Most people's first books are their best anyways. It's the one they wanted most to write. — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
Letterwriting is the natural outlet of the "odds." The busy-bodies, the idle, the perverted, the cranks, the feel-it-my-duties ... Also the plain depraved. They all write letters. It's their safe outlet, you see. They can be as interfering, as long-winded,… — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
“She put her cup down and sighed again with pleasure. "I can't think how the Nonconformists have failed to discover coffee." "Discover it?" "Yes.… — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
“The only thing that counted to her was her own opinion of herself. If that became smirched or spoiled there would be nothing left.… — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
The worst of pushing horrible things down into one's subconscious is that when they pop up again they are as fresh as if they… — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
“This is nice,” she said. “They’re not very high, but I hate walking in them.” “What are?” “My shoes.” She held up a foot… — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
It was pleasant to talk shop again; to use that elliptical, allusive speech that one uses only with another of one's trade. — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
“Silas’s last book: mother lying-in with her eleventh upstairs, father laid-out after his ninth downstairs, eldest son lying to the Government in the cow-shed,… — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
It's an odd thing but when you tell someone the true facts of a mythical tale they are indignant not with the teller but… — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
“How old was More when Richard succeeded? He was five. When that dramatic council scene had taken place at the Tower, Thomas More had… — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
“She'll never ride," Eleanor said. She can't even bump the saddle yet." "Perhaps loony people can't ride," Ruth suggested. "Ruth," Bee said, with vigour.… — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
The truth of anything at all doesn't lie in someone's account of it. It lies in all the small facts of the time. An… — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
“Alan Grant: "There are... far too many words written. Millions and millions of them pouring from the presses every minute. It's a horrible thought."… — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
A man may own a ship, but unless he is captain of a crew he goes where the ship goes. — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
