Your Questions

Hi Bernard, i know that the death of kings has only just been released but when is the next saxon book due and do you know what the title will be yet or not? thanks very much A Stockwell

Ok Mr Cornwell here is the predicament I am in: As of today (14th Oct) I have read Death of Kings 8 times (fantastic book!). This being the case, I feel it is prudent - and not overly demanding - to ask when the next book in the series is due? I spent 12 months driving myself insane waiting for 'DOK' and fear another period of impatient longing! I understand that you are a busy man and a brilliant author and I suppose that entitles you to some recreational time! However, at this moment, I would not be adverse to your agent chaining you to a desk and demanding at least another 4 saxon stories before christmas! Keep up the good work! Alex

Hi Bernard, Thanks for the great read, I have just finished your new book Death of Kings, as I enjoy the saxon stories I was unable to put it down and finished it very quickly, could you please let me know a rough idea of when you would be completing the next book(1, 2 or 3 years maybe?), thanks, Graham

Bernard, I have become hooked on your Character, "Uhtred of Bebbanburg", and keep reading the sequels to see if he ever gets home to his rightful Castle. I have just finished "Death of Kings" and I'm still hung out. When are we getting more?? Peter.

Mr. Cornwell, thank you for introducing me to historical fiction. I just finished Death of Kings. I am wondering how many more books are in the Saxon series? After reading the last book, it appears there may be more than one. Thank you again, Mike.

Hi, Bernard, Just wanted to let you know that I saw "Death of Kings" being listed over at The Book Depository website as a Paperback edition. So being a rabid fan of Uhtred, I went ahead and ordered it --- only to be mystified later when someone contacted me and told me that it was a mistake...as it had yet to be released! When is your book really coming out as a paperback in the UK? Best Regards, Karen

Dear Mr. Cornwell: Although I live in Texas, I couldn't wait for the January 2012 USA release for the Saxon Stories' Death of Kings. So...I went ahead and ordered from the UK Amazon & received my British copy last week. Just finished it & loved it, of course! I am quite content with my Uhtred fix... for now. I was reading on your website that you are currently working on another Thomas of Hookton novel. Can't wait for that too - when do you anticipate that one to be published (UK & USA)? One more question: When, Oh When, will poor Starbuck return? I am sure you receive many emails from your addicted Nate Starbuck fans - please put us out of our misery & try your utmost to put Nate next on your "To Write" list!!! Thanks again for another Uhtred & the birth of England page-turner! Sincerely, Lorena Hoo Al-Ali

hi Bernard thanks for getting back to me, I was enquiring as to where you got information on the black bow ,I am at present making various long bows to see the difference in performance ,I understand the black is only a finish soot and oil/wax ,but any historical reference will be a great help, many thanks, Pete

Hi Mr. Cornwell, I'm curious about how long your books take to reach publication? Someone else asked a question and you said about 5-6 months to write a book, so after that what happens and how long till publication? I ask as I am more than eagerly awaiting the next Thomas of Hookton book.

And one more question as you are writing about the 100 years war, have you thought about taking on the french side and writing about Bertrand de Guesclin? Daniel Eastman

Dear Bernard, I am addicted to your books! I started with the Grail series and have now moved on to Sharpe (in between I have read several others too). I wish you had written the battles in Lord of the Rings, your battles are superbly written. I have read up to Sharpe's Sword and will not watch the corresponding TV episode on DVD until I read the book. I made the mistake of watching Sword last night, which is not in the correct order (I missed the Enemy episode). Of course in Enemy I believe Sharpe gets promoted to Major, so in the Sword episode he is already a major, unlike the book. If you followed all that(!) this leads me to my questions. Why did the writers of the series change the order? Why did they change the stories so much? Where was LeRoux's sister for example? Looking forward to getting more Saxon books (I have 4 at the moment), although I have the rest of the Sharpe's to read, 3 Starbucks and 3 Arthur books also! Stonehenge and Stormchild will have to wait. Keep up the good work, wish I could make it to one of your signings, thanks, Nigel.

Bernard. The relationship between Alfred and Uhtred seems really similar to that between Eisenhower and Patton,the great organiser and the fighting soldier. Patton was a fanatic would you be comfortable classing Uhtred in the same way or do you feel that he just has really good mission commitment but falls short of fanaticism?

Andy Houghton

Hi Mr Cornwell, firstly let me say what a massive fan of yours I am & have been since stumbling across Sharpe's Waterloo in my high school library. I have read all of your novels, often multiple times! I am leaving Perth, Australia for an extended working holiday in Europe & my question is do you have any recommended tours or particular sites that would be best for visiting. Useful battlefield companion books of the Peninsular War/Waterloo would also be appreciated. If this is covered elsewhere on this site my apologies as I could not find it. Once again many thanks for the countless hours of enjoyment. Scott Crawley.

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I have been an avid reader of your books since I was 12 years old and proud to say have read and own every single one. This being said, I have to say Death of Kings is probably one of the best. The Grail Quest being my favorite series of all time, I have to say this book as on par with Heretic. The paragraph on the battle joy on page 322 is haunting. However, being drawn into the plot of your latest book, what does the last line translate into English again? Again, a fantastic book, keep them coming!

Wes Spence

Hi, my brother & I are both big fans of your work and have been working our way through your back catalogue of books over the last few years & am currently halfway through your Sharpe series. Not so long back I read the late Michael Crighton's Pirate Latitudes and as much as I enjoyed it (and I don't intend to be disrespectful to him) I couldn't help but hope you might write a book or series based upon privateering & piratery in the future as I much prefer your writing style. The thought has come back to me recently having recently read Sharpe's Trafalgar and the Pucelle's pursuit of the revenant as well as in Sharpe's Eagle with Simmerson's threat of Sharpe's being busted down to Lieutenant in the West Indies. I best stop before I find myself suggesting an amateurish plot line to you. You're no doubt bombarded with book requests & suggestions but like the rest I've carried on anyway, but I would be grateful if you would consider publishing a book(s) of this type & would no doubt be first in line to buy a copies for me & my brother. Thank you Ian