There’s only one thing worse than not satisfying a desire. And that is not to feel any desire.

All interesting heroes have an Achilles heel.

I've read that it's the smell some carnivores use to find their prey. Imagine the trembling victim trying to hide, but knowing that the smell of its own fear will kill it.

As a writer, you have to believe you're one of the best writers in the world. To sit down every day at the typewriter filled with self-doubt is not a good idea.

Doubt is faith's shadow.

You can't visit readers where you think they are. You have to invite them home to where you are and try to lure them into your universe. That's the art of storytelling.

My influence is probably more from American crime writers than any Europeans. And I hardly read any Scandinavian crime before I started writing myself. I wasn't a great crime reader to begin with.

To have the chance of being loved we have to take a chance on being destroyed inside

Everything you do leaves traces, doesn't it. The life you've lived is written all over you, for those who can read.

Love is a greater mystery than death.

Love surrounds you like steam in the shower. You can't see the individual drops, but you get warm. And wet. And clean.

With time and patience the mulberry leaf becomes a silk gown.

The deeper the sorrow the less tongue it hath.

What are you doing?" Nothing. Breaking and entering. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

Wake me up when I'm a size 5.

It's something special to break the world record at the Olympics.

Now I don't get upset by unpleasant things, I don't play the victim, and I'm always ready to come to terms with life.

History will only ever be partial, to a large extent history tells us what we think should be remembered and what should be forgotten, I find that really problematic.

I woke early like a condemned man to the naivety of birdsong.

Intent and service-that is my motto.

Whatever you want to do, go do it.