Every book takes me from 35 to 41 days to write. I don't know why that is. I've tried to get it down to 30 or 31, depending on the length of the month, but it won't work. I don't drink while I'm writing because it fuddles my logical processes, but when I finish a book I go down to the kitchen and pour myself a big belt.

In a world that operates largely at random, coincidences are to be expected, but any one of them must always be mistrusted.

There are two kinds of statistics, the kind you look up and the kind you make up.

I have never regarded myself as this or that. I have been too busy being myself to bother about regarding myself.

Afraid? I can dodge folly without backing into fear.

To read of a detective's daring finesse or ingenious stratagem is a rare joy.

It is always wiser, where there is a choice, to trust inertia. It is the greatest force in the world.