Denise Mina

There's a real emphasis on being witty in Scotland, even in crime novels.

My upbringing was middle-class but my parents' families were both working-class so I had this odd combination of working-class background but in a privileged position.

I think the negative traits are what makes us love other human beings, the foibles and the flaws.

It took me realizing that a broken heart has never actually killed anyone to find the courage to ask for what I want, in just about every situation. That was part of my own growing up.

Corresponding to the image of a monotheistic God is monogamous marriage. Marriage based on exclusive and definitive love becomes the icon of the relationship between God and his people and vice versa.

I just had an idea that went right over my head.