A Silly Book Game - Part 17

Easy Rules*:
1. Grab the book you're currently reading.
2. Find a quote which answers the question in the post above yours.
3. Tell us what book you're quoting (include author's name).
4. Find another quote from the same book (a question this time) for the next poster to answer.

Hint: It's good if both your answer and question are related, but that's not absolutely necessary.

*Newbies welcome!

Continued from here

**************
Posted by callmejacx:

"You don't need them that badly, do you?"

Quentins by Maeve Binchy

"Couldn't you do that for us in Dublin too?"

"Unfortunately, we can't afford to."

The Complete Short Stories by Saki

"What is the tragedy of the aasvogel?

'appears to be a match for the murder weapon.'*

Owls Well That Ends Well by Donna Andrews

'and just what did you do with it in the meantime?'

*an aasvogel is a vulture, in case anyone wonders as i did. :)

"He grabbed at it clumsily, almost dropping it, and riffled the pages."

Fellowship of Fear by Aaron Elkins

"Do we really believe any of this, or are we just fooling around?"

More: they did not sing at Lossborough the Truetodeedle Song:
'Faith of our Fathers, Holy Faith,
We shall be true to thee till death'

Loitering with Intent by Peter O'Toole

...and so would Mrs. Blower please have the goodness to point me in the direction of the nearest Catholic Church and away from all this f****ng heathenry?

"We were right around the corner all the time."

Crazy in Alabama by Mark Childress

"What's your name and where do I sign up for you?"

"...Patrick O'Toole has hopped off his stool to be at your command. ..."

Loitering With Intent by Peter O'Toole

"...so can you muster eight half-crowns to back your splendid fancy?"

'Your silver-tongued sales talk has persuaded me'

The Torso in the Town by Simon Brett

'Did the police ask you if you had any idea who the torso might have been?'

'To the question my answer is - I never show off for anybody's benefit!'

The Party by Rudolph von Abele (Touchstone not working)

'You go hunting, then, at night?'

"I nodded."

Crazy in Alabama by Mark Childress

"You mean -- he was faking? The whole thing was pretend?"

"It comes of having majored in Greek combined with excessive devotion to the plays of Ibsen."

No Word from Winifred by Amanda Cross

"Everybody happy here?"

"The crowd burst into applause and shouts of "Amen!"

Crazy in Alabama by Mark Childress

"The question is where the hell have you been?"

He didn't think that either of them were really aware that he had left.

Quentins by Maeve Binchy

"What do you think the password is?"

"Carolyn Clay."

Crazy in Alabama by Mark Childress

"Whoa, it is heavy. What do you have in here, bricks?"

"What is needed," he had eventually said, "is about one hundred brick-shaped objects."

Loitering With Intent by Peter O'Toole

Did you ever use a drawer from a chest of them as a hod?

"I didn't. And I was lonely as hell."

No Word from Winifred by Amanda Cross

"The one who's disappeared?"

"Chester."

Crazy in Alabama by Mark Childress

"Do you expect to seek the death penalty?"

"No hints. If you guess what it is, it won't be a surprise...."

The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers by Lilian Jackson Braun

"Will you take the cats?"

#18 That made me laugh out loud - macabre!

“His horses are bred better,”

‘The Oxford Shakespeare: As You Like It’ by William Shakespeare.

“Shall I keep your hogs, and eat husks with them?”

I hiss at him.

The Leisure Seeker - MichaelZadoorian

"Are you off your rocker?"

"I can't imagine why you should say such an extraordinary thing!"

Sorcery and Cecelia by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer

"What do you know of Thomas?"

According to Lydia, he was walking around, bewildered, looking at everything and muttering to himself, "It's going to be hard leaving all this."

The Leisure Seeker - Michael Zadoorian

"Where do you suppose they're headed to?"

#16 and #18...Selliers, you are on fire!!! LOL

"The Beverly Hills."

Crazy in Alabama by Mark Childress

"Are you gonna dig up Chester and put him back together before you bury him?"

"What a singular notion of fun you must have," I said. "Still it might be amusing at that."

Sorcery & Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by P. Wrede and C. Stevermer

"Did you steal that book from Sir Hilary's library?"

"Earlene took everything."

Crazy in Alabama by Mark Childress

"Did you miss me?"

Mind you, there were hugs and kisses from Mummy to console.

Loitering with Intent by Peter O'Toole

Who was the villain who assured me that there was no Father Christmas?

'Meg?'

Owls Well That Ends Well by Donna Andrews

'apart from that, how's everything going?'

"The whole house was burning, a garden of flames blooming in every window from the first floor to the attic dormers."

Crazy in Alabama by Mark Childress

"Do you remember what happened the last time somebody said no to me?"

"Every half hour, he recalled, her mother came out to the porch to see if they had enough lemonade."

The Cat who had 60 whiskers by Lilian Jackson Braun

"How did people react?"

Everything was in confusion.

Passing by Nella Larsen

"Ever go up to the sixth floor, Clare?"

"Jackson at her elbow spoke out. 'Oh yes you have'."

Atonement by Ian McEwan

"So, are we still on for tennis?"

"I think that wouldn't be a problem."

Quentins by Maeve Binchy

"Would it ever happen?"

"He would take lodgings in a strange town -- and begin."

Atonement by Ian McEwan

"What had made her so blind, so obtuse?"

'if you ask me, clutter is probably the root cause of half the problems in our culture.'

