At first, when a child meets something that scares him, the fear grows, like a wave. But when he goes into the water and swims - gets used to the water - the wave grows small. If we pull the child away when the wave is high, he never sees that, never learns how to swim and remains afraid. If he gets a chance to feel strong, in control, that's called coping. When he copes, he feels better.

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

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

Just because others have it worse doesn’t mean you have to suffer in silence.

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.

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.

All of us are like locks. No matter how strong the bolt, there’s always a key out there that opens it.