It is the sex angle that sells stories, that makes news. give people scandal allied to sex and it appeals far more than any mere political chicanery or fraud.

Yew berries? Berries or leaves. Highly poisonous. Taxine, of course, is the alkaloid.

Bad habit, lunch. A banana and a water biscuit is all any sane healthy man should need in the middle of the day.

Surely, said Miss Marple, aghast at an idea that had come into her mind, there can't be a bond of ruthlessness between us? Was she, Jane Marple—could she ever be—ruthless? D'you know, said Miss Marple to herself, it's extraordinary, I never thought about it before. I believe, you know, I could be ruthless….

Yes, said Miss Marple. The children of Lucifer are often beautiful—And as we know, they flourish like the green bay tree.

I mean that success has come early. And that is dangerous. Always dangerous.

Detective stories are mostly bunkum... But they amuse people... And they're useful sometimes.