Owls Well That Ends Well by Donna Andrews

'what kinds of things?' the gypsy asked.

"The orderly troupe of farm animals lined along the window sill and the straitlaced dolls poised in the various rooms of their open-sided mansion

Atonement by Ian McEwan

"How was she to know they meant nothing in fact?"

"I think you are being somewhat romantic about this investigation, overdoing the Baker Street influence."

No Word from Winifred by Amanda Cross

"What did you find in the novels?"

"The Trials of Arabella."

Atonement by Ian McEwan

"Where are we putting Paul?"

'plenty of motels in town; i usually make the Sprockets stay in one.'

Owls Well That Ends Well by Donna Andrews

'who was that man, anyway?'

Andrew Wragg was some unspecified kind of artist, and worked in the studio that had been converted from the smokehouse behind his partner's shop.

The Torso in the Town by Simon Brett

'Don't you find something spooky about the place, Carole?'

"I know you are frightened Hawkins, but you must pretend that you have come back from enemy territory to give intelligence."

Dust and Shadow by Lyndsay Faye

"What in the name of God and the devil brings you here?"

"Sex."

In the Miso Soup by Ryū Murakami

"What? What is it, a contest or something?"

“I come but in as others do, to try with him the strength of my youth.”

‘The Oxford Shakespeare: As You Like It’ by William Shakespeare.

“What passion hangs these weights upon my tongue?”

The upshot is that I was left with a considerable thicker tongue. Thicker tongue, thicker tongue, thicker tongue. Which is already wagging and tripping and licking better and better each day.

Loitering With Intent by Peter O'Toole

"Do I hear a slight lisp? ..."

"No, of course you don't."

Atonement by Ian McEwan

"Which portion of my mind, of my memory, had I lost to a minuscule stroke while I was asleep?"

It is known to my friends and family and colleagues that in the earlier parts of a morning you do not find me at my best.

Loitering With Intent by Peter O'Toole

How had this come about?

"I don't know. Edouard. But I am going to do my best to find out."

Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay

"What about the Americans?"

"'oh god, not another one,' i said."

Owls Well That Ends Well by Donna Andrews

'how many feathers am i holding up?'

'There haven't been any others, have there?'

The Torso in the Town by Simon Brett

'Have you ever lived in a small country town?'

'Caerphilly was a small town.'

Owls Well That Ends Well by Donna Andrews

'where's the nearest working bathroom?'

"Near the seventy-fifth parallel."

Nikolski by Nicolas Dickner

"Can I borrow your book?"

"C'est impossible, M'sieur."

Atonement by Ian McEwan

'"Has England ever been hotter?"

PeeEss~LynnB has no sympathy for those of us who have to go potty. Tee hee hee.

well, it may take a while. That's why you need to bring a book!

"No bookseller in his right mind would do overtime in this miserable weather."

Nikolski by Nicolas Dickner

"Hey, doesn't it also smell of instant coffee?"

"... and I render up for myself the smell that must have greeted the visitors: warm milk, poured out for the cats; urine; manure; pig -- though clean pigs smell a lot less than everyone supposes."

No Word from Winifred by Amanda Cross

"Is there a woman who lives and works here?"

"You look like her."

Atonement by Ian McEwan

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

"'i beg your pardon,' Aunt Josephine said, looking down her long, pointed nose at the woman."

Owls Well That Ends Well by Donna Andrews

'what did you do then?'

"I'm always asking myself that."

Atonement by Ian McEwan

"What's your sister going to do?"

'since the crowd contained a fair number of my family, the odds were that they'd eventually do something entertaining. . .my more exhibitionistic relatives were already jockeying for position.'

Owls Well That Ends Well by Donna Andrews

'were you casting aspersions on my personal appearance?'

'They were very big feet.'

The Last Hero by Terry Pratchett

'"And what else've you got to look forward to, anyway?" said Cohen'

"Only two days left before Christmas, and eight before the end of the world."

Nikolski by Nicolas Dickner

"Really? How can you be so sure?"

"'he's a Sprocket,' Rob said through a mouthful of doughnut."

Owls Well That Ends Well by Donna Andrews

'so why aren't Horace and the rest still working on the stuff outside?'

"We'd like Detective Maddox to take a look at our body," Frank said.

The Likeness by Tana French

"See anything wrong?"

"Look at your arms! It's not just chafing. You're bruised up to your elbows."

Atonement by Ian McEwan

"How on earth did they do that?"

'they show up every ten minutes or so to ask how much longer till one.'

Owls Well That Ends Well by Donna Andrews

'what happens after one?'

More tumult.

Old Scores by Aaron Elkins

But whose property were these paintings?

'the Poet Laureate of Caerphilly?'

Owls Well That Ends Well by Donna Andrews

'when did the students demonstrate, and what did it have to do with Mrs. Pruitt?'

"My students used to tell me how lucky I was to be teaching history."

The Uses and Abuses of History by Margaret MacMillan

"What does it matter what happened then?"

"I'm asking the questions, Mr Amado. You are answering."

The Concrete Blonde by Michael Connelly

"Twenty years?"

"'back in the late seventies,' Michael said. 'i wasn't here but i heard all about it."

Owls Well That Ends Well by Donna Andrews

'is there anything else i can do to help?'

"Yes you can, Sylvia. Load the gun then wait for me."

The Concrete Blonde by Michael Connelly

"Can you just disappear?"

