40 Words for Sorrow is brilliant-one of the finest crime novels I've ever read. Giles Blunt writes with uncommon grace, style and compassion and he plots like a demon. This book has it all-unforgettable characters, beautiful language, throat-constricting suspense.

Optimism is denial for chumps with no life experience". "What's pessimism?" I said. "Religion without God.

Whatever fame a novelist my attain, it's always kind of an anonymous one. I can go anywhere, and no one knows who I am.

To trust someone is to take the greatest risk of all. (180)

His experience and training should have taught him that families are the cauldrons in which violence is brewed. (144)

The characters emerge from my rather twisted mind. That's another enjoyable part of the job making stuff up.

Each novel is harder than its predecessor because I must work harder at not repeating myself. However, I enjoy the challenge. This is the greatest job in the world.