The Black Book Quotes

“It’s easier if you do a handstand,’ commented Rebus. ‘What is?’ ‘Talking out of your arse.”
― Ian Rankin, The Black Book

“Hardship bred a bitter, quickfire humour and resilience to all but the most terminal of life's tragedies.”
― Ian Rankin, The Black Book

“Nearest we get to the sun here is when the toaster’s on.”
― Ian Rankin, The Black Book

“Brown ties don’t make it.”
― Ian Rankin, The Black Book

“West-central Fife could use a spot of communion itself. It would drink the wine and pawn the chalice.”
― Ian Rankin, The Black Book

“He had been thinking too of goodies and baddies. If you thought bad things – dreams of cruelty and lust – that didn’t make you bad. But if your head was full of civilised thoughts and you spent all day as a torturer … It came down to the fact that you were judged by your actions in society, not by the inside of your head.”
― Ian Rankin, The Black Book

“Rebus stopped her and turned to Chilton. ‘Why isn’t Neil”
― Ian Rankin, The Black Book

“Everything you do from waking till sleeping is against somebody's Bible, Cafferty.”
― Ian Rankin, The Black Book

“As usual, Vanderhyde’s memory was sharp enough when it suited him. ‘That’s true. All the same, you were there.’ ‘Yes, I was. But I left several hours before the fire started. Not guilty, your honour.’ ‘Why were you there in the first place?’ ‘To meet a friend for a drink.’ ‘A seedy place for a drink.’ ‘Was it? You’ll have to remember, Inspector, I couldn’t see anything. It certainly didn’t smell or feel particularly disreputable.’ ‘Point taken.’ ‘I had my memories. To me, it was the same old Central Hotel I’d lunched in and danced in. I quite enjoyed the evening.”
― Ian Rankin, The Black Book

“like he could use a good meal. Rebus had seen more meat on a butcher’s pencil.”
― Ian Rankin, The Black Book

“Он находился настолько ниже этих людей на социальной лестнице, что сомневался, видят ли они его вообще. С каждым шагом поднимаясь все выше, они спиливали за собой ступеньки.”
― Ian Rankin, The Black Book