"Of course. I'll have to at some point."

Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay

"Did you reach him on your cell phone?"

"'i wouldn't want to deprive you of the pleasure,' i said."

Owls Well That Ends Well by Donna Andrews

'was it an amicable separation?'

"We've had three turn-downs from three judges."

The Concrete Blonde by Michael Connelly

"You want me to make you some soup or something?"

"He brought me chocolare biscuits."

The Likeness by Tana French

"What did Daniel think?" I asked, after a moment.

"... I think we both felt our friendship was simply demeaned if thought of in the only way they could think of it."

No Word from Winifred by Amanda Cross

"What more can I tell you?"

"The Bitch got out," said Bernese. "That Crabtree Bitch got out, and she ate your Genny up."

Between, Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson

"Is Mama okay?"

"'the world's leading scholar of her oeuvre,' i said, nodding."

Owls Well That Ends Well by Donna Andrews

'how bad is it?'

"There are heroes and villains."

The Uses and Abuses of History by Margaret MacMillan

"Do children need a chronology at all....?"

"'leave it to me, dear,' mother said, and turned to leave."

Owls Well That Ends Well by Donna Andrews

'what about it?'

'What this seems to be about,' I said hesitatingly, 'is making some kind of statement.'

Dexter by Design by Jeff Lindsay

'Why do I always win when we play Kick the Can?' I asked them.

Edit for TS.

"The favourable light we so often see ourselves in can cast shadows as well."

The Uses and Abuses of History by Margaret MacMillan

"But the man's uniquely evil, isn't he?"

'that was my reaction.'

R is for Ricochet by Sue Grafton

'what made you so sure i'd say yes?'

'I think it's the other way around'

The Likeness by Tana French

'Has it evolved opposable thumbs yet?'

"You're tender as a chicken," he said. "Hard on the outside, inside all jelly!"

Poet In The Gutter by John Baker

"Were you ever married?"

"i held up two fingers. 'both ended in divorce."

R is for Ricochet by Sue Grafton

'what else do you do?'

"At night I hunt on four feet," was the somewhat cryptic response.

The Complete Short Stories by Saki

"But what did you see?"

*Taken from Gabriel-Ernest

'i pictured her out in the field for hours with her paint box and easel.'

R is for Ricochet by Sue Grafton

'what'd you need me for?'

"Burton, I want you to check every inch of her body, and anything that looks remotely like it doesn't belong there I want you to make it disappear."

Absolute Power by David Baldacci

"Are you sure?"

"They don't know any better."

Between, Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson

"Does she play the violin?"

" I don't think so, " replied Betsy. " It's more like you were bamboozled. "

Thai Die by Monica Ferris

"Didn't Buddah invent serenity?"

"Upon my word! Well, I certainly know of it now."

Sprig Muslin by Georgette Heyer

"Do you think you should eat raspberries, my dear?"

'I definitely don't want to see them at the dinner table'

The Likeness by Tana French

'Remember when we found the gas mask?'

'that was a stumper.'

R is for Ricochet by Sue Grafton

'what's love about if not risk?'

"Hmm-hmm. They all say that when something goes bad."

Gang Leader for a Day by Sudhir Venkatesh

"The gang protects the squatters?"

"I shook my head."

Between, Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson

"Did you get things straightened out at the sheriff's office?"

"Yes, but we are not allowed to broadcast anything. The police think they'll be in danger if Graham East gets hold of their address."

Poet In The Gutter by John Baker

"Do you wanna take the Volvo?"

'Reba picked me up in her car, a two-year-old black BMW she'd acquired shortly before she'd been sent to CIW*'

R is for Ricochet by Sue Grafton

'what'd you say to Onni when you canceled dinner?'

*California Institute for Women

"What have I to say, monsieur? he grumbled in a husky voice."

At the Villa Rose by A. E. W. Mason

"I warned you fairly, didn't I?"

"Either I don't listen, or I don't learn."

Between, Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson

"Henry, you think she's in Athens?"

'Maybe I could go there too. It sounds lovely."

Poet In The Gutter by John Baker

"Do you want me to do something, Celia?"

"And the next moment Celia winced and had to bite her lip to prevent a cry."

At the Villa Rose by A. E. W. Mason

"Are you afraid, Célie?"

"Don't be an idiot."

Between, Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson

"What are all of you doing here?"

(Sorry, there is no Celia in this book. Ha.)

'We ended up giving away all the chocolate things in the tutorial groups'

The Likeness by Tana French

'You're a lazy object, do you know that?'

Well, there's another one copped a 'Block this member' from me!

Anyone close enough to area code 228 (is that really Mississippi?) to call and inform them what a twit they are?

“Marry, sir, I am helping you to mar that which God made, a poor unworthy brother of yours, with idleness.”

‘The Oxford Shakespeare: As You Like It’ by William Shakespeare.

“What prodigal portion have I spent, that I should come to such penury?”

(Thought I'd get the thread moving again - after the surreality!)

yes, its really mississippi u twit!

"I helped myself to the emergency fund in the teapot. It was supposed to be secret."

Murphy's Law by Rhys Bowen

"How are you with the readin' and writin'?"

"…perhaps I've created a reader."

Between, Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson

"Hey, you want to go get something to eat?"

and what is a "twit"...is it a jackhole like the way u behave? forgive me i live in mississippi, but i can read and write and I wear shoes too!

