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

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.

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

The science of psychotherapy is knowing what to say, the art is knowing when to say it. (36)

I spent the first few years of my life in a smallish community in Queens. Back in those early days, kids could roam the streets with relatively little supervision and one place I visited frequently was the local library. This particular branch was little more than a storefront but to me it was an alternative universe where I could explore my interests and receive kind, informative answers to my questions from the wonderful librarians.

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

It didn't feel difficult at the time because I was so charged up about both books. Afterward, however, I was pretty tired. In a good way, like after a great workout.