Cara Black > Quotes

“The past informs the present. Memory makes the map we carry, no matter how hard we try to erase it.”
― Cara Black, Murder in the Bastille

“All the what ifs in life were encompassed in that long pause.”
― Cara Black, Murder in the Bastille

“The nurse expelled air. “Who knows? The X-ray technicians went on strike. We’re run off our feet.” She hurried off to answer a doctor’s call from the corridor. Great. The season of grèves. Spring must be coming.”
― Cara Black, Murder Below Montparnasse

“Nostalgia for what? Nostalgia is when you want things to stay as they were. I know so many people who stay in the same place. And I think, my God, look at them! They're dead before they die. Living is risking.”
― Cara Black, Murder in the Bastille

“RADA: Read, Assess, Decide, Act. This stands for: read the situation; assess possible outcomes; decide on options; act on your decision.”
― Cara Black, Three Hours in Paris

“You want Interpol statistics? Three quarters of stolen art end up transited through a minimum of three countries, exchanged for goods including arms and gold. Recently, someone traded art for a restaurant chain in Slovakia.” A means to an end. A kind of currency.”
― Cara Black, Murder Below Montparnasse

“Morgane hated working with amateurs. Amateurs with hairy palms, her uncle would say, so lazy they grew hair on their palms.”
― Cara Black, Murder Below Montparnasse

“mercy and with this heat, you know—and my anemia.” She sighed. “My brain’s already turned to mush.” “Sit down.” Concerned now, he guided her to a small spindle-back chair in the landing’s corner. “I’ve got a message for an attendee. His name’s Antoine. I’ve never met him, monsieur.” She gave a big sigh. “Very sad. This comes from Rafael Santos, Professor Neliad’s assistant at the Polytechnic,” she said, ready to launch into the story she’d fabricated on the long ride. Rafael, an actual Spanish engineering student Kate had known in ’37, had become the assistant to his advisor, Professor Neliad, a short squat perfectionist Raphael had mimicked incessantly. “I hate to trouble you, monsieur, but it’s important I speak with Antoine. Please.” The man set down his folder, which was labeled école polytechnique. “But what’s so important?” She had to make this credible. Make him believe her. She sniffled and shook her head. “There’s horrible news. Antoine’s mother . . .” She paused for effect. “A terrible accident in front of her apartment. The bus”
― Cara Black, Three Hours in Paris

“But life’s only worth living if you live,”
― Cara Black, Murder on the Quai

“Vous allez trouver votre place.” You will find your place.”
― Cara Black, Murder on the Quai

“quickened.”
― Cara Black, Three Hours in Paris

“is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong.”
― Cara Black, Murder on the Ile Saint-Louis

“dry cleaner’s. She’d been wanting to talk with”
― Cara Black, Murder in the Marais