Back to #113

'I'm bored and it's sunny, come for lunch'

The Likeness by Tana French

'What about designer dresses and weekends in Monte Carlo?'

'not bad for someone who started her career loitering behind the school.'

R is for Ricochet by Sue Grafton

'why don't i give you a lift and save her the drive?'

"I don't see why you two shouldn't go ahead. I'll come along later."

Murphy's Law by Rhys Bowen

"Hey, where do you think you're going?"

"There's always Saint Bavo's to slip into if the hubbub of the streets gets too frantic for Ruth."

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire

"Can you tell us then about Haarlem's changeling child?"

"She is like a lab experiment."

Scar Tissue by Michael Ignatieff

"Is it as bad as that?"

Her career had not been critically acclaimed; her later films usually flopped.

Michael Jackson: The Magic, The Madness, The Whole Story by J. Randy Taraborelli

"Who's she?" ...

'customs and treasury. and the DEA.'

R is for Ricochet by Sue Grafton

'how do you figure that?'

"I perceived that everything that had happened to me was designed to make me turn my heart from my fellows and live alone, for only solitude could save me from bringing destruction upon others."

The Egyptian by Mika Waltari

"Surely you do not fancy that I, a doctor, am born of the gods?"

"Sorry, sir. Yes, sir, they do teach that."

Yellowthread Street by William Marshall

"What's wrong with your other hand?"

'she started ticking off the choices on her fingers.'

R is for Ricochet by Sue Grafton

'what's your hurry?'

"At the last minute," says Margarethe, "van den Meer let it be known that he expected his colleagues to escort potential investors to his home to mourn the loss of his dear wife."

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire

"Haven't you seen that the portrait of Young Woman with Tulips has been given pride of place in the hall?"

"We just don't know the reason."

House and Philosophy: Everybody Lies edited by Henry Jacoby

"Anybody notice if there's a full moon?"

"'There's no escaping that,' says Iris."

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire

"Did I ever tell you I hate you?"

"You're drunk. Blind drunk as usual."

Murphy's Law by Rhys Bowden

"Is it money you're after?"

"'not at all,' the Levantine replied. . . ."

The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett

'what's the hurry?'

"Motown called."

Moonwalk by Michael Jackson

What was going on?

"I don't know how to describe it. I never seen anything quite like it."

Under the Dome by Stephen King

"What does it look like from your side?"

"We're at sixes and sevens today because the master is hosting a large dinner party tonight."

Murphy's Law by Rhys Bowen

"Do you know how to lay a table properly?"

I'd always pictured myself doing something very elegant ...

Moonwalk by Michael Jackson

Had they traveled far?

"Too far to walk."

A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh

"Nuts and what things?"

'. . .a siphon, some glasses, and a bottle of Johnnie Walker whiskey on a tray, a box of cigars--Coronas del Ritz--two newspapers and a small and plain yellow soapstone box.'

The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett

'suppose i wouldn't tell you anything about it at all? what would you do?'

"Ask your mother."

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire

"There's no wife here, or why would I be living in squalor?"

“Then you must say, ‘I take thee, Rosalind, for wife.’”

‘The Oxford Shakespeare: As You Like It’ by William Shakespeare.

“Do you not know I am a woman?”

'yes, and wild and unpredictable.'

The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett

'what would you do next?'

"I should have thought it was very nice to be called a tart," John argued.

A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh

"How did the lecture go?"

Oooops. I cross-posted with mirrordrum. This was supposed to be in answer to # 138.

Responding to 139 since 140 leapfrogged.

"I'll come, because I must, but if you stand near me and prattle, I'll drown you myself in the first helpful wave."

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire

"What are you waiting for, you simpleton?"

Some things can't be rushed.

Moonwalk by Michael Jackson

"How was that?"

"Splendid as I remembered it."

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire

"What have I done to deserve indignity after indignity?"

Time will tell.

Moonwalk by Michael Jackson

What kind of statement is that?

"You're talking about me!"

Santa Clawed by Rita Mae Brown

" You really like it? I haven't been too severe?"

“More, more, I prithee, more.”

‘The Oxford Shakespeare: As You Like It’ by William Shakespeare.

“ – a good answer. Art rich?”

"If Brenda had to go to London for a day's shopping, ...., she went on Wednesday, because the tickets on that day were half the usual price."

A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh

"Who's been to stay?"

"She pushed off from England without a single moment's hesitation."

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire

"She was a witch, and wasn't it clear?"

I really hadn't thought of it.

Moonwalk by Michael Jackson

"Why don't you let me do it?"

"... wet kissing transfers testosterone in saliva, helping to stimulate lust."

This Will Change Everything by John Brockman (ed.)

"Where will all this lead?"

Our whole lives had been leading to that single, important confrontation, however civilized and aboveboard it was.

Moonwalk by Michael Jackson

"Why wouldn't I?"

"You are too well known to openly attend this meeting."

Glamour by Louise Bagshawe

"What are they going to say about us next?"

Journalists seem willing to say anything to sell a paper.

Moonwalk by Michael Jackson

"What happened to truth?"

"Everything is fine and dandy and at the same time all wrong."

Ergo by Jakov Lind

"What is there to laugh about?"

"A vow of silence does no one harm."
"'Until your hem catches on fire and you need to call out to someone to bring a bucket,' he says, finding himself amusing."

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire

"Your sisters? You have more than the one?"

