At the small table, sitting very upright, was one of the ugliest old ladies he had ever seen. It was an ugliness of distinction - it fascinated rather than repelled.

Three months seems to me quite a reasonable time to complete a book, if one can get right down to it.

I admit," I said, "that a second murder in a book often cheers things up." - Hastings

As you yourself have said, what other explanation can there be?' Poirot stared straight ahead of him. 'That is what I ask myself,' he said. 'That is what I never cease to ask myself.

I often wonder why the whole world is so prone to generalise. Generalisations are seldom if ever true and are usually utterly inaccurate.

Writers are diffident creatures -- they need encouragement.

One does see so much evil in a village,' murmured Miss Marple in an explanatory voice.