The thriller is not a recent invention. It probably goes back to the dawn of storytelling.

The way to write a thriller is to ask a question at the beginning, and answer it at the end.

I don't know what the secret is when I am writing it - it really is a surprise to me.

I don't need validation, recognition or praise. What I need are facts and the facts are that one of my books gets sold, somewhere in the world, every second.

To fill a small bag means selecting,and choosing, and evaluating. There's no logicial end to that process. Pretty soon I would have a big bag, and then two or three. A month later I'd be like the rest of you.

The most sustained feat of imagination in mystery fiction today.

I had been coming to America very frequently for many, many years, so I had plenty of exposure - and maybe the best kind of exposure, because I think first impressions are very important. Maybe I notice stuff that is just subliminal to people who live here all the time.