"About six, I suppose."

Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon

"Constipated, do you mean?"

"She complains of mysterious aliments…"

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire

"Don't you want to pick up a chalk and try for yourself?"

"Tell you what. I'll show you around the campus first."

The Front Runner by Patricia Nell Warren

"Does that mean nobody knows but you three and him?"

It may be considered strange, I know, but I like my privacy.

Moonwalk by Michael Jackson

"What if I were trying to do something that I didn't happen to want reported in the paper?"

'It only remains to select a partner,' said the solicitor; no hint of naughtiness lightened his gloom.

A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh

What, this weather?

The cold breeze made him tug the zipper on his windbreaker all the way to his neck

Creepers by David Morrell

"Do we have your word that you won't compromise us?"

'I might have stay out of the way for awhile, as the point is, you know how people gossip."

The Singapore Grip by J.G. Farrell

"Why on earth did you throw a glass of wine in his face?"

I'm sending a simple message here: "Leave me alone."

Moonwalk by Michael Jackson

How could I best harness them?

They suspected Exley of harbouring large ideas which he would not have the gumption to assert.

The Great Fire by Shirley Hazzard

"Shall we have a nip of something?"

I wanted to do something special.

Moonwalk by Michael Jackson

"If this album doesn't do as well as "Off The Wall", will you be disappointed?"

"We all have to cope with what life throws at us"

The Secret Hangman by Peter Lovesey

"They haven't named him, have they?"

George came up with the name "Captain Eo." (Eo is Greek for "dawn.")

Moonwalk by Michael Jackson

Why had Mr. Frost changed his mind?

'you mean about the bird?'

The Maltese falcon by Dashiell Hammett

'did you have that gun under your pillow all night?'

"We had a wee spot of bother last night, I suppose you would call it a mutiny."

The Singapore Grip by J. C. Farrell

"Why am I being punished like this?"

"Stay in your place and there won't be no more trouble."

Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill

"Who's there?" Mrs. Witherspoon called out.

Brenda was with me at first but she was frightened by a mechanical mouse, so she took the canoe and went off.

A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh

I suppose you are some kind of a cycling club?

"Spade sneered at him without bitterness. 'that's the kind of thing I'd expect from somebody the punk's age.'"

The Maltese falcon by Dashiell Hammett

'shall i make the bed?'

We weren't used to having things done for us.

Moonwalk by Michael Jackson

Would we win the game or slide past Go with a long board separating us from our goal for another round?

"If one thing improves, another worsens."

The Great Fire by Shirley Hazzard

"Is this your friend?"

"'he's my uncle!--' i said angrily. . ."

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

'how long does he do this for?'

"No questions!"

What-the-Dickens by Gregory Maguire

"What" said Silviana stagily, "did she think he said?"

Note: Any strange words or misspellings are as they occur in the book. ;-)

"It's very complicated. I prefer problems you can throw spears at."

The Riddle-Master of Hed by Patricia McKillip

"Do we have to throw rocks at each other like children?"

"One time, twice, another time."

What-the-Dickens by Gregory Maguire

"What the dickens --- ?"

"Tamworth reached into his case and pulled out a file. it was marked 'most secret--SpecOps-5 clearance only.'"

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

'you know what he looks like?'

"He was young and very fair and thin with an odd face, a face that was askew somehow."

Endless Night by Agatha Christie

"What's your name?"

'i had been simply Corporal T. E. Next, 33550336, Driver: APC, Light.'

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

'what do you see?'

Her dazzling white body was covered with little bruises.

The Private Wound by Nicholas Blake

"Now do you believe me?"

"Perhaps Jerry would like to speak for himself."

The Secret Hangman by Peter Lovesey

"Why would he make this up?"

“I’ll tell thee, Charles, it is the stubbornest young fellow of France, full of ambition, an envious emulator of every man’s good parts, a secret and villainous contriver against me his natural brother.”

‘The Oxford Shakespeare: As You Like It’ by William Shakespeare.

“Shall we part, sweet girl?”

"Have you got what you need for the road?"

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

"If I follow the river, is that as good as anything?"

"Ostensibly," was the dark reply, followed by a request for a large-scale map of the locality.

The Complete Short Stories by Saki

"I got your telegram," he said. "What's up?

"We have a plague among us that needs burning out before it spreads."

The Virgin in the Ice by Ellis Peters

"Can you find the place again?"

>184 alaudacorax:-186 marvelous. RA, you're just a wiz with Shakespeare.

"We are not fools, Mr. Paint. You forget that I was born here."

Sun Going Down by Jack Todd

"Is it ok if I tag along then?"

"'stay here!' shouted Buckett."

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

'how long does he do this for?'

"We really should get some sleep. We're not doing ourselves a favor sitting up all night, believe me."

What-the-Dickens by Gregory Maguire

"What's the matter, Grandma?"

"Sorry, I've just been rescued by a dolphin."

The Unbearable Lightness of Scones by Alexander McCall Smith

"Can't you read, mate?"

"Perhaps."

The Riddle-Master of Hed by Patricia McKillip

"What do you know about yourself?"

"I picked up a snake once. In Italy."

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

"Why did you do that?"

"You looked as though you could use something...nice."

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

"What else did good king Auberon tell you?"

"We double-plant…"

What-the-Dickens by Gregory Maguire

"You plant old teeth?"

"Take what you need."

The Virgin in the Ice by Ellis Peters

"What more was required of you?"

"Zeke signaled to Dinah that she shouldn't give anything away."

What-the-Dickens by Gregory Maguire

"So you know the Tooth Fairy personally?"

I can't imagine life without Bill; he's warm and funny and absolutely in love with life. He's a great man.

Moonwalk by Michael Jackson

"Janet, what do you see? ..."

"I am watching a duck laying an egg."

Vinyl Cafe Diaries by Stuart McLean

"Which leg did you say you lead with?"

"I saw a white band on the slab - one of those rubber bracelets that the kids wear these days"

Hardball by Sara Paretsky

"So what were Johnny and Lamont doing?"

They were smiling solicitously at him.

Vinyl Cafe Diaries by Stuart McLean

"Where are my hands anyway?"

"If anybody could find out about them, it's you."

What-the-Dickens by Gregory Maguire

"If your parents were so mean, how'd you learn to be nice?"

Sometimes when you're treated unfairly it makes you stronger and more determined.

Moonwalk by Michael Jackson

"Who really wrote that?"

"Seriously?"

Vinyl Cafe Diaries by Stuart McLean

"How do you think I should dress for this?"

'. . .in a badly fitting suit with high collar and necktie.'

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

'is there anything that you require?'

"Royal Air Force."

The Descent by Jeff Long

"He was a pilot?"

"No, I am just a girl, but I'll soon be seventeen and I know how to take care of myself."

Sun Going Down by Jack Todd

"Were you spying on me?"

"Three pairs of eyeglasses turned toward him."

The Descent by Jeff Long

"Can you come closer to me?"

"You seem to have a habit of shanghaiing me."

The Diary by Eileen Goudge

"Would you rather I drove you straight home?"

"You won't leave us?"

The Descent by Jeff Long

"What animal collected its prey in a neat row?"

"Rattlesnakes. I told you to watch out for rattlesnakes."

Sun Going Down by Jack Todd

"You mean to say a novel is a story that ain't true?"

"'Maybe you believe too much,' Ike Suggested."

The Descent by Jeff Long

"And you don't?"

I will tell you what I have learned in the forest, where time is different.

A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh

But surely you are English?

"After a fashion," Herne said.

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

"Can my father make me human?"

"If he can spare the time from his knitting..."

Terror on Tuesday by Ann Purser

"What were you doing reading that letter?"

One should always have something sensational to read in the train.

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde.

Prism! Where is that baby?

"Get rid of him and maybe I'll tell you."

Starvation Lake by Bryan Gruley

"So have you told them yet?"

"You mean to say one of them planted the cylinders?"

The Descent by Jeff Long

"What's this crap?"

"It is, as I said, an abstract question."

Heir of Sea and Fire by Patricia McKillip

"What did you do? Fall face first in an empty wine bottle?"

"the dummy opened it's eyes wide and gave out a terrified cry of MONUMENTAL ALABASTER! before falling limp."

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

"'well if i can't bash you,' i told him, 'what can i do?'"

"I'm sure they didn't bring me all the way here just to get me killed."

The Phoenix Unchained by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory

"Would you like to come in?"

"I ought to be back at my desk, as it happens"

The Night Watch by Sarah Waters

"Do you think you would be able to calm down, if you were me?!"

'He is a very angry man,' said Madam.

Night Watch by Terry Pratchett
(stupid touchstones)

'Where d'you live?'

"We are stripping out the old royal apartments and making something finer, and I am going to build a new lodging for the queen."

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

"Is she to have new jewels?"

"'ah yes,' replied Hades. 'your delightful wife.'"

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

'any news on Brainbox and the Fatarse?'

"The men sprouted whiskers. Among the women, roots began to grow out, eyeliner and lipstick fell from daily fashion. Dr. Scholl's adhesive pads for blisters became the currency of choice, even more valuable than M&M's."

The Descent by Jeff Long

"What are all your commandos and specialists good for? Helios can slip some mercenaries into the wilderness, but not the U. S. Army?"

She smiled. "You're being played. You know that, don't you, they don't want you to know what's going to happen."

The Dead Hour by Denise Mina

"Do you understand what that means?"

"'i don't speak Welsh,' murmured Mycroft."

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

'where am i taking you?'

“That way! Over the river.”

The Demoness (short story) in ‘Women as Demons’ by Tanith Lee.

“What is it makes you hurry after the sword stroke which is all he wants to give you?”

"I have to go. I can't just sit by."

The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee

"Do you think breakfast is in the offing?"

"There's lots of food and wine."

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

"What more could I have done?"

'if Mr. Parke-Laine calls again, tell him i died of hemorrhagic fever of something.'

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

'what work are you doing in Swindon anyway?

"That's a luxury you don't understand."

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

"What's wrong with you, anyway?"

'whenever i saw these pictures, the smell of cordite and the crack of exploding shells filled my head.'

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

'what brings you here?'

"I give a damn."

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

"A heart, yes. Isn't that amazing?"

'i wouldn't say that quite yet.'

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

'was ever woman in this humor wooed? asked the mannequin.'*

*italics in the original as the mannequin is quoting from Richard III. and yes, he spells it 'humor' not 'humour.' i don't know why. ;)

"He was royally pissed off." *

*my thoughts have drifted to Richard III as played by Al Pacino

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

"Is beauty to be found in form? Is meaning?"

