P. D. James

God gives every bird his worm, but He does not throw it into the nest.

We English are good at forgiving our enemies; it releases us from the obligation of liking our friends.

What the detective story is about is not murder but the restoration of order.

They said I couldn't play anything but an English boy. I knew I could. So I went to New York.

Well, I actually wrote her a letter a couple of days ago congratulating her. The tone I tried to convey in the letter is, look, you are a part of a great American historical process.

I like to look put together without trying too hard. I don't want to look as if God's made another rainbow - I prefer muted, autumnal colours, like most fading redheads.