Africa was the most exotic place I could conceive of - the end of the world - and I knew I would go there one day.

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.

The evil always comes from details.

They pondered the importance of coffee in silence.

My mother did what many men do. She left.

Police work wouldn't be possible without coffee.

Certainly, I know what it's like to be obsessed. I haven't always been there for my children. They could reach me, but I wasn't always there. But, you know, that's not necessarily anything to do with being a writer. I mean, a taxi driver could have the same problem... Maybe.