Val McDermid Quotes

What it had done, however, was to give him a feeling of power and control that had taken him back to how he used to feel every day.

Her fight with alcohol had made for contentious exchanges and, if that were possible, even more contentious silences. Tony, empathetic to the point of self-harming, felt the pain of her abstinence as...

About Author

Valarie McDermid (born 4 June 1955) is a Scottish crime writer, best known for a series of novels featuring clinical psychologist Dr. Tony Hill and his collaborators in the police department. Her work is considered to be part of a sub-genre known as Tartan Noir. This series was adapted for television, running from 2002 to 2008, and known as Wire in the Blood.
She also had a second series, known as Karen Pirie, adapted from her several books featuring that character.

′You're a very unusual man, Mark,′ she'd said.′That's nice of you to say so,′ he said.

Why are you only coming home just after three? Do you want a drink? I'm wide awake now.' He could be so like a small child, she thought. Out of nowhere, all eagerness and curiosity.

He spread his hands in a self-deprecating gesture. 'Well, I'm not a cop. And I'm not a woman.' She couldn't resist. 'I had noticed.

I know that. I do watch Spooks.' Carol was surprised. 'You do? I don't.' 'You should. They do.

I was just finishing up my drink then I was off to get the night bus.' Carol grinned. 'Your sophistication never ceases to amaze me. What's wrong with a taxi?' 'You get a better class of nutter on the...

He looked so vulnerable and fallible, his shoulders slumped, his head down, that Carol's impulses overrode the decision she'd taken only minutes before to play it cool. She stepped forward and pulled...

I'm telling you the truth, Carol. Even though it's actually none of your business.'She half turned, found a smile from somewhere and said, 'You're quite right. It is none of my business. Till tomorrow...

It wasn't enough but it was a start. It might keep him going...

I've read the stories. Teenagers committing suicide because all they can see ahead of them is shame and disgrace. Kids running away from home because they feel like they've list their future. Well, I'...

I don't like fighting,' he said. 'It makes me hurt inside. Like I'm a kid again. In the cupboard, in the dark. If the grown-ups are fighting, it must be my fault. That's why I don't do rows.' He blink...

If you want to last more than five minutes as a private investigator, you've got to have the instincts of a chameleon. Gumshoes that stand out in the crowd are as much use to the client as a chocolate...

You are Tadeusz Radecki? I am in the right place?' 'I know who I am. What I want to know is who you are.

Her eyes widened and her mouth formed an anguished O. He had to admit, there was real pleasure in seeing her pay the price for her bitching and whining and moaning. She’d called men like him misogynis...

To come up against someone who appeared not to give a damn about exerting petty power almost restored his faith in the public.

There’s a thing called narcissistic personality disorder. People who have an inflated sense of their own importance, a lack of empathy for others. They’re vain, they crave the power over others they t...

You couldn't have everything. At least, not all at the same time.

The psychology of sanction.’ ‘If you’re right, then why does anyone protest against torture? Why don’t we all just go, Oh well, we’ve seen how well it works in the movies, let’s just go along with it?...

The abbey was vampire heaven.