"Later, he will wonder what exactly she meant."

The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee

"Everything seems better in the morning, don't you think?"

Why, yes. I have been quite gay* while you were asleep.

A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh

* in the old-fashioned sense of "merry"

Your head aches, does it not?

"So, nice party...."

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

"What's this, the key to your heart?"

There are pages in that book I can never hear without the temptation to weep.

A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh

Guests?

“Twelve footpads in a band,” he shrieked.

Deux Amours d’une Sorcière (short story) in ‘Women as Demons’ by Tanith Lee.

“Why live?”

"It's nice."

The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee

"I think I would want something simple on my tombstone, don't you?"

"I have strange thoughts. I don't know where they come from."

Solaris by Stanislaw Lem

"How long did it go on?"

“For God’s sake,” he said, “we spent some time together. An interlude.”

The Unrequited Glove (short story) in ‘Women as Demons’ by Tanith Lee.

“Well, and who have you fallen foul of, my boy?”

"'Surprise,' Shoat said. 'I didn't think it was possible, either, an ordinary joe trumping the great Ike Crockett. But you were easy. Talk about bragging rights. I mug Superman and get the girl.'"

The Descent by Jeff Long

"'…Maybe you're getting old. Anyhoo' -- he glanced behind him over the precipice -- 'We've reached the heart of the matter, haven't we?'"

"Thanks, but I can't drink this lying down."

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

"Then why did you come?"

"I returned from the country this morning."

Funerals Are Fatal by Agatha Christie

"And you have a matter on which you wish to consult me?"

"Don't suppose you're always useful."

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

"Is this a mid-life crisis?"

"Yes. Most of the day is spent trying to avoid it."

The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee

"You don't think she's attractive?"

“You let this bitch govern you.”

Into Gold (short story) in ‘Women as Demons’ by Tanith Lee.

“How do you manage without women?”

"Just go on, day by day. I'm on the prayer list at church, and that helps."

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

"Will pizza be okay tonight?"

"I trust your judgment," said Lord Altamont. "Go ahead."

Passenger to Frankfurt by Agatha Christie

"But that is the sum of activities at present?"

"Well, actually I'm trying to find the Abbey of Gethsemani."

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

"Thomas Merton used to live here, did you know that?"

"Don't I know my own family history, Mary?"

The Yellow House by Patricia Falvey

"What's the paint for?"

"Her eyes had an abnormal color, she thought. There seemed to be a ring of yellowish shiny pigment inside
each iris -- a pupillary ring, with flamelike offshoots."

The Cobra Event by Richard Preston

"Do you have an exam light?"

“Will this do?” she said. “I didn’t know what - ”

You are My Sunshine (short story) in ‘Women as Demons’ by Tanith Lee.

And for godssakes anyway, what was there for him to be interested in?

"It was his turn to play a solo."

The Yellow House by Patricia Falvey

"Did you hear what the bastards are up to now?"

Betty was silent, and for a moment, Frank wondered if she'd heard him.

Songbird Under a German Moon by Tricia Goyer

"Where is the happily-ever-after ending we looked forward to?

"In that moment when he looked at me with such sorrow in his eyes, I realized that the rich and privileged people can have their dreams shattered, too."

The Yellow House by Patricia Falvey

"What about school, young lad?"

"They probably have traffic jams and bad hair days even there."

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

"How are you going to pay for this house?"

"The property was all sold for a good price. I now had enough money to live without having to work again. Terrence planted the notion in me that I should buy my own house."

The Yellow House by Patricia Falvey

"What do you think of that?"

"Could be a lot more there than meets the eye."

Terror on Tuesday by Ann Purser

"How do you mean, darling?"

"No one lives outside of theory!"

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

"What are you going to do with me?"

"You've got problems. You need help."

In Her Shoe by Jennifer Weiner

"So why don't you be a stand-up guy about it and take her home?"

"Oh, she's lived everywhere. She's a gypsy at heart,"

C is for Corpse by Sue Grafton

"What's all the fretting about then?"

"He's dead as a doornail."

Terror on Tuesday by Ann Purser

"What on earth were you doing in the church?"

“I’ve no apology of worth. I’m a lout.”

The Lancastrian Blush (short story) in ‘Women as Demons’ by Tanith Lee.

“Do you kill for discourtesy, here?”

"Not personally. He has Canino. Canino killed a man tonight, a harmless little guy who was trying to help somebody out. I almost saw him killed."

The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler

His blue eyes frosted. "Are you attempting to tell me my duties, sir?"

"I simply want to tell you that there are some men in the world who were born to do our unpleasant jobs for us."

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

"Can't you take up sewin' or somethin'?"

"Austen placed her knife pack on the desk and opened it. Inside the leather folder were two short knives and a long knife. They were her autopsy blades."

The Cobra Event by Richard Preston

"You're sure you know how to get to the door?"

"You want to give me directions?"

The Pleasure of My Company by Steve Martin

"Is it in this area?"

"you do understand, don't you, that we must be outside the three-mile territorial limit before it is legal for me to scatter my wife's ashes in the sea?' said Norman. . ."

The man who rowed for the shore in Injury Time by Catherine Aird

'it isn't going to get rough, is it?'

There was no escape, Will knew.

Erak's Ransom by John Flanagan

'What the devil is he doing here?'

"You'd think you'd never seen your husband before."

The Yellow House by Patricia Falvey

"And what feckin' business is it of yours?"

