Every decade of my life I attempted to write a novel. But I had nothing to say. I was far too self-absorbed, and now I realize I was writing for others, so that they'd applaud me, see my genius, tell me how wonderful I am, or be jealous of my success.

I went through a period in my life when I had no friends, when the phone never rang, when I thought I would die from loneliness. I know that the real blessing here isn't that I have a book published, but that I have so many people to thank.

I was tired of seeing the Graces always depicted as beautiful young things. I think wisdom comes with age and life and pain. And knowing what matters.

It is very, very dangerous to come between a person and their beliefs.

Where there is love there is courage, where there is courage there is peace, where there is peace there is God. And when you have God, you have everything.

Fear lives in the head. And courage lives in the heart. The job is to get from one to the other.

But you want murderous feelings? Hang around librarians," confided Gamache. "All that silence. Gives them ideas.