Your Questions

Has your style changed in the Saxon Chronicles? My suspicion that it has changed is based on the decrease in scene-setting and the increase in fast-moving action plus more inner dialogue. My greatest evidence is in the Pale Horsemen where you acknowledge George MacDonald Fraser. I see similarities in style between the multi-volume Flashman series by Fraser and the Saxon Chronicles. Or am I just sitting in the backseat singing? Lew Knickerbocker

Hi Mr. Cornwell, I am loving all your books and and am waiting for new ones all the time. Please keep up the excellent work. I have a question if I might. In Gallows Thief the main character is Rider Sandman, in Scoundrel the main character is Nick Sandman and in Wildtrack the main character is again called Nick Sandman. I'm confused - is Rider Sandman related to Nick Sandman? and is the Nick Sandman in both Wildtrack and Scoundrel the same man? thanks so much. Wendy

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I have a small conundrum or enigma. If, prior to the Sharpe Series begins Richard Sharpe has been in constant contact with Obediah Hakeswill and Captain Morris how did he go from grunt or cannon fodder to chosen man and then on to Sergeant, I can't bring them together will there a story explaining this or am I nit-picking? with all due respect and honor; Your Fan! Brian

Hello again Mr. Cornwell-I was recently watching a program on the discovery channel that featured Bamburgh Castle. The name and location rang a bell, and after looking on the web I ascertained that it was indeed the same location as Lord Uhtred's Bebbanburgh and was renamed by Saxon conquerors as such. There were only a few pictures, but they are consistent with the qualities you wrote about that made it a nearly impregnable stronghold. My question is this: Am I looking at the same structure that Uhtred would have grown up within? Also, if you know of a source of more photographs of this beautiful castle, please share. As always, thank you for your riveting books. ~Brian Hilley

Mr. Cornwell, My son, AJ, and I have been reading your work for some time now. We have an excellent library that carries a number of your titles and we have devoured them. We particularly like the Saxon Chronicles, Uhtred is a clever rapscallion. I wonder, given the popularity of similar period pieces in recent movies, Arthur, Lord Of The Rings, 300, are you planning the release of these titles in movies? Your character development is fantastic. Each one in the story has just enough feeling to them that they do not interfere with the main character who is telling the story in what ever person you have chosen. Thanks for sharing these worlds / eras with us. Greg Rowe

Mr Cornwell, I'm writing to you from a short island in the north of Germany, called Sylt. I have read the Saxon Stories and also the Grail Quest and both were great. I'm loving it. I'm wondering why Stories like those never found their way in cinema? The Saxon Stories have great potential. I would love to hear from you and I'm sorry about my English. greetings F. Engelbrecht

It seems that most fictional characters were based (sometimes loosely) on an actual person. Is there any truth in the story I've heard that Sharpe was based on a lieutenant in the 16th Light Dragoon Lancers called Thomas Blood, who was born in Staffordshire about 1775? Jan Bickerton

After having picked up the first in the grail series from a hotel lobby,whilst on holiday with my parents in Istanbul. I've not been able to put down the series since, having read each book 4 or 5 times, I still find myself amazed by Thomas of Hookton. A man who appears so shallow at first glance but has such depth he never fails to astound me by the paths he takes during the course of the books. I am about to be a young father and have chosen to call my first son Thomas. In the hope that one day i can give him this series of books and watch as he relishes them as much as i have. I also have a question,what do you think happened to Jeanette? Many Thanks,Lee

Dear Mr. Cornwell: Do you have any intentions of extending Richard Sharpe's adventures past 1823? Thank you, Bill O'Thuse

Mr.Cornwell, A few months ago I began reading the Starbuck chronicles(my brother got me started), I couldn't put the book down. Pretty soon I finished that whole series, and now I have read the stories of Starbuck, Derfel, Uhtred, and Thomas. Are you thinking of writing any more books for any of those series? My favorite series is either Saxon tales or Arthur series. Pretty soon I am going to begin the Sharpe series, but first I have to read this other book my brother gave me. Just the way you write is so vivid and I begin to see it in my head and I know exactly what you are writing. Are you gonna just keep adding to these series, or start a whole new series? You are by far my favorite author. Your writing has brought me back into reading and I just can't stop. I have found a joy for reading. Thank you so much.
Andre

Will there be a fifth Uhtred book and if so, when? Please speed up publication, as I am 80 years of age, so time is pressing !!!! Best wishes.
Brain Sweeney