Many years ago, when I was once saying sadly to Max it was a pity I couldn't have taken up archaeology when I was a girl, so as to be more knowledgeable on the subject, he said, 'Don't you realize that at this moment you know more about prehistoric pottery than any woman in England?'

To rush into explanations is always a sign of weakness.

the detective's highest talent lay in the gentle art of seeking favours under the guise of conferring them!

I have no pity for myself either. So let it be Veronal. But I wish Hercule Poirot had never retired from work and come here to grow vegetable marrows.

It had come about ex­act­ly in the way things hap­pened in books.

Sensationalism dies quickly, fear is long-lived.

Who are you? You don't belong to the police?' 'I am better than the police,' said Poirot. He said it without conscious arrogance. It was, to him, a simple statement of fact.