Agatha Christie Quotes

While 'Visitation Street' has the markings of a traditional whodunnit mystery - starting with a missing girl, intrigue and many suspicious characters - Pochoda shows her hand early on by fingering a culprit. The book turns, then, into a 'whydunnit.'

They have shrunk from inquiry, though they have strained after punishment. I have in every shape dared the one, that I might, so far as lay in my power, be able to secure the other.

Nemesis follows hubris.

We’re going to find out who did this, and we’re going to kick their asses.

Will the real Red Reaper please stand up?

His left eyebrow crept higher and higher as I told him the strange bits like the glowing letters and serpent staff. "Well, Sadie," Inspector Williams said. "You've got quite an imagination." "I'm not lying, Inspector. And I think your eyebrow is trying to escape." He tried to look at his own eyebrows, then scowled.

I was thinking, that when my time comes, I should be sorry if the only plea I had to offer was that of justice. Because it might mean that only justice would be meted out to me.

So far Kat has been through all the Wa's she could think of, but Hale hadn't admitted to being Walter or Ward or Washington. He'd firmly denied both Warren and Waverly. Watson had prompted him to do a very bad Sherlock Holmes impersonation throughout a good portion of a train ride to Edinburgh, Scotland. And Wayne seemed so wrong she hadn't even tried. Hale was Hale. And not knowing what the W's stood for had become a constant reminder to Kat that, in life, there are some things that can be given but never stolen. Of course, that didn't stop her from trying.

Sirius — it’s me . . . it’s Peter . . . your friend . . . you wouldn’t . . .” Black kicked out and Pettigrew recoiled. “There’s enough filth on my robes without you touching them,” said Black.

But still the block of Vengeance firm doth stand, and Fate, as swordsmith, hammers blow on blow.

Your file was empty. Nothing. Not even an immunization record.” He didn’t even pretend to look surprised. He eased back in his seat, eyes gleaming obsidian. “And you’re telling me this because you’re afraid I might cause an outbreak? Measles or mumps?” “I’m telling you this because I want you to know that I know something about you isn’t right. You haven’t fooled everybody. I’m going to find out what you’re up to. I’m going to expose you.” “Looking forward to it.” I flushed, catching the innuendo too late.

Traitors hoist by their own petard?--or victims of the gods?--we shall never know!

Punishment follows close on crime.

He who is punished is never he who performed the deed. He is always the scapegoat.

I think the detective story is by far the best upholder of the democratic doctrine in literature. I mean, there couldn't have been detective stories until there were democracies, because the very foundation of the detective story is the thesis that if you're guilty you'll get it in the neck and if you're innocent you can't possibly be harmed. No matter who you are.

I dress up with a conscience when I think you'll be watching. I say all the right things, I don't know what I mean.

One is punished best for one's virtues.

I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both; and I believe they both get paid in the end; but the fools first.

I think I'm not always what I seem.

I don't think you should support the death penalty to seek revenge. I don't think that's right. I think the reason to support the death penalty is because it saves other people's lives.

So this ["Grant MacLaren"] was a chance to sort of go back and do a more leading man. But instead of just solving crimes like a CSI show, this leading man is, like the other travelers, not who he appears.

And though circuitous and obscureThe feet of Nemesis how sure!

If you think I'm crazy, keep going the way you're going and watch what God does.

Time is the best avenger.

Don't think for one min that I haven't been taking mental notes of everyone taking shots at me this summer. And I mean everyone!