The Mermaids Singing Quotes

“It's only hunting you that keeps me from being you.”
― Val McDermid, The Mermaids Singing

“You know, I've often wondered. It's pretty clear what they were up to in Sodom, but what do you suppose the sin of Gomorrah was?' Carol asked.”
― Val McDermid, The Mermaids Singing

“Around five-eight, slim, good shoulders, narrow hips, legs and trunk in proportion, short dark hair, side parting, dark eyes, probably blue, shadows under the eyes, fair skin, average nose, wide mouth, lower lip fuller than upper.”
― Val McDermid, The Mermaids Singing

“You always remember the first time. Isn't that what they say about sex? How much more true it is of murder.”
― Val McDermid, The Mermaids Singing

“He looked so vulnerable and fallible, his shoulders slumped, his head down, that Carol's impulses overrode the decision she'd taken only minutes before to play it cool. She stepped forward and pulled Tony into a tight hug. 'If anyone can do it, you can,' she whispered against his chin like a cat marking its territory.”
― Val McDermid, The Mermaids Singing

“She watched his pale, square hands on the map, the short almost stubby fingers, with their neatly trimmed nails and a sparse scattering of fine black hairs on the bottom section of each finger. Appalled, she felt a stirring of desire. You're pathetic as an adolescent, she savagely chided herself. Like a teenager who fancies the first teacher who says anything nice about your work. Grow up, Jordan!”
― Val McDermid, The Mermaids Singing

“What do you think, boy? is he just another lying bastard, or what?' 'Prrrt,' the cat said on a rising intonation, his eyes closed to slits. 'I thought you'd say that. I agree, I know how to pick them,”
― Val McDermid, The Mermaids Singing

“Tony got up from his desk and crouched down beside her. She was instantly aware of the smell of him, a mixture of shampoo and his own fain, animal scent.”
― Val McDermid, The Mermaids Singing

“Attractive smile, Carol added to her list of particulars as she shook the hand.”
― Val McDermid, The Mermaids Singing

“senior”
― Val McDermid, The Mermaids Singing

“Tony took a deep breath and deliberately relaxed his body. He used breathing techniques to put himself into a light state of trance. He instructed his conscious mind to let go, to allow his higher self to access directly all he knew about Handy Andy and to answer for him. When he spoke, even his voice was different. The timbre was rougher, the tones deeper. ‘I blended in. I took care. I watched and I learned.”
― Val McDermid, The Mermaids Singing

“went down the supermarket for my messages”
― Val McDermid, The Mermaids Singing

“Logic screamed that a body so broken should be an island in a lake of gore, like an ice cube in a Bloody Mary.”
― Val McDermid, The Mermaids Singing

“FROM 3½″ DISC”
― Val McDermid, The Mermaids Singing

“She didn’t intend her career to hit the buffers just because she’d made the mistake of opting for a force run by Neanderthals.”
― Val McDermid, The Mermaids Singing

“He was about to pursue a course of action that would be as popular with his Chief Constable as a priest in an Orange Lodge.”
― Val McDermid, The Mermaids Singing

“It didn’t matter that he knew there was a serial killer loose in Bradfield. He couldn’t afford to be the one to say it first.”
― Val McDermid, The Mermaids Singing

“When I realized I was going to have to become a killer, the memory of the torture museum rose before me like a muse. I’ve always been good with my hands.”
― Val McDermid, The Mermaids Singing

“And those that there are tend to be so deep in the closet you could mistake them for a clothes hanger.”
― Val McDermid, The Mermaids Singing

“I'm telling you the truth, Carol. Even though it's actually none of your business.'
She half turned, found a smile from somewhere and said, 'You're quite right. It is none of my business. Till tomorrow Tony.”
― Val McDermid, The Mermaids Singing

“Tell you what, just to prove I'm not, I'll let you top tonight. You'll be in charge. I'll be the one with handcuffs on.'
Carry on like this and you won't be wrong, Merrick thought to himself.”
― Val McDermid, The Mermaids Singing