When I was a very young author, I knew I needed to build myself a tower outside of Europe. Like when you're a hunter, and build towers to watch the animals move. I knew I would never understand the world without that perspective. I came to Africa for that rational reason, although I love Mozambique now.

To grow up is to wonder about things; to be grown up is to slowly forget the things you wondered about as a child.

It was a clear, starry night, dead calm. Whenever I see a sky like that, I wish I could write music

I am fascinated by all the new technology that creates places for us to meet in what is called cyberspace. I understand what it must have meant for the rebellions in the 19th century, especially in 1830 and 1848, when the mass circulated newspaper became so important for the spreading of information.

He was so excessively polite that Wallendar suspected he had endured many humiliations in his life.

One of the agonies of being an author is to know when to stop writing.

Police work wouldn't be possible without coffee," Wallander said. "No work would be possible without coffee." They pondered the importance of coffee in silence.