Quotes from Agatha Christie

So many things are difficult," said Miss Marple. It was a useful phrase which she used often.

HC: You think I shall differently tomorrow? [about suicide] J: People do. HC: Yes, perhaps. If you're doing things in a mood of hot despair. But when it's cold despair, it's different. I've nothing to live for, you see. ~Hilary Craven; Jessop

I should have known when I first saw that picture. For it is a very remarkable picture. It is the picture of a murderess painted by her victim-it is the picture of a girl watching her lover dies.

The psychology of character is interesting,

Just for a moment I hated Lymstock and its narrow boundaries, and its gossiping whispering women.

Marriage, especially at my age, is not to be undertaken without full–er–consideration. Equality of birth, similarity of tastes, general suitability, and the same religious creed–all these things are necessary and the pros and cons have to be weighed and considered.

These women all lose their heads over a good-looking clergyman. You hear of it over and over again.

The cat is obeying its blood instinct when it plays with the mouse! It's made that way.

What a queer topsy turvy world it was. It used to be the man who went to the wars, the woman who stayed at home. But here the positions were reversed.

I'm not the head of Scotland Yard," said Mrs. Oliver, retreating from dangerous ground. "I'm a private individual -" "Oh, you're not that," said Rhoda, confusedly complimentary.

If my Rolls-Royce splashes you with mud as you're waiting for a bus, you'll know that I've taken to crime.

Reflection had never been Mrs Oliver's strong point.

The little man removed his hat. What an egg-shaped head he had.

What they need," said Griselda, "is a little immorality in their lives. Then they wouldn't be so busy looking for it in other people's." And

Conversation, my friend. Conversation and again conversation! All the murderers I have ever come across enjoyed talking. In my opinion the strong silent man seldom commits a crime—and if he does it is simple, violent, and perfectly obvious. But our clever subtle murderer—he is so pleased with himself that sooner or later he says something unfortunate and trips himself up.

There is a great deal of wickedness in village life. I hope you dear young people will never realize how very wicked the world is.

Everyone must die! That is so, is it not? If it comes quickly from the sky—bouff—like that, it is as well as any other way. One is alive for a time—yes, and then one is dead. That is what happens in this world.

Just exactly what's up on this train? It seems bughouse to me.

You know what girls are -- they go to these queer parties in studios where the young men have funny ties and they come home and talk a lot of nonsense.

When a man has a charming, gracious, intelligent wife, he's no business to treat her badly.

Pride comes in handy for masking one's feelings?it doesn't stop you from feeling them

Retired soldiers are the worst sufferers when they engage in financial operations. I have found that their credulity far exceeds that of widows--and that is saying a good deal.

It's so difficult, isn't it, to get to know people when there is a murder? And quite impossible to have any really intellectual conversation.

This book is dedicated to the many readers in this and in other countries who write to me asking: 'What has happened to Tommy and Tuppence? What are they doing now?' My best wishes to you all, and I hope you will enjoy meeting Tommy and Tuppence again, years older, but with spirit unquenched!