I'm always astonished to see how badly people can behave when they think no one is noticing.

When I started to write culinary mysteries, I did it because nobody was doing it anymore.

In a mystery, the sleuth must be believably involved and emotionally invested in solving the crime.

I like cream cheese in just about anything.

After I outlined 'Catering to Nobody,' I went and worked for a caterer. And the other thing I had to do was to talk to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department about how they investigated a crime.

I wanted to be a literary writer, so I wrote story after story and sent them to 'The New Yorker.'

One thing that improved my cooking skills was being a poor student in California... If you don't have much money, you have to learn to cook.

What one's goal should be is just to become a better writer and to tell different kinds of stories.

I told the caterer I'd work for nothing if he'd teach me about catering. I lasted one week full-time. It was exhausting.

Catering is extremely demanding financially and physically. It's a business.

Writing is work and cooking is relaxing.

With courage, always go where you fear to go.

I feel sad for him. Sad for the boy bound to the killer. I am sad for the youth betrayed by their leaders for symbols and flags and war and power.

Potential was a red herring to plot a life of wandering curiosity.

The way to stay popular as a quarterback in the NFL is never to play.

The things that bring you the greatest joy are in alignment with your purpose.

Never try to be better than somebody else. But most importantly, never cease trying to be the best you can be.

I liked hockey, and I still like hockey.

For us to be the team that got him that historic 10th championship is special for us.

If you die you're completely happy and your soul somewhere lives on.

Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain.