I, myself, was always recognized . . . as the “slow one” in the family. It was quite true, and I knew it and accepted it. Writing and spelling were always terribly difficult for me. My letters were without originality. I was . . . an extraordinarily bad speller and have remained so until this day.

It is ridiculous to set a detective story in New York City. New York City is itself a detective story.

The things young women read nowadays and profess to enjoy positively frighten me.

Be sure thy sin will find thee out.

It is clear that the books owned the shop rather than the other way about. Everywhere they had run wild and taken possession of their habitat, breeding and multiplying, and clearly lacking any strong hand to keep them down.

What's wrong with my proposition?" Poirot rose. "If you will forgive me for being personal-I do not like your face, M. Ratchett.

I don't know. I don't know at all. And that's what's frightening the life out of me. To have no idea.