particular, have you read, Oliver Wiswell? This book made me see this struggle through the Tory eyes. It made me question if I would have been more sympathetic towards the Crown? Finally, I'd love to see Sharpe, or a character like Sharpe, in America during the Revolution. I wouldn't care if he was English, like Robert Grave's Sgt.Lamb, or an American. Thank you for enriching my life. Robert White

Hi Bernard, I just finished the Arthur Books and I enjoyed them very much but not as much as the Saxon Stories. I think because the Saxon Stories reflect actual history while we don't even know if an Arthur even existed but Alfred certainly did and was quite remarkable. Since the name of the next book is ,Lords of the North Country, how much of a part will Alfred acually play? Also, how long before Aethelflaed grows up and takes an active role in the books, I am waiting for that. I disagree with your reader who said that Brida wasn't a believable character. I like her a lot and hope we'll see more of her in the third book.
Ann Madonna

Dear Bernard, first - In reply to Ian Hunt's post of December the 16th asking whether Sharpe could get to Albuera from Fuentes-de-onro. In Ian Fletcher's excellent Bloody Albuera he does state that there was a real life Rifleman who managed to fight at both battles (Name escapes me at the moment). Albuera was also the only battle were Napoleon's maxim of a powerful column attack proceeded by a heavy artillery barage actually happened. It was the most vicious and nasty fight in the whole peninsular war. It seems to be perfect for Sharpe! Second - in regards to the next Sharpe book being at Barrossa due to the fact that the Spanish general Don-Manuela was so bad in that battle will the Spanish general Zayas be making an appearence since he more than did his job (and show's that not every single Spanish commander was bad) in that fight and himself peformed excellent service at Albuera? And finally at the start of Sharpe's Enemy Sharpe re-calls the seige of Burgos. Will a future Sharpe book be about that fight? It was arguably Wellington's one real failure in Spain and he himself called Duberton a very good soldier. Anyway merry Xmas! Geraint

Couldn't wait for the Pale Horseman, read it in virtually one sitting. Looks like you've done it again! Like all your books it stands the test of being re-read and still gripping the reader the second time around. What are you currently working on and what can we expect to be published next? Once again thank you for the consistently high standard of your books. A. Hitchen