The Creeping Shadow Quotes

“Making tea is a ritual that stops the world from falling in on you.”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“What, are you queuing now? Just how British are you people? Don’t just stand in line! Kill somebody!”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“Strange how close the darkness is, even when things seem brightest. Even in the glare of a summer noon, when the sidewalk bakes and iron fences are hot to the touch, the shadows are still with us. They congregate in doorways and porches, and under bridges, and beneath the brims of gentlemen’s hats so you cannot see their eyes. There is darkness in our mouths and ears; in our bags and wallets; within the swing of men’s jackets and beneath the flare of women’s skirts. We carry it around with us, the dark, and its influence stains us deep.”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“Ah, two firm friends, reunited at last! There should be sweet violin music playing for us, but I'll settle for the screams of the dying.”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“Never touch a mummified body part if you don't know where it's been. That's my motto.” [- Lockwood]

“Holds true with unmummified ones too,” George said. “That's the motto I live by.”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“At last! Am I glad to see you! Right, stab this guy quickly, and let's be going.”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“Is it just me,' Kipps said, 'or does that boy need punching?'
'It's not just you.”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“At Lockwood & Co., George was famous for not being able to throw or catch with any accuracy. Back in the kitchen at Portland Row, even the casual passing out of fruit or bags of chips became an exercise fraught with danger.”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“You're not our leader,' Dave said.
'No, but I know what I'm doing, which is a nice alternative.' - Lucy”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“In my eyes, refusing cake is an immoral act.”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“I suggest we go into business together. ‘Carlyle and Skull,’ we’d call it, or possibly ‘Skull and Co.’ Yes, that’s it, with a little picture of me over the door. I can see it now….”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“Has anyone got any bandages? I've just split my sides laughing.”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“Penelope Fittes—” “Has got nothing whatsoever to do with it, as you well know. It was Lockwood who came knocking on your door, and that’s why you considered the proposal, and let’s face it, that’s why you said yes.”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“Lucy, I’m a malevolent skull, without an ounce of compassion. You’ve got to be worried if I’m feeling sorry for you.”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“Oh, we'll suffer in silence. You've given us plenty of practice at that.”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“What have they done to your poor arm?' - Holly
'Oh, don't worry, it's just a graze.' - Lucy
'I'm talking about the bandages. That's simply the most incompetent bit of first aid I've ever seen. Lockwood, George - how much dressing did you use?”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“Well, she may think it was her idea, but I’d been looking for an excuse to get you back all winter.”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“Doubts, like ghosts, gain strength in darkness; even with the dawn I wasn’t sure I’d done the right thing.”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“This guy’s a drag.” I spoke under my breath. “He sure is.” “Know what I suggest?” “Yep. And the answer’s no. I’m not going to kill him.” “Oh, you’re no fun.”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“More ghosts have been created in bedrooms than anywhere else.”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“Lucy doesn't like orange juice with floating bits,' George said. 'You remember.'
'Oh, yes. That's right. They get caught between your teeth, don't they?'
I was staring at him. My warm feeling had partially retreated. 'I'll take the orange juice. So Holly stayed over last night?'
'Personally I've always thought straining it through your teeth is part of the fun,' Lockwood said. 'You can pretend you're a blue whale.”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“Do you remember,” George went on, “what we found in the tunnels beneath Aickmere’s? Aside from a massive pile of human bones.” “I found Lucy,” Lockwood said.”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“What could it be? Not a date, surely—the boy’s got eyes.”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“But Holly the gun-toting, wild-haired madwoman of the night before was in there somewhere, I knew. It made me look upon her with fond affection.”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“A warm feeling filled me. It was made of tea and biscuits and sudden gratitude.”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“Then I realized he was still holding my hand.”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“Making tea is a ritual that stops the world from falling in on you. Everything pauses while you do familiar things with taps and kettles; it allows you to catch your breath and become calm.”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“We’re in line to get to you.” “What, are you queuing now? Just how British are you people? Don’t just stand in line! Kill somebody!”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“Strange, sometimes, how you make a particular choice. When it's not a specific thought or line of argument that decides you, but more a set of jumbled sensations that changes your mind.”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow

“Never touch a mummified body part if you don’t know where it’s been. That’s my motto.”
― Jonathan Stroud, The Creeping Shadow