Dear Mr Stroud,

The Bartimaeus trilogy is so amazing. I read every book at least three times, although I'm German and have to read the translation.
I have some book specific and personal questions for you and I would be very pleased if you will answer them.

1) In The Amulet of Samarkand, Simon Lovelace called Ramuthra with a summoning horn. Bartimaeus said that there have to be four magicians to summon such a powerful demon. But Lovelace just blew in the horn and Ramuthra appeared and nobody had to do anything. Aside from that, one of the magicians (Schyler) was already dead at this moment.

2) Where is Kitty's silver item, that Jakob Hyrnek's grandmother gave her, in the third book? She could have used this instead of the iron key to protect herself when she went to the Other Place.
Did she lose it?

3) Why did Nathaniel have to die at the end of Ptolemy's Gate? He said to Kitty that he's wearing Seven-League Boots and that he can catch up with her quickly. Why hasn't he used them? He could have just thrown Gladstone's staff at Nouda, then he could speak the words that would release the demons within it and escape.
His injury couldn't be so serious because he was even able to shoot some lightning at Nouda. Besides, before he would die because of that he would first fall in a state of unconsciousness. Then Kitty would have some time to help him. She only has to summon a healer demon or something like that.

4) It's quite clear that Nathaniel had some feelings for Kitty. But did she feel the same way? There are just a few references in the book. Has she actually fallen in love with him during the events of Ptolemy's Gate?
Or is it possible that Nathaniel and Kitty would become a couple if Nathaniel would have survived?

5) At the end of book three Bartimaeus and Nathaniel finally stopped their countless dissensions and worked together in order to save the world.
Nathaniel even decided to release him before they would have died both. Just like Ptolemy did.
Will Bartimaeus have similar feelings for him like he had for Ptolemy? Will he even sometimes takes his body as his appearance form to remember him?

6) They were all very impressed that Kitty was capable of summoning Bartimaeus, although she is no magician. But there is no exact explanation for that. It seems that everyone who has the necessary knowledge can do that. That's strange. I remember that in Harry Potter someone gets magical abilities with his birth or he will never have something like that.
And the magicians in the Bartimaeus books must have any special abilities even when the biggest source of their power are the demons.

7) What happened to Jane Farrar?

8) Do you sometimes regret your decision to let Nathaniel die at the end of book three? I mean, the author, as well as the readers, build up a special connection to the characters while sharing their adventures. At least you had to feel sorry for him because he will never see Kitty again.

9) I've heard some rumours that you plan to write a fifth Bartimaeus book someday. When will it take time? Please, write something that is connected with the events of the trilogy. I've read The Ring of Solomon and it was interesting to learn something about Bartimaeus' former live, but honestly it wasn't unique like the trilogy. In my opinion, you can only improve yourself with a book that takes place in the future. Maybe with a surprising comeback of Nathaniel or the future live of Kitty.

For number 3, as soon as he let the containing spells go, the staff erupted. There was no time. JS says in other comments that Nat is dead; 9) his "comeback" is relegated to fan fiction.
6) Don't borrow from other books. The magicians do not have special powers. If you remember, the magician were all commoners' kids whose parents didn't want them. No special powers. In fact, it clearly states that ALL the magicians' power comes from spirits.