The Lost Plot Quotes

“Irene made a private mental resolution that if she ever became a queen, her throne would incorporate a cushion. Also a convenient bookcase.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“We don’t want to be stuck on the train with nothing to read.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“And there was another elephant in the room. There were so many elephants in the room that it was getting positively crowded.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“She occasionally daydreamed about being the sort of character in a story who could faint and leave everyone else to sort things out. But that wasn’t going to happen.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“Oh well, hindsight always had all the best ideas.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“Management positions always come with ulcers attached.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“Here, you carry these. I may need my hands free.

Why the hell are we taking ‘The Dream of the Red Chamber?’ Light reading, if we get stuck on the subway?

No, in case we get stopped by some of Qing Song’s minions who can’t read Chinese.

Oh. Right. Hey, that’s not a bad thought. Though if we’re going to be throwing them away anyhow, why not take ‘The Investiture of the Gods’...

Because I like ‘The Investiture of the Gods’ and I don’t like ‘The Dream of the Red Chamber’.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“Shit,' he said succinctly.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“So much for a nice quiet evening with a good book.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“Many were reacting to the crisis by getting drunk, and Irene couldn’t blame them. It was a perfectly reasonable response to the situation, and it was supporting local businesses. A win–win situation.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“Irene had always thought that some awakenings were better than others. For instance, waking up in bed on a morning with nothing urgent to do, a pile of books next to you, and a mug of coffee within arm’s reach could be described as good. Waking up in the deserted tunnels of the London Underground to the sound of distant werewolf howls was bad. Waking up to find yourself hanging in chains in a private Inquisition Chamber was really bad. (And hell on the shoulders”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“She decided her persona needed one more little push, just to confirm herself in Qing Song’s eyes as a powerful, arrogant, but conveniently ignorant idiot. “I trust that your investigation won’t get in the way of mine. Which I shall start to commence now. Good day.” A powerful, arrogant idiot with bad grammar, she amended her own thought.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“Irene had always thought that some awakenings were better than others. For instance, waking up in bed on a morning with nothing urgent to do, a pile of books next to you, and a mug of coffee within arm's reach could be described as good. Waking up in the deserted tunnels of the London Underground to the sound of distant werewolf howls was bad. Waking up to find yourself hanging in chains in a private Inquisition Chamber was really bad. (And hell on the shoulders.)”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“There was a silence that ranged from faith and trust (Kai) through horrified disbelief (Evariste) to a sort of harmony between high-grade suspicion (both Hu and Captain Venner) and consideration (George and Lily).”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“But ultimately there was an even better reason why Irene headed for the door.

It was simple curiosity.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“(Physics had never been Irene's strong point. In fact, it was on her list of weak points, along with visual art, human anatomy, and the ability to maintain a convincing American accent.)”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“Let's not borrow trouble till it's actually here.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“Strong-minded women with a cause accepted even fewer excuses than the average gangster, when it came to getting what they wanted, and what they wanted right now was Irene making a speech.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“Irene gazed out of the window, trying to come to terms with the fact that it was morning and she needed to wake up.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“She'd dressed politely and soberly in response to her invitation, in a dove-grey jacket and skirt with dark green trimmings. Given the circumstances, she was wishing she'd accessorized the outfit with garlic, silver, and running shoes.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“She occasionally daydreamed about being the sort of character in a story who could faint and leave everyone else to sort things out.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“It’s the logical consequence of removing valuable artefacts from native cultures. This sort of pandering to American greed, at the expense of the dignity and self-determination of the cultures concerned, is certain to cause long-term results—”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“The weight of earth was a terrible pressure bearing down on her, making her conscious of how tiny and short-lived a thing she was, and the light seemed very far away.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“She’d always known that a strong capacity for self-deception and ignoring unpleasant realities had to be useful somewhere.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“waking up in bed on a morning with nothing urgent to do, a pile of books next to you, and a mug of coffee within arm’s reach could be described as good.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“was the fear of death and everything that went with it in this place:”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“But that was one of the perks of being higher-ranking: you could tell your juniors to cut back on the courtesy, while simultaneously being offended if you felt they were being too rude. A win-win situation, for the people on top.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“What Vale didn’t know, he had absolutely no idea about, but what he did know was usually fascinating.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“I’m about to look up Evariste’s record, and this time you don’t get to lean over my shoulder.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot

“But that was one of the perks of being higher-ranking; you could tell your juniors to cut back on the courtesy, while simultaneously being offended if you felt they were being too rude. A win-win situation, for the people on top.”
― Genevieve Cogman, The Lost Plot