Julianna Deering > Quotes

“We forget sometimes that parents--even uncles--have lives of their own. Worlds of their own. Sides of themselves we never see and never dream are there. Even when someone describes those lives to us, we can't believe them. We know better.”
― Julianna Deering, Rules of Murder

“Nick: "You look rather done in. Anything wrong?"
Drew shrugged. "Not really. The world's not a fit place to live in, but unfortunately there just aren't any other viable options."
"Cheery as always." Nick grinned. "I understand you've been up to London again. Presumably it wasn't to see the queen."
"No, I believe Tuesdays she does the ironing and isn't at home to visitors."
"Pity. All that way for nothing.”
― Julianna Deering

“At least, if your will is as you say, it proves definitively that I couldn't be the murderer." Nick put on an exaggerated expression of relief. "I was beginning to worry."
"I'm happy to set your mind at ease, Nick, old boy, but I must admit I've long held you above suspicion in this case."
"Really?"
"Oh, by all means. Obviously our murderer is of superior intelligence and nerve. I ruled you out from the start.”
― Julianna Deering

“It’s as if the fragrance of the prayers of all those hundreds of years still lingers here in these stones and in these pews, saying God still bends down to hear and answer.”
― Julianna Deering, Rules of Murder

“How can I concentrate on this case when she's all I can think of? When one pert look turns my spine to blackberry jam?"
"Blackberry?"
Drew looked up. "Oh, yes, I'm certain it's blackberry. I don't like blackberry.”
― Julianna Deering, Rules of Murder

“Uncle Mason has been awfully good to me. My faith meant a great deal to me too after I was left an orphan,"
"I can understand how you felt." He looked up again, making his expression exaggeratedly sincere. "At the tender age of nine, I was left an orphan."
"You were not," she said with a giggle.
"I was," he insisted. "But, being so young, I hadn't a clue what to do with it, so I sent it back.”
― Julianna Deering, Rules of Murder

“Dash it all, there should be more clues. There should be just acres of suspects and something like a hollowed-out table leg or uneaten biscuit that's the key to the whole thing. And there should be a mysterious Russian or a man with a false beard."
Nick sighed. "Not even a sinister Chinaman to suspect, more's the pity.”
― Julianna Deering, Rules of Murder

“It’s what my missus says. She says even God don’t make us come to Him if we’re dead set on living with swine, like the Good Book says about the prodigal son.”
― Julianna Deering, Rules of Murder

“She gave me that pert look of hers. "Would you like to know who I've invited to come help me with the wedding plans?"
Drew:"Very much. Anyone I know? King George? Mrs. Hoover?"
Madeline: "Don't be silly. George is one of your friends, not mine. And from what I hear, Mrs. Hoover is packing her things and preparing to move out of the White House."
Drew: "Very well, that leaves us with just the population of the world minus two.”
― Julianna Deering, Murder at the Mikado

“Any display of interest, I can assure you, Nicholas, has been manufactured by dear, sweet, acquisitive Mrs. Pomphrey-Hughes and no other. I'm sure she's a great reader of the classics and well aware of that 'truth universally acknowledged.' And knowing me to be single and in possession of a good fortune, who better to mend my most piteous want of a wife than her own daughter, Daphne?”
― Julianna Deering, Rules of Murder

“Now, if either of you should think of something, you ring me up. And, Detective Farthering "-he shook his finger at Drew-" you and that young Dennison scamp mind you don't interfere with police business. Do all the clever thinking you want, and when you get an idea, I'll be happy to hear it. But you let the police do the investigating. Do I make myself clear?"
"Why, Inspector, I never -”
― Julianna Deering, Rules of Murder

“For reasons I can’t even begin to understand, He loves us and wants to walk beside us, even when we walk through places so dark we can’t see Him.”
― Julianna Deering, Dressed for Death