It's funny how things work out sometimes.

Childhood, after all, is the first precious coin that poverty steals from a child.

Let me ask you a question Alex. What do you think is the greatest evil on this plant today?" "Is that including, or not including you?

There are many things in life that cannot be explained.

We have an hour before we have to leave," Cray said. "So I thought I might tell you a little about myself. I thought it might pass the time." "I'm not really all that interested," Alex said.

I hear it still. As I lay down my pen and take to my bed, I am aware of the bow being drawn across the bridge and the music rises into the night sky. It is far away and barely audible - but there it is! A pizzicato. Then a tremelo. The style is unmistakable. It is Sherlock Holmes who is playing. It must be. I hope with all my heart that he is playing for me . . .

My greatest fear is disappointing the reader, so each book has to be better than the one before.