"We're not looking for a fight, old man."

Wolf of the Plains by Conn Iggulden

"Why should I want you to stay?"

"You're still my feckin' wife!"

The Yellow House by Patricia Falvey

"After all his lovely words about Irish Freedom, would he really sell out part of Ireland?"

"...Newberry was ever a man to smile on a jolly sixpence."

The Natural History of Make-Believe by John Goldthwaite

"Will you walk into my parlor?"

"I looked around the room and tried, as I always did, to commit the scene to memory. Something in me wanted to hold on to it forever."

The Yellow House by Patricia Falvey

"Have you no doctors over in that godforsaken place?"

"Let's go to the church ... someone there might know."

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

"You'll send me photos now and then?"

“No. Will you speak to Horace? He can arrange something.”

The One We Were (short story) in ‘Women as Demons’ by Tanith Lee.

“It’s true then? She’s taken to dressing in male costume?”

"Well. If that's true, I'm glad."

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

"It's a kind of power, isn't it, knowing a secret?"

"It seems kind of devious. I like to be straight with people."

Rough Cider by Peter Lovesey

"Why did you offer to help?"

"I've been accused of trying too hard to rescue people."

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

"It's not really mine to know, is it?"

"Please say you understand."

The Yellow House by Patricia Falvey

"Have you lost your senses, girl?"

"It's a pleasant face!" said the Blinded Lady.

The Blinded Lady by Eleanor Hallowell Abbott

oh don't be so ridicules.. are you sure about what you are saying?

"Och, ye big mammy's boy!"

In the Woods by Tana French

"Can't the pathologist deal with it?"

"Though she carried Diamond to Purgatory, note, she may not enter herself..."

The Natural History of Make-Believe by John Goldthwaite

"...what more was there to be said?"

"'exactly,' said Miss McCormack."

Steady as she goes in Injury Time by Catherine Aird

'what happened to the empty glasses?'

"Detectives," he said.

In the Woods by Tana French

"You must be the detectives, yes?"

"Whatever. Now get yourself another beer and give me the dirt on Diane Lindsay."

The Chicago Way by Michael Harvey.

"What woman would that be?"

"I have many names," she murmured. "But you may call me Mab. Queen of Air and Darkness. Monarch of the Winter Court of the Sidhe."

Summer Knight by Jim Butcher

"Who's the corpse?"

"Baby Henry…"

The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

"Mama, you fix him?"

Then, and for the first time in his life, Martian beheld his mother in retreat.

Discovered Country (short story) in ‘Women as Demons’ by Tanith Lee.

“Why are you calling me by that ridiculous and obsolete misnomer?”

"We have some history."

The Chicago Way by Michael Harvey

"What do you think is in the file?"

A severed head.

Discovered Country (short story) in ‘Women as Demons’ by Tanith Lee.

“Does she always eat sugar this rapaciously?”

"You want some? Joey's got extra cups, you want any."

The Chicago Way by Michael Harvey

"You know Joey?"

"'more's the pity,' said Harpe. . ."

The hard sell in Injury Time by Catherine Aird

'how's life?'

“It’s all rather a silly game, but I’m not supposed to say.”

Discovered Country (short story) in ‘Women as Demons’ by Tanith Lee.

“What do you want to do with your life?”

"You know, I always wanted to be an archaelogist."

In the Woods by Tana French

"What is in the tomb?"

"I was half-alive when they released me. Just wanted to get home. Back to Sedan. Didn't really care about the rest."

The Chicago Way by Michael Harvey

"Have you found out who attacked me?"

“White woman,” said the child again, “on big man’s dog.”

Winter White (short story) in ‘Women as Demons’ by Tanith Lee.

“Shall I eat you then?”

"Right, lads," he said, into the silence. "Welcome to Operation Vestal."

In the Woods by Tana French

"What's a vestal when it's at home?"

It took me a few seconds to realise that the racing in my chest was excitement.

Whispers of the Dead by Simon Beckett

"Isn't it a bit soon to say he's missing if he's only been gone a few hours?"

And I stopped retching and stood and looked at what remained of the beautiful black medic, wrapped up in the bloodstained lion skin.

The Thaw (short story) in ‘Women as Demons’ by Tanith Lee.

“The plant was a salad. But the man – what was he?”

#308 good one!

"'was he a boxer?' asked Crosby suspiciously."

Double jeopardy in Injury Time by Catherine Aird

"'and,' enquired Sloan, his glance straying back to his watch, 'was the race to the swift?'"*

*Aird uses enquired rather than inquired

"The news must be managed correctly if it is to have the right effect on the morale of the nation," barked Davenport.

Full Dark House by Christopher Fowler

"Well, what do you make of this?"

"Papa did not want to go on without Mama, and no one wanted to go on without Papa. Jamie was the first to turn back. Earlier in the week, telling no one, he had taken a gun from the house and hidden it under the smokehouse."

The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

"And Jamie? Where is he now?"

"I'm staying with an aunt in Oakley Square . . . "

Full Dark House by Christopher Fowler

"Who decides which cases we get?"

'one with a Crimean cast of mind. . .'

Double jeopardy in Injury Time by Catherine Aird

'do you two know what a padded cell is like?'

"These people! They have not acted under my instructions. They have disobeyed my direct orders!"

The Cobra Event by Richard Preston

"Is this a sample from the truck?"

End of thread. Continued here