Wendy

“Redemption, n. Deliverance of sinners from the penalty of their sin through their murder of the deity against whom they sinned. The doctrine of Redemption is the fundamental mystery of our holy religions, and whoso believeth in it shall not perish, but have everlasting life in which to try to understand it.”
― Ambrose Bierce, The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary

“We read to know we're not alone.”
― William Nicholson, Shadowlands: A Play

“He's cute," I said.
"Uh-huh," the grey man agreed, "and so's dynamite.”
― Dashiell Hammett, Red Harvest

“The cheaper the crook, the gaudier the patter.”
― Dashiell Hammett, The Maltese Falcon