The Case of the Ghostwriter Quotes

“You’ll wait right here?” I asked Frank.
He nodded.
“If you hear any screams . . .”
“I’ll come running,” he said. “Don’t worry, Jigsaw. I’ll be right here. Trust me.”
― James Preller, The Case of the Ghostwriter

“When the store emptied, Frank gasped. “Goodness! You kids have to stop eating! If you’re not careful, you’re going to turn into grown-ups. We don’t want that, do we?”
― James Preller, The Case of the Ghostwriter

“Even worse, this family story stuff was getting in the way of my detective work. I doubted Sherlock Holmes ever had problems like mine.”
― James Preller, The Case of the Ghostwriter

“I found my parents in the living room. They were playing chess.
“Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad. Who’s winning?”
My dad grumbled. “Your mother just took my queen,” he complained. “Even after all the nice things I’ve done for her.”
My mom laughed. “What else should I do? Lose to you on purpose?”
“Yes!” my dad answered. “Lose to me on purpose! I love that idea!”
Yeesh. That’s my dad for you. A little goofy. “Um, Mom, Dad? Can you tell me some family stories?”
My dad slid his rock across the board. “Now’s not a good time, Theodore. I’m trying to destroy your dear mother.”
My mom moved her knight. “Check,” she said. She tried not to smile. But not hard enough.
“Uh, guys?” I asked. “Remember me? Your youngest son?”
― James Preller, The Case of the Ghostwriter

“Mila punched me in the arm. "Don't get goofy on me, Jigsaw! Ghosts are not real. And they don't write books!"
I'll say this for Mila. She's got a pretty good right hand. My arm ached for the rest of the day.”
― James Preller, The Case of the Ghostwriter

“Earl Bartholomew is a teenager. Believe me, you just can't trust teenagers. Besides," I added, "I think Earl's a little strange. He's taken too many ramps without a helmet.”
― James Preller, The Case of the Ghostwriter

“Hold the phone,” I said. “I just want to finish this puzzle.” I had only six pieces left.
Stringbean looked around. “What phone?”
“There’s no phone,” I said. “I just need another minute of quiet.”
“So how can I hold the phone?” he asked.
“It’s just an expression,” I said. “Like ‘you’re pulling my leg.’”
Stringbean lifted an eyebrow. “I never touched your leg!”
“I never said you touched my leg,” I replied.
“You just did!” Stringbean explained. “You said I was pulling it.”
“That’s not what I meant,” I stated.
“Then why’d you say it?” Stringbean muttered.
Oh brother. I scratched the back of my neck. “Let’s try this again,” I said carefully. “I was only using an expression--a saying. Do you know what that is?”
Stringbean’s face was as blank as a brick wall. I took that as a no.
“Imagine I told you to put the lights out,” I said. “Would you take the lightbulbs and actually put them out in the backyard?”
Stringbean laughed. “Of course not. I’d just turn them off.”
“Exactly!” I said.
“But . . .”
“No buts, Stringbean,” I said. “Besides, what brings you here anyway?”
“My bicycle,” he answered.
I sighed. “I mean, why are you here?”
― James Preller, The Case of the Ghostwriter