Quotes from Ian Rankin

He was in his twenties and lived in a caravan behind the pub, which he shared with his tattoos and facial piercings. 'The room you're in is his by rights,' Collins had explained to Rebus, 'but he'd rather be where he is.

We've already eaten,' Fox said. 'Nice, was

Pretty much.

Because of EU rules,' Fox agreed. 'Which are about to end.' 'Bloody Brexit,' Morelli commented. 'Have you noticed any changes during your time in Scotland?' Fox went on. 'Changes?' 'A hardening of attitudes.' 'Racism, you mean? Not especially – it's a bigger issue in England, I think.

And little girls went to charm schools. Now you've all got degrees from the University of Sarcasm.

If it were a peg, you couldn't hang a fucking hankie on it, never mind your coat.

Fox picked up the cup and blew across its surface. He knew it was going to be the cheapest brand of powdered instant; knew the cup wasn't as clean as it could be. But he would remember the smell and the taste and the pattern on the saucer for the rest of his life.

WE COMMIT ALL SORTS OF INJUSTICES AT EVERY STEP WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST EVIL INTENTION. EVERY MINUTE WE ARE THE CAUSE OF SOMEONE'S UNHAPPINESS

Rebus stopped her and turned to Chilton. 'Why isn't Neil

As time's gone on, I've probably become a lot more like him...

means they'll mostly be Glasgow – and you

When an innocent man suddenly dies, God laughs. God gave the world to the wicked. He made all the judges blind, And if God didn't do it, who did? If I smile and try to forget my pain, All my suffering comes back to haunt me; I know that God does hold me guilty. Since I am held guilty, why should I bother? No soap can wash away my sins.

The two movers did not require tea – they seemed to work on a supply of fizzy drinks and vaping. Besides which, they were almost done. She heard

muttered. Then:

Here's tae us,' Cameron said. 'Wha's like us?' Collins added. 'Might just leave it there,' Rebus said, unwilling to finish the toast. But the words echoed in his head anyway. Gey few, and they're aw deid …

As time's gone on, I've probably become a lot more like him (John Rebus): I drink at his bar and I like to be one on one with my music late at night.

Suddenly you've got a twinkle in your eye," Smith noted. "Might be the onset of cataracts," Rebus explained. Then: "Bell's definitely from Glasgow?

in Scotland. There was no need: the Scots had bigotry instead.

There was a ring at the door. He did not answer. They would go away, and he would be alone again with his grief, his impotent anger, and his undusted possessions.

That was the problem with having money: you ended up with decisions to make. And if you bought anything, where would you put it? He'd need either ditch something, or to start on another carrier bag. That was the problem, being Frank.

We Scots, Rebus thought, we're not very good at going public. We store up our true feelings like fuel for long winter nights of whisky and recrimination. So little of us ever reaches the surface, it's a wonder we exist at all.

her face had decided long ago that make-up wasn't going to cure anything. Her

Sin and evil weren't black – he'd argued the point with a priest – but were greyly anonymous.

John Martyn on instead, Grace and Danger