“I’m exempt from anything I damned will feel like on the grounds that I’ll kick anyone’s ass who says otherwise.”

“No damned thing from the vasty deeps is going to get the better of me in my own home.”

“There’s nothing like a major emergency and the almost certain death of the whole damned world to concentrate the mind wonderfully.”

“Too many people live the lives other people think they ought to, following orders they don't agree with, for causes they don't believe in. They live lives that don't matter, that touch no one and change nothing. For better or worse, you and I stared evil in the eye and didn't flinch. We raised our swords and went to war, and even if we didn't win we kicked some ass along the way. We made a difference, and that's all any man can ask.”

“He has also worked as a shop assistant, bicycle-repair mechanic, journalist, actor, eccentric dancer, and mail-order bride. He has never worked for MI5. Don’t believe anyone who tel s you otherwise. He is, however, secretly Superman.”

“Who ... what are they?" "My pride and glory," Alex said fondly. "Betty and Lucy Coltrane. Best damned bouncers in the business. Though of course I'd never tell them that. Fiercer than pit bulls and cheaper to run. Married to each other. They had a dog once, but they ate it.”

“While the cat’s away, you may find the rats getting damned uppity.”