Dr. Watson Commenting on Irene Adler, in "a Scandal in Bohemia"
Xav ID 577
2011-06-22 20:51:14

"To Sherlock Holmes, she is always the woman."

—Dr. Watson commenting on Irene Adler, in "A Scandal in Bohemia," The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, 1892, by Arthur Conan Doyle

Rachel Innes, the Circular Staircase
Xav ID 577
2011-06-22 20:52:43

"This is the story of how a middle-aged spinster lost her mind."

—Rachel Innes, The Circular Staircase, 1908, by Mary Roberts Rinehart

Alex Tabor to Susan Melville, Miss Melville's Revenge
Xav ID 577
2011-06-22 20:53:29

"I'm never going to take you to a party again, Susan," Alex Tabor said, "if you're going to go around killing the guests."

—Alex Tabor to Susan Melville, Miss Melville's Revenge, 1989, by Evelyn E. Smith

Cassandra Swann, Death Takes a Hand
Xav ID 577
2011-06-22 20:55:18

"One corpse is usually more than enough. By anyone's standards, three is far too many."

—Cassandra Swann, Death Takes a Hand, 1993, by Susan Moody (Brit title: Takeout Double)

Louise Henderson, the Hours Before Dawn
Xav ID 577
2011-06-22 20:56:06

"I'd give anything—anything—for a night's sleep."

—Louise Henderson, new mother and heroine of The Hours Before Dawn, 1958, by Celia Fremlin

John Alderdyce to Pi Amos Walker, Angel Eyes
Xav ID 577
2011-06-22 20:56:55

"The road to hell is smooth as glass."

—John Alderdyce to PI Amos Walker, Angel Eyes, 1981, by Loren D. Estelman

Charlie Chan, Keeper of the Keys
Xav ID 577
2011-06-22 20:57:44

"The fool in a hurry drinks his tea with a fork."

—Charlie Chan, Keeper of the Keys, 1932, by Earl Derr Biggers

Detective Inspector Bill Slider, Death Watch
Xav ID 577
2011-06-22 21:04:08

"The Earth may be some other planet's hell."

—Detective Inspector Bill Slider, Death Watch, 1992, by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

Anonymous Gallery Hopper, Fugitive Colors
Xav ID 577
2011-06-22 21:05:26

"There's more to superficiality than meets the eye."

—anonymous gallery hopper, Fugitive Colors, 1995, by Margaret Maron

Keith Innes, the Rising of the Moon
Xav ID 577
2011-06-22 21:06:07

"All detective work is sneaking. That's why only gentlemen and cads can do it."

—Keith Innes, The Rising of the Moon, 1945, by Gladys Mitchell

Professor Krom, Send No More Roses
Xav ID 577
2011-06-22 21:06:46

"What use is an honest lawyer when what you need is a dishonest one?"

—Professor Krom, Send No More Roses, 1977, by Eric Ambler

On the Edge, Peter Lovesey
Xav ID 577
2011-06-22 21:07:23

"Smiling serenely in the September sun, Rose Bell strolled along Regent Street; mentally she was miles away, having her husband neutered like the cat."

—On the Edge, 1989, by Peter Lovesey

The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo, Michael Butterworth
Xav ID 577
2011-06-22 21:09:56

"Extravagance is a two-dollar cigar. Waste is to light it with a dollar bill."

—The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo, 1983, by Michael Butterworth

Captain Arthur Hastings, Curtain
Xav ID 577
2011-06-22 21:10:48

"Who is there who has not felt a sudden startled pang at reliving an old experience or feeling an old emotion? 'I have done this before...' Why do these words always move one so profoundly?"

—Captain Arthur Hastings, Curtain, 1975, by Agatha Christie

Professor Kate Fansler, the Theban Mysteries
Xav ID 577
2011-06-22 21:11:48

"Shifting problems is the first rule for a long and pleasant life."

—Professor Kate Fansler, The Theban Mysteries, 1971, by Amanda Cross

"Compensation," Essays: First Series, Ralph Waldo Emerson
Xav ID 577
2011-06-22 21:12:33

"Commit a crime, and the world is made of glass."

—"Compensation," Essays: First Series, 1841, by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Race Williams, the Tag Murders
Xav ID 577
2011-06-22 21:30:38

"In the heart of every man lurks the germ of a crook."

—Race Williams, The Tag Murders, 1930, by Carroll John Daly

Tommy Hambledon, They Tell No Tales
Xav ID 577
2011-06-22 21:46:05

"Beauty draws me with a single hair if it is blonde enough."

—Tommy Hambledon, They Tell No Tales, 1941, by Manning Coles

Jeff Peters of Andy Tucker in "the Octopus Marooned"
Xav ID 577
2011-06-22 21:46:45

"Whenever he saw a dollar in another man's hands he took it as a personal grudge, if he couldn't take it any other way."

—Jeff Peters of Andy Tucker in "The Octopus Marooned," The Gentle Grafter, 1908, by O. Henry

Mortimer Brewster, Arsenic and Old Lace
Xav ID 577
2011-06-22 21:47:53

"Insanity runs in my family. It practically gallops!"

—Mortimer Brewster, Arsenic and Old Lace, 1941, screenplay by Joseph Kesselring

Augustus Maltravers, the Latimer Mercy
Xav ID 577
2011-06-22 21:48:39

"It's so pointless, there has to be a point."

—Augustus Maltravers, The Latimer Mercy, 1985, by Robert Richardson