Martin Cruz Smith (Obituary, 31 July) was clearly a novelist who did his research, sometimes to disconcerting effect. While an American chiefly known for a Russia-set series, his standalone novel Rose not only dispatched its protagonist to Wigan, but showed sufficient grasp of local custom to have him ask whether his expenses would be paid in pies.
Huw Richards
London
Why is the Church of England apparently unable to agree on a replacement for Justin Welby (Letters, 7 August)? The answer is all too obvious. There are several outstanding candidates, but they all have – in the view of all too many members of the ruling body of the church – one drawback that rules them out of the running. I believe we all know what this is.
Linda Evans
Hinton Charterhouse, Somerset
In the photo in your print edition, Kemi Badenoch appears to be flying the union flag upside down in her ice cream stand (Conservatives not close to recognising how badly they are positioned for next election, says Gauke, 13 August). This is generally understood to be a distress signal. Is she asking for help?
Dr Jenny Bywaters
Sheffield
Thanks for offering “champagne” in the Word Wheel on the day that our son turned 50 and our granddaughter achieved three A-stars in her A-levels (14 August).
Ian and Jane Waller
St Albans
My thought for the day is: “What is the best way to annoy Robert Jenrick?” (BBC apologises over Thought for the Day ‘xenophobia’ claim against Jenrick, 13 August).
Ian Grieve
Gordon Bennett, Llangollen canal